A solid transfer window, under very difficult circumstances and plenty of promise, not yet reflected in results or league standing. It all feels a bit 2022, but the general mood is more buoyant and optimistic this time round.
Some have been particularly effusive in their praise of Cardiff’s transfer window maneuverings and none more so than the club themselves. Others are now predicting a play-off push, and who knows, maybe they’re right. If you can’t be bold and have high aspirations in August, then why bother.
What I will say is that there is a huge gap to gulf. Last season was poor, according to whatever metric you care to use. Improvements in every area are required if Cardiff are to trouble the top half of the table. Fortunately, on paper at least, things are largely heading in the right direction, but is this a good squad by Championship standards, or just by recent Cardiff standards?
Cardiff live in fear of him upstairs striking down with furious anger and smiting a manager when they drift too close to the bottom three, but Erol Bulut has a greater stature and represented a more significant investment, so that should insulate him, to a certain extent. That’s important because like last year, time and patience will be needed as new players and methods are bedded in.
Cardiff’s goalkeeping situation was starting to look rather problematic, with four to choose from and three of a fairly equal standing. Rohan Luthra’s loan and Ryan Allsop’s sale has resolved that particular problem. It’s now a straight fight between Jak Alnwick and Alex Runarsson, with the latter the firm favourite as he was signed by Bulut. Alnwick has had to bide his time and has impressed when given the opportunity, so it was rather harsh to see him replaced for the trip to Ipswich. It’s also not ideal that the three remaining goalkeepers are all out of contract in the summer, although Luthra does have the option of an additional year, but that’s a problem for another day.
Despite their lowly league position, Cardiff’s back four performed admirably last season and while three-quarters remain, Cedric Kipre is sorely missed. The natural leader and a dominant presence, he complimented Mark McGuinness, whereas Dimitrios Goutas, a solid addition still acclimatising to the Championship, has a broadly similar skillset to McGuinness. Cardiff did well to bring in Jonathan Panzo right at the end of the window and he will allow Cardiff to play with three centre backs, but with full backs also learning how to invert, the defence remains a work in progress at present.
Cardiff’s left should be a source of strength, with the long-awaited combination of Jamilu Collins and Callum O’Dowda now an available option, but it has been anything but thus far. Most of the goals Cardiff concede originate from that flank and it has evidently identified as a source of weakness by opponents. Karlan Grant, a wide forward rather than a traditional winger, was the initial whipping boy for these failings, but his recent fine form has put a stop to that. I remain confident that this prevailing shortcoming is a blip rather than a flaw though.
Where Cardiff have significantly upgraded is in midfield.
The arrival of hometown hero Aaron Ramsey and Manolis Siopis has considerably upped the footballing IQ of this side. Siopis is always where you need him to be and plugs holes all over the pitch, whereas Ramsey adds that touch of class that has been so desperately needed in the final third. He can’t lose the yard of pace that he never had and his stamina, at least in these early stages, appears to be holding up. Both are instinctive, intelligent players and Cardiff’s fortunes depend squarely on their continued availability and fitness.
Josh Bowler is one of those players that doesn’t really look like your traditional footballer, but remans a really consistent and effective Championship performer. I think he’s a shrewd addition and will make the right wing his own, but Ollie Tanner is finding his feet and will push Bowler all the way. His progression and the rejuvenation of Rubin Colwill are an added bonus and will compliment the new arrivals.
It’s a squad game and Cardiff now boast a wealth of attacking options, but some sort of hierarchy tends to help and the pecking order still remains unclear. Callum Robinson is the primary source of both goals and assists, so has to play when fit, but unfortunately, when he has played recently, he looked far from fit. Struggling with a back complaint, he’s been as stiff as a board, but hopefully rest and recouperation over the international break will see him fit and firing again.
With Swansea next up, patience is always tested by the outcome of that particular encounter. Cardiff may never have a better chance of getting one over on their fierce rivals and a positive result would be massive for both Bulut’s standing and the confidence of the group. I thought it was telling that Bulut identified that the group share and display the trauma of the last few years and key results will go a long way towards healing those wounds.
My fear is that this squad still lacks pace and speed kills in the Championship. Cardiff are slow by design and typically slower, in terms of acceleration, transition and speed of thought than everyone they face. That is a handicap that can be compensated for, but not directly addressed.
Their peers have to be considered too. When Coventry spend in the region of £25m and you see how young and exciting Sunderland now are, you know you’re up against it, so while Cardiff’s progress is incremental, some of their rivals are making leaps and bounds.
Everyone is waiting for Cardiff to click, but football doesn’t always work that way. It’s not simply a case of assembling all the constituent parts, as there are also lots of intangibles that also needs to be considered and everything needs to be in the right direction. Maybe it will finally happen for Cardiff, but what I do know for sure is that I’m enjoying watching them and that alone is a big step in the right direction.