Gareth looks at Cardiff City and their recent woes, and what that might mean for the rest of the season and beyond.
It was a mixed bag of results at the start of March for the Bluebirds but it ended with Cardiff taking the South Wales derby and continuing the tradition of no side ever doing the League Double. South Wales derby success, but Easter passed leaving no playoff gifts.
Cardiff’s win over Swansea left fans heading into the March International break with more than a bit of a hope that the Championship Playoffs were a realistic target.
After the international break though, Cardiff City really struggled to hit any sort of form and with the Easter games coming fast, the drop in form has resulted in the season fizzling out rather quickly. Picking up only 1 point in the last 3 games, which included the Bluebirds losing an embarrassing 5-0 defeat to bottom of the league Sheffield Wednesday, fans were quickly wondering what happened to the side that went 11 unbeaten in January and February.
The form after the international break for a playoff chasing side should be rightly questioned. McCarthy simply can’t turn round and say that the Playoffs weren’t on the agenda when he arrived.
Is Cardiff’s recent poor form down to Injuries to key players in the new system (5-3-2)? This limits Cardiff’s press and energy with and without the ball. Mick McCarthy has said Keiffor Moore is “Knackered”. Is that a nudge at the club for not replacing Robert Glatzel in the January window or is it poor squad management?
One thing that must be addressed quickly is Cardiff’s defensive standards especially when skipper Sean Morrison is unavailable. Conceding 8 in the last 3 against sides in the bottom half of the table is a real concern. This has left some fans thinking that the previous good form was all just “new manager bounce”.
Stick with the seniors or Twist with the Youngsters
With the last 5 games now looking like dead rubbers for Cardiff, it’ll be interesting as to what approach Cardiff and Mick McCarthy will take.
Most Cardiff fans will want to see youth given a chance. The prospect of not giving them an opportunity to gain experience, ahead of loan players or seniors that may move on in the summer, will lead to questions of whether Cardiff City really believe in youth.
Rubin Colwill has really impressed in the U23’s and must be in with of chance of getting his first senior start. While others like Patten, Davies and Evans must be pushing for senior game time.
On the other hand, the last 5 games could be an opportunity to gather momentum ahead of next season. The last time Cardiff were in this position of having nothing to play at the end of the season under Neil Warnock, they carried form into the following season going on to gain promotion.
Out with the Old and in with the new ?
Embed from Getty ImagesAs the season comes to an end, Cardiff approach the summer transfer window facing plenty of questions over the squad. The No1 goalkeeping spot is not nailed down by either Smithies or Phillips. If Smithies were to become the No2 could Cardiff really financially afford to have him sat on the bench?
Defensively, the wing backs are crucial to the 5-3-2 system Cardiff play. Joe Bennett is yet to sign a new deal but was crucial in Cardiff’s unbeaten run in January and February. I’d suggest it would be hard to replace a player of Bennett’s experience without spending money that Cardiff don’t have.
Arsenal loanee right back Jordi Osei-Tutu has had limited game time with the Bluebirds and is likely to return to his parent club. Osei Tutu would offer great competition next season to Perry NG for the Right wing back spot. However with Tom Sang recently featuring (playing well) and signing a new contract, Cardiff look okay at right back.
Cardiff definitely need a ball playing centre half with quality to make the system more fluid and flexible. But they would likely need to move one out to bring one in.
Midfield is where Cardiff have the most questions, The “number 10” or “false 9” is key to Cardiff’s system. Harry Wilson is too good for the Championship and financially Cardiff is very unlikely to retain his services. Johnny Williams would be a fans favourite but injuries and a lack of goals mean there are questions about whether an extension to his stay is justified. Lee Tomlin has rarely featured this season due to fitness and those questions will only resurface again next term.
The centre of midfield has plenty of options, though at times does seem to have gone slightly stale. But youth team options, such as Kennan Patten, could be used to freshen up the centre of the midfield.
Junior Hoilett has been a brilliant servant to the club but his form was questioned under Neil Harris in the first half of this season. He is likely to leave having found limited game time under Mick McCarthy
Cardiff can’t and won’t move everyone on but what do Cardiff do with Josh Murphy? Cardiff fans want to see consistency and they know he has talent but does the system suit him going forward?.
Finally Kieffer Moore will need some help next season and it could be said that Cardiff need 2 additional strikers; 1 in the form of a striker partner and the other to give him some competition as a target man.
There is certainly talent coming through the youth system for the Bluebird’s. But Cardiff will have to find the right blend between experience and youth going forward.
The Summer Window will certainly be interesting for Cardiff City.