Blackburn Rovers vs Cardiff City : Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Cardiff must improve if they're to match Premier League ambitions

Former Manchester United striker has a big job on his hands in South Wales

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Getty)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Cardiff City must perform better if they are to return to the Premier League after their 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers last night.

Kenwyne Jones' header put the Bluebirds ahead only for Tom Cairney to level for the hosts before the interval.

A scrappy second-half soon followed as neither side showed the conviction to press for a winner.

Solskjaer, who replaced Malky Mackay at the Cardiff City Stadium last season, admitted afterwards that his side can play a lot better.

"We can play loads better football than this but we dug out a result," he said.

"It was never going to be a pretty game. It's the first game, it's away from home and they don't let you settle.

"They play a very direct style of football and have got [Rudy] Gestede and [Jordan] Rhodes as an outlet all the time.

"They caused us problems with Tom Cairney and Craig Conway. We knew about them, but I thought we handled them quite well.

"To have come away from home and got a point here, we would have taken that before the game.

Kenwyne Jones puts Cardiff City ahead against Blackburn Rovers (Getty Images)

Jones' first-half strike was only his second since leaving Stoke City for South Wales, but his manager was upbeat about his prospects in the Championship.

"He's had a great pre-season, he's worked really hard. It's paid off for him," Solskjaer added

"Kenwyne's fitter now. He came not very fit [but] he's worked really hard over pre-season and we're going to keep working him.

"On his day he is very hard to handle and obviously the goal was great. Kenwyne's great in the air and we know that."