The first half today was the worst City have performed this season. There was no control, pace or threat from a side who looked as if they had barely met. So many missed or wasted passes, hesitation and the inability make the Newcastke keeper break sweat.
At at the other end the gifting of Newcastle the ball combined with the visitors knowledge of where the goal was meant Loic Remy helped himself to two goals from distance. If not for David Marshall (again) it could have been a rout.
A Fraiser Campbell half chance when he put pressure on Crul on the edge of the box aside Cardiff took until the 45th minute to put together a decent attack.
The introduction of Jordon Mutch at half time changed things. The boy ran the game in the second half as Cardiff looked to get forward.
The mistakes were still there but with City attacking at least there was a chance something might come off. On 58 mins Aron Gunnarsson intercepted and broke down the left, a positive City move saw the ball moved across to the unmarked Peter Oedemwingie who cut inside a defender to score.
The crowd and the team rallied and Newcastle were under pressure. But City failed to get a second. Too often the side tried to get the ball into the six yard box before making an effort on goal.
Last week showed what can happen when you let fly from 20+ yards. This team needs to get more shots on goal and to believe in themselves.
Today's timid first half cost City the game and it didn't need to. They could have made it far more uncomfortable for Newcastle, especially as they were off the back of two 3-2 defeats.
There are international games next week before City travel to Chelsea in a fortnight.