Cardiff City's depth chart is now off the scale but transfer gamble needs to pay off

Cardiff City's transfer strategy has been cogent and rapidly implemented this summer.

Targets were lined up months ago and the deals have been executed largely without a hitch. Not many permanent signings have slipped through the net in recent months and that is undoubtedly cause for praise.

For the most part, Cardiff's squad has a far better balance about in, both in terms of age and positional strength. There are three senior goalkeepers all vying for one spot, four genuine wing-backs and, when Cedric Kipre joins, there will also be five centre-backs from which to choose, too.

Midfield is now bursting with options, with Ryan Wintle, Eli King, Joe Ralls, Andy Rinomhota, Ebou Adams, Romaine Sawyers and Tom Sang all keen for a piece of the pie. Further forward there is Rubin Colwill, Isaak Davies, Mark Harris, Max Watters, Callum O'Dowda, Sheyi Ojo, Ollie Tanner and, as things stand, Gavin Whyte.

There are no standouts, so to speak. Rinomhota and Sawyers are probably two who supporters are really excited about, while there is a mumbled buzz around Tanner's potential after his bright pre-season displays, albeit against lower league opposition.

Cardiff's relative strength in depth is a real plus-point heading into this upcoming campaign, even more so now there are five substitutions allowed in the Championship. Having quality and battle-hardened midfielders ready to go from the bench or an exciting, if raw, winger or playmaker to come on and shake things up at the end of games will be extremely advantageous to Steve Morison.

That's not to say all of these signings will be an instant hit, of course. No one is expecting that, especially given some are untested at this level and might well take time to adjust. But having so