I'd be more than happy with this
Cardiff City
Last season: 4th - lost in play-off semi-final
Odds for promotion: 20-1
Manager: Malky Mackay
Big buys: Kenny Miller (Bursaspor, £800,000), Robert Earnshaw (Nottingham Forest, free)
Big sales: Michael Chopra (Ipswich, £1.5m), Jay Bothroyd (QPR, free).
Our verdict: It's been all change for Cardiff this summer in the hope a change of direction will finally push them over the finish line. Successive play-off failures saw Dave Jones pay the price after six years at the helm with Mackay arriving from Watford to take over in the hot-seat. With the likes of Jay Bothroyd, Craig Bellamy and Chopra in their ranks, it was no surprise to see Cardiff billed as red-hot favourites for promotion this time last year. Yet the Welsh side crumbled upon the pressure â and all three strikers have since exited to underline the task Mackay now faces. Mackay, who revelled in the underdog role at Watford, said: "We have lost 12 first-team players in all, something I have never seen before, and it takes time for teams to adapt. That shows how difficult it will be for us." Given the upheaval in a division that offers little sympathy for those trying to build, a play-off place is Cardiff's best hope this time around.
Don't expect: Immediate success. Given the major rebuilding job with nine summer signings, this new-look Cardiff side will take time to gel.
Do expect: Summer signings Robert Earnshaw, back at his hometown club, and Scotland striker Kenny Miller to score goals for fun at this level.
Finishing position: 5th
source: Championship Previews
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Cardiff City
Last season: 4th - lost in play-off semi-final
Odds for promotion: 20-1
Manager: Malky Mackay
Big buys: Kenny Miller (Bursaspor, £800,000), Robert Earnshaw (Nottingham Forest, free)
Big sales: Michael Chopra (Ipswich, £1.5m), Jay Bothroyd (QPR, free).
Our verdict: It's been all change for Cardiff this summer in the hope a change of direction will finally push them over the finish line. Successive play-off failures saw Dave Jones pay the price after six years at the helm with Mackay arriving from Watford to take over in the hot-seat. With the likes of Jay Bothroyd, Craig Bellamy and Chopra in their ranks, it was no surprise to see Cardiff billed as red-hot favourites for promotion this time last year. Yet the Welsh side crumbled upon the pressure â and all three strikers have since exited to underline the task Mackay now faces. Mackay, who revelled in the underdog role at Watford, said: "We have lost 12 first-team players in all, something I have never seen before, and it takes time for teams to adapt. That shows how difficult it will be for us." Given the upheaval in a division that offers little sympathy for those trying to build, a play-off place is Cardiff's best hope this time around.
Don't expect: Immediate success. Given the major rebuilding job with nine summer signings, this new-look Cardiff side will take time to gel.
Do expect: Summer signings Robert Earnshaw, back at his hometown club, and Scotland striker Kenny Miller to score goals for fun at this level.
Finishing position: 5th
source: Championship Previews


