" SHOULD CARDIFF FANS BE WORRIED? "

" SHOULD CARDIFF FANS BE WORRIED? "

Are Cardiff City really in a relegation scrap and should fans be worried?


By Phil Smith

Monday 28th November 2016



Many had hoped that Cardiff would be much higher up the league seven games into Warnock's tenure



Cardiff are back in the relegation zone.

There have been many positives since Neil Warnock took over in South Wales but the season still looks set to be a hard slog.





So are Cardiff really in a relegation scrap and how likely are they to escape?


The problems and the worries





Cardiff have improved... but other teams have really gone through the gears

Cardiff certainly enjoyed the new manager bounce in that first week but the last four games, in which they've taken just three points, have seen other teams really pull away.

It's easy to forget that when the veteran boss arrived, Aston Villa and Derby County were two of the teams sinking like a stone at the bottom.

Remarkably, they have since risen to 11th and 9th in the table respectively, both just a win away from climbing into the play-off spots.

Remember, too, when Leeds United came to South Wales and Garry Monk was on the brink of the sack? They now sit 11 points clear of the Bluebirds now, fifth in the table.

In this regard, the fourth alarm bell is the sudden upturn in fortunes at the City Ground. Nottingham Forest looked a hapless, rudderless outfit when Cardiff visited, destined for the drop. Suddenly they have taken seven points from nine and gone four points clear of the drop.

Their defence has been mocked and pilloried, but they have conceded only two more than Cardiff, and have scored 12 more at the other end.

Of course these things can change quickly but the reality is Cardiff's boost has been more than matched elsewhere.


Forest have turned it around after a dreadful showing against Cardiff

Burton,will they continue to do quite well in the second half of the season



Warnock hasn't been able to cut out the defensive errors

Warnock was honest enough in the immediate aftermath of the Aston Villa defeat to admit that he didn't see much changing until January.

That was in direct response to a question asking about the soft goals Cardiff are conceding, which was interesting as defence is clearly not a priority area in terms of adding new faces.

Warnock has improved the organisation and discipline of the team but the first two goals at Villa Park were ones that could easily have been prevented.

It was the same story against Wigan and Newcastle to a lesser extent, and it is costing the Bluebirds dearly.

Failure to stamp them out will make it difficult for Cardiff to escape trouble. They simply do not have the goals at the other end to afford giving away or one or two cheap goals per game.

That Warnock persists with the same defence suggests he has faith that the clean sheets will come in time. If he is right then safety will not be an issue but the ease with which Jordan Amavi and Jonathan Kodjia were able to find space on Saturday suggests there is an awful lot to do.





The depth isn't there... they are an injury or two away from a real struggle

The table might suggest otherwise but every Cardiff fan will acknowledge that major strides have been made since the night they were comfortably beaten by Derby County, who had seen their manager suspended just hours before kick-off.

In a night of acrimony for the hosts, Cardiff ended up with Bruno Manga and Kenneth Zohore up front. Derby had Darren Bent, Andreas Weimann and James Wilson kicking their heels on the bench.

Despite the success of Neil Warnock's signings that lack of depth has not gone away and they remain an injury or two away to being back to a side desperately short of pace or link-up play.

To that end, Marouane Chamakh's failure to make an impact has been a disappointment.

As Warnock himself said on Saturday evening, there are one two he'll be wrapping up in cotton wool between now and the turn of the year.




Chamakh hasn't done enough to suggest he can cover for Lambert or Hoilett

Causes for optimism

Some teams will sink

Having looked at some of the sides who have flown up the table, it's only right to flip that and look at some of those who are fading fast.

Despite their position in the table, Cardiff are still only the fifth favourites to go down.

As well as the two sides currently below the Bluebirds, Burton Albion and Barnsley are both seen as more likely to drop.

Barnsley's implosion at home to Forest was a sign that their surge is fading, while Burton have won only once in the seven games since they humbled Paul Trollope's side in October.

This is the period when promoted sides really struggle, when teams begin to work them out and the lack of depth in their squad begins to show. The likes of QPR and Brentford are also on a downward spiral so there's good cause for hope that Cardiff won't get cut adrift.

One thing you have to say for Cardiff at the moment is they do not like going on a prolonged losing run, such is the way they are competing against very good sides. There are also one or two sides who collapse around the Christmas period and providing the Bluebirds avoid that they should stay away from the trapdoor.








Their attacking play is improving no end

In Lambert and Hoilett Cardiff have stumbled across a partnership that can start putting teams away, particularly at home.

The Bluebirds were failing to get the best out of their target man for most of the season but he has now scored two goals on the bounce, both excellent, instinctive, first-time finishes.

With him getting fitter and sharper he will find it easier to get into dangerous positions and pull away from defenders. Hoilett, meanwhile, as been a blessing, able to drift along the front line and actually turn defenders for the first time this season.

His pace is well known but what was really impressive at Villa Park was how well he did bringing others into play with his back to goal.

He's a huge positive for Cardiff to cling onto. The Bluebirds have scored 12 goals in seven games since Warnock took over, which really is a decent platform from which they can build.

This man has shown he can save Cardiff





The fixture list is going to get better

Cardiff have 10 points from 21 under Warnock, a decent return that over the course of the season would more than likely leave them in lower mid-table.

It's not a remarkable effort but the only game where Cardiff really underachieved was in losing to Wigan.

Given the dearth of confidence and lack of fight being shown in games before the new manager came in that is actually a very good return.

It doesn't get any easier with Brighton at home next week, but after that the fixture list does finally begin to ease a little.

An away trip to Ipswich is followed by games against Wolves, Barnsley and Brentford. All three are below Cardiff in the current league table.

It's a cliché to say it about teams at the bottom but replicate their performances so far in those games and Cardiff will pick up points before the crucial January window.

Replicate performances like Saturday and Cardiff can climb away







The Verdict

January is clearly a big month for January.

They need two players with out and out pace who can add some depth to the forward line and give Warnock the chance to freshen things up properly in the last 20 minutes of games.

To say Cardiff need pace up front isn't a criticism of the likes of Rickie Lambert and Anthony Pilkington, because those are the kinds of players who will actually benefit from playing with speedy players who get defences on the turn and leave gaps in front of them.

There is quite clearly no need for blind panic just yet.

Cardiff have shown more than enough under their new manager to suggest that they can get away from trouble, but Blackburn's shock win was a real reminder that complacency must be guarded against.

There is nothing inevitable about Cardiff's climb to safety.

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In my opinion, there is no need to worry at all.

We have just had arguably our hardest two away games of the season and not been disgraced in either, we are 10 points from 7 games under Warnock so far. If we carry on at that ratio we will finish the season on 58 points and a comfortable mid-table finish which is what I think the majority of people seem to think will be the case.

If we can strengthen in January and get the players we need to make the difference who knows, nothing to say we couldn't put a little run together and stick another 10-12 points on top of that and sneak a play off place

When you consider under Warnock we started with Bristol City who had been on a good run,then Sheffield Weds who are a very good team,Forest away we outplayed them and should have won by 5 or 6,Wigan we were the better team and got caught on the break,Newcastle away and could have snatched a late equaliser,we beat Huddersfield who were 3rd and was more comfortable victory than 3-2 suggests and Villa away where we had long spells of dominating the game and they are unbeaten in 7 games under Bruce.
So I think we have done well and maybe could have been a few more points better off with a bit of luck. I am confident that we will get well clear by the end of the season especially if we can get a striker who can help take the pressure off Lambert and maybe 2 or 3 others in.

I think we will be.

I will change my mind if we get a decet striker in January but that is highly unlikely unless we are willing to spend.

I think we will survive as we have the right manager now.

Of course City fans should be a little concerned. As we approach the half way point, we are in the relegation zone and the table does not lie. All teams will point towards bad luck here and there, and it does'nt matter what may have happened if we had the rub of the green, we are where we are purely on merit.
A lot depends on who is signed during the next transfer window, and every other club will look to improve their squad if the right players are available. I have said numerous times since the start of the season that our current squad is not strong enough to challenge for a top half finish, although I honestly never thoughy we would be bottom three as we head towards the xmas fixtures. I still believe we will finish no lower than 15th, but there are no guarantees in this league, and bigger clubs than us have thought themselves too good to go down, but still managed it.

Going into December in the bottom three is not good, to say the least. Not too much margin for error from now on.

I think with the squad we have and manager we will be fine.

Obviously the position we are in don't look good but you can see the turn around going to Newcastle and Villa being in the game for 90 minutes against the managers and players these teams have and we did beat a team that is in the top 6 in Huddersfield who yes been on a brilliant run could go back up to fourth with a win tonight.

I think if we bring Saadi back in and maybe Healey possibly and loan out Fred we will be comfortable.

I think with the squad we have and manager we will be fine.

Obviously the position we are in don't look good but you can see the turn around going to Newcastle and Villa being in the game for 90 minutes against the managers and players these teams have and we did beat a team that is in the top 6 in Huddersfield who yes been on a brilliant run could go back up to fourth with a win tonight.

I think if we bring Saadi back in and maybe Healey possibly and loan out Fred we will be comfortable.

We need a bit more than two unproven players right now we're in serious trouble.

We'll stay up this season. It'll be tough but we'll stay up then kick on next season and hopefully push for promotion

I think with the squad we have and manager we will be fine.

Obviously the position we are in don't look good but you can see the turn around going to Newcastle and Villa being in the game for 90 minutes against the managers and players these teams have and we did beat a team that is in the top 6 in Huddersfield who yes been on a brilliant run could go back up to fourth with a win tonight.

I think if we bring Saadi back in and maybe Healey possibly and loan out Fred we will be comfortable.

We need a bit more than two unproven players right now we're in serious trouble.

Both scoring goals for their loan clubs..

Going into December in the bottom three is not good, to say the least. Not too much margin for error from now on.

Agree

Do I think we will go down? No

Should we be worried? Absolutely yes.

We're over 1/3rd through the season, and one from the bottom of the league.

Yes we've got a new manager, yes we seem to be playing better. But the fact is we're in the same position as when he took us over. There will be difficult games coming up, and other teams around us have shown they're up for a fight.

Complacency is what will kill us, so I hope the team are worried.

I think with the squad we have and manager we will be fine.

Obviously the position we are in don't look good but you can see the turn around going to Newcastle and Villa being in the game for 90 minutes against the managers and players these teams have and we did beat a team that is in the top 6 in Huddersfield who yes been on a brilliant run could go back up to fourth with a win tonight.

I think if we bring Saadi back in and maybe Healey possibly and loan out Fred we will be comfortable.

We need a bit more than two unproven players right now we're in serious trouble.

Both scoring goals for their loan clubs..

Newport County in League two and the Belgian league where Fred scored a bag full. We all know that league is probably on par with the Scottish prem.

Listen, I'm by no means saying that they won't come good for us eventually. I just don't think healy in particular is the answer right nkw, we need someone that's going to come in and be better than what we've got, a starter and someone that can stretch defenses and score goals or were guna be in serious trouble for the last part of the season.

we are second from bottom we def need to worry but maybe not just yet lets see where we are come the end of jan, the next window will be the biggest the club has faced in yrs because if we get it wrong we could fall through the trap door. what a mess trollope and the infamous committee have made, the only shining light is we have the best manager in place to get us out of the shit

we are second from bottom we def need to worry but maybe not just yet lets see where we are come the end of jan, the next window will be the biggest the club has faced in yrs because if we get it wrong we could fall through the trap door. what a mess trollope and the infamous committee have made, the only shining light is we have the best manager in place to get us out of the shit

Why people thought Trollope was going to be an improvement on Slade always baffled me. I had no looks on Slade, but to me Trollope was a big step backwards. How anyone could think that a coach sacked by Bristol Rovers and with no experience at managing at this level was going to take us to the next level is beyond my understanding. Not just his fault, our squad is just not good enough, but I think there are a number of other teams with equally poor squads, and I don't see us finishing in the bottom six or seven.

In my opinion, there is no need to worry at all.

We have just had arguably our hardest two away games of the season and not been disgraced in either, we are 10 points from 7 games under Warnock so far. If we carry on at that ratio we will finish the season on 58 points and a comfortable mid-table finish which is what I think the majority of people seem to think will be the case.

If we can strengthen in January and get the players we need to make the difference who knows, nothing to say we couldn't put a little run together and stick another 10-12 points on top of that and sneak a play off place

If all teams continue their same form then we will still be 23rd. People don't seem to grasp than when making these statistical statements.

In my opinion, there is no need to worry at all.

We have just had arguably our hardest two away games of the season and not been disgraced in either, we are 10 points from 7 games under Warnock so far. If we carry on at that ratio we will finish the season on 58 points and a comfortable mid-table finish which is what I think the majority of people seem to think will be the case.

If we can strengthen in January and get the players we need to make the difference who knows, nothing to say we couldn't put a little run together and stick another 10-12 points on top of that and sneak a play off place

Still dreaming mate haha

Love the optimism!

we are second from bottom we def need to worry but maybe not just yet lets see where we are come the end of jan, the next window will be the biggest the club has faced in yrs because if we get it wrong we could fall through the trap door. what a mess trollope and the infamous committee have made, the only shining light is we have the best manager in place to get us out of the shit

Why people thought Trollope was going to be an improvement on Slade always baffled me. I had no looks on Slade, but to me Trollope was a big step backwards. How anyone could think that a coach sacked by Bristol Rovers and with no experience at managing at this level was going to take us to the next level is beyond my understanding. Not just his fault, our squad is just not good enough, but I think there are a number of other teams with equally poor squads, and I don't see us finishing in the bottom six or seven.

i agree steve, i took some stick when trollope was appointed for saying he was a poor appointment and i knew he didnt have the experience to take us forward. me and my dad used to always say for the first few seasons after relegation its all about consolidating yourself in the championship,alot of better teams than us have fallen through the trap door but it shows the lack of knowledge at boardroom level to think it was a step forward,the problem now is we have a squad which is unbalanced and theres not alot of legs in the team but warnock is trying to sort it but will take the summer window to fix the mess left from trolls

In my opinion, there is no need to worry at all.

We have just had arguably our hardest two away games of the season and not been disgraced in either, we are 10 points from 7 games under Warnock so far. If we carry on at that ratio we will finish the season on 58 points and a comfortable mid-table finish which is what I think the majority of people seem to think will be the case.

If we can strengthen in January and get the players we need to make the difference who knows, nothing to say we couldn't put a little run together and stick another 10-12 points on top of that and sneak a play off place

If all teams continue their same form then we will still be 23rd. People don't seem to grasp than when making these statistical statements.

I grasp it perfectly well thanks fella, I fully understand that if everyone in the league's form stayed the same as it has for the first 18 games we would indeed still be 23rd and the League table would not alter.

However, clearly that is not what I have said is it if you read my post properly rather than trying to be a smart arse.

In my opinion, there is no need to worry at all.

We have just had arguably our hardest two away games of the season and not been disgraced in either, we are 10 points from 7 games under Warnock so far. If we carry on at that ratio we will finish the season on 58 points and a comfortable mid-table finish which is what I think the majority of people seem to think will be the case.

If we can strengthen in January and get the players we need to make the difference who knows, nothing to say we couldn't put a little run together and stick another 10-12 points on top of that and sneak a play off place

Still dreaming mate haha

Love the optimism!

Without dreams, football is nothing mate

In my opinion, there is no need to worry at all.

We have just had arguably our hardest two away games of the season and not been disgraced in either, we are 10 points from 7 games under Warnock so far. If we carry on at that ratio we will finish the season on 58 points and a comfortable mid-table finish which is what I think the majority of people seem to think will be the case.

If we can strengthen in January and get the players we need to make the difference who knows, nothing to say we couldn't put a little run together and stick another 10-12 points on top of that and sneak a play off place

If all teams continue their same form then we will still be 23rd. People don't seem to grasp than when making these statistical statements.

I grasp it perfectly well thanks fella, I fully understand that if everyone in the league's form stayed the same as it has for the first 18 games we would indeed still be 23rd and the League table would not alter.

However, clearly that is not what I have said is it if you read my post properly rather than trying to be a smart arse.

But why would our form stay the same and everyone elses not?... Is the point.

Surely if every team bar Rotherham said that then they would all be safe?

In my opinion, there is no need to worry at all.

We have just had arguably our hardest two away games of the season and not been disgraced in either, we are 10 points from 7 games under Warnock so far. If we carry on at that ratio we will finish the season on 58 points and a comfortable mid-table finish which is what I think the majority of people seem to think will be the case.

If we can strengthen in January and get the players we need to make the difference who knows, nothing to say we couldn't put a little run together and stick another 10-12 points on top of that and sneak a play off place

If all teams continue their same form then we will still be 23rd. People don't seem to grasp than when making these statistical statements.

I grasp it perfectly well thanks fella, I fully understand that if everyone in the league's form stayed the same as it has for the first 18 games we would indeed still be 23rd and the League table would not alter.

However, clearly that is not what I have said is it if you read my post properly rather than trying to be a smart arse.

But why would our form stay the same and everyone elses not?... Is the point.

Surely if every team bar Rotherham said that then they would all be safe?

Not realy, Wolves and Brentford would go down.

Well, if not worried then we certainly should be concerned.

Of course we should be concerned. Despite improvement under Warnock, assisted by two decent new players, we have not moved up the table at all and if the likes of Blackburn, Wigan and Forest continue to get the sort of results that they had over the weekend, then one must begin to wonder who might finish below us? Barnsley? Burton? Wolves?

I like to think that we could leapfrog at least two but if we are reliant upon acquiring new players in January to do this, as Warnock says we are, then there is definitely cause for concern. A few weeks ago we were talking about reaching the play-offs. Is anybody still of that mind?

Well, if not worried then we certainly should be concerned.

Of course we should be concerned. Despite improvement under Warnock, assisted by two decent new players, we have not moved up the table at all and if the likes of Blackburn, Wigan and Forest continue to get the sort of results that they had over the weekend, then one must begin to wonder who might finish below us? Barnsley? Burton? Wolves?

I like to think that we could leapfrog at least two but if we are reliant upon acquiring new players in January to do this, as Warnock says we are, then there is definitely cause for concern. A few weeks ago we were talking about reaching the play-offs. Is anybody still of that mind?

I expect there are still one or two deluded fans on here who think we will, as well as the pixies that live in the oak tree at the bottom of my garden.

Well, if not worried then we certainly should be concerned.

Of course we should be concerned. Despite improvement under Warnock, assisted by two decent new players, we have not moved up the table at all and if the likes of Blackburn, Wigan and Forest continue to get the sort of results that they had over the weekend, then one must begin to wonder who might finish below us? Barnsley? Burton? Wolves?

I like to think that we could leapfrog at least two but if we are reliant upon acquiring new players in January to do this, as Warnock says we are, then there is definitely cause for concern. A few weeks ago we were talking about reaching the play-offs. Is anybody still of that mind?

I expect there are still one or two deluded fans on here who think we will, as well as the pixies that live in the oak tree at the bottom of my garden.

Steve, its a shame that you feel the need to belittle those that have a difference of an opinion to you, but there you go.

In answer to MOH question, well yes mate, I believe that anything is possible. We are 11 point's off the play offs at the moment. I believe that will be down to 7-8 by NYD.

It will depend what happens in January then and whether Warnock can get the 2 maybe 3 players in that will make that difference.

Contrary to popular belief there is a hell of a long way to go in the season, we are not half way through yet and are not exactly cut adrift by a huge gulf of points.

Whether we do it or not, I'm pretty confident we will be closer to the top 6 than the bottom 6 come May 7th.

In my opinion, there is no need to worry at all.

We have just had arguably our hardest two away games of the season and not been disgraced in either, we are 10 points from 7 games under Warnock so far. If we carry on at that ratio we will finish the season on 58 points and a comfortable mid-table finish which is what I think the majority of people seem to think will be the case.

If we can strengthen in January and get the players we need to make the difference who knows, nothing to say we couldn't put a little run together and stick another 10-12 points on top of that and sneak a play off place

If all teams continue their same form then we will still be 23rd. People don't seem to grasp than when making these statistical statements.

you think 58pts gets you 23rd spot?

Damage was done before Warnock arrived so this season realistically is about survival and hopefully more of a chance for success next season assuming Warnock stays .its obvious We need more strength up front and I have confidence Neil has the contacts so have Faith......

Well, if not worried then we certainly should be concerned.

Of course we should be concerned. Despite improvement under Warnock, assisted by two decent new players, we have not moved up the table at all and if the likes of Blackburn, Wigan and Forest continue to get the sort of results that they had over the weekend, then one must begin to wonder who might finish below us? Barnsley? Burton? Wolves?

I like to think that we could leapfrog at least two but if we are reliant upon acquiring new players in January to do this, as Warnock says we are, then there is definitely cause for concern. A few weeks ago we were talking about reaching the play-offs. Is anybody still of that mind?

I expect there are still one or two deluded fans on here who think we will, as well as the pixies that live in the oak tree at the bottom of my garden.

Steve, its a shame that you feel the need to belittle those that have a difference of an opinion to you, but there you go.

In answer to MOH question, well yes mate, I believe that anything is possible. We are 11 point's off the play offs at the moment. I believe that will be down to 7-8 by NYD.

It will depend what happens in January then and whether Warnock can get the 2 maybe 3 players in that will make that difference.

Contrary to popular belief there is a hell of a long way to go in the season, we are not half way through yet and are not exactly cut adrift by a huge gulf of points.

Whether we do it or not, I'm pretty confident we will be closer to the top 6 than the bottom 6 come May 7th.

RV Casual, I agree, that was a bit below the belt and on reflection was a childish remark. Apologies if I have offended anyone, as you say everyone has different opinions.