So here we go again:

So, here we are again, then. January, Cardiff City's yearly chaos month. The month of sackings — see Neil Harris and Mark Hudson — and SOS signings after dismal first halves of the season it just goes on and on.

By Glen Williams

Monday 22nd January 2023


But this season appeared to be different. Everything was tracking in the right direction. There was a renewed verve and positivity growing throughout the season until we hit November.

The squad looked better — OK not lightyears ahead of the last two seasons, but what can you expect with a squad built on frees and loans? — the manager had connected with the fans and there was promise of winter shopping in the form of January arrivals.


That run of four wins on the bounce in September, plus the impressive double-header win over Huddersfield Town and Bristol City at the end of October really solidified City's position in the top half of the table and fans were buzzing about the City again.


Everything seemed to slot in naturally earlier in the season, now Cardiff seem to be searching and Bulut doesn't know what his best team is. Is it Meite or Kion Etete up front? Neither have grabbed their chance, really. Bowler or Ollie Tanner? Like Bowler, Tanner's impact has declined in recent months. Rubin Colwill or Karlan Grant in as a second striker? Or does Ryan Wintle play as an advanced No.8 and press high? Is that too defensive? Well, yes, it is. All these questions weren't needing to be asked earlier in the season.


This Cardiff squad is still one built on free transfers and loans and was never equipped for a play-off fight. Credit to Bulut and the players for sticking to within touching distance of the top six. At the start of the season, very few people would have expected it.

But Bulut is ambitious and is not one to rest on his laurels. Cardiff have found themselves in an unlikely scrap for those top-six places and Bulut wants to strengthen and not let go of the opportunity. He must be commended for that.

That being said, calling out management and the board for the lack of transfer activity generally ends only one way at any club. It's not a good look and is not something City fans particularly want to hear. His post-match press conference on Saturday was likely borne of frustration over missing out on targets and things not moving as seamlessly as he would have hoped. That's understandable, but it sent shockwaves throughout the fan base.

The manager said he was close to making two signings before the Leeds United game, while we were told one would likely be through the door before Plymouth last Saturday. At the time of writing, Cardiff's only business of note has been to send their most prolific striker — Ike Ugbo — back to his parent club and the same for back-up defender Jonathan Panzo.

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While that’s all true and correct. It misses out a large narrative that is very important.

Fans have started turning against Bulut and that has to have had an impact on any decisions by the board to give him funds.

The fact a fair few of his loans have gone back is also quite telling.

Like a depressing merry go round where you get punched in the face every revolution.

While that’s all true and correct. It misses out a large narrative that is very important.

Fans have started turning against Bulut and that has to have had an impact on any decisions by the board to give him funds.

The fact a fair few of his loans have gone back is also quite telling.

Yep Tan and Dalman will be questioning the sending back of Ugbo and Ponzo. Also the decline of Goutas and Siopis won't help.

While that’s all true and correct. It misses out a large narrative that is very important.

Fans have started turning against Bulut and that has to have had an impact on any decisions by the board to give him funds.

The fact a fair few of his loans have gone back is also quite telling.

Yep Tan and Dalman will be questioning the sending back of Ugbo and Ponzo. Also the decline of Goutas and Siopis won't help.

Goutas was in team of the half season just recently. I think our problems are huge and it’s confidence based. Ramsey back will help a lot but it is papering over the cracks.

While that’s all true and correct. It misses out a large narrative that is very important.

Fans have started turning against Bulut and that has to have had an impact on any decisions by the board to give him funds.

The fact a fair few of his loans have gone back is also quite telling.

Yep Tan and Dalman will be questioning the sending back of Ugbo and Ponzo. Also the decline of Goutas and Siopis won't help.

Goutas was in team of the half season just recently. I think our problems are huge and it’s confidence based. Ramsey back will help a lot but it is papering over the cracks.

People on here telling them they're 'crap, tired, freebies, second choice, not good enough, etc.' certainly doesn't help...

We know we have a fickle support base; and much of that is down to very short memories...

Many do seem to constantly look for the negative...

While that’s all true and correct. It misses out a large narrative that is very important.

Fans have started turning against Bulut and that has to have had an impact on any decisions by the board to give him funds.

The fact a fair few of his loans have gone back is also quite telling.

Yep Tan and Dalman will be questioning the sending back of Ugbo and Ponzo. Also the decline of Goutas and Siopis won't help.

Goutas was in team of the half season just recently. I think our problems are huge and it’s confidence based. Ramsey back will help a lot but it is papering over the cracks.

People on here telling them they're 'crap, tired, freebies, second choice, not good enough, etc.' certainly doesn't help...

We know we have a fickle support base; and much of that is down to very short memories...

Many do seem to constantly look for the negative...

Said it constantly Chris, really fickle fan base. People been on at Bulut for a while now.

When we were doing well it was a good squad. Now it’s a poor squad made up of freebies again. As you say always the negative.

Ramsey turned an average squad into one that was better than that. Confidence from that start has disappeared now.

20 mins v Plymouth we looked good. Needed a second.

While that’s all true and correct. It misses out a large narrative that is very important.

Fans have started turning against Bulut and that has to have had an impact on any decisions by the board to give him funds.

The fact a fair few of his loans have gone back is also quite telling.

Yep Tan and Dalman will be questioning the sending back of Ugbo and Ponzo. Also the decline of Goutas and Siopis won't help.

Goutas was in team of the half season just recently. I think our problems are huge and it’s confidence based. Ramsey back will help a lot but it is papering over the cracks.

People on here telling them they're 'crap, tired, freebies, second choice, not good enough, etc.' certainly doesn't help...

We know we have a fickle support base; and much of that is down to very short memories...

Many do seem to constantly look for the negative...

Said it constantly Chris, really fickle fan base. People been on at Bulut for a while now.

When we were doing well it was a good squad. Now it’s a poor squad made up of freebies again. As you say always the negative.

Ramsey turned an average squad into one that was better than that. Confidence from that start has disappeared now.

20 mins v Plymouth we looked good. Needed a second.

How can you block out the negative after these last 2 months? It only natural to feel that way unless you are an alien from outer space.

And football is for 90 minutes not 20.

While that’s all true and correct. It misses out a large narrative that is very important.

Fans have started turning against Bulut and that has to have had an impact on any decisions by the board to give him funds.

The fact a fair few of his loans have gone back is also quite telling.

Yep Tan and Dalman will be questioning the sending back of Ugbo and Ponzo. Also the decline of Goutas and Siopis won't help.

Goutas was in team of the half season just recently. I think our problems are huge and it’s confidence based. Ramsey back will help a lot but it is papering over the cracks.

People on here telling them they're 'crap, tired, freebies, second choice, not good enough, etc.' certainly doesn't help...

We know we have a fickle support base; and much of that is down to very short memories...

Many do seem to constantly look for the negative...

Said it constantly Chris, really fickle fan base. People been on at Bulut for a while now.

When we were doing well it was a good squad. Now it’s a poor squad made up of freebies again. As you say always the negative.

Ramsey turned an average squad into one that was better than that. Confidence from that start has disappeared now.

20 mins v Plymouth we looked good. Needed a second.

How can you block out the negative after these last 2 months? It only natural to feel that way unless you are an alien from outer space.

And football is for 90 minutes not 20.

Totally see your point. We are not looking good. 10 points from 11 games ain’t it?

But we are mid table which is what we expected at the start of the season.

Problem was, we over performed and raised expectations.

My point about 20 is that we still have good performances in us. QPR was good and that wasn’t long ago at all.

Any of you ever wondered why our fanbase is so fickle?it's down to the fact that the club has a shocking history of under achievement and has only reached its full potential twice in its 125 year history .true to form hear we are again in all too familiar period of uncertainty.As much as I don't like tan/Dalman all see them doing is joining the list of so many previous owners who have failed to take the club forward.

Any of you ever wondered why our fanbase is so fickle?it's down to the fact that the club has a shocking history of under achievement and has only reached its full potential twice in its 125 year history .true to form hear we are again in all too familiar period of uncertainty.As much as I don't like tan/Dalman all see them doing is joining the list of so many previous owners who have failed to take the club forward.

Sam’s tenure spoilt us. It was so good and felt so good. Then Dave Jones performed miracles. Then the spending under Malky.

Stretched our expectations.

As much as we say happy with mid table or to avoid relegation we don’t mean that.

Any of you ever wondered why our fanbase is so fickle?it's down to the fact that the club has a shocking history of under achievement and has only reached its full potential twice in its 125 year history .true to form hear we are again in all too familiar period of uncertainty.As much as I don't like tan/Dalman all see them doing is joining the list of so many previous owners who have failed to take the club forward.

There is only one owner that has taken us forward and that is Sam Hamman and look at the press he gets from a large part of the fanbase.

Yes he never quite got us to the dream land but we were primed for it under him. What went wrong for him is another story but the fact here was we were ready for it only for Tan and gang to come along and take the glory. I wonder if anyone then singing Tan praises would be doing so if they knew we would end up being were we are now?

Without doubt Sam had the football noose unlike the present board. For me its a shame Tan and Sam could not work it out.

Any of you ever wondered why our fanbase is so fickle?it's down to the fact that the club has a shocking history of under achievement and has only reached its full potential twice in its 125 year history .true to form hear we are again in all too familiar period of uncertainty.As much as I don't like tan/Dalman all see them doing is joining the list of so many previous owners who have failed to take the club forward.

Sam’s tenure spoilt us. It was so good and felt so good. Then Dave Jones performed miracles. Then the spending under Malky.

Stretched our expectations.

As much as we say happy with mid table or to avoid relegation we don’t mean that.

Just because you don't mean what you say doesn't mean everybody is the same as you.

I've said I would be happy with mid table this season and I would still be happy with it after the last 2 years of fighting relegation almost from the start of the season.

Any of you ever wondered why our fanbase is so fickle?it's down to the fact that the club has a shocking history of under achievement and has only reached its full potential twice in its 125 year history .true to form hear we are again in all too familiar period of uncertainty.As much as I don't like tan/Dalman all see them doing is joining the list of so many previous owners who have failed to take the club forward.

Sam’s tenure spoilt us. It was so good and felt so good. Then Dave Jones performed miracles. Then the spending under Malky.

Stretched our expectations.

As much as we say happy with mid table or to avoid relegation we don’t mean that.

Just because you don't mean what you say doesn't mean everybody is the same as you.

I've said I would be happy with mid table this season and I would still be happy with it after the last 2 years of fighting relegation almost from the start of the season.

I’m generalising

Any of you ever wondered why our fanbase is so fickle?it's down to the fact that the club has a shocking history of under achievement and has only reached its full potential twice in its 125 year history .true to form hear we are again in all too familiar period of uncertainty.As much as I don't like tan/Dalman all see them doing is joining the list of so many previous owners who have failed to take the club forward.

Face facts, the club is a total mess. No clear leadership or direction.