Cardiff City will begin life back in the Championship on Monday night when Wrexham visit the Cardiff City Stadium for the opening game of the new season.
The Bluebirds have been slower than they would have liked in the transfer market, with Jack Moylan the only outfield signing to have arrived so far. Calum Scanlon is also on the verge of joining from Liverpool, but Cardiff must register the left-back by midday on Sunday if he is to be eligible to face Phil Parkinson's side.
With injuries also beginning to bite, Brian Barry-Murphy has some difficult decisions to make ahead of the Championship curtain-raiser.
Goalkeeper and Defence
There is little debate over the goalkeeper. Nathan Trott is the nailed-on No.1 and one of the first names on the team sheet. After his excellent loan campaign last season, making his move permanent was an underrated piece of business by Cardiff. The Bluebirds will hope he can produce similarly impressive performances in the second tier and provide the foundation for a successful campaign.
There are questions elsewhere in the defence, but Perry Ng is almost certain to start at right-back. Ronan Kpakio started against Swindon Town in the Carabao Cup and looked off the pace. After a breakthrough start to last season, the teenager's form tailed off towards the end of the campaign and he now needs to rediscover his best. Kpakio's start against Swindon was partly down to Ng being moved into central defence, but the skipper is Cardiff's best option on the right and his experience will be particularly important against a Wrexham side who will arrive with plenty of Championship experience themselves. Expect Ng to be back in his usual position on Monday.
Gabriel Osho has enjoyed a barnstorming summer and has emerged as one of Cardiff's most impressive performers during pre-season. With Will Fish ruled out for around three months following hernia surgery and Dylan Lawlor having not featured during pre-season, Osho is the obvious choice to partner whoever gets the nod alongside him. His form gives Cardiff plenty of encouragement heading into the new campaign.
This is perhaps the biggest question mark in the back four. Chambers played against Roma but missed the Carabao Cup victory over Swindon because of a knee issue. Barry-Murphy said the club captain had a chance of recovering in time for Monday and Chambers has made progress with his rehabilitation this week. If he is fit enough to play, it would be a surprise if the manager did not start him.
Joel Bagan looks likely to retain his place at left-back, even if Scanlon completes his move from Liverpool in time to be involved. The Irishman has been involved throughout pre-season and, given Scanlon would have had little time to work with his new team-mates, Bagan remains the more natural choice to start the opening game. Scanlon's arrival would nevertheless give Barry-Murphy an important option in the position and provide some much-needed competition.
Midfield
Robertson is the obvious choice to operate at the base of midfield. Cardiff are actively looking to strengthen in that position, but as things stand, Robertson has emerged from pre-season as the clear No.6. Eli King is his main competition, but the Australian has also enjoyed an excellent summer.
Barry-Murphy likes having a player who can dictate the tempo and help his team control matches from that position. Robertson has played a significant amount of his football as a No.6, making it a natural fit for both player and system. There is, however, little doubt Cardiff need another midfielder with a more physically imposing profile before the transfer window closes. The Championship will present them with some powerful midfields and they currently look light in that department.
David Turnbull and Joel Colwill appear to be battling it out for the No.8 role. Colwill did not cover himself in glory during his cameo against Swindon, but his overall summer has been encouraging and his energy could be particularly valuable against Wrexham. With Robertson providing the control and passing ability from deep, Cardiff need someone alongside him capable of doing the dirty work in midfield. Colwill's doggedness could make him the preferred option.
The No.10 position is arguably the most fiercely contested spot in the side. Cian Ashford has looked excellent in that role during pre-season and has clearly grown into the challenge of operating centrally. Rubin Colwill enjoyed an excellent season last term and has unfinished business in the Championship, but he is still working his way back from injury after missing Cardiff's most recent pre-season games. Jack Moylan is also firmly in the conversation after making an immediate impact on his debut against Swindon, coming off the bench to score a superb winner. But Ashford may just have done enough.
With Rubin not yet fully fit and Moylan having only been at the club for a week, Ashford could get the nod for the biggest game of the summer. He has certainly earned it. There has been excitement around Ashford for several years and this could be the campaign when he finally establishes himself as a key player for Cardiff.
Attack
Tanner almost picks himself on the right wing. There are few obvious alternatives unless Ashford is moved out wide, and Tanner will enter the season with plenty of confidence after putting together impressive numbers last term. The challenge now is to produce that level of consistency in the Championship. He will have plenty to prove at this level, but his pace and directness give Cardiff an important attacking outlet.
Salech has the centre-forward position locked down. The striker provides Cardiff with a genuine focal point and gives them an imposing presence at the top end of the pitch. Callum Robinson offers experienced back-up, but the need for another striker is becoming increasingly obvious, particularly with Kion Etete and Roko Simic both expected to leave in the coming weeks. Salech will have a major role to play in Cardiff's season and will be one of the key attacking weapons at Barry-Murphy's disposal.
Willock is likely to edge Isaak Davies for the final attacking spot. It is a close call, but Willock offers Cardiff control in possession, quality delivery and a proven eye for goal. Davies, meanwhile, gives Barry-Murphy an excellent option from the bench. His electric pace could be particularly useful against tiring defenders in the latter stages of matches. The Wales international has also enjoyed an excellent summer and will be determined to make his mark in the Championship. But Willock's experience and ability to help Cardiff control the game could see him get the nod from the start.
Cardiff City's best XI for Wrexham: Trott; Ng, Osho, Chambers, Bagan; Robertson, J. Colwill, Ashford; Tanner, Salech, Willock.
