UPDATED: " THE BIG CCFC QUESTION? "
Wed Feb 10, 2016 9:18 pm
Will Cardiff City make the play-offs?
Your Opinions
WEDNESDAY 10 FEB 2016
BY PHIL SMITH
The Bluebirds will have to find greater consistency if they are to reach the number of points normally required
Cardiff will need Noone to return to fitness quickly to aid play-off push
With one league title, three play-off appearances and one near miss in the last eight Championship seasons, Cardiff City fans know what it takes to get over the line in this division.
Five points off Sheffield Wednesday in the hallowed sixth position, their team is still just about in the conversation.
Time is running out, however, for a side that is yet to record back-to-back wins this season.
The numbers suggest a big improvement is needed if they are to sneak into the promotion reckoning. In the last eight seasons, teams have, on average, needed 71 or 72 points to get themselves a spot in the top six.
Sitting on 45 points with sixteen games to go, that looks an awfully long way off for the Bluebirds, who would need to find 27 points between now and May 7th.
(c) Huw Evans AgencyCan Slade find greater consistency from his team?
Related: Vincent Tan to hold talks with Cardiff City fans as he flies to UK for rare visit
They will be bouyed by example of the 2012/13 season, when Leicester City sneaked into the end of season showdown with just 68 points. (I wonder what odds you can get on Cardiff City being top of the Premier League in February 2019?)
Just last season, however, Ipswich Town needed 78 points to nail down the last play-off spot, only nudging Wolves out on goal difference. Derby County sat just a point behind those two in Eighth.
Points needed to make play-offs in last eight seasons
78
Highest
68
Lowest
71/72
Average
Whether such lofty numbers will be needed this season remains to be seen. Hull, Middlesbrough and Burnley look a class apart at the very top but elsewhere there is little to be afraid of. This League remains ferociously competitive, but not unlike the one above it, it feels like the overall quality has just dipped this time round.
Having said that, can the Bluebirds hope to catch a Sheffield Wednesday side that are unbeaten in six and have just signed the enigmatic but surely too good for this level Aiden McGeady?
Your Opinions
WEDNESDAY 10 FEB 2016
BY PHIL SMITH
The Bluebirds will have to find greater consistency if they are to reach the number of points normally required
Cardiff will need Noone to return to fitness quickly to aid play-off push
With one league title, three play-off appearances and one near miss in the last eight Championship seasons, Cardiff City fans know what it takes to get over the line in this division.
Five points off Sheffield Wednesday in the hallowed sixth position, their team is still just about in the conversation.
Time is running out, however, for a side that is yet to record back-to-back wins this season.
The numbers suggest a big improvement is needed if they are to sneak into the promotion reckoning. In the last eight seasons, teams have, on average, needed 71 or 72 points to get themselves a spot in the top six.
Sitting on 45 points with sixteen games to go, that looks an awfully long way off for the Bluebirds, who would need to find 27 points between now and May 7th.
(c) Huw Evans AgencyCan Slade find greater consistency from his team?
Related: Vincent Tan to hold talks with Cardiff City fans as he flies to UK for rare visit
They will be bouyed by example of the 2012/13 season, when Leicester City sneaked into the end of season showdown with just 68 points. (I wonder what odds you can get on Cardiff City being top of the Premier League in February 2019?)
Just last season, however, Ipswich Town needed 78 points to nail down the last play-off spot, only nudging Wolves out on goal difference. Derby County sat just a point behind those two in Eighth.
Points needed to make play-offs in last eight seasons
78
Highest
68
Lowest
71/72
Average
Whether such lofty numbers will be needed this season remains to be seen. Hull, Middlesbrough and Burnley look a class apart at the very top but elsewhere there is little to be afraid of. This League remains ferociously competitive, but not unlike the one above it, it feels like the overall quality has just dipped this time round.
Having said that, can the Bluebirds hope to catch a Sheffield Wednesday side that are unbeaten in six and have just signed the enigmatic but surely too good for this level Aiden McGeady?
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Re: " THE BIG CCFC QUESTION? "
Wed Feb 10, 2016 11:11 pm
Yes most definitely will always believe we can until its mathematically impossible I have a feeling we can finally go on a run and slip through the back door. 
Re: " THE BIG CCFC QUESTION? "
Thu Feb 11, 2016 12:00 am
No.
Always going to be mid table with Slade at the hrlm
Always going to be mid table with Slade at the hrlm
Re: " THE BIG CCFC QUESTION? "
Thu Feb 11, 2016 12:10 am
Got to admit we're doing better than I thought, but realistically I think we'll finish a few points short. But even that will be a good finish. 
Re: " THE BIG CCFC QUESTION? "
Thu Feb 11, 2016 12:19 am
Mathematically possible.
But our performances do not deserve top 6. Team isn't good enough.
However, I can't fault Slade for steadying the ship. Cut down wages, haven't spent much and in a solid 9th place. Unfortunately, this season is all about stability. Remaining a mid-table team.
Hopefully next season:
1) Tan sacks Slade.
2) Bring in a proven manager or give Bellamy a go.
3) Spend some money (if not under a transfer embargo) and give promotion a really good go.
But our performances do not deserve top 6. Team isn't good enough.
However, I can't fault Slade for steadying the ship. Cut down wages, haven't spent much and in a solid 9th place. Unfortunately, this season is all about stability. Remaining a mid-table team.
Hopefully next season:
1) Tan sacks Slade.
2) Bring in a proven manager or give Bellamy a go.
3) Spend some money (if not under a transfer embargo) and give promotion a really good go.
Re: " THE BIG CCFC QUESTION? "
Thu Feb 11, 2016 2:40 am
Cardiff's remaining fixtures predicted - game by game
Author: Phil Smith (on behalf of Media Wales)
v Charlton (Away, Sat. 13th Feb)
There are no such things as easy games in this division, but with just one win in their last ten, Charlton are there for the taking. If Cardiff are to have any play-off aspirations whatsoever, they surely need to be beating this standard of opposition.
VERDICT: WIN
v Brighton (Home, Sat. 20th Feb)
In third position, just three points off Hull, and with three wins on the spin, Brighton are still very much promotion contenders. But no wins in the seven before their most recent run demonstrate that this is a side that might fall away when the heat is on.
VERDICT: DRAW
v Boro (Away, Tues. 23rd Feb)
Unfortunately for Cardiff, this one falls just as you would expect a certain Jordan Rhodes to have got his feet under the Teesside table and nailed down a regular spot. How dearly the Bluebirds would love to have such a reliable goal scorer in their ranks. Will do well to breach Boro’s miserly defence.
VERDICT: LOSS
v Preston (Home, Sat. 27th Feb)
Preston have been a surprisingly resilient Championship outfit this term, led by the experienced and level headed Simon Grayson, lead by the experienced and level-headed Simon Grayson. Their playing resources pale in comparison with the Bluebirds, however.
VERDICT: WIN
v Bristol City (Away, Sat. 5th March)
This one depends much on whether new manager Lee Johnson can give Bristol City a much needed boost. They were perhaps the only side more desperate than Cardiff for a striker in January, and the end result was similarly disappointing.
VERDICT: WIN
v Leeds (Home, Tues. 8th March)
Most expected (or perhaps just hoped) that Leeds would sink like a stone when Steve Evans was appointed, but they have held their own under the boisterous Yorkshireman. Still blessed with plenty of young talent, but the new manager bounce could well have faded by March.
VERDICT: DRAW
v Ipswich (Home, Sat. 12th March)
Russell Slade and Mick McCarthy will do battle in the dugout
Managed by Mick McCarthy, which means they will be very difficult to beat and very near the play-off equation by the end of the season. This is not a game Cardiff will want to be relying on for three points.
VERDICT: LOSS
v Reading (Away, Sat. 19th March)
Something of a force in the opening exchanges of the campaign, Reading began to unravel when now former boss Steve Clarke has a brief flirtation with Fulham. The loss of talismanic striker Nick Blackman to Derby County will hit them hard between now and the season’s end.
VERDICT: WIN
v Derby (Home, Sat. 2nd April)
With Paul Clement now departed, what state will the Rams be in by the time this fixture rolls around? This time last year they were unravelling spectacularly, but an eye-watering amount has been spent on players since then and they must surely hold up better this time.
VERDICT: LOSS
v Burnley (Away, Tues. 5th April)
Andre Gray is the Championship's top scorer
Let’s hope Burnley aren’t in the same kind of form when the Bluebirds visit in April. Arguably the best side in the division at the moment, they have a magnificent team ethic and a complete goal machine in Andre Gray. Difficult to imagine Cardiff being able to live with them.
VERDICT: LOSS
v Fulham (Away, Sat. 9th April)
With no win in five. Fulham are at risk of being sucked into a relegation fight. They will be confident that the goals of Ross McCormack and the experience of new boss Slavisa Jokanovic, who led Watford to promotion last year, can keep them afloat. A big opportunity for Cardiff, though.
VERDICT: WIN
v QPR (Home, Sat. 16th April)
Desperately disappointing season so far for QPR, but most in the game are convinced that Jimmy Flloyd Hasselbaink will is destined for a big future in management. They will struggle until they can replace Charlie Austin’s goals, however.
VERDICT: DRAW
v Brentford (Away, Tues. 19th April)
Where did it all go wrong for Brentford? They were very much worthy of their play-off berth last season, but look to be in free fall with four defeats from their last six games. Dean Smith did an excellent job at Walsall, he may well feel a little homesick now.
VERDICT: WIN
v Bolton (Home, Sat. 23rd April)
The Wanderers looked doomed not so long ago, but they managed to keep a hold of their prize assets in January and at the helm is the only manager in this division with a win over Barcelona to his name. Still, a must win for the Bluebirds.
VERDICT: WIN
v Sheff Wed (Away, Sat. 30th April)
Soccer - International Friendly - Republic of Ireland v Latvia - Aviva Stadium
Looking at the strength of their squad, the mood of their fans and the excellence of their former Portugese coach, expect this side to be right in the mix by the time the penultimate day of the season comes around. Their growing momentum could be tough to stop.
VERDICT: LOSS
v Birmingham (Home, Sat. 7th May)
Two points above Cardiff in the table, could this be a play-off showdown on the final day? Much will depend on how Birmingham cope with the loss of Demarai Gray. Gary Rowett could well follow his former winger into the Premier League if he continues his excellent work in England’s second city.
VERDICT: DRAW
Author: Phil Smith (on behalf of Media Wales)
v Charlton (Away, Sat. 13th Feb)
There are no such things as easy games in this division, but with just one win in their last ten, Charlton are there for the taking. If Cardiff are to have any play-off aspirations whatsoever, they surely need to be beating this standard of opposition.
VERDICT: WIN
v Brighton (Home, Sat. 20th Feb)
In third position, just three points off Hull, and with three wins on the spin, Brighton are still very much promotion contenders. But no wins in the seven before their most recent run demonstrate that this is a side that might fall away when the heat is on.
VERDICT: DRAW
v Boro (Away, Tues. 23rd Feb)
Unfortunately for Cardiff, this one falls just as you would expect a certain Jordan Rhodes to have got his feet under the Teesside table and nailed down a regular spot. How dearly the Bluebirds would love to have such a reliable goal scorer in their ranks. Will do well to breach Boro’s miserly defence.
VERDICT: LOSS
v Preston (Home, Sat. 27th Feb)
Preston have been a surprisingly resilient Championship outfit this term, led by the experienced and level headed Simon Grayson, lead by the experienced and level-headed Simon Grayson. Their playing resources pale in comparison with the Bluebirds, however.
VERDICT: WIN
v Bristol City (Away, Sat. 5th March)
This one depends much on whether new manager Lee Johnson can give Bristol City a much needed boost. They were perhaps the only side more desperate than Cardiff for a striker in January, and the end result was similarly disappointing.
VERDICT: WIN
v Leeds (Home, Tues. 8th March)
Most expected (or perhaps just hoped) that Leeds would sink like a stone when Steve Evans was appointed, but they have held their own under the boisterous Yorkshireman. Still blessed with plenty of young talent, but the new manager bounce could well have faded by March.
VERDICT: DRAW
v Ipswich (Home, Sat. 12th March)
Russell Slade and Mick McCarthy will do battle in the dugout
Managed by Mick McCarthy, which means they will be very difficult to beat and very near the play-off equation by the end of the season. This is not a game Cardiff will want to be relying on for three points.
VERDICT: LOSS
v Reading (Away, Sat. 19th March)
Something of a force in the opening exchanges of the campaign, Reading began to unravel when now former boss Steve Clarke has a brief flirtation with Fulham. The loss of talismanic striker Nick Blackman to Derby County will hit them hard between now and the season’s end.
VERDICT: WIN
v Derby (Home, Sat. 2nd April)
With Paul Clement now departed, what state will the Rams be in by the time this fixture rolls around? This time last year they were unravelling spectacularly, but an eye-watering amount has been spent on players since then and they must surely hold up better this time.
VERDICT: LOSS
v Burnley (Away, Tues. 5th April)
Andre Gray is the Championship's top scorer
Let’s hope Burnley aren’t in the same kind of form when the Bluebirds visit in April. Arguably the best side in the division at the moment, they have a magnificent team ethic and a complete goal machine in Andre Gray. Difficult to imagine Cardiff being able to live with them.
VERDICT: LOSS
v Fulham (Away, Sat. 9th April)
With no win in five. Fulham are at risk of being sucked into a relegation fight. They will be confident that the goals of Ross McCormack and the experience of new boss Slavisa Jokanovic, who led Watford to promotion last year, can keep them afloat. A big opportunity for Cardiff, though.
VERDICT: WIN
v QPR (Home, Sat. 16th April)
Desperately disappointing season so far for QPR, but most in the game are convinced that Jimmy Flloyd Hasselbaink will is destined for a big future in management. They will struggle until they can replace Charlie Austin’s goals, however.
VERDICT: DRAW
v Brentford (Away, Tues. 19th April)
Where did it all go wrong for Brentford? They were very much worthy of their play-off berth last season, but look to be in free fall with four defeats from their last six games. Dean Smith did an excellent job at Walsall, he may well feel a little homesick now.
VERDICT: WIN
v Bolton (Home, Sat. 23rd April)
The Wanderers looked doomed not so long ago, but they managed to keep a hold of their prize assets in January and at the helm is the only manager in this division with a win over Barcelona to his name. Still, a must win for the Bluebirds.
VERDICT: WIN
v Sheff Wed (Away, Sat. 30th April)
Soccer - International Friendly - Republic of Ireland v Latvia - Aviva Stadium
Looking at the strength of their squad, the mood of their fans and the excellence of their former Portugese coach, expect this side to be right in the mix by the time the penultimate day of the season comes around. Their growing momentum could be tough to stop.
VERDICT: LOSS
v Birmingham (Home, Sat. 7th May)
Two points above Cardiff in the table, could this be a play-off showdown on the final day? Much will depend on how Birmingham cope with the loss of Demarai Gray. Gary Rowett could well follow his former winger into the Premier League if he continues his excellent work in England’s second city.
VERDICT: DRAW
Re: UPDATED: " THE BIG CCFC QUESTION? "
Thu Feb 11, 2016 7:46 am
Forever Blue wrote:Will Cardiff City make the play-offs?
Your Opinions
WEDNESDAY 10 FEB 2016
BY PHIL SMITH
Time is running out, however, for a side that is yet to record back-to-back wins this season.
22nd August Wolves Home 2-0 WON
29th August Forest Away 2-1 WON
12th September Huddersfield Home 2-0 WON
Another poorly researched article by the latest fuckwit to infest Walesonline.
Re: " THE BIG CCFC QUESTION? "
Thu Feb 11, 2016 9:32 am
lathamgaffney wrote:Mathematically possible.
But our performances do not deserve top 6. Team isn't good enough.
However, I can't fault Slade for steadying the ship. Cut down wages, haven't spent much and in a solid 9th place. Unfortunately, this season is all about stability. Remaining a mid-table team.
Hopefully next season:
1) Tan sacks Slade.
2) Bring in a proven manager or give Bellamy a go.
3) Spend some money (if not under a transfer embargo) and give promotion a really good go.
Couldn't agree more except I'd rather see experience over Bellamy because our ship is still unsteady and more cost cutting will happen.
We all knew it was going to take a few years to recover from the rebrand and relegation but for some reason everyone thinks anything less than the playoffs is a failure
Re: " THE BIG CCFC QUESTION? "
Thu Feb 11, 2016 9:51 am
NIBluebird wrote:No.
Always going to be mid table with Slade at the hrlm
except we havent been mid table all season
Re: UPDATED: " THE BIG CCFC QUESTION? "
Thu Feb 11, 2016 9:58 am
Play-offs are there for us if both the players and supporters pull their thumbs out. On and off the pitch we have been lathargic too many times this season. If we all believe and pull in the same direction promotion this season is still a goer.
Re: UPDATED: " THE BIG CCFC QUESTION? "
Thu Feb 11, 2016 5:52 pm
Tony Blue Williams wrote:Play-offs are there for us if both the players and supporters pull their thumbs out. On and off the pitch we have been lathargic too many times this season. If we all believe and pull in the same direction promotion this season is still a goer.
Agree still possible if all pull together