WHAT IS GOING WRONG WITH CARDIFF CITY?
- ccfcinsider
- Feb 14, 2024
- 9 min read
Cardiff City have lost eight of their last twelve fixtures. Is this just a poor run of form? Or is it more?
Obviously if you look at the bigger picture, Cardiff City's league standing suggests a huge improvement in the last twelve months. However, the feeling around the fan base (especially on social media) is the same as last season. Why is that?
What is Cardiff City's identity?
Cardiff have lacked any clear playing style for eighteen months. It may not have been successful, but, the last manager with a clear set way of playing was Steve Morison. It may not have been successful but Morison's slow build up play style was clear to those in the stands, some supported it, some didn't, however there was an obvious style, something fans had been crying out for years to see.
Erol Bulut has had a fairly successful spell at the club, however there has never been a clear style. Some games Cardiff move the ball well, despite losing I'd use the most recent game against West Brom as a good example of that, Cardiff looked tidy in possession. However, you look at Cardiff's game against Plymouth in recent weeks, Cardiff went behind and had no answer for it, no rhythm or set style to how they played, it was just a lot of nothing football, moving side to side and waiting and waiting, until the full-time whistle went.
It's clear from social media, Cardiff fans just want a style and regime they can get behind. We were told when Erol Bulut was appointed that he had never had a set style, however focuses more on how the opposition setup and then plans against that style, which can work against some sides, however Cardiff have been guilty of showing teams too much respect this season, and that needs to change.
Cardiff sit 23rd in terms of Progressive Passes (869) and Progressive Carries (384) this season. 19th in terms of Goals per game (1.10). 22nd in terms of Shots per game (10.53), 17th in terms of Possession per game (45.3%). I could go on in terms of how many stats Cardiff sit in the bottom half, the stats back up what we can see on the eye, The Bluebirds lack an identity and a set style.
So to answer the question, I don't know what Cardiff City's identity is at the moment, and I know I'm not alone in that.
Who is to blame?
I think it's only natural people look towards the manager, and I understand that. This is the man who threatened to walk from his post less than a month ago, but the players are meant to be fully commited to him? I am far from 'Bulut Out', but he isn't as blameless as some portray. His team selections have raised the eyebrows in recent months, causing for more fans calling for his head. I get the feeling some are praying on the Bulut downfall, and that is wrong and unfair as Bulut has brought more positive than negative to the club.
The board have a part to play in this. Now some have said Bulut got what he want in the market, that just isn't correct. A manager that has got what he wants, doesn't get his first signing on the 30th of January. Bulut could not have made it more clear he needed backing in January, and waiting until two days before the Deadline is not backing your man. The board gave him funds for Horvath and Turnbull, but there's no kidding that Bulut had other targets lined up earlier in the month.
The players have a huge part to play in this. Bulut has taken a lot of flack, but the team as a whole should be under as much pressure as him. For a group of these players, this is the fourth manager they're working under in just over eighteen months, and yet they continue to play the same way. In recent months there has been too much negative football, and having seen Bulut go ballistic on the sideline several times, it's clearly not the instructions he's setting; sign he's lost the dressing room? Who knows. But that group and the new group that have come in during recent times can't be let off with how they're playing. The pride of playing for this club should mean a minimum of 110% effort. In recent weeks players have become more reserved showing appreciation to the fans, especially those who travel away, something that was caught on Sky cameras last night before they cut off, was a member of Cardiff City's coaching staff having to tell Jamilu Collins to go over and applaud City supporters, Cardiff supporters were full of voice all game and an applaud was the least they deserved. In Cardiff's most recent home game, just five players applauded at full-time, shocking really.
I've briefly touched on it, but the fans. I believe we don't have a huge impact on the team's recent slump. However, there is clearly distance between the fans and team, this could be down to the persitent booing of the team, which I think has an effect on the team. Against Preston, David Turnbull looked up at a booing Canton Stand and shook his head as he walked down the tunnel, and as I've mentioned just five players stayed to applaud the near empty stadium at full-time. I get frustration, I'm frustrated, but I'd argue it's doing more harm than good and causing discontent between fans and players. As mentioned I think the fans have the smallest part to play, but they do have some part, I believe.
What's changed?
In November, the feeling was with good recruitment, Cardiff could be in with a chance of the play-off places if they could continue picking up results as they were.
This shows where Cardiff were compared to now. The Bluebirds are a good run of form away from being back on track, but that doesn't look like it will be coming anytime soon.
So what has changed in recent months? Cardiff have become a more passive side and have become more dependent on moments of magic and set pieces. Cardiff have the most goals from set pieces in the Championship (16) this season. Cardiff are fourth in terms of shots outside of the box this season (40%). The Bluebirds haven't really scored a great deal of team goals this season.
Cardiff's home form has a huge part to play. City sit bottom on the home form table and have picked up for points at home since November. Since November, Cardiff are sixth in the away league table (13 Points).
Erol Bulut's team selection also has a part to play as well. The last time Cardiff played the same team two games in a row was in October. Bulut has chosen more reserved teams for games Cardiff should be attacking the opposition, and then some more attacking lineups against teams Cardiff should be playing a low block against. Substitutes have also been a problem throughout the season, some games they're spot on, others they're either too late or wrong for how the game is playing out, for example against West Brom, Cardiff are in need of a goal and Manolis Siopis comes on for David Turnbull, that can't be explained or dignified really, as Sio didn't add much when he was introduced.
Comparison with last season:
Here's a breakdown on how The Bluebirds were doing at this stage last season to compare with this season.
Points:
22/23 - 29
23/24 - 40
Wins:
22/23 - 7
23/24 - 12
Losses:
22/23 - 16
23/24 - 15
Goals Scored:
22/23 - 22
23/24 - 36
Goals Conceded:
22/23 - 36
23/24 - 43
Points Per Game:
22/23 - 0.93
23/24 - 1.31
League Position:
22/23 - 21st
23/24 - 14th
Is a change of Manager needed?
Have Cardiff reached the point where they need their fifth manager in eighteen months? I don't think so. However, managers have been sacked for worse than Bulut is doing at the moment.
I think sacking another manager is just a short term fix to a long term problem. The long term problem is an ageing squad of players who aren't performing at the moment, and individuals haven't turned up almost all season. And a new manager won't change the reocurring pattern that's been happening in the last eighteen months.
Context is also needed. This is Erol Bulut's first time managing in the country, it would be crazy if he to was instantly click. Bulut needs to improve elements of his tactics in order to see Cardiff return to there early season form, Bulut needs to become more proactive and be able to identify and fix problems in game sooner.
Another thing to be considered is can we get better? At this moment in time, no. Bulut is the calibre of manager Cardiff have needed for a long time, and there's no one of his calibre available. If a manager were to brought in before the end of the season, it's likely to be a deal until the end of the season and then in the summer we're back to square on and havewasted another season.
Cardiff City need a plan, and if Bulut is the man the board trust then show it, give him a deal and the players he wants. In recent weeks, I was dead certain Bulut was the man to take us forward, I've become more reserved in that and would now like to see what he can produce for the remainder of the season. I think things will come good and Bulut is the man who should lead us forward, but he needs to turn around this sinking ship.
With just fifteen games left of the season, a change seems pretty pointless at this stage to me.
What is the problem?
This isn't a piece to just rip into Bulut and Cardiff's players. The reason for such frustration is because we know this team has quality, they've proven that they do in several games. So when we see performances that aren't up to the level it's only natural people complain.
I don't think Cardiff have a set problem that's causing the slump in form, I think it's a mixture of a few things. As I've mentioned Cardiff have become a more passive side and a lot easier to breakdown, I think that's down to some personnel changes such as Ryan Wintle for Joe Ralls, Cardiff have been a far better and solid team with Ralls in the midfield partnering Manolis Siopis, however since Wintle has become more involved, Cardiff have become more passive and easily beaten. Now, I'm far from blaming Wintle for Cardiff's slump, he's just one example of changes that haven't worked.
I believe one of the main reason for Cardiff's problems is because the team lacks a leader. In recent months the amount the players argue amongest themselves has increased massively. The Bluebirds have always had teams with a few players who were leaders and big personalities, and I don't think you can say the same about this team. Joe Ralls is a communicator and deserves the armband, but he isn't a personality like Sean Morrison or Mark Hudson.
Change of system needed?
Bulut tried to change it against West Brom. Cardiff did improve outside of the two goals. The Bluebirds showed more quality on the ball, something that has been highlighted by Baggies supporters.
There were some reocurring problems such as a lack of urgency pressing and being too passive in midfield. The Bluebirds were slow turning from defence to attack, but that problem could be fixed with Karlan Grant, we will have to wait and see.
In possession, Cardiff had Wintle in his natural number six with Colwill and Turnbull ahead of him. Both wing-backs got high up the pitch, a system that suited Josh Wilson-Esbrand very well, and saw him get in some good positions. David Turnbull and Rubin Colwill found pockets of space and tried orchestrating things in the middle. The option of having three at the back meant The Bluebirds had more options in possession.
Unfortunately the two strikers payed the price, as Cardiff focused on getting the ball down the flanks. This saw Famara Diedhiou have just nine touches in sixty-three minutes of action, to compare with Perry Ng who had sixty-nine touches for The Bluebirds.
Against Preston, Ryan Wintle and Manolis Siopis rotated between playing as a holding midfielder and a box-to-box, however the latter is an unfamiliar role for both, and both struggled going forward.
Cardiff focused more on creating chances centerally, and did get in some good areas but couldn't execute. A lack of movement on the flanks, saw Cardiff struggle to make chances out wide. Which obviously led to a change of system at half-time.
Conclusion:
What is going wrong? As I've touched on it's a mixture a things, however it's nothing that's not fixable. Cardiff have shown glimpses of being able to return to what they were, they just need to do it on a more consistent basis.
I think this is more than a bad run of form. However, Bulut needs time to build his own squad and get a group of players he thinks suits him more than the current ones. There's some players Bulut clearly doesn't favour, so patience is needed for him to build a squad of players he's comfortable with. So far he's had to work with what he's got, but I'd like to see him get the chance to build a squad of his own.
This is one of the most difficult Championship's there have been. There's no surprise Cardiff have dipped in and out of form, next season will tell us a whole lot more than this season. With just fifteen games left, I think Cardiff just have to ride the storm and get to next season, then go from there. That might not be what some want to hear, but Cardiff need to get to the summer and get a clear plan to follow.
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