With just days to go until the Championship season begins, Dave Jones appears to have more options to select his first Cardiff City team of the season. Here’s his probable line-up:
Tom Heaton
Heaton gets the nod over Enckelman after more solid displays in pre-season. Though its pretty tough to call.
Mark Kennedy
Capaldi out, DJ turns to his trusted left-footer to fill in.
Kevin McNaughton
Couldn’t leave him out.
Roger Johnson
Johnson and Loovens the certain first choice partnership.
Glenn Loovens
Purse unlikely to get a look in until injury / suspension hit.
Joe Ledley
The left midfield position is his to keep. Consistency, flair and determination make him a certain starter.
Stephen McPhail
A good pre-season for McPhail, impressing van Basten. He will captain the side.
Gavin Rae
Rae holds off the Scimeca challenge to start in central midfield.
Peter Whittingham
Whitts to come in on the right flank, short of pre-season action but provides a spark and DJ is a big admirer.
Jay Bothroyd
Fitness and match sharpness depending, DJ likely to throw the new man in at the deep end.
Ross McCormack
Charged with firing the goals and has looked sharp so far. DJ has talked him up, now we’ll see why.
Substitutes:
Enckelman, Purse, Parry, Scimeca, Thompson.
Thats how I expect Dave Jones to line-up against his former club Southampton. However, now is not an easy time to predict and it does seem we are an altogether stronger outfit with Darcy Blake and Miguel Comminges not making the squad. Whittingham and Kennedy’s places appear the most in danger while Paul Parry would also be desperately unlucky to miss out.
What are your thoughts? Is this what DJ would do? How would you line up?