Cardiff City: First home win of year must be a 'turning point', says captain Joe Ralls
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Cardiff beat Stoke to claim a first home win since early December
Cardiff City captain Joe Ralls believes a first home win of the year can set up a late revival in the Championship.
The Bluebirds ended their horrible home form as they held on for a 2-1 win against relegation threatened Stoke.
Kion Etete's header and Karlan Grant's firm effort were also Cardiff's first league goals at home in 2024.
Ralls said: "This win will give us all confidence going forward and it has to be a turning point.
"We got a decent point in the week but it was important we got the win and try to sort out this home record.
"We're really disappointed with how the last few weeks have gone. We've had a couple of tough games with Leicester and Leeds but it's the others that we are really disappointed with and should have won.
"I'm not sure what it is but it's important we put it right. That was the message to the players. We needed to get a win to give everyone a lift with some exciting games coming up."
Cardiff are 14th in the Championship at the three-quarter stage of the season, level on points with 12th-place Bristol City who they face next at Ashton Gate on Saturday.
"This result will set us up nicely for the derby against Bristol City," said Ralls.
"We got a good win over them at home earlier in the season so we know what it means to win these derbies."
Etete's effort was Cardiff's first league goal at home since Boxing Day and ended his own run of 20 games without finding the back of the net.
"I was so pleased for the front lads to get goals because we know the pressure that comes on forwards when they don't score," said Ralls.
"You could see what it meant to them to score. It's always a relief after forwards haven't scored for a while.
"Kion and Karlan got the goals, Josh Bowler was really bright as well and Rubin [Colwill] has shown quality in recent weeks.
"We need more from them and that's something to build on."
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