" FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 4 SEASONS "

For the first time in four seasons, Cardiff City start a campaign in a blue strip.

Thursday 6th August 2015

BBC

Now it is up to Russell Slade and his squad to lift the post-relegation blues which endured last season.
Even with the support of owner Vincent Tan, the affable Slade is in one of the most pressurised jobs in the Championship.
The way Cardiff cope with a tough looking opening group of fixtures may give us a decent indication of how much that pressure will build.
Last season


Vincent Tan needs to re-build bridges with some Cardiff City fans

For the most part it was absolutely dismal, an immediate return to the Premier League never looked remotely possible. But there were signs of improvement towards the end.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's frenzied recruitment resulted in a squad of quantity, not quality. He departed after just nine games.
Slade, lured from League One side Leyton Orient, was the unexpected choice of Vincent Tan.
A section of Cardiff fans remain sceptical - though his main drawback initially appeared to be his name was not Tony Pulis.
Slade brought a degree of stability at a club where that is often in short supply, while instigating the owner's austerity measures in slashing the wage bill. Sometimes it was not pretty.
But January's return to playing in blue removed a hugely divisive negative, Paul Trollope's arrival on the coaching staff seems inspired and Cardiff's late season form brought an 11th placed finish.
Prospects

The unveiling of their new blue kit this summer, brought the most positive reaction from fans towards the club since promotion to the Premier League.
Now there is some sort of reconnection, the Bluebirds players need to inspire the supporters and use the fervent backing to help make the Cardiff City Stadium a fortress, as it was in the Championship title season of 2013.
Joe Mason
Joe Mason could give Cardiff's attack a different dimension this season

The loss of goalkeeper David Marshall - linked with West Brom - would be a real test, but at least Cardiff have defensive depth and no little ability in the impressive Bruno Ecuele Manga.

An influential Peter Whittingham would be a real boost, particularly for striker Joe Mason. If Anthony Pilkington and Kigasho Dikgacoi can remain injury free, Cardiff have a sound base.
A good start seems essential, not least for Slade to convince the doubters he can cut it at this level - and keep owner Tan sweet.

If Cardiff can be challenging in January, the fans will hope the lucrative lure of the new Premier League television deal to start next season will encourage Tan to loosen the purse strings in the winter for the final push.
But as Solskjaer and Malky Mackay found - for different reasons - getting to the new year is not a given for a manager.
The Championship is a famously tough division. But Cardiff fans will demand their team are in contention towards the end.


Transfers

INS
OUTS
Sammy Ameobi (season-long loan, from Newcastle)
Kevin Theophile-Catherine (£1.4m to St Etienne)
Semi Ajayi (free from Arsenal)
Tom Adeyemi (loan to Leeds Utd)
Jordan Blaise (free from FC Girondins de Bordeaux)
Adedeji Oshilaja (loan to Gillingham)


A big season for...

It's a huge opportunity for Joe Mason. After three loan spells at Bolton he now has the opportunity to call Cardiff City home once again.
Mason seems to be the focus of the Cardiff attack and has the intuitive movement and cool finishing ability to prosper. Fingers crossed he avoids injury and Whittingham can supply him with plenty of ammunition..
Simon Moore may have to step out of the considerable shadows of David Marshall and with (hopefully) the Euro 2016 finals to think about it would be great to see Wales international Declan John find his best position, get a chance, and fulfil his obvious potential.

Hopefully this will help motivate the team on Saturday, looking forward to it

Hopefully this will help motivate the team on Saturday, looking forward to it

I really hope so Ned

Bloooooobirds! Can't f*cking wait for sat!

Hope it motivates the crowd just as much, we need to get the atmosphere going from the off

as soon as fxxxxxxxxg possible!,,,,

Looking forward to Saturday. Everyone must pull together on and off pitch . Slade has done well trimming squad etc and we know some of the football was dire last season. But this must be treated as a fresh start imo Everyone do the

I have never been a fan of Slade as a anger, but actually, he has done well as a steadying influence and he is an absolute gentleman. Along with many others, I will be right behind him and hope he does the job I think he can, given all the rubbish being cleared from around the club.

Come on Russell!

Im looking forward to it Annis. I know the crowds will be small but at least those who are there want to be there. The fans we've attracted since the cup runs and promotion have only stifled the atmosphere in my opinion.
It should bring some unity at least.....and hopefully the slightest mistake wont attract a chorus of boos.

I haven't seen people so excited to go to the first game of the season in a long time.. makes a change.I just hope it shows with the atmosphere in the stadium... not just for the first 10min but the whole game

Is tan there tomorrow?