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2013/14 EPL season preview: Cardiff City

Cardiff City striker Craig Bellamy will face competition up front this year.
Expert
14th August, 2013
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After a number of years of narrowly missing out, Cardiff City have finally taken the step into the top flight of English football.

What happened last season
After three straight play-off failures and a hugely controversial rebranding project that saw the entire identity of the club change at the whim of a new owner from abroad, it’s safe to say anger and frustration were the predominant emotions at Cardiff City at the start of last season.

But that all quickly turned to jubilation as the Bluebirds – or the Dragons – ran away with the Championship title, earning promotion to the top flight for the first time in 51 years.

They did it eight points clear of second-placed Hull and with the equal-best goal difference in the competition.

What happened in the off-season
For a side that’s just been promoted and really needs to strengthen itself to have any realistic hope of staying there, not much.

Cardiff City has been strangely quiet in the transfer market so far, bringing in only a handful of new faces while suffering no significant losses.

It’s as if manager Malky Mackay has decided not to bother but for top-class signings, of which most of the new additions appear to be.

Andreas Cornelius, the striker from FC Copenhagen, and Steven Caulker, the former Tottenham and Swansea stopper, are potentially brilliant buys.

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The former broke the club’s transfer record at the time and will play a huge part in whatever is to come, while the latter re-broke it when brought in earlier this month.

It was broken for a third time by the signing of Gary Medel from Sevilla, who is known as the Chilean Gattuso.

Why Cardiff City fans should be excited about the 2013/14 season
They can stay up, and it won’t take a miracle.

Last year, it was all about consistency. The fact there isn’t a flood of new players – even though Cardiff could arguably do with several more to feel really good about this campaign – could help maintain that level of cohesion and coherence that was their strength in the second tier.

Of course, the Premier League is a different kettle of fish, but it’s not the same kettle it once was, particularly in the bottom half of the table, where it is expected the Bluebirds-gone-red will reside.

If the side can collectively up its game then Cardiff is in with a real show. Throw in a couple more reinforcements before the window shuts and things aren’t looking too bad.

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The main man that can carry Cardiff City’s 2013/14 hopes
Steven Caulker. As much as Cardiff needs to find the consistent source of goals they could’t last term, it is true that all good Premier League sides are built on the platform of a good, sturdy defence.

If the Bluebirds are going to have one of those at all this season, Caulker will be the cornerstone.

The 21-year-old’s move from White Hart Lane came as a bit of a surprise, but his decision to sign a four-year-deal with the Welsh club has been sparked by a desire to get himself on the plane to Brazil with the England squad.

After 28 appearances across all competitions last year he will know what is required of him and if he can provide it, half the battle could be won for Cardiff.

Verdict
Battling to stay up. Much hinges on how Mackay and Cardiff can negotiate a tricky start to the club’s first season in the top flight in over half a century.

They would do well to come away with a point from the opening round trip to West Ham to start off, but then home fixtures against Manchester City and Everton pop up.

Lose all three and it’s an uphill battle from then on.

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But get through relatively unscathed and the possibilities will start to open up. It can be done. Don’t be surprised if Cardiff jumps up into the lower reaches of mid-table.

Cardiff City picked up Andreas Cornelius from Danish club FC København.

Cardiff City picked up Andreas Cornelius from Danish club FC København.

Cardiff City striker Craig Bellamy will face competition up front this year.

Cardiff City striker Craig Bellamy will face competition up front this year.

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