Lennie Lawrence has exercised his cautious approach and has targetted his main concerns, midfield and defence with the arrival of John Robinson and Tony Vidmar. Both players make their debut later today. He did want to strengthen attack but it's not happened and it got worse with Thorne and Gordon injured.
We have been linked to and close to signing several players, most noticeably Jodie Morris but for many reasons we only have two new players. After releasing so many names in the summer, Legg, West, Hamilton, Ainsworth, Jenkins etc it means we only have a squad of 22.
That will be increased today when Stuart Fleetwood becomes squad number 23.
With Spencer Prior suspended and injuries to Scott Young, Peter Thorne, Gavin Gordon and Gary Croft the Bluebirds are left with only 18 fit players. One of them is Aaran Lee Barrett, the third choice keeper and Fleetwood a youth player promoted to the first team squad.
The City line up today is expected to be
Alexander, Weston, Gabbidon, Vidmar, Barker, Bonner, Boland, Kavanagh, Robinson, Campbell and Earnshaw.
Subs Margetson, from Collins, Maxwell, Bowen, Whalley and Fleetwood.
Gareth Whalley was passed fit to travel and may take a place on the bench. Fleetwood could be the attacking option.
So Cardiff start the season with a 35 goal striker and a play off final winning scorer starting as the strike force. Superb. 1st Div for the first time in 18 years let's see how they go before worrying about a limited squad.
Rotherham could give debuts to new signings Scott Minto and Julien Baudett. City target Alan Lee can expect a very mixed reaction the striker could still become a City player but today he's Rotherham player and as such is the oposition. Another City target, Andy Monkhouse, could also play against the Bluebids.
Kick off is at 3:00pm.