This time two weeks ago I was dreading being humiliated at Burton. That duly happened and things looked bleak. But since then it's all changed and the future is looking much rosier.
OUT goes Paul Trollope IN comes Neil Warnock and four new players. All of a sudden there's excitement and feeling rushing back at CCS. Well over 20,000 will be at the stadium for tonight's derby clash.
The Sky Bet Championship encounter at the Cardiff City Stadium is live on Sky Sports 1 HD & Sky Sports Mix from 7pm tonight.
Warnock has signed four free agents - Sol Bamba, Junior Hoilett, Marouane Chamakh and former England international Kieran Richardson - since replacing the sacked Paul Trollope during the two-week international break.
The quartet's fitness will be assessed with defender Bamba and winger Hoilett the most likely to feature.
Matthew Connolly is available after serving a one-match suspension and Anthony Pilkington (thigh), Aron Gunnarsson (calf) and Rickie Lambert (hamstring) will all be checked.
Bristol City are expected to welcome Mark Little back after hamstring trouble.
Right-back Little missed the 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest before the international break after hobbling off in the previous game against Leeds.
Forward Gustav Engvall is also available after picking up a knock while on duty with Sweden Under-21s, and former Cardiff defender Adam Matthews and midfielder Korey Smith built up their fitness for the Robins' under-23 side this week.
Lee Tomlin has served a one-match ban and should renew his strike partnership with the on-loan Tammy Abraham, whose two goals on his England Under-21 debut this week took his total to 13 in 15 games for club and country this season.
Neil Warnock
“When they get vocal at Cardiff it’s as good as anything I’ve heard in the game.
“I’ve been thrilled with the response [from fans], and I’m excited for Friday. There’s a little bit of trepidation obviously, but I just think at this stage of my career I’ve just got to do the best that I can.
“Let’s progress together.”
Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson told BBC Radio Bristol:
"There is no better pantomine baddie is there, than Neil Warnock, and I say that lovingly. Do I want to get involved in that? No, I want to be fully focused on my team.
"There's some serious history between the two clubs and that's the fun bit I suppose - only if you win.
"Cardiff are always a tough side, normally technically decent, and this game will be no different.
"It's got the potential to be a really good game and we want to make sure it's not a damp squib."
Match facts
- Cardiff have won five and drawn two of their last seven home league encounters with rivals Bristol City.
- The Robins have conceded two or more goals in five of their last six league games against Cardiff, keeping a clean sheet in the other fixture.
- Cardiff have seen just three of their players score a league goal for them this campaign; the fewest spread in the Championship.
- Bristol City have come from behind to win a league-high 11 points so far this season.
- The Bluebirds have lost six of their last seven matches in league competition, winning the other.
- Tammy Abraham has been directly involved in more goals than any other Championship player this season (10 - 8 goals, 2 assists).