With nine games to go in the Championship season, Cardiff City find themselves just five points behind Norwich City, who occupy sixth place.
The Bluebirds have been in imperious form over the last four matches with wins against Stoke City, Bristol City, Huddersfield Town and most impressively, automatic promotion candidates Ipswich Town. A crucial run of fixtures, including the hotly anticipated South Wales derby on Saturday 16th, could be the fine line between mid-table mediocrity and a playoff place for Erol Bulut’s men.
The South Wales club have a reasonable chance of maintaining this form and constructing a real playoff charge. With the majority of the teams in the picture playing each other in the coming weeks, this period will be a test of character for the Cardiff City players and manager. Bulut will hope his upcoming game plans will galvanise his team to continue their run of results.
Maintaining their recent defensive solidity
There was a clear recruitment focus in the January transfer window for the Bluebirds, one that oversaw a revitalisation of their back line. Despite financial constraints for Bulut, the Turkish manager has worked wonders to produce such astute business with the addition of Nat Phillips on loan from Liverpool and a loan deal for Josh Wilson-Esbrand from Manchester City. The two have been particularly important in providing three clean sheets in their last five Championship matches for the club.
Phillips, who has played 29 times for Liverpool, has formed a consistently solid partnership with fan favourite Dimitrios Goutas. The Greek defender has been a regular starter for the side this season and if he continues his immense leadership and fine form, he could lead by example to propel his club into the playoff picture.
Building on Perry Ng’s impressive attacking output
The 27-year-old defender has flourished this season in an evolving right-back position. With a total of six goals and four assists, the Englishman has been the main attacking threat for the Bluebirds for the majority of the season so far. Turning their attention to improving their attack may be the key to breaking into the playoff spots. Despite Ng’s numbers in this spell being hugely impressive for a defender, Bulut’s side should take inspiration from this rather than merely relying on his impact.
Crucially, four of Ng’s goals have come from corners. Cardiff have demonstrated huge success from set pieces and an extra goal from a well-worked corner routine is always likely to be crucial in a tight playoff race.
Attacking the important, upcoming six-pointers
The Championship is no stranger to tense playoff run-ins and this year may prove no different. With successive upcoming matches against fellow hopefuls Sunderland, Coventry City and Hull City, wins are not only essential but the bare minimum. With that said, if Cardiff City want to remain in the race, all of these games are must-win.
With their defensive woes seemingly behind them, the Bluebirds must really go all out to keep up this great form while not showing any hesitation to progress up the pitch confidently. The key to unlocking many Championship sides’ defences this season has been knowing when to be brave in possession or pounce with intelligent counter-attacking football. The right balance of these approaches will be crucial for Cardiff in this final run of games.
The Welsh side certainly have a tough run of fixtures ahead, but if they execute the right game plan in each, they can accumulate huge points and deprive some of those around them. If Cardiff can maintain their defensive solidity balanced with an improved attacking threat, then they could offer a late surprise package. The side from South Wales certainly have an impressive squad and have built a solid foundation to find some consistency when it really matters.
