Expectation levels remain low at Cardiff City on the back of last season's abject campaign, but Russell Slade will hope that his settled squad can cause a few surprises.
An unbeaten pre-season campaign, including back-to-back victories over Premier League clubs, certainly provides some hope heading into the new term.
Here, Sports Mole assesses whether or not the Bluebirds can earn a second promotion to the Premier League in the space of three years.
In
Sammy Ameobi (Newcastle United, season-long loan), Semi Ajayi (Arsenal)
Out
Kevin Theophile-Catherine (Saint-Etienne), Kevin McNaughton (Wigan Athletic), Nicky Maynard (Released), Danny Gabbidon (Released), Tom Adeyemi (Leeds United, season-long loan), Adeji Oshilaja (Gillingham, six-month loan), Ben Nugent (Crewe Alexandra), Adam Le Fondre (Wolverhampton Wanderers, season-long loan)
Last season - 11th
Manager - Russell Slade
It is fair to say that many supporters were left largely underwhelmed when Slade was plucked from League One strugglers Leyton Orient to turn around the Bluebirds' fortunes last October. Following a disappointing opening to the campaign under Ole Gunner Solskjaer, the cap-wearing gaffer did manage to bring some stability to the squad, but it came at a cost as Cardiff produced a string of bland displays.
Performances certainly improved in the latter weeks of the season, many months after a hopeful promotion push had evaporated, and Slade will be hoping that with a settled starting lineup he can now put his own spin on things. Only time will tell, of course, but two of City's most memorable campaigns in the past decade have come in years when not a lot was expected in pre-season.
Key Player - Joe Mason
Following successive years of big spending in the summer window, Cardiff are now relying on a player bought for a minimal fee back in 2011. Mason has since been sent out on loan, looking to gain experience elsewhere in the Championship, and if pre-season is anything to go by then he looks ready to grab his second chance with both hands.
Slade was quick to praise the former Plymouth forward at the start of the summer, with Mason himself admitting that the confidence shown in him has helped with his transition back into the Cardiff fold. If the 24-year-old is to succeed, however, then he needs service from midfield. Peter Whittingham will look to provide that from a central position, while new loan capture Ameobi could also prove effective in his second spell at Championship level.
Possible starting lineup
Marshall; Peltier, Morrison, Manga, Malone; Ralls, Whittingham, Dikgacoi, Pilkington; Mason, Jones
First game: Fulham (H), Full fixture list
Sports Mole says
It goes without saying that a good start to the season is vital for any side. But after numerous bland displays during the last campaign, Slade simply needs to get his side into top gear from the very first kick of the ball against Fulham. The fixture list has not been kind to the Welsh outfit, pitting them against the likes of promotion chasers Queens Park Rangers, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Hull City in the opening weeks.
Pre-season certainly provided some hope, however, which may be enough to buy Slade sufficient time in his pursuit of truly winning over supporters. The only way he will do that is by finding a rich streak of form to ensure that the Bluebirds remain in the top half at the very least, yet if things go against him then a pre-Christmas exit, plus another season of nothingness for Cardiff, potentially awaits.
