Worst Cardiff Defence in a Generation Says:

I've already made the assertion this season that this is the worst Cardiff defence in a generation and little has happened in the intervening two months to suggest that statement is incorrect.

Says Glen Williams

Wednesday 9th April 2025


A glaring lack of leaders, organisers and cohesion makes for a painful cocktail that waves through too many strikers and allows in far too many goals. If Cardiff are relegated, the defence and the collective responsibility around that department - coaches included - must shoulder a fair share of the blame.

The 7-0 battering by Leeds United was a low point and if it does come down to points difference, results like that one will be where fans point the finger. Sixty-five goals conceded in 41 games, only Plymouth have a worse record.

Dimitrios Goutas is the latest player to feel the ire of Bluebirds supporters. The big Greek is desperately out of form and has been culpable for a few goals recently, but let's not rewrite history, because he had a fantastic first campaign in Cardiff - his partnership with Mark McGuinness was a particular highlight.

His contract is up at the end of the season and there appears to be little sign of him staying on beyond this season at this rate. All players have to be ready with these highest of stakes, however after a particularly sloppy display against North End, during which he was hauled off at half time, one wonders whether he will don the blue shirt again this season - or ever.


Omer Riza / Darren Purse and Richard Shaw are all responsible:

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Definitely doesn't help when there's a different defence every game.

Can’t argue with any of that ….what would we give for a Roger Johnson type ….
We keep changing and the players in defence look like shadows most of the games

Definitely doesn't help when there's a different defence every game.

Without a doubt Ned and Riza just can’t help changing it week in week out.

The team does not play with any rhythm or like a team together.

I've pretty much give up worrying now, Riza has no idea how to manage a game and his experience is lacking, its far better than mine of course but still even I can see Goutas spends more time on his arse than anyone. I just cannot see where 3 points are going to come from particularly how tonight's games play out.

We go from an attacking team to a defending not very well team when we should be doing the opposite. I really believe he thinks if we draw every game we will stay up.

Salech seems to have lost his confidence, Robinson well might as well play with 10 men. Is this down to the coaching, as if Riza is the attacking coach then he isn't up to it. If we go out and attack attack attack and give 110% battle for everything, look as though we give a feck and two coaches on the side not giggling then we may have a change.

It baffles me how he said in the first half we didn't do the things we should have yet not once did I see him passing that on or becoming a little animated on the side, its as though he is shy or waiting for someone else to do it.

A point is a point yes and saturday is a HUGE game to be honest, if we lose that I think its all over.

Reply:

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Let's be honest he is not wrong is he. The only time we looked solid was with 10 men against a poor Plymouth side where we had two full backs playing either side of Fish in a back 3/5. Our actual centre halves are below average for this league, the only one I would argue is championship standard is Fish (and maybe Goutas when on form). However it could be argued that some of these centre halves would do better though if there was a consistent system being adhered too.

The goals we have gifted teams in the last couple of months is shocking. Two last night, two at Sunderland and 2nd Luton goal spring to mind. Absolute gifts and these may send us down. No coincidence it's got worse since Purse been involved and changing the side every week doesnt help. Definitely one of the worst defences I've seen in the 40 odd years of following the City.