# Kevin Ratcliffe Warns Cardiff City of Long Relegation Struggle
Cardiff City have been told they could be facing a lengthy fight to avoid relegation following their most recent Championship loss.
That assessment came from former captain Kevin Ratcliffe, who suggested supporters should accept their position hovering just above the drop zone.
Advertisement
However, as Cardiff get ready to host fellow strugglers Watford at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday (19:45 BST), signs indicate the Bluebirds should be higher in the standings.
The weekend’s 2-1 reverse at Blackburn Rovers marked the fourth defeat since returning to the second tier.
The man responsible for their return did not shy away from the result.
Manager Brian Barry-Murphy admitted his team would “have to take it on the chin the fact we weren’t good enough”.
The Irishman highlighted the need for improvement before welcoming the Hornets, followed by an away trip to promotion challengers Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Advertisement
Cardiff’s opening period especially disappointed Ratcliffe.
“Hopefully they’ll learn quickly, and the quicker the better because it is an important week,” the former Wales and Everton defender told BBC Radio Wales Sport, with Cardiff sitting outside the relegation positions on goal difference.
“There is a long way to go, but it could be a long season because they could be in this type of position for most of the season.
“Thankfully results have kept them out of the bottom three which, psychologically, is a little bit better, especially with Watford having been beaten heavily.
Advertisement
“[Barry-Murphy] has got plenty to think about.”
This could involve the manager wondering whether Cardiff have been unlucky to date.
If that is true, does it imply the table is less threatening than it seems nine games into the season?
Injuries have hindered them, with defender Dylan Lawlor managing only his first start before withdrawing as a precaution for a knee issue.
Callum Chambers has yet to feature, while, despite Callum Robinson scoring last weekend, main striker Yousef Salech was also absent.
Barry-Murphy believes Watford may arrive too soon for the 24-year-old, and Ratcliffe added Cardiff missed his focal-point presence at Ewood Park.
Advertisement
Salech, who scored eight times in 20 games during Cardiff’s last Championship season, has not been as clinical as the new signings require.
Opta data suggests he should have at least doubled his two-goal total based on the chances he has encountered.
This reflects Cardiff’s overall situation. The Bluebirds have not hesitated to maintain the style of play that won them praise, positivity, and promotion last year.
They have the highest possession (64.1%) and the most passes in the final third.
They have registered the most shots on target in the Championship, but against an expected goals tally of 16.25, they have scored only 11. Only Lincoln City have underperformed more.
Advertisement
Looking further, Opta’s expected points has Cardiff in 10th instead of 21st, with their inability to convert chances into goals being a major factor.
Barry-Murphy said the emphasis is on improvement as they return to a venue where they have not lost this season, stressing his side will “try and create more chances”.
But preventing opponents may also be a problem, with Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray saying Cardiff’s attacking instincts made them exposed.
“The data tells you they are a really good team,” said the veteran Rovers boss. “I know where they are in the league, but they showed how good they are with the ball.
Advertisement
“I told the team we had to be patient, because I felt they get so spread out with possession, there is space for us to nick it and we did that really well.
“It’s a tricky game for any team in this division because they are very good with the ball.”
Ratcliffe blamed Cardiff’s poor decisions in possession for giving Blackburn the chance to win the game in the first half on Saturday, adding that the visitors “were their own downfall”.
Opta statistics show only 22nd-placed Burnley can match Cardiff’s division-high total of errors leading to a goal (4) or errors leading to a shot (11).
Advertisement
Does this mean Cardiff must sacrifice part of their style to avoid the “long season” warning?
Or is it a matter of trusting they will improve, in a division not known for sympathy?
It remains to be seen if Cardiff can adjust statistics into tangible results as they prepare to meet a Watford team that has lost three consecutive matches, with five defeats in their last six games.
“We’re back home where we’ve played well this season; we will overcome the setback and try and bounce back,” was Barry-Murphy’s verdict.
Advertisement