Cardiff City pre-season notebook as new boys show promise, a notable absence and striker's renaissance continues

Cardiff City left it late but a Max Watters strike maintained their 100 per cent record in pre-season with a 2-1 win over Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

The Bluebirds were forced to cope with sweltering conditions at Whaddon Road, and it was by no means a vintage performance against the League One outfit, but there was nevertheless a fair amount for Steve Morison to ponder ahead of Tuesday night's clash at Shrewsbury Town.

Here are the key talking points to emerge from Saturday's win.

: Cardiff City transfer news as four new signings make bows and Bluebird stands out against Cheltenham Town

Saturday was the first time Cardiff fans were able to catch a glimpse of four new signings in action, as well as captain Joe Ralls, with all of them playing the final 30 minutes of proceedings in Gloucestershire.

Romaine Sawyers, Cedric Kipre, Callum O'Dowda and Sheyi Ojo were all given the chance to impress and, while it's difficult to really read too much into any player's first 30 minutes of pre-season, there were certainly some encouraging signs .

Sawyers would have opened his Cardiff account were he not denied by a smart near-post save from Shaun MacDonald in the Cheltenham goal, while O'Dowda and Ojo marauded down the wings with acceptable competence, slotting nicely into a 4-3-3 system that has been so heavily favoured this summer.

Kipre looked reasonably comfortable at the back too considering he'd only arrived some 24 hours before, but we likely won't get a real feel for his defensive abilities until he's pitted up against a higher standard of opposition.

For now, it's all about getting minutes in the legs, and Morison certainly seemed pleased with what he saw.

"It's the first time Callum, Sheyi, Rallsy and Romaine have been