A Lack Of Winners..

[Tuerto]

I believe that we have enough quality within this group of players to compete next season, and to be around the play off positions, maybe even surprise some of us and challenge the for a top two place, a few wins should bread some confidence and as we all know, confidence can get you places. My biggest concern is that this group of players are losers, they have been for some time now, and they've shown a lack of appetite on plenty of occasions over the past couple of seasons. They have little desire for a fight, lack character and have been shown to be weak at crucial moments.

If we're going to stick with the stereotypes of lower league football, where desire, character and belief can generally be seen by some as greater attributes than ability, and the fact that this group have been on the slide for some time, something that can ruin players, then should we be concerned in terms of the attributes i have mentioned not really being prevalent within this group of players?

Like i said, i think that we will be alright, but i can't ignore the lack of character and belief within our squad, and it is a concern, as is the length of time this group have been regressing. There's some very important transfer business to be done this Summer, it's going to be interesting. What are peoples thoughts?

[Moodybluebird]

You are right, this squad lacks self-belief and character. Not a Morrison, Bamba or Bellamy to be seen. Whether a new manager will have the motivational skills to turn it around without a major turnover of players is a complete unknown but I know we cannot go through another season with a side imbued with a loser's mentality.

[blue matt]

imho a little harsh on some of them

Yousef looks like he wants to win, looks up for a battle

Rallsy will wear his heart on his sleeve and give his all

Robbo and O'dowda will always give that 100%

thats about it though I guess

imho a battler in the middle of the park and the rest will follow, dare I say someone like James McClean

[Pedro de la Rosa]

imho a little harsh on some of them

Yousef looks like he wants to win, looks up for a battle

Rallsy will wear his heart on his sleeve and give his all

Robbo and O'dowda will always give that 100%

thats about it though I guess

imho a battler in the middle of the park and the rest will follow, dare I say someone like James McClean

Pardon?

[Rock_Flock_of_Five]

Pardon?

That's what I was thinking. Robinson doesn't always give 100%, he often goes 'missing'.

[Wash DC Blue]

Pardon?

I’m wondering what O’Dowda has done wrong to not be referred to as Callum, Dowdsey or some other cringey, overfamiliar moniker.

[the other bob wilson]

imho a little harsh on some of them

Yousef looks like he wants to win, looks up for a battle

Rallsy will wear his heart on his sleeve and give his all

Robbo and O'dowda will always give that 100%

thats about it though I guess

imho a battler in the middle of the park and the rest will follow, dare I say someone like James McClean

Whether you mean Robinson or Robertson (I assume it’s the former), I’d say their attitude could be questioned at times. As for Ralls, even if he is given a new contract, how many games is he going to play - last season’s evidence suggests no more than half of them.

There’s one or two we could argue about, but, as you admit, we don’t have many of them. Most teams we”ll play in any division will, surely, not have more than half of their team with a dodgy attitude - we did in 24/25 and we’ll struggle next season if that situation doesn’t change.

[Bobby Dandruff]

I believe that we have enough quality within this group of players to compete next season, and to be around the play off positions, maybe even surprise some of us and challenge the for a top two place, a few wins should bread some confidence and as we all know, confidence can get you places. My biggest concern is that this group of players are losers, they have been for some time now, and they've shown a lack of appetite on plenty of occasions over the past couple of seasons. They have little desire for a fight, lack character and have been shown to be weak at crucial moments.

If we're going to stick with the stereotypes of lower league football, where desire, character and belief can generally be seen by some as greater attributes than ability, and the fact that this group have been on the slide for some time, something that can ruin players, then should we be concerned in terms of the attributes i have mentioned not really being prevalent within this group of players?

Like i said, i think that we will be alright, but i can't ignore the lack of character and belief within our squad, and it is a concern, as is the length of time this group have been regressing. There's some very important transfer business to be done this Summer, it's going to be interesting. What are peoples thoughts?

To play the Dave Mackay at Derby role, you mean Dennis?

[the other bob wilson]

I believe that we have enough quality within this group of players to compete next season, and to be around the play off positions, maybe even surprise some of us and challenge the for a top two place, a few wins should bread some confidence and as we all know, confidence can get you places. My biggest concern is that this group of players are losers, they have been for some time now, and they've shown a lack of appetite on plenty of occasions over the past couple of seasons. They have little desire for a fight, lack character and have been shown to be weak at crucial moments.

If we're going to stick with the stereotypes of lower league football, where desire, character and belief can generally be seen by some as greater attributes than ability, and the fact that this group have been on the slide for some time, something that can ruin players, then should we be concerned in terms of the attributes i have mentioned not really being prevalent within this group of players?

Like i said, i think that we will be alright, but i can't ignore the lack of character and belief within our squad, and it is a concern, as is the length of time this group have been regressing. There's some very important transfer business to be done this Summer, it's going to be interesting. What are peoples thoughts?

Your point about lifting confidence levels with a couple of wins is a good one. Nine wins out of forty six is not only pretty pathetic, but it's going to have a corrosive effect on confidence. It would have made no difference to the outcome of our season, but it would have made things easier if we could have won one of, say, the Oxford or West Brom matches.

Say it works out that our first two matches are Stockport away and Luton at home, I'd regard a couple of draws against that quality of opposition as a decent way to start the campaign, but you know how the media would shape their narrative - it'd be along the lines of "Cardiff took their run of games without a league win to ten today after their second draw of the new season against Luton". An early win or two would make such a difference to the whole atmosphere around the club.

[splott parker]

imho a little harsh on some of them

Yousef looks like he wants to win, looks up for a battle

Rallsy will wear his heart on his sleeve and give his all

Robbo and O'dowda will always give that 100%

thats about it though I guess

imho a battler in the middle of the park and the rest will follow, dare I say someone like James McClean

Do you reckon Rambo, Rubes, Turno & Fishy can shine a bit more this season?

[A Quiet Monkfish]

Your point about lifting confidence levels with a couple of wins is a good one. Nine wins out of forty six is not only pretty pathetic, but it's going to have a corrosive effect on confidence. It would have made no difference to the outcome of our season, but it would have made things easier if we could have won one of, say, the Oxford or West Brom matches.

Say it works out that our first two matches are Stockport away and Luton at home, I'd regard a couple of draws against that quality of opposition as a decent way to start the campaign, but you know how the media would shape their narrative - it'd be along the lines of "Cardiff took their run of games without a league win to ten today after their second draw of the new season against Luton". An early win or two would make such a difference to the whole atmosphere around the club.

Invariably, statistically, teams take their end of season form into the following season. Let's take the last 10 games. Luton got 18 points, Plymouth 16 points, Cardiff City 8 points. Both Luton and Plymouth had several key players out during that time - we were relatively injury-free and able to pick from our whole squad. In my humble opinion if there's one club who will have a 'flying start' to next season, it won't be this one..

[The Lone Gunman]

Invariably, statistically, teams take their end of season form into the following season.

That's simply not true, especially if teams have been relegated or promoted.

For evidence, see the records of Burnley and Sheffield United last season. Sunderland's record at the start of 2024/25 was also significantly different to their end of 2023/24.

[Hilts]

imho a little harsh on some of them

Yousef looks like he wants to win, looks up for a battle

Rallsy will wear his heart on his sleeve and give his all

Robbo and O'dowda will always give that 100%

thats about it though I guess

imho a battler in the middle of the park and the rest will follow, dare I say someone like James McClean

How many of those 4 will be with us next season. Or if they are how many games will they play?

[A Quiet Monkfish]

That's simply not true, especially if teams have been relegated or promoted.

For evidence, see the records of Burnley and Sheffield United last season. Sunderland's record at the start of 2024/25 was also significantly different to their end of 2023/24.

I'd concede that resuming in a different league would make a difference, but apart from the size of the 3 clubs, there's nothing that tells me we are going to kick off next season in better form than the other two relegated sides. Aside from actually being better than us in all departments already, their squads are better suited to league 1.

[The Lone Gunman]

I'd concede that resuming in a different league would make a difference, but apart from the size of the 3 clubs, there's nothing that tells me we are going to kick off next season in better form than the other two relegated sides. Aside from actually being better than us in all departments already, their squads are better suited to league 1.

Plymouth are losing their manager. That should make a difference.

[Hilts]

We definitely need some leaders and physical presence.

It's difficult to say where we will finish as we've no manager coaching set up and we haven't started rebuilding.

I wouldn't back this group of players in a fight.

Anyone who wants a move get rid asap

Though I think some may find there is no interest. If we can get certain players out on frees then great.

[The Prophet of Doom]

So, let's get this right?

This bunch of players achieved relegation in last place, produced some of the worst football seen in years, got hammered by seven goals in a match and are still being praised (by some) as a talented group who will do well with a Bryan Robson pulling on the captain's armband and leading from midfield?

When the chips were down the players (not the fans, not the backroom staff) failed to deliver.

[The Prophet of Doom]

Do you reckon Rambo, Rubes, Turno & Fishy can shine a bit more this season?

What are we calling the rest of the squad? O'Dowdie, NGeerer?

Made me smile! Happy Friday.. !!

[The Lone Gunman]

This bunch of players achieved relegation in last place, produced some of the worst football seen in years, got hammered by seven goals in a match and are still being praised (by some) as a talented group who will do well with a Bryan Robson pulling on the captain's armband and leading from midfield?

Has anyone suggested it will be as simple as that?

[The Lone Gunman]

imho a battler in the middle of the park and the rest will follow, dare I say someone like James McClean

McClean's a winger...

[The Prophet of Doom]

Has anyone suggested it will be as simple as that?

Yes!! the original poster opened with - "I believe that we have enough quality within this group of players to compete next season, and to be around the play off positions, maybe even surprise some of us and challenge the for a top two place..."

From my seat I think we are a million miles from that - and you can give players cuddly nicknames too, it doesn't make them better players.

Lack of fight, lack of determination and no real desire was what I saw last season.

[The Prophet of Doom]

McClean's a winger...

Pearl's a singer

[blue matt]

Whether you mean Robinson or Robertson (I assume it’s the former), I’d say their attitude could be questioned at times. As for Ralls, even if he is given a new contract, how many games is he going to play - last season’s evidence suggests no more than half of them.

There’s one or two we could argue about, but, as you admit, we don’t have many of them. Most teams we”ll play in any division will, surely, not have more than half of their team with a dodgy attitude - we did in 24/25 and we’ll struggle next season if that situation doesn’t change.

yea, its the former, in Robbo's case, imho he comes across as a confidence player, when its going right, he is a 100% player, when its wrong, his head drops a little, I guess thats the difference between a Championship player and one from the prem league
As for rallsy, Ive said on here in the past, I hope he gets another contract, but yea, he won't be playing every game, but the games he can, we know what we will get

[blue matt]

McClean's a winger...

yea, thats why I said " someone like ", you know, the same dogged / nasty attitude

[The Lone Gunman]

Yes!! the original poster opened with - "I believe that we have enough quality within this group of players to compete next season, and to be around the play off positions, maybe even surprise some of us and challenge the for a top two place..."

From my seat I think we are a million miles from that - and you can give players cuddly nicknames too, it doesn't make them better players.

Lack of fight, lack of determination and no real desire was what I saw last season.

My belief is that the following players would be welcomed with open arms by pretty much any other League One club:

Ashford, Bagan, Davies, Fish, Ng, O'Dowda, Rinomhota, Robertson, Robinson, Salech and Tanner.

Others who would undoubtedly be useful at this level if they can get their acts together (and in one case stay fit):

Chambers, Ralls, Turnbull and Willock.

Youngsters who are apparently promising:

Colwill (J), Kpakio, Lawlor.

Unknowns who could possibly perform in League One:

Simic, Tsunoda.

A player on the books who could improve in League One:

Daland.

I believe both of our keepers are ropey and should be replaced. I think we desperately need a decent manager, a sensible coaching set-up and some on-field leaders both in defence and midfield. But I firmly believe we have the basis of a squad that could do well at League One level if it is managed properly and reinforced appropriately.

To me, the notion that the entire squad is useless or all the players are bottlers, etc, is just silly. The fact is that we're going into League One and League One is not very good. The situation behind the scenes at the club will need to improve significantly, but that's by no means out of the question and I just don't share the negativity some have for next season.