How do Cardiff compare to this time last season?
By Jamie Kemble
Wednesday 8th February 2017
Cardiff City’s aims for the season are very different to what they were this time last term but just how far behind are they?
The Bluebirds have gone from fighting for a play-off spot to battling relegation in the space of 12 months but just how far off are they from last season’s efforts?
Cardiff seem like a very different side when compared to the one who battled Sheffield Wednesday for a play-off spot until the 45th game of the season.
They are now just eight points clear of the bottom three and the focus is now on surviving in the Championship, instead of vying for a spot in the Premier League.
The difference in points
Image: Jon Candy
The Bluebirds are eight positions and nine points worse off when compared to this time last season. This time 12 months ago, Russell Slade’s men had come off the back of a frustrating goalless draw at home to strugglers MK Dons, meaning they dropped five points off the top six.
However, Neil Warnock would certainly take that situation now as he tries to secure Championship safety, or at best a mid-table finish. The play-offs are not an option for the Bluebirds this season, currently sitting 13 points from sixth placed Sheffield Wednesday.
This time last year, Cardiff were a whopping 20 points clear of the bottom three compared to a mere eight points at present.
What’s gone wrong?
There’s no hiding that the pivotal factor in Cardiff’s demise overt the last 12 months was the appointment of Paul Trollope who didn’t work out as the new head coach.
A section of the Cardiff support felt Russell Slade was unlucky to be replaced after achieving such a high finish with a squad he spent very little on. However, many of the Bluebirds’ faithful also felt the football was simple and a change was needed.
Change took place but Trollope’s reign quickly turned sour, winning just one game in his first nine in all competitions. The former Bristol Rovers boss was sacked after 11 league games and a dismal performance in poor conditions at Burton Albion proved to be the final straw.
The attempted Welsh revolution had failed and the man charged with making it happen did also, paying the ultimate price. Summer signings like Lex immers, Emyr Huws and Frederic Gounongbe all failed to get going and just a few months on, only one of them remains at the club.
Can Warnock re-install promotion hope?
Neil Warnock is now at the helm and charged with guiding Cardiff to safety, but while his team are not safe yet, he is already eyeing a promotion push next season.
The veteran boss is only on a short-term deal but he has admitted he will stay if his bid for a record eighth promotion as manager is financially backed by the club in the summer.
Warnock claims he will need £5 million to turn his current squad into a team who can battle for the Premier League, and most supporters will believe him.
The former QPR boss has installed believe since arriving in October and for the first time in years, there is a real trust in the club’s manager from supporters.
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