Cardiff City are one position off the bottom three following their 3-2 home loss to Sheffield United.
But surely these Bluebirds players are way too good to be relegated?
We take a look at some of the key talking points from the defeat to the Blades and what the future holds.
A summer of opportunity
There are many who reckon the Bluebirds are facing a crisis this summer with ten senior stars out of contract.
Cardiff need to view this as an opportunity, not a problem.
In particular when it comes to the midfield, which according to many fans has been too one-paced and lacking in creativity and control for some time - issues that neither Neil Harris nor Mick McCarthy addressed.
This summer Marlon Pack, Joe Ralls and Will Vaulks are out of contract, while it's hard to see how Leandro Bacuna, who will still have another year in his contract, can win over his critics among the supporter base.
Cardiff have been crying out for a couple of dominant new midfielders for some time and this summer presents a chance to wheel and deal.
Ralls appears likely to be offered a new contract and, to be fair, had decent moments against Sheffield United, particularly with his clever flick to set up Mark Harris' opener.
Vaulks offered so much promise when he first arrived, tenacity, leadership, athleticism, an ability to get forward and score goals, but perhaps he needs a regular run in the side to rediscover that form?
Pack divides opinion among Cardiff fans. Some reckon he is the one midfielder who can pass properly, others say he is too slow, doesn't influence games as he should and lets the opposition get on the front foot.
Since becoming manager, Steve Morison has quickly installed Pack as a kingpin.
But Pack let Morgan Gibbs-White go past him way too easily for the Blades' opener, didn't track his runner as Gibbs-White set up Billy Sharp's second. And whilst it would be harsh to blame him for the third, it was Pack's misplaced pass - albeit one made with good intentions - which led to Sheffield United's breakaway winner.
As a holding midfielder you are supposed to protect the defence, but that evidently didn't happen, down to 10 men or not.
Some Cardiff fans want to see Morison, or whoever is in charge next season, give youngsters Tom Sang and Sam Bowen their head in midfield, with Rubin Colwill slightly further forward at 10.
That would certainly offer Cardiff much-needed legs, energy, dynamism and creativity through the middle, but clearly experience is also required in the cut and thrust of Championship football.
Many believe the Bluebirds have needed a change of tempo in the middle for some time, with players who can shift the ball on much more quickly, get up and down, close down better, create more.
Ralls looks likely to stay, and there will be lots of supporters happy with that, but this summer does offer that opportunity for midfield change with newcomers coming on board.
What to do with the skipper?
Sean Morrison's red card helped turn the game some reckon he had been off the pace ahead of the sending off anyway.
Mozza's legs are gone, are the claims on social media, he's not the defender he was any more.
As another whose contract runs out this summer, Cardiff have a major decision to make. Given he is captain, perhaps this is the biggest of the lot.
Personally I think Morrison deserves some latitude. He was excellent the week before against Luton, he has been a brilliant servant to the club.
He had a poor game against the Blades, he has been below par and looked slow at other times this season, but dispensing with the know-how, experience, ability and aerial prowess Morrison offers would be a massive call.
It would be nice to think he still has plenty to offer. Together with Alex Smithies, a dominant new midfielder coming on board and Kieffer Moore, a back to form Morrison would complete a fabulous spine to the team for next season from which others could flourish.
Smithies must stay
Alex Smithies is yet another senior star whose deal runs out.
He's on big money, but Cardiff would be crazy to let him go.
Smithies is one of the best goalkeepers in the Championship and without some of his brilliance against the Blades the Bluebirds' defeat would have been much heavier.
One stop, when the ball appeared to be past him, was out of this world.
He can be part of the foundation upon which the team is built next season.
The problem, it appears, are Smithies wages and suggestions he is the highest earner at the club.
Another major decision looms. But Cardiff will be a better side if Smithies is in it.
Kieffer the key
Speaking of which, Cardiff starting any game without Kieffer Moore means the team is weaker.
Morison said Moore wasn't fit enough to play against the Blades. Cardiff were a poorer side for it.
Make absolutely no mistake, the Wales centre-forward is the key to Wales' capital city club climbing up that table.
Not just in terms of his goals, but his general hold up play, menace to defenders and the hope he brings to the fans.
James Collins is always a willing trier, to be fair, but the truth is there is only one Kieffer Moore.
Hopefully the big man is back for Birmingham at the weekend, a major clash with Derby the week after and the Xmas tests.
Cardiff need Kieffer.
Davies looks a little gem
Young Isaak Davies looks a teeny bit frail at times for the rough and tumble of Championship football.
But Cardiff could have a little gem on their hands here, someone with genuine pace who wants to run at defenders and create.
He almost scored a solo wonder goal in the first-half that would have changed the complexion of the entire match.
He'll be in and out of the side, as with other youngsters, but credit to Morison for giving another academy ace his chance in the big time.
If Cardiff can get the ball to Davies' feet more often, with the opportunity to go at opposition defences, they'll create lots of chances.
Too good to be relegated
These Cardiff players are surely way too good to be relegated into League One, aren't they?
Yes is the answer to that, but as things stand the Bluebirds hover just one place above the bottom three.
Luckily there are a number of worse teams on paper than Cardiff in the division, including some above them at the moment, and the Bluebirds will win games to see their points tally rise.
But the form at Cardiff City Stadium this season, normally such a strong fortress with the passionate fans behind the team, is worrying..
Eight defeats in 11 home games, yet only four losses on the road.
It's easy to see how Cardiff can turn around their current travails. Derby, in the final game before Xmas, is the perfect time to start making that happen at the CCS.
Credit Cardiff and Sheff Utd fans
There were two wonderful tributes from Cardiff and Sheffield United fans within the space of six minutes.
The first, just before kick-off, was to pay respects to Phil Dwyer, an iconic servant to the Bluebirds who played for the club over 13 seasons.
'Bluebird, Bluebird, Bluebird', chanted the Cardiff fans, as Dywer images appeared up on the big screen.
It was a touching moment.
As was the case six minutes into the game as the two sets of supporters joined together once more to pay tribute to tragic little Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, whose picture also appeared on the big screen.
This was football, and society, coming together at its best.
Credit to Bluebirds and Blades fans.
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