Just where would this Squad be if Malky was Manager?

[Steve the Tea]

Much has been said and written about Riza's tactical naivety and repeatedly making the same mistakes. But for a novice manager you were never going to get a Daniel Farke or Chris Wilder. I would hold the person making the choice to employ our present manager more culpable than the manager.

So then, if Malky had taken over this squad after a few games of the season where would we be?

This is clearly a hypothetical question, but we can but dream. Putting Malky and this squad together I believe we would be looking at a 10th-8th position.

In saying that I'm not castigating Riza. We simply needed a far more experienced manager than we got.

StT.
<><

[North Cardiff Blue]

Chat GPT says, and I would agree, after all Bulut got a top half finish with a weaker squad.

If Malky Mackay had taken over early in the season, a realistic finish for Cardiff City would likely be somewhere between 8th and 12th.

Why?
Defensive Organization – Malky is known for setting up disciplined, well-structured teams. Cardiff’s inconsistency this season has partly been down to defensive lapses, something he’d likely have tightened up.
Squad Limitations – While he’d improve the structure, he’d still be working with the same group of players, which has weaknesses, especially in creativity and squad depth.
Experience in the Championship – Compared to a novice like Riza, Malky’s experience at this level would likely have helped grind out results in tight games, possibly turning draws into wins.
Club Atmosphere & Stability – He knows Cardiff and has a connection with the fanbase, which could have given the squad and supporters a morale boost. However, past history with the club’s ownership might have caused friction.
Would We Make the Playoffs?
Unlikely. The top six are generally more settled, with deeper squads. But a mid-table, stable finish around 8th-10th would have been realistic.

[superfeathers]

Chat GPT says, and I would agree, after all Bulut got a top half finish with a weaker squad.

If Malky Mackay had taken over early in the season, a realistic finish for Cardiff City would likely be somewhere between 8th and 12th.

Why?
Defensive Organization – Malky is known for setting up disciplined, well-structured teams. Cardiff’s inconsistency this season has partly been down to defensive lapses, something he’d likely have tightened up.
Squad Limitations – While he’d improve the structure, he’d still be working with the same group of players, which has weaknesses, especially in creativity and squad depth.
Experience in the Championship – Compared to a novice like Riza, Malky’s experience at this level would likely have helped grind out results in tight games, possibly turning draws into wins.
Club Atmosphere & Stability – He knows Cardiff and has a connection with the fanbase, which could have given the squad and supporters a morale boost. However, past history with the club’s ownership might have caused friction.
Would We Make the Playoffs?
Unlikely. The top six are generally more settled, with deeper squads. But a mid-table, stable finish around 8th-10th would have been realistic.

I’ve just asked deepseek and it says I agree with you

[Rjk]

nonsense question, completely unanswerable

[WJ99mobile]

If Malky was the saviour he would still be in a decent job.

[sneggyblubird]

Most of our players now wouldn't suit Malky-can you imagine Colwill running round like a headless chicken or Salech for that matter. Kenny Miller had to do it for us after Malky rescued him from Turkey if I remember right and he hated it.

[Steve the Tea]

Chat GPT says, and I would agree, after all Bulut got a top half finish with a weaker squad.

If Malky Mackay had taken over early in the season, a realistic finish for Cardiff City would likely be somewhere between 8th and 12th.

Why?
Defensive Organization – Malky is known for setting up disciplined, well-structured teams. Cardiff’s inconsistency this season has partly been down to defensive lapses, something he’d likely have tightened up.
Squad Limitations – While he’d improve the structure, he’d still be working with the same group of players, which has weaknesses, especially in creativity and squad depth.
Experience in the Championship – Compared to a novice like Riza, Malky’s experience at this level would likely have helped grind out results in tight games, possibly turning draws into wins.
Club Atmosphere & Stability – He knows Cardiff and has a connection with the fanbase, which could have given the squad and supporters a morale boost. However, past history with the club’s ownership might have caused friction.
Would We Make the Playoffs?
Unlikely. The top six are generally more settled, with deeper squads. But a mid-table, stable finish around 8th-10th would have been realistic.

Tan is his own worst enemy. An under-performing / inexperienced manager causes the fan-base to vent their ire on the owner concerning the state of the Club. Malky unified the fans but that perversely angered Tan as he was not worshipped.

Though I wrote that I felt a 8th-10th finish would be probable if Malky not Riza had taken the helm in September had the Scot had a full season as manager perhaps even a play-off spot may not have been too far away.

StT.
<><

[the other bob wilson]

We had a poor defence last season and a worse one this time around. I feel Malky would have improved it given time, but only to the extent that we would be in the Championship’s third quarter, rather than its bottom one.

[ToTaL ITK]

Probably mid table and still robbing the club blind.

[Captain_Sensible]

Probably mid table and still robbing the club blind.

Can you explain the 'robbing the club blind' comment for me?

[2b2bdoo]

Bottom, few less goals conceded.

[Pedro de la Rosa]

If Malky was the saviour he would still be in a decent job.

I think his various racist, sexist, xenophobic and anti semitic texts might have a bearing...

[Pedro de la Rosa]

We had a poor defence last season and a worse one this time around. I feel Malky would have improved it given time, but only to the extent that we would be in the Championship’s third quarter, rather than its bottom one.

Agree with this, anyone would struggle with this back 4.

[Eric the Half a Bee]

Chat GPT says, and I would agree, after all Bulut got a top half finish with a weaker squad.

If Malky Mackay had taken over early in the season, a realistic finish for Cardiff City would likely be somewhere between 8th and 12th.

Why?
Defensive Organization – Malky is known for setting up disciplined, well-structured teams. Cardiff’s inconsistency this season has partly been down to defensive lapses, something he’d likely have tightened up.
Squad Limitations – While he’d improve the structure, he’d still be working with the same group of players, which has weaknesses, especially in creativity and squad depth.
Experience in the Championship – Compared to a novice like Riza, Malky’s experience at this level would likely have helped grind out results in tight games, possibly turning draws into wins.
Club Atmosphere & Stability – He knows Cardiff and has a connection with the fanbase, which could have given the squad and supporters a morale boost. However, past history with the club’s ownership might have caused friction.
Would We Make the Playoffs?
Unlikely. The top six are generally more settled, with deeper squads. But a mid-table, stable finish around 8th-10th would have been realistic.

Fair play, that's a steaming pile of shit.

1. Stop talking about finishing 12th as the benchmark on which to base how we should do this season. We all know that, bar the opening 3 months, we were utter shit. Working out how we'd do from August 2024 based on how we did between August - October 2023 is complete nonsense. For 6 months we had the 2nd worst defence in the Championship, 3rd worst attack and lost more games than anyone bar Rotherham. Every fecking time you fail to take this into account. It's entirely because of that form I predicted a lowly finishing position - finishing 12th was totally false, based on some excellent results early season. It's why bookies etc predicted we'd struggle. You thought we'd progress from a top half finish and didn't take into any account what had happened for 6 months. You got that spectacularly wrong.

2. Squad limitations - particular weakness in terms of creativity. Let's see. We're ranked mid table for goals scored from open play while only 7 sides have scored more in the Championship than us since Riza took over. Admittedly our defence has been our biggest problem, scoring goals has been less of an issue than it was previously. So, to suggest creativity is a particular weakness of ours, that's not really true. Don't confuse that with me suggesting we've got a great attack, but it's not a particular weakness as you agree with Chat GIT.

3. How does a manager solve individual defensive lapses?

[Eric the Half a Bee]

Agree with this, anyone would struggle with this back 4.

I agree. If we were to be relegated, it's the one aspect I'd be most worried about in League 1, where our defence would be more bullied.

[Pedro de la Rosa]

I agree. If we were to be relegated, it's the one aspect I'd be most worried about in League 1, where our defence would be more bullied.

If we go down, we're screwed as we'll be stuck with dross like Willock on mega money.

[Cardiff-Cal]

Jack Simpson would have been club captain, that’s one thing for sure.

[Rjk]

Where would Wigan have finished in 2015 if Riza had been in charge instead of McKay?
McKay was sacked with Wigan 7 points from safety.

[Pedro de la Rosa]

Where would Wigan have finished in 2015 if Riza had been in charge instead of McKay?
McKay was sacked with Wigan 7 points from safety.

Also relegated, as Riza isn't a good manager

[North Cardiff Blue]

Fair play, that's a steaming pile of shit.

1. Stop talking about finishing 12th as the benchmark on which to base how we should do this season. We all know that, bar the opening 3 months, we were utter shit. Working out how we'd do from August 2024 based on how we did between August - October 2023 is complete nonsense. For 6 months we had the 2nd worst defence in the Championship, 3rd worst attack and lost more games than anyone bar Rotherham. Every fecking time you fail to take this into account. It's entirely because of that form I predicted a lowly finishing position - finishing 12th was totally false, based on some excellent results early season. It's why bookies etc predicted we'd struggle. You thought we'd progress from a top half finish and didn't take into any account what had happened for 6 months. You got that spectacularly wrong.

2. Squad limitations - particular weakness in terms of creativity. Let's see. We're ranked mid table for goals scored from open play while only 7 sides have scored more in the Championship than us since Riza took over. Admittedly our defence has been our biggest problem, scoring goals has been less of an issue than it was previously. So, to suggest creativity is a particular weakness of ours, that's not really true. Don't confuse that with me suggesting we've got a great attack, but it's not a particular weakness as you agree with Chat GIT.

3. How does a manager solve individual defensive lapses?

Bulut finished 12th over a season?

What's hard to understand??

You're man Riza has us hovering just above the relegation slots, those the facts butt, no matter how much it upsets you

Calm down and go and have some more horlicks or something.

PS Chat GPT obviously knows more about football than you and he's only a few years old

[North Cardiff Blue]

Fair play, that's a steaming pile of shit.

1. Stop talking about finishing 12th as the benchmark on which to base how we should do this season. We all know that, bar the opening 3 months, we were utter shit. Working out how we'd do from August 2024 based on how we did between August - October 2023 is complete nonsense. For 6 months we had the 2nd worst defence in the Championship, 3rd worst attack and lost more games than anyone bar Rotherham. Every fecking time you fail to take this into account. It's entirely because of that form I predicted a lowly finishing position - finishing 12th was totally false, based on some excellent results early season. It's why bookies etc predicted we'd struggle. You thought we'd progress from a top half finish and didn't take into any account what had happened for 6 months. You got that spectacularly wrong.

2. Squad limitations - particular weakness in terms of creativity. Let's see. We're ranked mid table for goals scored from open play while only 7 sides have scored more in the Championship than us since Riza took over. Admittedly our defence has been our biggest problem, scoring goals has been less of an issue than it was previously. So, to suggest creativity is a particular weakness of ours, that's not really true. Don't confuse that with me suggesting we've got a great attack, but it's not a particular weakness as you agree with Chat GIT.

3. How does a manager solve individual defensive lapses?

He works with them, picks his best four in the correct best positions, and lets them build an understanding with each other and the keeper. It's one area of the pitch that no proper Manager fanny's around with.

[Alfresco]

Think we would be in a better position with Malky. Maybe I've got this wrong but the more passionate managers seem more successful. I'm not inspired by Riza maybe the squad are.

[the other bob wilson]

He works with them, picks his best four in the correct best positions, and lets them build an understanding with each other and the keeper. It's one area of the pitch that no proper Manager fanny's around with.

We had the worst Championship defence in twenty odd seasons under Bulut and let in thirteen in six league games, plus another five in two Cup matches, under him at the start of this season, so we were getting worse in terms of goals conceded. Riza’s teams have conceded too many goals, no doubt about that, but we were conceding more per game under Bulut at the start of the season than we’ve done under Rica.

[North Cardiff Blue]

We had the worst Championship defence in twenty odd seasons under Bulut and let in thirteen in six league games, plus another five in two Cup matches, under him at the start of this season, so we were getting worse in terms of goals conceded. Riza’s teams have conceded too many goals, no doubt about that, but we were conceding more per game under Bulut at the start of the season than we’ve done under Rica.

Yes against the best three teams in the league at the time, he had a terrible start to the season. I'm no Bulut fan but over a season he got us to 12th.

Riza conceded seven against Leeds alone?

Before that, we were hovering around the bottom four, and now we are again.

An experienced Manager would have moved us up the Championship, he would organise and find and stick with the best four and only change due to injury or to rest maybe one player at a time if too many games in a week.

[Pedro de la Rosa]

Riza conceded seven against Leeds alone?

We conceded 5 goals against Rotherham under Bulut