BUT
the effect on the fans and team after another capitulation is worrying.
City started like Brazil and continued like Brazil for the opening half an hour. In that time a superb run by Bowen was finished off by Earnie and then City's top scorer wowed the crowd with a run and finish that left David James grasping thin air.
City looked to hold out until half time despite West Ham starting to get back into the game. I felt if we had managed to go in 2 up we would have been OK.
Enter ref Andy D'Urso to cock things up.
A minute to go until the half time whistle and Connolly chases a ball into the box. Vidmar is close, trying to challenge when Connolly knocks the ball too far in front of him and loses his balance trying to stretch for the ball.
D'Urso pointed to the spot and Jermaine Defoe changed the course and destiny of the game by scoring past Margetson. TV replays have shown D'Urso got it wrong. Connolly as you'd expect took the gift and Defoe got the first of his treble.
City's heads had dropped. This was probably the most worrying thing. For the entire second half we were run ragged. West Ham registered 23 shots on goal during the game. City only 8.
For the third game in a row we've not been able to hold a lead and we have capitulated each time to lose the game.
There's no doubt that we were mugged for the first goal and there was a large slice of fortune for Defoe's second as his shot took a deflection to beat Margetson.
Defoe's third on 88 mins was a cracking left foot diver that beat Margetson all hands down.
Extra time was looming when Defoe scored the winner. Over the 90 mins the better team won.
Why oh why do we fall to pieces?
Lennie gave Margetson a run out and he made some cracking saves despite letting in three.
Jason Bowen came in and was lively in the first half but faded badly in the second half and was one of the main culprits for inviting pressure by slack passing.
Gabbidon was back in the team and was class. The boy is quality.
I thought Graham Kavanagh again did well. Earnshaw of course was excellent, 13 goals now in 10 games inc 8 in the last 4.
Gavin Gordon replaced Peter Thorne and his first touch was poor, he gave away possession and City failed to cope with the pressure.
Next we face Crewe then leaders Wigan on Saturday and Tuesday respectively. Lennie has to produce a team that can manage 90 mins of concentration and effort.
We are wonderful to watch at times but a sorry state when we hit the wall. So far this season we've been entertained beyond belief, we have performed way and above any Cardiff City team of the last 20 years or more but we don't want to be remembered as the most entertaining losers.