Back To Bench For Cardiff City's McNaughton

There can be no doubt that Cardiff City captain Mark Hudson will be restored to the starting line-up for the difficult upcoming trip to face Leicester city. Hudson sat out the Peterborough defeat after collecting 5 bookings, and the new-look partnership of Connolly/Turner were made to look far inferior by the Posh - even though you could hardly blame the centre-backs for either goal.

McNaughton was the man promoted to the starting line-up in Hudson's absence, restored to right-back allowing Connolly to partner Turner. It seems entriely likely that he will now make way after failing to meet his own high standards in the Post game. McNaughton looked rusty and it was clearl he had not been playing regularly. I think the Scotsman can count himself unlucky to have been dropped, but far far from 100% and was caught out when P'boro broke quickly and got the killer 2nd goal. Kev was isolated 2-on-1 but as the pass was made he failed to get a touch after comitting and the attacker was left through on goal.

We did miss Hudson, and Connolly had done well at right-back, despite it not being his preferred role. It is excellent to have a player of McNaughton's claibre on the bench, able to cover all across the backline. However, the bench is where he is likely to feature for the next few games unless further injuries or suspensions hit.

This is probably the first time in 6 seasons that Mcnaughton has been left out of the Cardiff City starting XI for form reasons.

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