Cardiff City football club are a team who are on the slide this season. After finishing eighth and just outside of playoff qualification in the league last term, they currently sit second from bottom, in the relegation zone of the Championship. After a bad start, in which the Welsh side have managed only two wins from eleven league games, Cardiff owner Vincent Tan has sacked manager Paul Trollope.
The season started well enough for Cardiff, with a goalless draw against Birmingham City at St. Andrews. In their second game however, former player Steven Caulker scored the first of two goals for the opposition as QPR beat The Bluebirds 2-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium. In the following match Shane Duffy scored two own-goals to help Cardiff defeat Blackburn 2-1, handing the Welsh side their first victory.
On the road at Craven Cottage, Cardiff squandered several chances to claim all three points, drawing 2-2 with Fulham. Four consecutive defeats followed as The Bluebirds fell to Reading, Norwich, Preston North End and Leeds. A 2-1 away win against bottom of the table Rotherham helped ease growing pressure, but any celebrations were short lived. Back to back defeats; at home to Derby County and away to Burton Albion proved to be the straws to break the camel's back.
Trollope's tenancy in charge lasted less than five months. In July 2015, he was appointed as a coach for the Welsh national side. After being appointed Cardiff head coach on May 18th, Trollope tried to implement the counter-attacking 3-5-2 system that was so effective for Wales at Euro 2016 in the summer.
The 44-year-old's plan was scrapped due to Cardiff's lack of a good, pacey attacker to spearhead quick breaks and get the ball up the pitch at speed. The club have had troubles in attack, especially at home where they haven't scored a league goal so far this season. Trollope took responsabilty for his side's failings, saying their poor form has been "not good enough." Lennie Lawrence (assistant coach) and Ryland Morgan (Performance Director) have also left the club.
Where Cardiff go from here will be hugely influenced by who is appointed as Paul Trollope's replacement. Neil Warnock is the bookies favourite to get the job. He is vastly experienced, having managed over 1300 matches. Warnock has led QPR and Sheffield United to automatic promotion in the past and he helped Rotherham stave off relegation last term. Ryan Giggs is the second favourite for the manager's post. Cardiff academy coach James Rowbery is also being touted, along with former boss Dave Jones and outspoken ex-player Craig Bellamy.
Whoever takes charge, they have a lot of work to do if they are to halt the slide. Cardiff host fifth placed Bristol City in their next game, a side who are in form after three consecutive wins. The Bluebirds will need to find a system that works and discover the scoring touch, especially in front of their own fans. They have enough time on their hands to turn things around. If the right managerial appointment is made, Cardiff could soon be heading in the right direction again.