Doncaster 2 Cardiff 0

Prediction : 1-2

Thumbs up : Not sure there is one. I suppose we've got our first defeat of the season out of the way and out of the system. Boro lost too !. Still 2nd

Thumbs down : Bothroyd limping off early. Let's hope it's not serious, but he has 2 weeks to shake it off. Complacency, finishing, defending. Being caught by a second sucker punch and not being able to get back into the game.

In Conclusion : These defeats are inevitable. The fact that it's sooner rather than later I think is a good thing. Jones will address the complacency issues when the team see the DVD in the week, and we'll all move on

Observer Sports Writer boldly sticks neck out

Cardiff 3 Bristol City 0

Pre Match Vibe : On top of the world. Nothing but a win

Prediction : 2-0

First half : 2-0 up. Looked like it was going to be one of those afternoons in the first half hour...especially as we were trying to walk the ball into the net. A goal was due, albeit an own one, then Chopra's strike and goal celebration were absolute top drawer. We were playing some terrific football, with Chops having a hand in everything with his Midas touch.

Second half : More of the same, Burke and Rae bombing forward. Rae's finish was sublime. Should've been more.

Thumbs up : Where do you start. Chopra is unstoppable, Burke's turning into a real handful, Rae's getting forward, a solid performance from Adam Matthews, good shot stopping from Marshall. Gerrard looking like a no nonsense sort of centre half.

Thumbs down : I'm not interested in the negatives. Some had an average game, but it's days like these when you gloss over those sort of things.

Crowd Highlight : Realising that the away support were still there after 75 mins.

Man of the match : Chopra, Rae, Burke....you decide

CCFC verdict : We are purring. Massive win, great game, scoring for fun, keeping clean sheets. We played them off the park today and it's been a while since we've done that. Loved it

Visitors verdict : I honestly thought they were poor. They had their chances. Were unlucky with a shot hitting the post but never looked threatening. Nothing went right for them. Even the ref was getting in their way.

In Conclusion : Still not getting carried away. Just basking in the glow and enjoying the football. Remember these days because at some point during the season things ain't gonna go our way.

Plymouth 1 Cardiff 3

Prediction : 1-1

Thumbs up : The continued excellent start by Chopra. First senior start for Adam 'Stan' Matthews

Thumbs down : I suppose Capaldi being sent off, but it's academic as Kennedy should be returning

In Conclusion : Superb result. Fine away win. Banana skin avoided.

Good early form continues

The trip to Home Park could have been a potential banana skin in the waiting....remember last season. But we've come out of the blocks like Usain Bolt Berlin style, while Plymouth look more like Dwain Chambers chasing Jamaican shadows. Was a good time to play the Pilgrims and it's one banana skin well and truly thrown thrown in the trash. The weekend visit of the Wurzels looks very tasty indeed, what with them showing early promise and now sitting in 5th.

Chorpa's start is very promising....very promising indeed. 6 goals in 3 Championship games is only 2 off his grand total at Sunderland. We're starting to see some return on the 4 million summer investment.

Injury crisis, what injury crisis. We lose a diminutive Scottish striker for up to 2 months, a Scot and an Irishman pick up knocks, and it's panic stations. Yes, the Plymouth bench resembled a youth club more than football club, but it's giving these spotty teenagers good experience. A first senior start for Adam 'Stan' Matthews is great in my view. If he keeps this up, we can sell him to Spurs for 3 million in the January transfer window.

The lack of midfield reinforcements still worries me greatly...enough to wake me screaming in cold sweats at 3am (no that's the medication). I know these things take time, but the transfer clock is TICKING.

It's still very early doors yet and I'm finding it very hard to get carried away... like most grounded supporters, but the future's bright. The future's very bright...hi-vis away kit yellow to be exact.

It's 3 games into the Championship, and I'm gonna stick my neck out already.

1st - Middlesbrough

2nd - Sheffield United

Play off winner - the mighty Bluebirds

I've just had a vision of the future

Let's fast forward to July 2010. Sunderland have just finished a fairly respectable 15th in Steve Bruce's first season in charge. Michael Chopra has just bagged himself 28 goals to be the Championship's top scorer. Cue frantic speculation about Chopra's return to the north east after only one season.

"I love Sunderland", he quotes. "Don't get me wrong, I love Cardiff City just as much like, but my heart's in the north east. I'd love to go back to Sunderland and prove that I can make it in the Premiership. I know my time there was pretty disastrous but I've got a point to prove. All my demons are behind me, and I feel I can become the player the all the Sunderland fans wish for "

Outgoing Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale accepts a £3 million pound bid for him and says that the club is sorry to see him go, but Michael feels passionate for his homeland and it was very difficult to keep him here.

Cardiff City incidentally, finished the season in an unbelievably-history-repeating itself 7th spot after a 1-0 defeat away to Derby.

Blackpool 1 Cardiff 1

Prediction : 0-0

Thumbs up : Marshall. Great saves, especially from Euell.

Thumbs down : McCormack being stretchered off with a torn hamstring. He's gonna be missed.

In Conclusion : One hard earned, battered and bruised point. Although Blackpool is one of those places where we should be coming away with 3 points.

Cardiff 4 Scunthorpe 0

Pre Match Vibe : Confident, buoyant, slightly apprehensive (first day nerves)

Prediction : 1-0

First half : 3-0 up. What can you say. A bit sloppy first 10 minutes, but after we settled down some nice football was on show

Second half : Honestly thought we'd add another 2 or 3, but the numerous chances created just couldn't be converted. Foot was definitely off the gas as expected.

Thumbs up : Chopra (looked sharp, up for it and tracking back) Burke (his brief spell caused problems)

Thumbs down : Bothroyd was off the pace. Didn't feature as much as he usually does

Crowd Highlight : Singing 'We Are Top of the League' after half an hour. You've got to admire that confidence....and we are !!

Man of the match : Chopra (it's a massive season for him, and he's off to a flyer)

CCFC verdict : Good all round performance. Even McPhail had a decent game. Defence looked tight, if a little shakey in places. Looked settled and not nervy like what we're used to.

Visitors verdict : They're not a bad side really. I think they'll stay up....just. After promotion they've got nothing to lose. McCann, Woolford & Wright looked useful.

In Conclusion : Off to a flyer. We've beaten Scunthorpe that's all. Let's no get carried away