Mick McCarthy and his Cardiff side face a tricky test against rivals Swansea City this weekend and he has told BBC Sport that all he can do 'is try to win the game.'

The Bluebirds boss took charge of the side last year and it did look like he had initially transformed the team into potential play-off bothers again. It filled the club and their fans with confidence heading into the current season but their form has since taken a nosedive.

Cardiff are now sitting precariously above the relegation places in the second tier and face a stern test against Swansea this weekend. Their rivals are also struggling to turn draws into wins and it should be an intriguing contest this weekend.

If Cardiff lose, then McCarthy may be under further pressure in terms of his job security. There have already been some calls for the former Ipswich boss to lose his job and another defeat would only fuel the fire further.

However, when speaking to BBC Sport about the game at the weekend and his job, he said: "I understand the rules of engagement, I understand the rules of the game and we need a result on Sunday. I've only had support from the top.

"I fully understand that if you lose games you lose your job, that's ok. That's not what creates the pressure for me. The pressure is the game against Swansea to try and win it.

"There is nothing I can do about that, all I can do is try to win the game."

The Cardiff boss then will be extremely desperate to try and wrap up a valuable three points at the weekend. Not only would it aid his side's bid to start marching up the table rather than looking down but it would also provide bragging rights to the clubs fans over a rival. Lose though and the shouts for him to lose his job will only continue to grow from Bluebirds fans.

The Verdict

Mick McCarthy has proven he can be a good manager at Championship level and has worked in the game for a long time but so far this season, it just isn't going to plan. The Bluebirds boss will be eager to turn things around this weekend and he has a squad that could certainly do it.

However, lose and then his job security could definitely come into question. Cardiff chiefs won't want to see them plunged into a relegation battle this year and it may therefore lead to them pulling the trigger on him - especially if there is another defeat this weekend to the Swans.