Cardiff City are ready to crack on with plans for perhaps the biggest squad turnaround in their history in the wake of the derby day humiliation at the hands of Swansea City.
Steve Morison's own learning curve as Bluebirds manager was laid bare amid questionable team selection and tactics as his team were out-thought and out-fought by Russell Martin's Swans. But Morison will be tasked with the huge change of personnel this summer, which could see as many as 10 senior stars head out of Cardiff City Stadium exit door.
The 4-0 loss to Swansea is likely to hasten Cardiff's plans for those departures as the Bluebirds look to be creative in the transfer window. Morison is eyeing bargain signings from the continent, as well as experienced figures from the Championship and Premier League, to bolster a side already containing a number of talented Academy youngsters.
READ MORE: Cardiff legend Bothroyd embarrassed by derby hammering
WalesOnline understands that of the glut of senior stars out of contract this summer, only Joe Ralls is likely to strike terms on a new deal as things stand. There is also the possibility of Cardiff's injured captain Sean Morison getting a short contract extension as he works his way back to fitness.
But with Cardiff tightening their budget in these troubled financial times, it seems probable Ralls and Morrison may each need to accept reduced terms.
We understand Cardiff's other out-of-contract men are likely to depart. Three of them, Aden Flint, Alex Smithies, and Will Vaulks, were in the matchday squad for the South Wales derby. Each have their merits and deals could yet be done, but we're told that is unlikely.
The loss of goalkeeper Smithies, in particular, would be a major blow, but he is reportedly one of the higher wage earners at the club and Nottingham Forest are among his admirers.
The others, Marlon Pack, Leandro Bacuna, Ciaron Brown, Josh Murphy and Isaac Vassell, have not been featuring under Morison. There is also the possibility the manager could look to offload striker James Collins and goalkeeper Dillon Phillips as part of the Cardiff cull as he completely revamps the Bluebirds for next season.
The overhaul of the squad probably will be bigger than even the one Malky Mackay was tasked with when he became Cardiff manager in 2011 and initially inherited just 10 senior players.
However, Mackay was in time heavily backed in the transfer window by owner Vincent Tan and took the Bluebirds into the Premier League and to a memorable Wembley cup final against Liverpool. Given the way the pandemic has affected Tan's leisure empire, Cardiff will be far more frugal in the market this time around with those overseas bargains, as well as shrewd free signings and loan captures on the agenda.
Cardiff have not utilised the European and indeed world market as well as other clubs over the years and have a scouting network in place to try to redress that balance.
Already, we understand, a number of irons are in the fire for new players. Those targets are likely to include a goalkeeper, a dominant centre-half, a midfielder, striker and wide player, individuals who could each step straight into the starting XI. Other players who would bolster the squad are also being assessed.
Cardiff need the experienced new hands to provide the foundation of the side moving forward, an issue brought into spotlight in the Welsh derby. Against Swansea, Flint had his poorest game for some time, while Ralls and Hugill were anonymous. Flint, to be fair, has been one of Cardiff's better performers this year, but he may well be among the cutbacks as the squad is reshaped.
There is a core of talented teens or early twenty-somethings who hold Cardiff's future in their hands. The most gifted of these are bang-in-form matchwinners Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies, strangely overlooked by Morison against Swansea until the game had gone.
Those two are supplemented by further academy youngsters like Joel Bagan and Mark Harris, while Mark McGuinness, Ryan Wintle and Perry Ng are also set to be key figures under Morison in 2022-23.
But Cardiff know they need need wholesale changes in other areas after previous boss Neil Warnock left something of a lopsided squad. With senior players' contracts running out in the coming months, Cardiff's hierarchy are said to see this as an opportunity to reshape, rather than a major hindrance.
Whereas a number of current players on the books have no part in Morison's plans, his intention is to compile a more fit for purpose and streamlined squad for next season where everyone will have a role to play - young and old.
Cardiff have seven matches left this season and with the derby out of the way, and Championship status secured, Morison's remaining team selections will be interesting. While results always matter for Cardiff City, the bigger picture is next season and beyond and starting to prepare the team for that.
As such, many fans feel Morison should start choosing only players who will be here next year, thus offering the youngsters valuable Championship game time. Some fans also want to see Morison change tack to four at the back, which would enable him to get creative forces like Colwill, Davies and Tommy Doyle into the starting XI together.
Man City loanee Doyle will be among the summer targets again for Morison, while Leeds United's Cody Drameh is another he will be looking to re-sign on a season's deal.
Cardiff are also awaiting the outcome of their Court of Arbitration hearing into the Emiliano Sala transfer, which could have a bearing on transfer funds made available by Tan.
