A baker's dozen of games are already under the belt for Cardiff City, a relatively chunky sample size.
The club are sitting in the middle of the Championship table, most certainly a fair reflection of their start and indeed encouraging, on the whole, given the enormous changes which preceded the season.
If we drill down deeper into the players, though, what have we learned? Well it's clear some are emerging as fan favourites, while others still have a lot to prove before they are nailed-on starters. So, just who are the undroppable stars in Cardiff's team at the minute? Well, we reckon there are seven whose names are pretty much nailed down on the team sheet....
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Nailed-on starters
Ryan Allsop - What a revelation he has been since signing from Derby County. Cardiff have always had a very good track record with goalkeepers and this guy, on the relatively little evidence we have, is right up there. Equally as adept with his feet as he is with his hands, the shot-stopper starts his own team's attacks as well as ending the oppositions'. It has perhaps gone under the radar a little just how good he has been in a Bluebirds shirt.
Mahlon Romeo - A player who had pedigree in the Championship and has brought that to Cardiff City Stadium. Rarely lets you down and, barring maybe one or two performances, has been a 7/10 every week. Steve Morison said before his departure he wanted to see "the old Mahlon", who made lung-busting runs down the wing and added another dimension to the attack, well he has started to do that in recent weeks. Missed the Wigan game through injury, but you suspect he will be back in his rightful place when he's up to speed.
Perry Ng - He has come a long way since arriving in January 2021 and is now central to how this team plays. Whether it's at centre-back or at right-back, if Romeo is injured, Cardiff always find a spot for him in the starting XI. He is tactically and positionally outstanding, has a great leap on him and is as calm as you like with the ball at his feet. He also has a bit of needle about him, too, which you need from one of your leaders. Fans love him and you can see why.
Cedric Kipre - One of the standout players of the season, has brought the silk and steel of a spider's web. Has struck up a fantastic partnership with Perry Ng alongside him, which they both spoke about in depth here, and is now one of the first names on the team sheet. The fact Cardiff have him all season, with West Brom failing to put in a break clause in his loan terms, is now a massive bonus.
Ryan Wintle - Has donned the captain's arm band in the absence of Joe Ralls and has grown into that leadership more and more as the year has gone on. It seems so bizarre now that City allowed him to leave on loan to Blackpool at the start of last season, given he has been the best midfielder at the club in the 10 months since he has come back from Bloomfield Road. Scored his first goal for the club up at Wigan Athletic at the weekend, just rewards for all his hard work. An excellent operator.
Callum Robinson - What a breath of fresh air he has been since arriving from West Brom on transfer deadline day. The days of relying on Max Watters appear to be a distant memory already. Has produced two goals and three assists in his five starts for the Bluebirds and has seemingly transformed City's attack. Has enjoyed a fruitful partnership with Mark Harris, both on the pitch and the training ground, and has given the once-ailing Cardiff forward line a much-needed shot in the arm. The Bluebirds will be praying his leg injury is shrugged off in time for Coventry City on Saturday, that's for sure.
Callum O'Dowda - Until Robinson came, he was the main force in City's attack. Is so neat and tidy with the ball and defensively he is incredibly diligent. Some had their doubts when he joined from Bristol City, but he has been a great addition. A consistent winger really is a rare find, especially as Cardiff City have come to find in recent years, perhaps Junior Hoilett aside, but they look to have found one here. Two goals and three assists in 11 games, that'll do nicely.
The scramble for the other spots
There are others, of course, teetering on getting themselves into undroppable territory. The two who immediately spring to mind are Mark Harris and Andy Rinomhota , each of whom have been impressive since Mark Hudson took temporary charge.
Joe Ralls and Romaine Sawyers appear to be battling it out for one spot in midfield, while Rubin Colwill will clearly be staking a claim for a starting berth when he returns from injury in a couple of weeks.
Sheyi Ojo , Jaden Philogene and Niels Nkounkou have blown hot and cold since arriving in the summer and will have to display far more consistency if they are to be considered nailed-on starters moving forward. While Jack Simpson has been dependable enough when called upon due to others' absences.
At this stage, it looks as though Max Watters has his work cut out for him to work his way back into the side, especially after Kion Etete returned from injury to feature against the Latics last weekend.
Gavin Whyte and Tom Sang remain fringe players at present - but will hope for more game time as the season wears on.
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