Cardiff warned of struggle - but is criticism fair?

Cardifff City have only managed one league win since returning to the Championship [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Cardiff City have been warned they could face a long season looking over their shoulder following their latest Championship defeat.That was the verdict of former captain Kevin Ratcliffe who suggested supporters should get used to their current standing hovering above the relegation zone.But, as Cardiff prepare to welcome fellow strugglers Watford to Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday (19:45 BST), there is evidence to suggest the Bluebirds should be flying at least a little higher in the table.The weekend's 2-1 reverse at Blackburn Rovers was the Bluebirds' fourth loss since returning to the second tier.The man who led them back at the first attempt did not dodge the result.Indeed, manager Brian Barry-Murphy admitted his side would "have to take it on the chin the fact we weren't good enough". The Irishman stressed they had no option but to improve as they host the Hornets, before a trip to take on promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough on Saturday.It was Cardiff's first-half performance that particularly disappointed, including former title winner Ratcliffe."Hopefully they'll learn quickly, and the quicker the better because it is an important week," said the ex-Wales and Everton centre-back on BBC Radio Wales Sport, with Cardiff outside the relegation places on goal difference. "There is a long way to go, but it could be a long season because they could be in this type of position for most of the season."Thankfully results have kept them out of the bottom three which, psychologically, is a little bit better, especially with Watford having been beaten heavily. "[Barry-Murphy] has got plenty to think about."Cardiff lacked aggression in Rovers loss, says bossBarry-Murphy and Bellamy so similar - LawlorPerhaps that includes the manager asking himself if Cardiff have been a tad unfortunate so far.And if so, does that suggest the table is not quite as daunting as it might be nine games into the campaign?Injuries have not helped with key defender Dylan Lawlor only managing his first start at the weekend before coming off as a precaution over his knee problem. The experienced Callum Chambers is yet to figure, while - despite seeing Callum Robinson score at the weekend - they were also without main striker Yousef Salech.Barry-Murphy admits Watford may come too soon for the 24-year-old, with Ratcliffe adding Cardiff missed his focal-point presence at Ewood Park.Still, Salech – who scored eight times in 20 games during Cardiff's most recent Championship season – has not been as ruthless as the new boys need him to be. Opta numbers suggest he should have at least doubled his two-goal tally with the number of chances he has seen.It tells a tale of Cardiff as a whole. The Bluebirds have not been afraid to stick to the style of football that won them plaudits, positivity and promotion last year.They are the team with the highest possession (64.1%) and the most passes in the final third.They have had the most shots on goal in the Championship, but - here is the key - against an expected goals tally of 16.25, the have scored just 11. Only Lincoln City have underperformed more.Going further, Opta's expected points has Cardiff in 10th rather than 21st - with their failure to convert chances into goals a big factor.The Bluebirds were beaten at Blackburn on Saturday meaning they have picked up just one point from five games on the road this season [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Barry-Murphy said the focus will be on improving as they return to a ground where they are yet to be beaten this season, stressing his side will "try and create more chances".But it is stopping teams that may also be an issue, Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray suggesting Cardiff's attacking instincts left them vulnerable."The data tells you they are a really good team," said the veteran Rovers boss. "I know where they are in the league, but they showed how good they are with the ball."I told the team we had to be patient, because I felt they get so spread out with possession, there is space for us to nick it and we did that really well."It's a tricky game for any team in this division because they are very good with the ball."Ratcliffe blamed Cardiff's poor choices in possession for allowing Blackburn the opportunity to win the game in the first half on Saturday, adding that the visitors "were their own downfall".And Opta statistics show that only 22nd placed Burnley can match Cardiff's division-high total of errors leading to a goal (4) or errors leading to a shot (11).Does it mean Cardiff have to sacrifice something in their style if they are to avoid the "long season" they have been warned about?Or is it a case of trusting that things will come good, in a division not known for its sympathy?It remains to be seen if Cardiff can make the tweaks to turn statistics into something more tangible as they prepare to face a Watford team who have lost three in a row, with five defeats coming in their last six games."We're back home where we've played well this season; we will overcome the setback and try and bounce back," was Barry-Murphy's verdict."Our focus is on ourselves, try and play a lot better than we did, create more chances and try and win the game."Latest Cardiff City news, analysis and fan views