Cardiff City and Swansea City could both be in peril in the Championship after struggling in the first halves of their respective campaigns. The Bluebirds parted company with Mike McCarthy following a terrible run of form in the second tier, losing eight matches on the bounce before the patience of the club’s hierarchy ended. Steve Morison was hired to replace the former Republic of Ireland manager, but he faces a major challenge to keep Cardiff in the Championship even after making a solid start to his tenure.
Swansea have fallen away in their recent fixtures after making a bright start to life under Russell Martin. Martin was hired by the Swans to replace Steve Cooper, who left the Liberty Stadium on the eve of the new season, moving from MK Dons in League One.
Swansea did make a mediocre start to the term, but gradually found their way to push towards the playoffs once again. However, their momentum has been stymied and have plummeted down the table. They’re in a better situation than their rivals and still have a price of 13/2 in the English Championship betting odds to reach the playoffs, although it will take a recovery from Martin’s men in the second half of the term.
Meanwhile, Morison and his team are backed at 6/1 in the Championship outright predictions to be relegated from the second tier. Derby’s points’ deduction has left only two spots available for the drop to League One, which may save the Bluebirds come the end of the season. However, there is still work ahead of Morison and Cardiff to preserve their Championship status. The problems have started at the back for the Bluebirds. Only Peterborough United conceded more goals after 22 games of the campaign than Cardiff’s 41.
The damage was mainly committed under McCarthy’s tenure, although a 3-2 defeat against Sheffield United and a 2-2 draw against Birmingham City have shown the issues have not been eradicated under Morison. Aden Flint and Curtis Nelson have solid reputations in the second tier and have plenty experience behind them. Their form this term has been poor to say the least, but there is hope that if Morison can find a way to boost their confidence, the Bluebirds may be able to dig themselves out of trouble before it’s too late. Goals have not been forthcoming from sources other than Kieffer Moore, but compared to their rivals at the bottom of the table, Cardiff should have enough in that department.
Swansea’s hopes of reaching the playoffs have cooled and Martin and his team have to look over their shoulders at the bottom of the table rather than the top. The signing of Joel Piroe has been a masterstroke and has offset the depature of Andre Ayew, while Jamie Paterson has been equally solid. However, Martin has discovered that if the two players are not on song, then the Swans tend to struggle. The club should have no issues regarding relegation, but if their recent slide continues, which has seen them loses three games on the bounce to Reading, Middlesbrough and painfully their former manager Cooper against Forest by a 4-1 scoreline, then trouble could be at hand.
The feeling of optimism from last season when the Swans reached the playoff final and Cardiff narrowly missed out on a playoff spot has been replaced by one of concern. Both clubs face crucial second halves of the season otherwise the unthinkable could happen.
