HERE WE GO AGAIN!

It's that time of year again - the new football season is almost upon us. That heady mix of excitement and hope engulfs football fans throughout the country, convinced that this season is going to be "Our Season".The proper football starts this weekend, even the Premier league this year, starting a week early to allow extra time for the European Championships (C'mon Wales!) in the summer of 2016.

All football fans should be excited this time of the season. After all, all teams are level at the moment - no promotion, playoff or relegation fears yet. So what can we expect from the Bluebirds at the Cardiff city Stadium this year?

The Protheroe boys outside the Cardiff City Stadium earlier this week.

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE?

Well, there haven't been many changes to the playing staff. Many of us feared that some of our best players, notably Bruno Ecuele Manga, David Marshall and Kenwynne Jones would be leaving us. However, this hasn't materialised - yet. It seems like Scotland's number 1 goalkeeper David Marshall is likely to be on his way to West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League, although at the time of compiling this blog negotiations are continuing between the 2 clubs to agree a fee. I'll be sorry to see Marshall go, but he owes the club nothing and deserves to be playing at the higher level. Simon Moore is a very able deputy, and if the manager is able to re-invest the money received for Marshall into the team, then it could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

Bruno Ecuele Manga - staying.

At the moment, only 2 players have come into the club in the summer. Semi Ajeyi, a young centre half from Arsenal, will hopefully establish himself in the future. Also, on a season long loan, we have signed Sammy Ameobi from Newcastle United. Ameobi played in more than 20 Premier League games last year, and could be a good addition to the squad at Championship level. He certainly looked keen and fit at the open training session at the Cardiff City Stadium this week. He is also a lot taller than I realised!

The squad going through their paces at the Cardiff City Stadium this week.

SO WHAT CAN WE EXPECT THIS SEASON?

Well, this is where your heart and your head get into competition with each other. As usual, the Championship looks like it is as open as ever, where even the pre-season favourites have some flaws. There has been a lot of re-investement at Derby in the close season, especially after their implosion at the end of last season which saw them miss out on the playoffs. Although they have spent a lot of money, they also have a new manager, so although favourites for a top 6 place it is by no means a foregone conclusion. The teams coming down from the Premier League often do well, but Hull and Burnley have had to slash costs and have had their best players cherry picked by Premier League clubs. QPR remain in sever financial turmoil and may also have to regroup and rebuild. I think Hull may be the most likely of these 3 to finish in the top 6.

In recent years, it has been quite common for teams to come up from League 1 and immediately get a top 6 place - Bournemouth and Brentford last year. I expect Bristol City and Preston to do well this year too.

Peter Whittingham - can he be more influential again this season?

So - can the Bluebirds make it into the top 6 and the playoffs - or even automatic promotion? Well, to hedge my bets, possibly! As ever, the Championship will be a very even league, but there are no obvious standout teams this year that you would expect to dominate. Manager Russell Slade improved the team towards the end of last season, especially away from home, and now it is truly HIS team, there can be no excuses if there is no further improvement. It is more in hope than expectation, but I believe that we can at least get a playoff place.

PREDICTIONS.

Well, I was almost completely wrong with these last year, but here goes:-

Top 6 (in no particular order) Derby, Hull, Bristol City, Wolves, Middlesborough,Cardiff

Bottom 3 - MK Dons, Rotherham, Reading.

Of course, I could be spectacularly wrong! Either way, I'll be there on Saturday to cheer on the boys in their first home game against Fulham (12 noon kick off this week because of a rugby match in Cardiff!).