Is this finally Cardiff City’s year to shine?
For the last few years Cardiff City have failed to gain promotion from the Coca Cola Championship despite being one of the bookies favourites every year, last year if memory serves me correctly following the loan signing of Craig Bellamy the Bluebirds were the favourites for the title.
This year following the sacking of long term manager Dave Jones the bookmakers have ranked Cardiff with an outside shot of promotion at 16/1 with a play off position being the likely finish for the Welsh side.
Saying that the bookies are split as seven sides are all given odds of 16/1 which shows that Cardiff are expected to finish between 5th and 12th a far cry from the side who were favourites for the title just 12 months ago.
In years gone by Cardiff has been labelled as “bottlers” following many high profile failures in the big games including a play off final defeat an FA Cup final defeat, missing out on the play offs on the last day of the season and also missing out an automatic promotion after having their destiny in their own hands.
However with a new manager, some new players the club could find themselves with a new mental attitude which could bring new fortunes to the club.
This week new manager Malky Mackay has moved to bring in Scotland international and former Premier League man Kenny Miller from Turkish side Bursaspor this is in addition to signings earlier in the Summer such as Filip Kiss on loan, Andrew Taylor, Aron Gunnarsson as well as serial championship goal scorer Robert Earnshaw.
Mackay had to bring in some players they lost England international Jay Bothroyd on a free transfer to newly promoted QPR. Barring the loss of hit man Bothroyd, Craig Bellamy whose loan spell expired and Olofeninjana whose loan from Hull also expired, Mackay did not have to much rebuilding to do, he has strengthened areas he felt were weak and tried to replace the departed players.
The key to the season will be the tough start should Cardiff pick up some early victories the fans and the players will believe in him and it will set them up well for a promotion push.
The club start with possibly the toughest fixture in the calendar away to newly relegated West Ham United at Upton Park also under the helm of a new manager Sam Allardyce, following their trip to London Cardiff host one of the most dangerous strike forces in the Championship in Bristol City and then newly promoted Brighton and Hove Albion.
If Cardiff pick up 7 points from these three fixtures, then them 16/1 odds will become a lot shorter and the press will not be on the back of Mackay.
Personally I think they are well set for a promotion push and if I was a betting man I would put money on Cardiff making the play offs, I never thought Dave Jones was a bad manager but I think Mackay’s change of approach could breath new life into the club.
What are your thoughts? Is Kenny Miller the final piece of the jigsaw? Can Mackay lead Cardiff to the Premier League? Is he the right man for the job? Is the squad strong enough for a title challenge? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts
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