Encouraging Signs

This time last year, Cardiff City's league record was:

P 24, W 12, D 4, L 8, F 38, A 29, Pts 40, GD +9

Currently, the team's league record reads:

P 24, W 11, D 9, L 4, F 38, A 26, Pts 42, GD +12

Before the 2011/12 campaign began, if you'd have told me that on New Year's Day the Bluebirds would be two points better off and one place higher in the Championship than they were at the same stage last season, I wouldn't have believed you.

The results Malky Mackay and his players have managed to achieve so far are remarkable. After 24 games, the side has scored exactly the same number of goals as last year's team which featured the likes of Craig Bellamy, Jay Bothroyd and Michael Chopra, while the defensive record is better this time around.

City have lost only four games during the current campaign, which is also remarkable (the figure was eight this time last year - nine if you include the Carling Cup defeat at Peterborough). There are those who have moaned about this season's side drawing too many matches, but the fact that they very rarely get beaten even when they are not playing particularly well is extremely encouraging.

Last year's Christmas holiday away games resulted in a 4-1 hammering at Watford and a 3-0 defeat at Bristol. I was at both of those matches and they were absolutely dreadful. This time around, the Bluebirds have drawn 1-1 at Watford and won 1-0 at Forest. Neither performance was particularly spectacular, but the results were so much better than those in the equivalent matches last season.

There appears to be an excellent spirit within Mackay's team and a steely quality which is making City very difficult to beat. The differences between this season's squad and the one which represented the club last year have been clear for all to see during the two matches over the holiday period. While the current side may not possess the same amount of attacking flair, it is a stronger unit and far more spirited. There seems to be no danger whatsoever of the present set of players throwing the towel in when things aren't going their way during games, as happened on several occasions last season.

There is a long way to go between now and the end of the campaign, but the signs so far are positive. If Mackay can strengthen his squad in the January transfer window and the players can steer clear of serious injuries and suspensions during the next four months, then I believe the Bluebirds have every chance of remaining in the promotion shake-up.