Cardiff’s season is seven games, or less, from glory

The EFL is back and it’s the home stretch now. Cardiff have a few more days to wait before they return to action, but their Good Friday may prove to be a great Friday if Bolton, Bradford or Stockport drop more points in their quest to eat up Cardiff’s current advantage.

Despite their first concerted wobble of the season before the international break, Cardiff are in an extremely strong position, with an 11-point lead, which is essentially 12 when you account for their substantial goal difference. No one wants to get the bunting out too early or tempt fate, but with the chasing pack struggling to gain any ground, the final month should be little more than a victory lap.

For Cardiff to be caught, they would need to lose at least four of their games and at least one of the chasing pack would need to be nigh on perfect. Cardiff still have to play Bolton, their most likely challenger, but Bolton have to play both Bradford and Stockport too. The latter will also have half an eye on the upcoming Vertu Trophy final.

The season hasn’t been plain sailing for Cardiff, but despite the occasional setback, it has been far smoother than it had any right to be. They’ve been tested physically and mentally, with teams prepared to either kick the shit out of you or sit back and leave their ambition at the doorstep. There have also been A LOT of games. Thick and fast, every week, testing the limits of Brian Barry-Murphy’s tight group. The sheer churn invites inconsistency, but despite plenty of rotation, Cardiff have been impressively consistent in their approach and performances.

The title slipping away is a disappointment, but Lincoln have been on an unbeaten run for the ages and will be worthy champions, should they hold their nerve. To finish 11^th last year, lose their best player and then mastermind such a historic campaign is remarkable, but should take nothing away from Cardiff’s campaign either. To finish rock bottom of the Championship and show so little fight, the turnaround in their fortunes has been no less impressive.

After losing their league lead and watching Wales fall at the final hurdle, it may feel like football has turned a bit sour in recent weeks, but that Bolton game aside, a kind run of fixtures awaits and the likelihood is that the teams around them are more likely to seal Cardiff’s fate than they are, but win a few more games and a largely painless return to the second tier will be achieved at the first attempt.

Expect a few more new deals to then follow, as Joel Bagan, Perry Ng and renaissance man Ryan Wintle are all sure to have already been offered extended terms, while they would be wise to similarly reward Barry-Murphy, who has done a remarkable job, against the odds. Hopefully Yousef Salech can return to play some part in proceedings too after a longer than expected rehabilitation.

After a few crap years, these final few games are to be savoured and enjoyed. It is the culmination of all the hard yards put in on the pitch by the players and slogging up and down the country by supporters. Put the bubbles on ice, just don’t tell anyone quite yet.