CARDIFF CITY RELEGATED

Cardiff City have been relegated to League One for the first time in twenty-two years.

Cardiff City team huddle.

Cardiff fans were certainly optimistic ahead of the season, following the news of Erol Bulut extending his contract, and making high profile exciting signing. After an impressive pre season playing free-flowing and front-footed football, City fans were confident ahead of the season's start.

Bluebirds' hope was soon turned into disappointment. Cardiff lost on the opening day to Sunderland, and followed that up with a 5-0 thumping from Burnley. City perhaps showed a sign of a turning a corner after a positive second half showing in the South Wales Derby earned Cardiff their first point of the season. However three successive defeats against Middlesbrough, Derby County and Leeds United, Erol Bulut was sacked leaving The Bluebirds bottom of the table.

Omer Riza was chose to take the team as the club looked to recruit a new manager. Riza got off to a poor start with a 4-1 defeat at Hull City. However, bounced back with a 1-0 win against Millwall, earning City their first three points of the season. Cardiff drew against Bristol City as they headed into the October international break.

Riza continued despite speculation regarding other managers. This would pay off as City beat Plymouth Argyle 5-0 in Cardiff's biggest win since 2017. The Bluebirds followed it up with a 2-0 home win over Portsmouth, a 0-0 draw away at West Brom and a dramatic win 2-1 over Norwich City. This saw Omer Riza nominated for Manager of the Month.

Cardiff's run would come to an end after a 1-0 loss away at Luton Town, beginning what would be a horrific run for The Bluebirds. City failed to win any of their next eight against Blackburn Rovers, Sheffield Wednesday, QPR, Coventry City, Preston North End, Stoke City, Sheffield United and Oxford United.

Pressure mounted but Riza answered that with an away win against Watford. This would prove significant as an unbeaten January followed. Cardiff advanced to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup after beating Sheffield United. City beat arch rivals Swansea City 3-0 in a historical day in the Welsh Capital, and closed January with a big win against Derby County.

February couldn't have started any worse with a 7-0 loss at Leeds United. City responded by advancing to the Fifth Round of the FA Cup with a penalty shootout win over Stoke City. Cardiff woes in the league continued, as Riza's men lost to Portsmouth in a crucial fixture, as well as drawing against Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle.

Cardiff would stop the rot with a crucial win over Hull City, with a single goal with Callum Robinson enough for three points. City would be knocked out of the FA Cup at the hands of Premier League outfit Aston Villa. The Bluebirds would lose the next three against Burnley, Sunderland and a paramount game against Luton Town, as pressure began to mount on Omer Riza again.

Riza's men would beat Blackburn 2-1 away from home to relieve pressure heading into the international break. City went winless in their next five after the break against Sheffield Wednesday, QPR, Preston North End, Stoke City and Sheffield United, leading to the sacking of Omer Riza, leaving The Bluebirds in 23rd.

Aaron Ramsey was chosen to take the reigns for the final three games, opening with a draw against Oxford United. However, the damage was unsalvageable, and after failure to beat West Brom, Cardiff City were relegated to League One.

Summary:

I think we accepted this a few weeks ago, but it feels much heavier now it's confirmed. So many factors play into it, which is an article in itself, whatever division, I'll be there.

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