' The defence is already good '

The defence is already good for next season

By Paul Abbananato


Whether Cardiff stick with five at the back, or opt for Lamouchi's preferred option of a flat back four, the defence looks like a decent foundation from which the team can build next season.

While it was questionable for Morison to send Mark McGuinness out on loan, his spell with Sheffield Wednesday definitely improved him as a player and he has returned as something of a defensive colossus who time and again bailed the team out of trouble.

If the Bluebirds can persuade Cedric Kipre to return, and he has loved his year on loan from West Brom, his centre-back partnership with McGuinness will be among the better pairings in the division.

Player of the year Perry Ng and Mahon Romeo are highly capable right-backs, with Ng also able to play in a middle three, while Callum O'Dowda, the returning Jamilu Collins and Joel Bagan, should he receive a new contract, offer options on the left. Cardiff are also being linked with Fulham's Joe Bryan, although face stiff competition from a number of rivals.

What happens with the goalkeeping situation remains to be seen, but once a centre-half comes in, be that Kipre or another dominant figure, the defenders look sound.

It’s clear that our problem is scoring goals. Sort that out and we’ll be fine next season. Our issue (for me) is our midfield. How often do you see our midfielders in the opposition box? Hardly ever.

Disagree. Yes we need more goals, but we've given away some very soft goals and are about mid-way in the division for goals conceded (as I type before we head to the champions).

Without a doubt if we score more with current defence + kipre, we should do better... but competition for places and injury cover is horrific. Definitely needs some freebies or loan. I'd love to see an old experienced leader in there (that is available on a free, cheap wages and better than a prime Rio Ferdinand)

I would like to see us find a centre back who carries a goal threat from set pieces. Not advocating a return to Warnock tactics and relying on this - but its useful to have someone who can chip in with 4 or 5 in a season and also create second ball opportunities for others.

I would like to see us find a centre back who carries a goal threat from set pieces. Not advocating a return to Warnock tactics and relying on this - but its useful to have someone who can chip in with 4 or 5 in a season and also create second ball opportunities for others.

I agree we seem to be missing that set piece threat we were renowned for when we had Morrisson and Flint.

Oddly this season we had Kipre with 3 goals which puts him joint third amongst defenders in the Championdhip and Perry Ng with 2 which puts him joint 7th.

I can only assume it is something that is going out of all teams style.

Lamouchi has already said that Kipre won't be returning so that immediately leaves a huge gap in defence that needs to be filled.

I think most would agree that Simpson is not the answer and for me Ng is too short to be a centre half in a back four.

Plenty of work to do before the defence can be described as "good" I think.

It’s clear that our problem is scoring goals. Sort that out and we’ll be fine next season. Our issue (for me) is our midfield. How often do you see our midfielders in the opposition box? Hardly ever.

That's were we went wrong at the start of last season - with regards to a striker ...We took our time

The defence is going to be weak without kipre ,
If we don’t get some good solid defenders in then we are going to be conceding a lot of goals

A good defence uses one defensive midfielder tops, we use three

5 at the back with 3 DM's is why we have a mean defense and no attack.

A good defence uses one defensive midfielder tops, we use three

5 at the back with 3 DM's is why we have a mean defense and no attack.

Spot on. If you're playing 5 at the back. No need for 3 holding midfielders. As someone said, our midfielders don't get in the box!!