Steven Caulker rues Cardiff City's defensive weakness

Cardiff City's Steven Caulker has blamed the team's defensive frailties for their relegation from the Premier League.

The Bluebirds, who have shipped 72 goals in 37 games this season, dropped down to the Championship on Saturday with a 3-0 defeat at Newcastle United.

Caulker believes that an improvement at the back is needed if Cardiff want to return to the top flight at the first time of asking.

"We've conceded a lot of goals and we know that if we want to come back up next season then we're going to have to tighten up defensively," he told the club's official website.

"We were not good enough on the pitch. We've got to hold our hands up and take responsibility for the way we've performed in too many games this season."

Cardiff play their final game of the campaign on Sunday when they entertain Chelsea.