Russell Slade: Cardiff City 'can't worry about other teams'

Cardiff City lost for the first time since 13 January on Tuesday at Middlebrough

Manager Russell Slade says Cardiff City must concentrate on their own Championship play-off push rather than worry about other teams' results.

The Bluebirds are five points off the play-off places after their six-match unbeaten run came to an end at third-placed Middlesbrough on Tuesday.

Slade was disappointed with the 3-1 defeat and says Cardiff must regroup.

"We have got to take care of ourselves, look at our own form and look to see if we are doing enough," Slade said.

"Over the last three or four weeks we've taken 12 points from six games and that's the sort of form we're looking for.

"We need to get that back and an opportunity comes on Saturday to do that.

"It doesn't get any easier because Preston are probably the most improving side in the league.

"We've got to dust ourselves down and we need a positive response and to get back to winning ways."

Eighth-placed Cardiff host a Preston side on Saturday who have won their last four games and are one place and one point behind them in the table.

Slade was disappointed with his side's performance at the Riverside and said the Bluebirds were the architects of their own downfall.

Fabio put Cardiff ahead but Matthew Connolly's own goal plus Gaston Ramirez and David Nugent's strikes secured victory for Boro.

"They'll be disappointed with that," Slade added.

"We've had a bit of momentum with us over the last few weeks and probably didn't get up to the level that they had set themselves.

"We looked like a good side at times but we didn't have enough in terms of our decision making and our choices let us down at times.

"We have to put that behind us as quick as we can and move forward."