Stunned Bristol City boss Gary Johnson admitted everything that could have gone wrong had gone wrong after his side crashed to a humiliating 6-0 home defeat to Championship rivals Cardiff.

The Londoner found it difficult to put his thoughts into words in the aftermath of the biggest home defeat of his managerial career.

But he emerged from an Ashton Gate horror show to issue a rallying call to his shell-shocked players, urging them to pick themselves up ahead of Saturday's long trek to Middlesbrough.

He said: "It's going to be difficult, but we have to pick ourselves up.

"Losing like this will hurt everyone and there is a lot of soul-searching to be done. I have to assess things and get my head around what has happened, but the players have to pick themselves up.

"I said what I had to say at half time, but at that stage, it's down to the players and they have to look deep within. I know they were very uncomfortable and embarrassed by the situation they got themselves in.

"We don't lose many games at home and I didn't ask them to go out and lose 6-0.

"It was a very disappointing day all round."

Cardiff never looked back after netting three times in five minutes midway through the first half and they took an unassailable 4-0 lead into the interval.

Johnson added: "We didn't forget to defend, we just couldn't defend and some individuals had horrendous games and made some awful mistakes.

"As soon as they scored, everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong for us.

"Every time they attacked and shot, they seemed to score and we knew it was not going to be our night pretty early on.

"It's difficult as a manager when your team loses 6-0 and it's best not to say too much in these situations."

Some City fans had plenty to say and Johnson and his players were booed off at half time and again after the final whistle.

He said: "There are a few that deserve success at this football club, because they stick with the lads through thick and thin.

"But there are also a few who don't get behind the lads and they tend to say things and write things that affect the players.

"Maybe it's time to assess which ones are on your side and which ones are not."

Cardiff manager Dave Jones took time out to deliver a message of support to his opposite number after the final whistle.

He said: "Gary has done a fantastic job for Bristol City and he will continue to do a fantastic job in the future.

"These things happen sometimes in football and I know he will be seething.

"But one result changes nothing – he is a good manager and he is doing a good job.

"I know him well and I know he will lift his players and ensure they come back from this."

The City players were due to have today off but have been told to report for training in a bid to put things right as soon as possible.