Cardiff City 'going the right way', says Russell Slade

Russell Slade arrived at Cardiff after leaving Leyton Orient

Cardiff City manager Russell Slade says his side's 3-1 win at Rotherham was an improvement despite the team he is building being "in its infancy".

First-half goals by Bruno Ecuele Manga, Federico Macheda and Conor McAleny sent them to 13th spot in the Championship.

The victory gave Slade his first back-to-back away wins since succeeding Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in October 2014.

"We are improving, but there'll still be ups and downs, but we're going the right way," said Slade.

"The disappointing thing is we've had these clean sheets over recent weeks and we're disappointed that we've let a goal in.

"But that's not a bad thing, is it?"

Conor McAleny watches his goal go in at Rotherham

Macheda struck on his return from injury and he and McAleny's goals impressed Slade, who felt his side could have scored a fourth.

"It's [Macheda's] half a chance, that's all it is, really, but he's hit it and there was no stopping it and it was a great finish.

"McAleny - he did really well, put in a real shift on that side; looked a real threat and he's a good finisher.

"We've seen it in training and he nearly helped himself to a second goal in the second period as well.

"We were looking to try and put the game well and truly to bed with a fourth goal and we probably should have done.

"Some of the inter-play and link-up play was good; that will get better the longer this group play together, but it's in its infancy at the minute."

However, Cardiff were left with a worry over a groin problem that led to keeper David Marshall coming off at the break.

Slade says Marshall is a doubt to face Charlton in the Championship at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.

"Having had an operation we didn't want to do any more damage to that so we whipped him off and put Simon [Moore] straight in," Slade added.

"Doubt? I would have thought so, yeah. But I'll have to consult the medical department and see how it settles down."