But Dave Jones, their understandably melancholic manager, can be forgiven for approaching tomorrow's visit to Bramall Lane with even more caution than usual.

With the Welsh club's Glamorgan training complex resembling a scene from Emergency Ward 10 and players publicly expressing their disatisfaction with certain sections of the travelling support, Jones finds himself in an unenviable position, despite presiding over a team his opposite number believes is destined to challenge for promotion.

"When we sat down at the start of the season and looked at the rest of the division we all put Cardiff in our top eight or nine," Kevin Blackwell said.

"They've made a bright start and they've got some very good players."

Unfortunately for Jones, at least three of them are definite non-starters after failing to emerge from the treatment room while another two are rated as serious doubts.

Defender Kevin McNaughton should recover from a knee problem in time to face Sheffield United while Darcy Blake could also be declared fit.

But Gavin Rae, Riccardo Scimeca and Tony Capaldi are all unavailable, leaving Jones with a serious selection dilemma.Not to mention the prospect of having to name a midfield comprised entirely of left-footed players.

If Jones' worst-case scenario materialises, United will look to exploit a potentially serious imbalance in Cardiff's engine room.

But, as Blackwell was at pains to point out, their opponents will present a serious threat whatever Ninian Park's coaching staff are having to contend with.

"Someone like Stephen McPhail will dictate a game if you let him," Blackwell warned.

"And they've got some exceptionally strong centre-halves like Darren Purse and Richard Johnson.

"The lad up front, Ross McCormack, has also done really well for them and has scored quite a few goals already.

"I don't care what anyone says, Cardiff will come here full of confidence and, even though I'm told they've not played particularly well at times, they've shown they've got to bottle to still come away with a result."

One such occasion came at The Keepmoat Stadium earlier this month when Doncaster, having beaten Derby County on the opening day of the campaign, were pegged back as Cardiff secured a fortuitious 1-1 draw.

Afterwards, Johnson courted controversy by criticising those fans who greeted the final whistle with a chorus of boos.

Having also returned a near 100 per cent record during their pre-season programme, Johnson and his teammates probably had a point.

But, as Blackwell's predecessor, Bryan Robson, discovered to his cost, you take on the crowd at your peril.

Even if truth and common sense are on your side, you seldom emerge as the winner.

"There's never a moment's peace in this division," Blackwell said.
"The days when you could look at a game and think 'that one's a gimme' are long, long gone.

"You look at one month, think that's damn tough, and then look at the next one and think that's even tougher.

"So, the only thing you can do is make sure that your own house is in order and not worry about anyone else."

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