This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Regular Punter’ series, where we gather original opinions from select, passionate fans of the clubs concerned on matters surrounding their team and share them with a wider audience…

Football League World's Cardiff City fan pundit Rhys Davies has provided his thoughts on how the club have dealt with the absence of two of their key players so far this season, with both centre back Sol Bamba and goalkeeper Neil Etheridge having been sidelined through injury. 

Both players formed big parts of the Cardiff team's spine for much of last season, as they suffered relegation from the Premier League, with both Bamba and Etheridge playing almost every game last term for the Bluebirds as they just came up short of securing safety.

Davies was quick to bemoan their absence when asked about how key a miss they have been for the club this season, with the fan pundit stating:

"They have been a significant miss.

"They are two key players who probably would have added a few more points to the bluebirds tally this season."

When asked about how big a miss each player has been from an individual perspective, Davies said:

"Etheridge has been fantastic between the posts for Cardiff and deservedly gained plaudits for his premier league season.

"It was no surprise to see that a few premier league clubs were interested in the brilliant shot-stopper over the summer. 

"Sol Bamba has also been a massive miss.

"He was instrumental during the bluebirds promotion campaign two seasons ago and is now a cult hero at the Cardiff City stadium.

"Warnock has definitely missed his pace and organisation and will be eager to put the big man straight back into the starting eleven."

Before Davies then summarised the current feeling amongst the Cardiff City faithful by simply stating:

"The positive thing is that the bluebirds now have options, and with key players coming back into action, fans will be hoping that the team will climb the table."

Warnock will no doubt be eager to have two of his key players back at his disposal, as the Bluebirds look to build upon their mixed start to the campaign and subsequently climb the league table.

[freshpress-poll ]