Championship Promotion Tip: Cardiff

The writing was on the wall for Cardiff City back in May when they lost their final home game of the regular season to Middlesbrough 3-0. Until then, automatic promotion was a distinct possibility, but after that, the omens for the play-offs looked terrible and sure enough a capitulation followed in the second leg against Forest.

The pressure was huge for a Dave Jones side which had come close so often, but laboured under the burden of expectation. Big names such as Craig Bellamy were welcome, but the combination of egos was never quite right. Inevitably, the summer saw a massive change in personnel and now defender Anthony Gerrard claims that morale is great, and “a lot more friendly.”

Malky Mackay has replaced Dave Jones as master of ceremonies. There was just an increasing feeling that things were doomed for the Scouser in Wales. The Scot arrives with a decent reputation based on the commendable job he did at Watford in trying circumstances. He has already put his own stamp on the Bluebirds.

As well as Bellamy, strikers Jay Bothroyd and Michael Chopra departed, and with them went, crucially, much of the expectation level that has ultimately blighted City in recent times. Market-leading title odds of 20/1 with totesport are testamount to the belief of many that the best chances of reaching ‘the promised land’ have been and gone. But this could be a blessing in disguise.

Mackay has assembled a new strike partnership that has the potential to take the division by storm. Rob Earnshaw scored 105 goals in 205 games in his first Cardiff spell and he will line up with former Rangers ace Kenny Miller. He was top scorer in Scotland last season, despite only playing half the campaign up there. They are just two of nine new Mackay signings. The former Watford boss has also raided the Hornets’ nest to re-unite with defender Andrew Taylor and midfielder Don Cowie. The former was actually a Boro player, having been on loan at Vicarage Road last season, but rejected a new contract at the Riverside to head to Wales.

There is a feeling that Cardiff is still a good place to go in search of a Premier League future. Key players such as Peter Whittingham are staying put. His ten league goals last season, following on from 25 in all competitions the year before show his value as a player coming from deep or wide areas. Having finished fourth in each of the last two years, new players with belief and a better attitude could go all the way in 2011-12. Back Cardiff City to get promoted at best odds of 11/2 with Coral.