' Time on our side '

' Time on our side '

Tuesday January 14 2014.
By Dan Lewis – Shoot


Ask Cardiff City fans about their expectations for this weekend’s clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, and most will tell you they will simply be happy to keep the score at a respectable level.

That’s nothing to do with being pessimistic, but more to do with the fact the Bluebirds are currently going through a rough-patch in the Premier League, facing a Citizens side who can’t stop scoring goals at home. Meanwhile, it’s now just one win in 11 top-flight games for Cardiff as they plummeted into the relegation zone following defeat against West Ham United last weekend.

The defeat may have been harsh, but ultimately, over the course of 21 games, the Welsh club are in the bottom three for a reason. The good news is that there are ten other teams who could realistically be relegated this season – from Crystal Palace in bottom place, to Hull City as high as tenth.

Having spent so highly in the summer – something which ultimately cost Malky Mackay his job – Cardiff were expected to survive in the Premier League this season; that may still happen, though with trips to Manchester’s City and United coming up, it’s expected that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will prop up the table come February.

Attention therefore turns to what will be a huge month at the Cardiff City Stadium in February, with Norwich City, Aston Villa and Hull City all visiting the Welsh capital. Throw in a tasty derby clash with arch-rivals Swansea City, and we have a recipe for a make-or-break four weeks for Cardiff.

Maximum points against Swansea, as well as Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion at home, have given City supporters hope, though defeats against Southampton and West Ham in recent weeks, combined with a cruel 2-2 draw against Sunderland, means the Bluebirds are approaching a month which requires close to maximum points.

Forget the average points to stay in the division statistic that is bandied around, this year will be different in what is the tightest Premier League campaign in history. In fact, just two teams – Newcastle United and Southampton – look to be what you would describe as a solid mid-table side.

Solskjaer has already brought in recruits that he knows well from previous managerial spells at Manchester United’s reserve team, and most recently at Molde. Magnus Wolff Eikrem and Mats Moller Daehli will certainly add to the side in an attacking sense, and allow City to keep hold of possession in the centre of the pitch.

However, the one thing that Cardiff seriously lack is goals. In such a tight season, it’s almost inevitable that goal difference will have some part to play come the season’s close. For all of Fraizer Campbell’s hard work and commitment, the striker is struggling to find the back of the net on a consistent basis.

This is, however, due to the failure of fellow teammates creating chances for the Englishman. Peter Whittingham can often be relied upon to cause panic in opposition defences when delivering a set-piece, though in open play Whittingham struggles to trouble defenders with smart passes – it is the same too with Gary Medel, Craig Noone and even the recently-impressive Jordon Mutch.

In Saturday’s match against West Ham, Kim Bo-Kyung was the man who created the highest number of opportunities for Cardiff, though these were nothing more than half-chances, coming around the opposition area, rather than carving the opposition apart.

Cardiff have reportedly failed in their bid to bring in Mame Biram Diouf from Hannover this week, and the search for a striker goes on. Summer signing Andreas Cornelius has struggled to make an impact since joining from Copenhagen, but there is no denying the youngster’s talent, and he could play a big part for Solskjaer’s side should he return to full fitness in the coming weeks.

Any manager, player or fan who has seen their side in a relegation fight, will tell you there is one key factor; time. Supporters may hold out hope – “we still have two teams near the bottom to face at home” – but before you know it, time is out and your side are relegated.

Things may look bleak for Cardiff City at the moment, and they will get bleaker as the month draws to a close, though with the transfer window open for another fortnight and a February packed with winnable fixtures, time is still on their side.

i hope so 17 games left if we manage 7 wins that may be enough so realisicly its only beating people like palace fulham villa hull and stoke and norwich at home and hopefully getting points at newcastle sunderland or wba it can be done

Time is the one thing we haven't got. Won 4 games all season yet need 7 to stay up?
Can't see it unfortunately.

Time is the one thing we haven't got. Won 4 games all season yet need 7 to stay up?
Can't see it unfortunately.

Wigan managed it, so it's not all done and dusted yet, but any new players coming in, are going to have to make a big difference!

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could stay for five years, claims Cardiff chairman
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has been told he has a job at Cardiff for the next FIVE YEARS - despite losing his first Premier League game.

The Norwegian only has a one-year rolling contract.

But club chairman Mehmet Dalman is convinced the club has the right man and has even told Solskjaer to build a dynasty in south Wales.

That is despite Solskaer slipping into the relegation zone after just one league game in charge of the troubled Welsh club.

Dalman said: “I would have no interest going after Solskjaer for the short-term. So I hope to build with him a long-term future here.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/footba ... f-chairman

If we are to stay up we really need to get that fight back in us, and not just for 45mins but for 90+
Last Saturdays first half was the worse I seen us play, and the players knowing how big that game was for us ,should have come out guns blazing.
I have no Idea why Mtuch wasnt playing and ok one play is not a team, but we really missed him as he has been on top forum lately.
To be honest I think Ole made too many changes to fast,there was not spirit in the side till bellers come on.
So far we have lost to the bottom clubs around us,and if we are to stay up these are the teams we need to take points off and in flicked that killer spirit we use to have.
Ok we didnt win many games with Malky here, but we did fight like hell and picked up a point here and there.
Yes Ole has only had 2 games , one that we did win but he needs to bring back that fight fight spirit of ours.

February is definitely make or break month nothing less than 7 points or we're fucked