Worrying times at Cardiff City football club. For the first time in 12 years, we find ourselves at the very bottom of the Championship following four consecutive league defeats. Despite the acquisition of the experienced Rickie Lambert during the transfer window, Cardiff are still finding it difficult to score goals. To make things worse, there seems to be a general lack of confidence in the team. After Leeds United went ahead in the 60th minute last Saturday, you could see the body language of the players indicated that they felt that there was going to be no way back into the game for them. They badly need some form of confidence boost. Manager Paul Trollope is increasingly under pressure, and if results do not improve soon he may find himself out of work.
Rickie Lambert.
In general, I like to take a positive attitude towards the team. Indeed, in some of the home matches that I have witnessed this year there has been very little between the two sides playing. But Cardiff's inability to score goals, coupled with their increasing lack of confidence, has put them in a very difficult predicament. It is still a little early to talk about a relegation battle, but if results do not improve in the next three or four games then this is what we are facing for the rest of the season.
Matches since my last post:-
FULHAM 2 CARDIFF 2
CARDIFF 0 READING 1
NORWICH 3 CARDIFF 2
PRESTON 3 CARDIFF 0
CARDIFF 0 LEEDS 2
Despite conceding a late equaliser, the Fulham game was encouraging against a team who have made a good start to the season. The home defeat to Reading was not deserved, as Cardiff made plenty of chances but were unable to score, and Reading had one chance which they put away. A loss at Norwich, who I confidently expect to return to the Premier League this season is also no disgrace, especially at one of our most unlucky grounds. Reports suggest that the performance at Preston was very poor.
Last Saturday provided some encouragement for the first hour of the game. Cardiff probably should have been ahead just before half time when Aron Gunnarsson hit the post. But once Leeds went ahead in the 60th minute following an unfortunate penalty decision, Cardiff never looked like getting back into the game.
In general, Cardiff have played quite well at times in the 3 home games in which they have lost this season. But the capitulation after going 1-0 down on Saturday was worrying. Manager Paul Trollope badly needs to find a way to lift the confidence of the players, or its going to be a long season!
Paul Trollope - food for thought.
