The new Championship season is already 10 games old and Cardiff City have yet to get going.
Their start to the campaign was positive enough, picking up wins at Blackpool and at home to Millwall, with the victory away at bottom-of-the-league Nottingham Forest offering hope that the Bluebirds could finally play football with the handbrake off.
Alas, back-to-back 1-0 defeats to Coventry City and Bournemouth have stifled enthusiasm among supporters, with one fan issuing an impassioned plea to Mick McCarthy to play with more ambition.
The Bluebirds' turgid start is inextricably linked to their frustrating inactivity in the transfer market this summer.
The main priority this off-season was to keep hold of Kieffer Moore and they were successful in doing that, but the fact only five men arrived though the entrance at Cardiff City Stadium tells its own story.
Here is how those players have fared...
READ MORE: 'I hate the way my team play at the moment' - Cardiff City fan's impassioned plea
Marley Watkins (Bristol City, free transfer)
Bit of a weird one, this. Former Bristol City man Watkins was signed on a short-term deal that was eventually extended until the end of August. In that time he bagged a couple of goals in the Carabao Cup win over Sutton United, but just days later it was confirmed he would not be sticking around.
He then signed for Aberdeen, after claiming the Cardiff hierarchy 'blocked' his move to the Bluebirds.
"Yeah, I came here (Aberdeen) last time and I wasn't even fit," he said at his unveiling. "I was coming here to get games and now I'm fit. I've had a good pre-season and I'm hoping to hit the ground running and hopefully I can deliver.
"I can't wait to get going - it's a great club."
A bizarre move all round.
Rating: 1/5
James Collins (Luton, free transfer)
Collins was signed to give Moore a breather in the side such is the arduous and physical nature of the Championship. It had been hoped that the former Luton man could even play alongside Moore given time, but his goal return so far has been disappointing to say the least.
He missed a gilt-edged chance against the Sky Blues which could have rescued a point, leaving him "feeling lousy", according to his manager.
Collins has yet to open his Bluebirds account this season and finds himself below Mark Harris in the pecking order.
This one hasn't worked out - not yet, anyway.
McCarthy remains a big backer of his.
Rating: 2/5
Ryan Wintle (Crewe, free transfer)
Another strange one. Wintle was signed on a free from Crewe, started two games in the cup and made a substitute appearance on the opening day of the season - and was then promptly loaned to rivals league Blackpool.
Speaking about the transfer, Bluebirds boss McCarthy said : "That was a difficult one. I brought him with a view for this season but certainly next season.
"Marlon [Pack] and Rallsy [Joe Ralls] have been great, Vaulksy [Will Vaulks] played all but two or three games last year and the emergence of Sam Bowen..
"Ryan has played 160-odd league games, he needs to be playing. He's not yet played in the Championship. So it's a good opportunity for him, with a recall in January, to get some experience playing with Blackpool in the Championship."
One for the future, it would seem, but the move has certainly left a few Bluebirds fans scratching their heads, especially with a ball-playing midfielder so desperately needed in the side and Wintle earning good reviews amongst Blackpool fans.
Rating: 2/5
Ryan Giles (Wolves, loan)
A success story. The on-loan man has made a real impression on games and supporters since his switch from Molineux. His absence from the starting XI due to Covid in recent weeks has been keenly felt, underling his importance to a side so devoid of creativity in the final third.
McCarthy will be hopeful he'll be available for the trip to Blackburn this weekend. His sumptuous cross for Moore's goal at Bloomfield Road will remain in the memory; fans will want to see more of that partnership for sure.
Rating: 4/5
Mark McGuinness (Arsenal, free transfer)
Cardiff are well stocked at centre-back, with Sean Morrison, Aden Flint and Curtis Nelson always likely to start.
At just 20, Arsenal product McGuinness was signed very much as one for the future, and an injury has hampered his bedding-in process in the Welsh capital.
He has impressed his skipper, though. "He's been brilliant to be honest," Morrison said of McGuinness last month.
"He's got a willingness to learn and comes across a lot older [than he is]. He's got a firm head on his shoulders and wants to learn from the other lads playing in his position, he is always picking our brains, asking questions in training.
"He has been great and done really well in the games. He's a confident lad and wants to play out from the back, but also has the defensive qualities you look for in a Championship centre-half.
"He is a great addition to the squad and I think he will be fantastic for us this season."
After impressing for the under-23s in midweek, he's already banging on McCarthy's door.
Rating: 3/5
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