Rate the job Mick McCarthy has done so far out of 10

What signings do Cardiff need?

IT promises to be a busy summer for McCarthy and the Bluebirds board.

They will need to freshen things up if they are to mount a charge for the playoffs next term and that means bringing in some fresh faces.

We asked WalesOnline readers where Cardiff need to strengthen most this summer and the results were pretty conclusive. With a whopping 54 per cent of the vote (1219 votes), midfield is the area Cardiff fans would most like to see bolstered this summer.

It has been pretty noticeable that there has been a lack of go-forward and control in that midfield area this term. Often games simply bypass them with the defenders constantly sending balls up to Moore or down the channel.

Adding a ball-playing midfielder at least gives Cardiff the option to change things up in the middle and play a different way if Plan A is not going well. So, that’s top of the list for fans, it seems.

In second place was a striker, with 27 per cent of the vote (606 votes). Moore is clearly a shoo-in, but it would seem more than a quarter of our sample size are unconvinced by the back-up options already in situ. And in third

Who should they sign?

SO, we then asked supporters to put the names of the players they wanted to see signed and there were some standouts.

Topping the bill with a sizeable 31 per cent of the vote (627 votes) is Sheffield Wednesday’s Josh Windass. The playmaker has just been relegated to League One, but it is not unlikely he will seek Championship football next term, given his ability.

In second place was Peterborough hotshot Jonson Clarke-Harris, who has smashed in 31 goals for Posh this season to earn them promotion to the Championship.

He will come with a hefty price tag, though, owing to his splendid season and the fact he is contracted there until 2024. One would think this transfer would only be possible if Moore was sold for a decent sum of cash, too.

The abrasive nature of Clarke-Harris’ play will certainly be appealing. He received 18 per cent of the vote (371 votes).

And in third place is Manchester City’s Liam Delap, a player Cardiff have been linked with for a loan move next season.

Also, a mention for Owls striker Jordan Rhodes, too, who is out of contract this summer. A notable 11 per cent (230 votes) want him to be a Cardiff City player next season.

AND, last, the manager. McCarthy came so very close to producing the mother of all turnarounds following a fantastic start to his reign.

The momentum just hit a bit of a brick wall after the international break, though, with a succession of poor results which ultimately curtailed the Bluebirds’ play-off drive.

Given McCarthy was first tasked with staving off relegation, finishing in eight is a more than decent feat.

The fact there was a tantalising glimpse at the play-off places, though, might have left some with a slight tinge of disappointment.

Rightly or wrongly.

But in a survey of more than 2,000, 33 per cent of supporters (760 votes) rated McCarthy a seven out of 10.

The next best was eight out of 10 with 26 per cent (601 votes) and in third was six out of 10 with 15 per cent share (334 votes).

It’s fair to say, heading into next season, the manager is on a solid footing with the fan base.