The Bluebirds’ start to the campaign hasn’t been ideal but they have the best opportunity to kickstart momentum this Sunday
Cardiff City’s start to the Championship season has been challenging, with two losses and seven goals conceded without scoring. This places them at the bottom of the table after two matchdays.
Despite some initial optimism about improving on last season’s 12th-place finish under Erol Bulut, the early results have been discouraging. However, there is still hope as the season progresses.
**Transfer Activity**
On Tuesday, Cardiff was active in the transfer market, signing Jesper Daland from Cercle Brugge and selling Mark McGuinness to Luton Town. They have added six new players this summer, though their impact is yet to be fully seen. Chris Willock and Calum Chambers have played significant roles, while Wilfried Kanga is still adapting. Alex Robertson, a midfielder from Manchester City, hasn’t appeared in league games yet, and Anwar El Ghazi is not yet fully fit. Daland is expected to be available for the weekend.
Bulut is still looking for another striker, with Besiktas’s Jackson Muleka being a target, especially due to injuries to Kion Etete and Isaak Davies. Cardiff is also working on a deal for Manchester United centre-back Will Fish and is interested in signing another winger before the August 30 deadline. Outgoings are also anticipated, with several players, including Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Kieron Evans, likely to be loaned out or sold to free up funds.
**Injury Concerns**
Injuries have been a major setback for Cardiff. Strikers Etete and Davies are out for three and four months respectively, and wing options like Callum O’Dowda are also sidelined. The 5-0 loss to Burnley exacerbated injury issues, with O’Dowda, Calum Chambers, and captain Joe Ralls being substituted as a precaution, and Aaron Ramsey leaving the field injured. The full extent of these injuries will be clearer after further assessments.
**Fixture List Challenges**
Cardiff’s fixture list has been demanding. They have faced strong teams like Sunderland and Burnley, with challenging games against Swansea, Middlesbrough, and Leeds United on the horizon. Despite the tough start, Cardiff’s squad has quality, but they need to improve significantly to climb the table.
**New Style of Play**
Cardiff is trying to implement a new style of play, shifting from a reliance on set pieces to more possession-based football. While they’ve controlled possession in recent games, including a Carabao Cup win, they’re struggling with cutting edge and pace in attack. Adapting to this new style amidst injuries and tough fixtures is proving difficult, but finding success will be crucial.
**Upcoming Opportunities**
The next few games, particularly against their rivals, represent a significant opportunity. A strong performance could boost confidence and demonstrate the effectiveness of their new style, while a poor result might dampen enthusiasm. The final week of the transfer window will be crucial for Cardiff as they aim to strengthen their squad and turn their season around.
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