With new boss Paul Trollope now at the helm, there is renewed optimism around the Cardiff City Stadium after the last few seasons of mediocrity.

Trollope will be looking to put his stamp on the side and enforce his philosophy on the team and hopefully have a successful season.

Trollope's first managerial job was with Bristol Rovers for whom he took charge of over 250 games, leaving the club with a win percentage of just over 37%.

In the 2006-2007 season he led Bristol Rovers to promotion into League One after being successful in the League Two play-off final. With only the one job previously in management some fans have questioned whether he has the experience to take the club forward, Trollope will be desperate to prove any doubters wrong and will be hopeful of a successful reign at The Cardiff City Stadium.

This article takes a look at THREE players who will form the core of the club next season.....

 

David Marshall 

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Club captain David Marshall has been the subject of intense transfer speculation over the last few transfer windows, with many reports linking the 31-year-old, with a move to the Premier League however a move is yet to materialise.

All associated with the club will be desperate to hang onto the Scottish international as he is a key player in this Cardiff City team, he adds experience and composure to the squad and breeds confidence through the back four when he's between the sticks.

The former Celtic and Norwich man has been at the Cardiff City Stadium since 2009, when he joined from Norwich in a deal reported to be around half a million pounds.

Since then, he has gone onto make close to 300 appearances for the Bluebirds and has been a regular in team in each and every season since joining the club, including Cardiff's one and only season in the Premier League to date.

During the 2013-2014 season he picked up the Cardiff City player of the year award, and it is clear that if Cardiff are to force their way up the table he will need to be at his very best between the sticks.

Sean Morrison

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Big central defender Sean Morrison is another crucial player in this Cardiff City team, he is an imposing strong figure in the back four who is excellent in the air and just as good at timing a tackle.

The 25- year-old has been at Cardiff since 2014 when he signed from Reading, penning a four year deal with the club.

Since signing he has gone onto make 73 appearances for the club, scoring an impressive 9 goals, he has proved on numerous occasions that he is just as effective in the opposition penalty area as he is in his own and is a real asset when it comes to corner kicks, free kicks and throw ins.

Morrison started his career at Swindon Town where he rose through the youth setup and into the first team, he made a total of 60 appearances for the club scoring 7 goals before he was plucked by Reading FC, and made his move over to the Madejski Stadium.

Morrison struggled to make the sort of impact he would have liked at the Madejski and only made 45 appearances before moving onto Cardiff.

Morrison will be hopeful of a successful season in the forthcoming campaign, and I'm sure would be happy to add to his already impress goal tally.

Peter Whittingham

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Peter Whittingham is almost part of the furniture down at The Cardiff City Stadium he has been there that long, Whittingham will be playing his 11th season with Bluebirds next time out.

He has made over 400 appearances for Cardiff and has scored 89 goals in that time, he is a midfield playmaker in this Cardiff City team and he is relied on heavily as a source of both assists and goals.

He is also the set-piece specialist of the team, Whittingham can deliver a wicked corner and has a deadly free-kick in his arsenal.

He possess excellent vision and has a keen eye for a killer pass, if Cardiff are to push themselves up the table next season it is clear they will need this man at both his creative and goalscoring best.

Whittingham has won the Cardiff City player of the year award on two occasions, during the 2009-2010 campaign and also during the 2011-2012 campaign.

Also, Whittingham has been inducted into the Championship team of the year on three separate occasions, during the 2009-2010, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons.