Steve Morison has told his Cardiff City fringe players to seize their opportunity on Tuesday night against Portsmouth after his side "didn't show up" against Reading last weekend.
The positivity from the Bluebirds' opening-day triumph over Norwich City was quickly tempered by a come-from-behind win by the Royals in Berkshire at the weekend.
After the loss, Morison pulled no punches when assessing his team's performance, stating the players' attitude and mentality were way off the expected standards. You can read more about that here.
READ MORE: Cardiff City transfer news Live - Latest news and rumours plus Portsmouth build-up
That certainly presents opportunities to players who are yet to play or start a competitive match yet this season. City host Pompey in the Carabao Cup in midweek and it will hand a host of players an opportunity to impress and force their way into the reckoning for this weekend's league clash with Birmingham City.
And when asked if the Pompey clash would be the chance for disappointed City players to stick their hand up to be counted ahead of the weekend, Morison said: "Yeah, hugely. What we are going to do on Tuesday is exactly the same as what we were going to do on Tuesday anyway, nothing changes.
"Now, I'd like to see anyone who was disappointed because they've not been here or not been involved with a spring in their step on Monday morning thinking, 'If I go and put a performance in on Tuesday I could be playing at home against Birmingham'.
"That's what they've got to do now."
We are likely to see a much-changed starting XI against Portsmouth, we could even see a brand-new side all together. Morison has named only 12 players to start in his first two matches, with Curtis Nelson for Perry Ng the only enforced change from the opening weekend.
But an entirely new side on Tuesday is a distinct possibility. It could see Jak Alnwick start in goal, with Vontae Campbell and Joel Bagan also handed their first starts this season at wing-back.
Mark McGuinness and Ollie Denham will likely be in the frame to start at centre-back, too. In midfield, Joe Ralls, Tom Sang and Eli King might be fancied as the midfield trio. An exciting, all-new attacking frontline of Jaden Philogene, Ollie Tanner and Kion Etete might be favoured, too, although Mark Harris, who has had to settle for substitute appearances in the first two games, might also be a consideration.
Whether Max Watters, who is in desperate need of goals and a confidence boost, is handed another start in an attempt to kickstart his form must also be weighing on the coaching staff's minds.
The Bluebirds take on Pompey on Tuesday night at Cardiff City Stadium, kick-off is at 7.45pm.
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