Cardiff City's pre-season preparations are approaching a conclusion, with Steve Morison's side heading into the opening day clash with Norwich City on the back of a reasonably pleasing unbeaten summer.
The 0-0 draw at Shrewsbury Town was admittedly a little frustrating, laying bare the need for new striker before the curtain is raised on the new campaign. But overall, the mood in the capital is pretty positive.
Having been relegated from the Premier League last term, Norwich are one of the hot favourites for promotion, and will pose a real yardstick on where Morison's new look squad currently sit in comparison to their Championship rivals.
But while the perceived lack of cutting edge remains concern, Morison has a pleasing level of depth within his squad in several other areas.
There are, of course, injury concerns around a number of players that will likely help him make his mind up when that opening clash comes round. The likes of Rubin Colwill, Isaak Davies, Ebou Adams and, more recently, Joe Ralls, are all currently a worry. But when everyone's fit, there are two different, and pretty strong, sides Morison could feasibly call upon this season.
The recent capture of Cedric Kipre on loan from West Brom has strengthened Cardiff's centre-back options, and it seems likely that the new arrival will be brought in as first choice this season.
Attention will soon turn to who partners him, although that largely depends on what sort of system Morison wants to play.
Last season, he heavily favoured a three-man back line with two wing-backs, but we're yet to see much sign of that this summer, with Morison instead opting for a four at the back.
Should he revert to three centre-backs, one would expect Kipre to start with Perry Ng and Curtis Nelson. But if the four-man defence be favoured, you'd suspect Nelson, as the more experienced option, would likely get the nod. That said, it's a position that could easily be debated.
Experience might similarly see Mahlon Romeo given the nod over fellow new arrival Vontae Daley-Campbell, and move Jamilu Collins ahead of Joel Bagan, although the academy product has looked very bright in pre-season after seeing his form fizzle out slightly towards the end of the last campaign.
In midfield, Ryan Wintle has continued to impress, as has Tom Sang, who's undoubtedly been one of the standout performers of the pre-season campaign. Ebou Adams, when he returns from injury could well provide a welcome injection of athleticism too, but all three midfielders face stiff competition.
It seems highly unlikely that, given his immense experience and track record at this level, Romaine Sawyers will be anything other than a key part of Morison's plans, while captain Joe Ralls, when fit, is probably one of the first names on the team-sheet.
Andy Rinomhota has, like several others, shown some promise over the course of the summer, and could well be the one called upon given he too arrives with a solid level of Championship experience.
The front three more or less picks itself right now, with Sheyi Ojo and Callum O'Dowda likely to flank a central striker, which at this current moment in time is likely to be Max Watters.
Don't like that? Well how about an all-Welsh front three of Collwill, Davies and Mark Harris? Granted there's not really a natural goalscorer there, but there is plenty of energy and effervescence.
Whatever, Morison is hoping to bring in two new strikers in time for the big kick-off.
At the other end of the pitch Morison is having to choose between three goalkeepers.
Jak Alnwick and Ryan Allsop have been brought on board, and it seems likely they will fight it out for the number one jersey.
What of Dillon Phillips? He's served City reasonably well, but could now find it hard to get a look in.
He's not the only one.
There's already a clamour for Ollie Tanner to get a chance after some really impressive cameos during the summer run-in, while Gavin Whyte too has similarly looked encouraging after previously looking almost certain to be shown the door. There is certainly an argument for giving both players a chance to shine. However, neither are really proven options at Championship level.
Then there's Eli King, Oli Denham and Jack Leahy. Will they get any sort of a look in after showing some recent signs of real promise? It seems like the cup might well be their best chance, barring a loan spell away of course.
How about these two line-ups then, plenty of options for Morison to mix and match.
Team A: Allsop; Romeo, Kipre, Nelson, Collins; Ralls, Rinomhota, Sawyers; Ojo, New striker, O'Dowda.
Team B: Alnwick; Campbell, Ng, McGuinness, Bagan; Wintle, Adams, Sang; Colwill, New striker, Davies.
Others looking to break in: Phillips, Denham, Tanner, Leahy, Whyte, Watters, Harris
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