"Basket case of a club" - Cardiff City: Sky Sports pundit urges Vincent Tan to take January transfer action | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman spoke exclusively to Football League World about Cardiff City and Vincent Tan

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has urged Vincent Tan to back Cardiff City with "new blood" in the January transfer window, with the Welsh side currently battling against relegation to League One.

Cardiff are struggling at the wrong-end of the Championship amid significant fan criticism towards the club's top-brass, who have come under intense scrutiny over the last few months.

A perceived lack of investment, but crucially, deficits in footballing strategy, nous, leadership and communication with supporters have been called into question, with the mood among fans clear for all to see.

The Cardiff City Stadium simply isn't a happy place at the minute, with concerns from previous campaigns amplified this time around.

Cardiff, who are now under the management of rookie boss Omer Riza following the September sacking of Erol Bulut, have sorely struggled in the Championship and are placed second from bottom at the time of writing, despite going unbeaten in their last three matches.

Make no mistake about it, Cardiff are very much in their third relegation battle in the last four years and this month's window is going to be integral to alleviating the eerie threat of League One football next season.

Don Goodman's Cardiff City, Vincent Tan transfer message

To many, it's little surprise that Cardiff have struggled to such a degree this season, with a number of errors and shortcomings in years gone by seemingly catching up to the Bluebirds in 2024/25.

Goodman certainly subscribes to that school of thought and believes Tan must back the club in the transfer market this month in order to push higher up the table, although he expressed concerns about the controversial Malaysian owner actually doing so.

He exclusively told Football League World, via Plejmo . com: "Cardiff City has been a bit of a basket case of a club. Not just this season, but across the past few years, too. If I'm honest with you, I'm not surprised it's been a struggle for them this season.

"They had a solid campaign under Erol Bulut last year, but almost half of their 53 goals came from set-pieces. In my opinion, whilst they're a huge part of football, you can't rely on set-pieces to win games week-in-week-out. 16 goals from open play is a little better this season, but it's not enough in reality.

"The Bluebirds have struggled at both ends of the pitch. Only three sides have scored fewer goals than them and only three teams have conceded more goals. This tells me the whole team needs strengthening.

"Omer Riza did well, initially, when he came in but they then delayed appointing him permanently which showed a lack of faith and then, all of sudden, they were going nine games without a win and are back in the mire.

"I think they need a lot of new blood. Whether Vincent Tan will actually back them, however, is a different story. I do fear for them."

Cardiff City, Vincent Tan are looking to be active in the January transfer market

The Bluebirds may be yet to welcome a fresh face to the Welsh capital just yet, although a number of names have been linked and supporters will expect additions before long.

As exclusively revealed by Football League World, Cardiff are looking into moves for Peterborough United duo Ricky-Jade Jones and Hector Kyprianou. Jones, who is widely regarded as one of the fastest players in world football, has been confirmed as a target by Riza, while Posh skipper Kyprianou is set to see his deal run down in the summer and also has interest from Plymouth Argyle.

Riza confirmed the club are in discussions over a move for Jones, who would represent an intriguing acquisition for Cardiff if they can successfully beat off fresh reported competition from Middlesbrough for his signature.

The Bluebirds boss is known to be keen to utilise the Premier League loan market and is aiming for three or four new signings, with the attacking areas being targeted accordingly.

Goodman is right to stress the importance of backing this month, as it's a squad which desperately requires some form of January surgery, and Cardiff need to amp up their efforts in the coming days and weeks in order to bring in the necessary signings to fight off relegation.