Ahead of the 1977–78 season, Cardiff were struggling financially and the club was dealt a further blow by the restriction of crowd numbers at Ninian Park due to safety concerns. Dwyer was contacted by a former professional footballer who had recommended him to Greek side Panathinaikos. Dwyer was offered wages considerably higher than those he received with Cardiff, a villa and places at an English school for his children but the move broke down when Andrews refused to contemplate selling. Bristol City and Stoke City also made offers for Dwyer, with Bristol's bid totalling around £150,000, but Andrews again rejected the advances. The club began the season in poor form, winning one of their opening 10 matches. Dwyer bemoaned that the squad suffered a "severe lack of confidence" and the side suffered several heavy defeats, including conceding six goals in consecutive matches against Sheffield United and Bolton Wanderers in December 1977.