New Cardiff City signings rated as Ramsey, Grant and Siopis all impress but one player must show more
The Bluebirds made nine signings in the summer and most of them have been a roaring success so far
After a hectic summer of 17 signings a year ago, few expected Cardiff City to be as active in the market as they were this time around under Erol Bulut. But what a difference those nine new faces have made for the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
The Bluebirds have enjoyed their best start to a league campaign since the 2017/18 promotion season under Neil Warnock. At the time of writing, they are on a winning streak of four matches and have gate-crashed the top six. Dizzying heights in comparison to where they have been in the previous two seasons. To get the latest Bluebirds news sent straight to your inbox, sign up here.
There are a lot of factors which have been baked into City's early-season positivity, but the injection of quality from the summer signings has certainly played its part. So, just how well have the new boys got on since their arrivals? We take a look below...
READ MORE: Blow for Wales and Cardiff City as extent of Aaron Ramsey injury revealed
Ike Ugbo
The first player through the door this summer and he was a relative unknown for many City fans. Having played his youth football at Chelsea before heading out to Belgium and France to play, no one really knew what to expect when Ike Ugbo waltzed through the door.
He started fantastically well, netting three goals and contributing an assist in his first four appearances for the Bluebirds. Just went off the boil ever so slightly in September after such a successful August and it doesn't help his case that Kion Etete has found some form and has displaced him from the starting XI.
But there has been more to his game than just that fox-in-the-box finishing. He has looked increasingly robust and his link-up play has improved with time, too. Has a big part to play this season, especially considering City's paucity of striker options.
Rating: 7/10
Dimitrios Goutas
Came with a solid reputation and with international pedigree, but it's safe to say he took a little bit of time to adjust to life in the Championship. Indeed, he has said as much himself.
But he and Mark McGuinness have formed a really strong partnership at the heart of Cardiff's defence and they look all the better for it. After struggling for so long to keep clean sheets, City have three shutouts in four league games and the Greek has played his part in that and then some.
The centre-back also looks a threat from set-pieces, too, scoring his first Bluebirds goals in the 3-2 win over Coventry City last week. There is such a drop-off between him, McGuinness and other centre-backs in the squad that it tells a story in itself. He daren't pick up an injury – or McGuinness, for that matter.
Rating: 8/10
Yakou Meite
Always looked a shrewd pick-up, this one. He has had his injury troubles in recent seasons, but when he is on song he is such a brute of a player and it's difficult for defenders to arrest his desire to win the ball. He does really cause some issues for opposing defenders.
If we are being critical, though, the Ivorian has had his fair share of chances and squandered a lot of opportunities to score. The one at Leicester, in particular, looks to have cost Cardiff dear in a difficult game.
Nevertheless, the forward has been a solid addition and is really enjoying himself in the Welsh capital. He is also a big part of the dressing room, too, which is an underrated quality in a player. Cardiff's successful teams have always had big characters at the heart of it and he seems to be that – just take a look at him leading the celebrations after the South Wales derby triumph.
Rating: 7/10
Karlan Grant
Another player who came in with a big reputation owing to the volume of goals he has scored at this level in recent years with Huddersfield Town and West Brom. Another who started a little sluggishly but has really found his stride.
He looks a nailed-on starter on that left-hand side now, particularly in the absence of Callum O'Dowda, and has registered one goal and two assists in his nine outings to date. He will want to up those numbers, and arguably should have another goal to his name with one wrongly chalked off at Ipswich for offside, but he will get the opportunity to do that.
You feel that if Cardiff are to have a successful season, Grant will have to stay fit and hit his goal-scoring stride at some point. There are just signs he is starting to do that.
Rating: 8/10
Aaron Ramsey
Well, until the injury blow, it couldn't have gone much better, could it? In his six games for the Bluebirds since returning he has scored three times, including the penalty to beat arch-rivals Swansea in the derby.
His thunderbolt against Leicester City won the Championship's goal of the month competition for August, and rightly so, too, because it was an absolute humdinger. But his time, poise and grace on the ball have been so pleasing for City fans to watch. There was a worry that the Championship would drag him down to its level, but not a chance, he has risen above it and looked class personified.
Even off the pitch he has been brilliant. Poses for photos left, right and centre and they queued for hours at his shirt signing at Cardiff City Stadium. He has been one of the primary reasons for the massive uplift in mood, performance and everything else positive surrounding the club. The injury is a massive concern, of course, and he will miss a chunk of games because of it. Fingers are firmly crossed it isn't too bad, though.
Rating: 9/10
Josh Bowler
A player who looked a really exciting signing, but has been hampered by injury issues since arriving. It was clear he was seen by Erol Bulut as part of his best XI, given he started away to Leeds United on the opening day, and he repaid his faith with a goal up at Elland Road.
The Nottingham Forest loanee is clearly a player who has a big role this season and, thankfully, it looks like he will be back in the fold sooner rather than later, which is a positive given players are dropping like flies with injuries. A solid start and will look to kick on once back from injury, he's been a big miss.
Rating: 6/10
Alex Runarsson
The Iceland international could be forgiven for thinking he came to Cardiff to be the No.1 goalkeeper, but the form of Jak Alnwick has thrown that school of thought all out of whack. There's not much Alex Runarsson can do about it.
He has had three appearances and they have been, well, mixed. He was very good in the Carabao Cup win over Birmingham City, however his two other outings, against Ipswich Town and Blackburn Rovers, saw him make very good saves but also costly errors.
It looks a tough ask for him to displace Alnwick as things stand.
Rating: 6/10
Manolis Siopis
Looks some player, the diminutive Greek midfielder. The exact sort of terrier, warrior midfielder Cardiff have needed in recent years, well, ever since the departure of Aron Gunarsson.
He covers every blade of grass on the pitch and embodies everything Cardiff fans want to see from a player. He shows heart and passion and has quality enough to hit lovely, crossfield diagonal balls to spread play.
He probably had his weakest game in the win over Rotherham United on the weekend. He misplaced passes and was booked for a rash challenge, but that's clearly an outlier because this guy is quality. A top acquisition.
Rating: 8/10
Jonathan Panzo
The final player in through the door in the summer, another loanee from Nottingham Forest, was centre-back Jonathan Panzo. Cardiff's defence is working just about as well as it has done for years at the moment and Panzo will find it difficult to break into it, unless City are hit with injuries.
He has been given two opportunities to impress so far and has not exactly taken them. His debut against Ipswich was one to forget and his cup outing at Ewood Park in midweek left a lot to be desired.
He must show more if he is to oust Goutas or McGuinness. Clearly he has not given the best of himself yet. He played a big part in Coventry's charge to the play-offs last season and he has a good grounding and sound footballing upbringing. The below rating is premature, he'll improve with more fitness and game time.
Rating: 5/10