This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Comment’ series, this content strand is where the author of the article issues their personal opinion on the topic at hand....

Cardiff City have made an indifferent start to life back in the Championship following their relegation last term, but they managed to extend their unbeaten home league run on Saturday with a 4-2 victory over Birmingham.

The Bluebirds have not lost a league match at the Cardiff City Stadium this campaign, and Joe Ralls netted a hat-trick to ensure this run continued against Pep Clotet's Birmingham side.

The impressive home form of Neil Warnock's side has saved their season so far. Cardiff have failed to win an away match this term, but their home record has helped them to 14th in the Championship this season, while the Bluebirds' midfield has been the key area where they have impressed during these matches.

Ralls was central to this against the Blues with his three goals from the centre of the park, while the likes of Marlon Pack and Leandro Bacuna also delivered strong performances over the weekend.

The impressive form of this midfield trio has created tough competition for places in Warnock's side this term, and it has left one forgotten man without a league appearance under his belt since mid-August.

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Will Vaulks was signed on a permanent deal from Rotherham over the summer following the Millers' relegation to League One, but Vaulks is yet to establish himself in the Cardiff side and he now finds himself low in the midfield pecking order.

The Cardiff fans will have reserved judgement on Vaulks' playing abilities given his lack of game time, but it cannot be a good thing for a player's personal development if he is stuck on the bench every week.

Vaulks will have of course expected a tough challenge in breaking into the Cardiff side, but he cannot have expected to have made just one league start this season, and he will surely be considering the possibility of a loan move in January.

At 26, the Wales international is at an age where he needs to play regular first-team football. He is no longer a young player as he now enters the prime years of his career, and this means he will be itching to make an impact for his side.

It is perhaps too early for Vaulks to judge whether he is regretting the switch to South Wales, but a Januray loan move would definitely be a positive move if he fails to break into the Cardiff starting line-up before then.

Warnock will be reluctant to let Vaulks leave as this would reduce his midfield options in the second half of the campaign, but the midfielder should prioritise himself in this situation by pushing for a temporary switch to improve his playing time.