Bluebirds keep 100% start with fifth victory in five games

Cardiff City extended their club record start to the season to 5 victories in the opening 5 games of the season as they came from behind to turn the game on it's head in a 2-1 win over Queens Park Rangers. Last October after a shocking start to the season head coach Paul Trollope was sacked after a short stint of 11 games as head coach. He took over from Russell Slade as manager after he came in and had a massive impact as one of the coaching staff. Things didn't go to plan and he could only win 2 games in his time at the helm. And after Neil Warnock's sensational turnaround, taking the club from the relegation zone to a top half finish of 12th, the momentum has only improved.

So what's behind the success so far? Well, the addition of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing on a free transfer from League 1 side Rochdale has been one of the most successful additions to the squad in recent years. His impact has been nothing short of sensational, scoring 4 goals in the first 5 games in the league as well as scoring in the first round of the league cup at home to Portsmouth. He has scored some sublime goals as well as some crucial goals in his short time in the Welsh capital. Mendez started his first game for City in a huge opening home game, and it took him only twenty one minutes to impress his new home supporters, rising between John Terry and Neil Taylor to power home a Junior Hoilett cross. He doubled his tallying the second half, turning in the box before a few step overs beat Chester to curl a powerful shot into the far corner, perfectly finding the top right corner. Since his home debut he scored a sublime individual goal in the 2-0 home win against Sheffield United, and the winner against his old club Wolves in the early top of the table clash to seal a 2-1 victory.

Last season's fan favourite Kenneth Zohore has also had an impressive start to the season, scoring a brilliant late winner against Burton on the first game of the season, and giving each pair of centre backs a nightmare every time he starts running on or off the ball. His assist for Hoilett in the victory over Villa also showed his dribbling skills and pace that he possesses, City will be relieved they managed to keep hold of the Dane who attracted Premier League clubs attention.

As well as the threat posed in attack by players such as Zohore, Mendez-Laing and Hoilett, City have a very strong, solid and experienced defence. Not conceding in each of the first 3 games, and conceding just 2 overall, the combination of Sol Bamba (who signed a new contract on Saturday) and Sean Morisson, with the backup of Burno Manga means The Bluebirds have strength in depth and in Bamba and Morisson they have a source of goals, both have already netted this season and Morisson found the net an impressive 5 times last season.

The buzz is certainly back in Cardiff and optimism has only grown since that first victory against Burton Albion. The atmosphere in the Cardiff City Stadium was electric against Aston Villa and the fans have begun pouring back into the arena which has always been able to generate an intimidating vibe for away teams. Cardiff face stern tests against Fulham, who reached the play offs last season and Leeds, who sit pretty in third after 5 games. City certainly shouldn't fear anyone at the moment, particularly after overturning title favourites Villa, and big spenders Wolves in their own back yard.