City end 2010 in 2nd place so have all to play for but there's a sense of anticlimax because City were poised so much better.
Just 2 wins in the last 9 games has seen the advantage we held over the chasing pack eroded away. Cardiff go to Bristol City on New Year's Day, then host Leeds on Tuesday looking to create that gap once more and hopefully push on with Q.P.R.
"There's two massive games coming up back to back so we need to try and get some results," McPhail said.
"QPR are playing really well and seem to be winning game after game, so we need to just try and hang in there and try to push them as much as we can."
Midfielder McPhail believes that the Cardiff squad is better equipped now to deal with the demands of a long season, while there is expectation that boss Dave Jones will be able to strengthen in the January transfer window.
"I think we've got a bit more depth about us this year and hopefully that will show come the back end of the season," added McPhail, who also sent a message to fans to keep faith in them.
"Stick with us, we understand the frustration. We definitely haven't had a good run of results but I'm sure come the end of the season we'll hopefully put some smiles on people's faces."