Erol Bulut still wants a minimum of three players in throug

Erol Bulut still wants a minimum of three players in through the door before the end of the transfer window and they are needed.


Bulut is also expecting at least four players to depart.


The clinical edge in the final third is just still lacking, though, and that will be the big difference-maker as we head into the campaign.


By Glen Williams

Monday 24th July 2023



Cardiff have struggled massively for goals for some time now and while they do look more of a threat in the final third than last season, there is a lingering concern over whether they have a striker who can find the back of the net regularly.

Cardiff have a number of players who can play in that position, such as Callum Robinson, Karlan Grant and Yakou Meite, but all three of them are better out wide and from what Bulut has said and shown so far, he doesn't see them as out-and-out strikers.


With Max Watters and Isaak Davies ready to leave, it means Kion Etete and Ike Ugbo remain as the main striker options. Etete showed, particularly towards the back end of the season, there is something there, but he has looked off the pace in pre-season. And he is still just 21, with just nine Football League goals to his name – only three of which have come in the Championship.

Ugbo, meanwhile, has just not shown enough in the few games he has played so far. But that is not to suggest he should be written off. He has had very few chances to score, in his defence. But he hasn't quite stretched the defence or he's not been an aerial threat, so it's difficult to decipher what sort of striker he is. He has been decent enough with his back to goal and he links up play well.

But as for a genuine goalscorer, there is a feeling Cardiff are still looking for their No.9 and that needs to be the priority.

Elsewhere, a centre-back also appears to be on the cards. Mark McGuinness and Dimitrios Goutas looked nailed-on first choices, but after the Portugal matches, Bulut will want sufficient back-up for those two. Perry Ng is now viewed as a right-back in this system, which is correct, while Jack Simpson has had a decent pre-season despite a mixed debut campaign.

There is a marked drop-off after that, though. Oliver Denham has gone on loan to Scotland and Xavier Benjamin, sadly, has looked rather out of his depth all summer at senior level. Centre-back needs to be high on the agenda, too.


The clinical edge in the final third is just still lacking, though, and that will be the big difference-maker as we head into the campaign.


City need to be more front-foot against so-called weaker teams and in front of their home supporters and it will be interesting to see if they take more of an initiative under Bulut. It's difficult to really gauge against Cymru Premier opposition, however they did look to be more positive against League One Bristol Rovers.

Next Saturday, against Wycombe, will be the acid test. Bulut will likely pick his best XI and it's a game in which City should impose themselves on the opposition.

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If there's anything to the Moore rumours, then he clearly wants a striker.

Would also say a CM and probably a back up CB is needed.

If that's the case, I agree with him that he needs those signings. He'll want them through the door before Wycombe.

If it's available, he may look at getting a RB before the window closes. Seems he is happy with his goalkeepers.

This looks like a strong first choice team, and much better than we had last season:


Allsop

Ng
Goutas
McGuinness
O'Dowda

Wintle
New CM

Ramsey
Robinson
Grant

Moore/New Striker

If there's anything to the Moore rumours, then he clearly wants a striker.

Would also say a CM and probably a back up CB is needed.

If that's the case, I agree with him that he needs those signings. He'll want them through the door before Wycombe.

If it's available, he may look at getting a RB before the window closes. Seems he is happy with his goalkeepers.

This looks like a strong first choice team, and much better than we had last season:


Allsop

Ng
Goutas
McGuinness
O'Dowda

Wintle
New CM

Ramsey
Robinson
Grant

Moore/New Striker

I’d have Collins on LHs which unfortunately means CO misses out. JC is the better defender so gets the nod for me, certainly to start.
If no new striker, CR or KG can go up top and CO can go on the wing.

Allsop

Ng
Goutas
McGuinness
O'Dowda

Wintle
New CM

Ramsey
Robinson
Grant

Moore/New Striker


If someone had told me last season that this would possibly be our first eleven I would had thought it was never gonna happen tbh

We desperately need a creative winger

We desperately need a creative winger

If we could only sign one more player, it would have to be a centre back imo.
Then an experienced midfield enforcer, then a keeper.

So far 5 players in - Wanted 10 at one point ..Happy with another 3 - We still need adding to this squad

We desperately need a creative winger

If we could only sign one more player, it would have to be a centre back imo.
Then an experienced midfield enforcer, then a keeper.

None of which addresses the fact that we don’t create anything.

We desperately need a creative winger

If we could only sign one more player, it would have to be a centre back imo.
Then an experienced midfield enforcer, then a keeper.

None of which addresses the fact that we don’t create anything.

….against top European opposition maybe. Don’t you think another CB is priority?

We desperately need a creative winger

If we could only sign one more player, it would have to be a centre back imo.
Then an experienced midfield enforcer, then a keeper.

None of which addresses the fact that we don’t create anything.

We create plenty. It's the putting it in the net we don't do!

Lowest conversion rate in Championship at 5.8% (9th most shots).

Centre half, keeper and Moore and we would be decent, maybe a left back as Collins has struggled and O'Dowda neds to stay left wing.

Centre half, keeper and Moore and we would be decent, maybe a left back as Collins has struggled and O'Dowda neds to stay left wing.

I see odowda as a interchangable left back and winger, his relationship on the pitch with grant looks promising. I understand as an attacker he's much more effective. Got a feeling Collins just needs to get his confidence up in training matches. But it's understandable to be hesitant after a long injury. I'd be happy if we get a cb st cm and gk then I think we good cover and competition for places. Still think bagan has got something, feel he may need to hit the gym a bit tho coz he does get out muscled sometimes.

Centre half, keeper and Moore and we would be decent, maybe a left back as Collins has struggled and O'Dowda neds to stay left wing.

That's the same way I see it in positions and the amount of players would take us up to 8 or 9 - Close to that 10 EB wants .