Bielik: Cardiff capable of reaching Championship play-offs

Cardiff City defender Krystian Bielik has expressed confidence that the club can reach the Championship play-offs this season. The 28-year-old moved to Cardiff from West Brom last week and made his debut in a 2-2 draw with Sheffield United, though he felt his new team deserved a full win.

Bielik believes Cardiff are capable of beating any side in the Championship once the team irons out issues at both ends of the pitch. On Wednesday, 2 September, Cardiff travel to face unbeaten QPR at Loftus Road, a match Bielik hopes will deliver the side's first league win since being promoted back to the Championship.

Cardiff have drawn three matches since their return to the division. Bielik said the performances against Wrexham and Derby showed good quality and energy, with the team creating clear scoring chances.

The defender said he had discussed his role with the manager, who wants him to feel comfortable on the ball, take risks and progress through the lines. According to Bielik, the manager has stressed that results or individual mistakes matter less than sticking to the team's daily way of working and playing style.

The Poland international, who has 11 caps, named a top-half league finish as a realistic goal for the season, while adding that Cardiff are fully capable of claiming one of the two remaining play-off spots. He said that with more clinical finishing and a more stable defence, Cardiff could beat any team in the division.

Although centre-back is his preferred position, Bielik has also played as a defensive midfielder in the past. The former Arsenal and Legia Warsaw youth product said he hopes his defensive work will free up Cardiff's attacking players, noting that Sheffield United struggled to cope with the energy and quality of the hosts' forward line.