Cardiff City completed the signings of two new players this week but can they make a significant impact?
Leeds United’s Sol Bamba remonstrates with assistant referee
Cardiff City this week completed the signings of Junior Hoilett and Sol Bamba as Neil Warnock looks to strengthen his new squad.
Both players join the club on free transfers having been released by their respective clubs over the course of the summer.
Cardiff may not be finished with incomings either, with former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh and former Sunderland full-back Keiron Richardson both linked with moves to South Wales.
The Bluebirds take on Bristol City on Friday evening and both Bamba and Hoilett could make their debut along with Neil Warnock who leads his new side out for the first time.
So where do the two new signings fit into the Cardiff ranks?
Sol Bamba
Sol Bamba of Leeds United (L) and Diego Fabbrini of Millwall in action
The experienced centre-half would add something to any Champonship side whether it would be on the pitch or in the changing room. Bamba is a real ‘leader’ character and he always installs a real fight and passion into the players around him.
Cardiff captain Sean Morrison is a vocal player but looking beyond him, there are few who command the pitch like Sol Bamba.
Last season’s star performer Matthew Connolly has been very disappointing this season and Bruno Ecuele-Manga has made far too many mistakes at the back so Bamba may not be too far off a starting spot.
Junior Hoilett
QPR’s Junior Hoilett (C) in action with Derby’s Jake Buxton (R)
The Canadian international has the ability to be a real stand-out winger on his day but like so many wingers at this level, he does struggle with inconsistency.
However, there’s little doubt the 26-year-old adds quality to the Cardiff squad and a much-needed option on the flans.
Craig Noone has desperately struggled to hit the heights he reached int he Premier League and his predictable nature has given Cardiff fans cause to hope for a new wide man.
Anthony Pilkington is a player with real quality but he is often utilised in a more central and advanced position, leaving Cardiff a little short out wide.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Hoilett was given his first start as soon as Friday evening and he’ll almost certainly make his debut in some capacity.
Former QPR manager Neil Warnock celebrates at the end of the match
Marouane Chamakh
Cardiff have been short of out-and-out strikers for the best part of the year and if Chamakh doesn’t offer anything else, he’ll give Neil Warnock variety up top.
The Bluebirds signed Frederic Gounongbe and Kenneth Zohore in the summer and both have been very disappointing thus far.
Chamakh is a similar type of striker but he possesses a touch of class and he can certainly do damage at Championship level.
Rickie Lambert will expectedly remain the number one choice but the 34-year-old can’t manage three games a week and Chamakh can certainly do a job in his absence.
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