Cardiff City Back Five Picks Itself !

Cardiff City have made some encouraging signings over the summer with Etien Velikonja and Heidar Helguson brought in to replace Kenny Miller and supplement a strikeforce including Joe Mason, Robert Earnshaw and Rudy Gestede. In midfield, Jordon Mutch and Kim Bo Kyung definitely add quality to an already strong set of options.

It would be very difficult to predict how Malky Mackay will line up either in terms of formation or personnel. However, at the back City have yet to strengthen - and that means that the goalkeeper and starting back four is virtually set in stone - fitness permitting of course.

David Marshall will certainly be first choice to begin the season. Kevin McNaughton is a shoe-in at right back with the Scotsman performing a difficult job admirably and remaining consistent and assured throughout. Andrew Taylor, too, looks destined to be the first choice left back - especially since no replacement for the departed Lee Naylor has been identified.

The central partnership favoured throughout last season, and set to begin this campaign aswell is Ben Turner and Mark Hudson. The left and right footed combination works well, while there is certainly strength, height and aerial dominance with that due.

Only Darcy Blake would seem to have any claim for a place in the side ahead of the above. Whilst he is preferredly a centre-half, he will likely be more able to force his way into contention as a full-back. He could play on either flank, but switching McNaughton to left-bak with Blake on the right is a more viable option. Blake never lets us down, and has again looked very good during pre-season.

Anthony Gerrard and Dekel Keinan remain sidelined from the squad, though both have been given squad numbers. It seems likely that neither will feature, except in an emergency, and that both are actively looking for new clubs.

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