An EFL pundit believes Cardiff City’s defence “can be bullied”, and with our title rivals heading to Doncaster Rovers this weekend, it is a weakness we may yet see exposed.
Cardiff sit one point ahead of us at the top of League One, but their recent wobble has sparked fresh debate about whether they have a soft centre when put under pressure. Plymouth Argyle certainly thought so, putting five past thm. Can we expose it?
Brian Barry-Murphy’s side have led the way for much of the campaign, amassing 69 points from 33 matches and restoring a clear identity after relegation. However, last week’s defeat at Home Park ended a 12-game unbeaten run and raised questions about their defensive resilience, particularly against sides prepared to be direct and physical.
Former EFL player Adrian Clarke has now pinpointed what he sees as a flaw in the Bluebirds’ make-up, suggesting that Doncaster could look to target it when the sides meet at the Eco-Power Stadium on Saturday. Speaking on What The EFL, Clarke said:
“I have said before this season that their defence can be bullied a little bit, Cardiff City. I think you can knock them around a bit, so that might be what Donny look to do here.”
That assessment will not have gone unnoticed. Cardiff have shown real attacking quality all season, but if opponents believe they can unsettle them physically, it changes the dynamic of the title race.
Clarke did acknowledge the firepower Barry-Murphy still has at his disposal, even with leading scorer Yousef Salech sidelined by a neck injury. In his absence, others have stepped up.
“Cardiff, yes, if they’re a little bit suspect at the back, they will score goals, we know that, and it’s interesting at the moment. Obviously, with Salech out, Omari Kellyman has come in, and he’s not a striker, is he? He’s more of an attacking midfielder, isn’t he? He’s been doing a job in attack and playing very well, actually.”
There is no doubt Cardiff can hurt teams going forward. Even without Salech, they possess pace, energy and goals from multiple areas. But if Doncaster adopt the combative approach Clarke anticipates and find success, it may offer a blueprint for others, including us, as the run-in gathers pace.
With the gap at the summit sitting at just one point, every fixture involving Cardiff now carries added significance. If their defence can indeed be “bullied”, then Saturday’s clash in South Yorkshire may tell us far more about the direction of this title race than the league table alone.
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