On the back of two consecutive playoff exits after six years in charge, Cardiff City sacked manager Dave Jones and appointed Malky Mackay in his place.

Preseason expectations were varied following the Scot's arrival, who – despite his time at Watford – was still seen as an inexperienced coach. Indeed, with 12 men following Jones out of the door, most considered 2011-12 a season to rebuild.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look back at the Bluebirds' season as we reach the middle point of the campaign.

August

With three wins from his first three games – including one at West Ham on opening weekend – and a single defeat in his first month in charge, the Scot led the Welsh side straight into sixth place in the Championship.

Two wins in the Carling Cup at Oxford and at home to Huddersfield kept the club alive across competitions, while a 3-1 defeat at Brighton was their one low point heading into the second month of the season.

September

Mackay received a nomination for September's Championship Manager of the Month award after going undefeated in five and extending the club's unbeaten run to eight games overall.

Wins over Doncaster, Leicester and a draw at Bloomfield Road were capped off with a win against top-of-the-table Southampton to maintain their sixth-place position.

Meanwhile, the club had already beaten two of the top four teams and the only ones they had played.

October

The side's unbeaten run ended on October 1 at Hull, before a tie at home against Ipswich and another loss to Peterborough at London Road left them languishing in the middle of the table.

However, the club bounced back, beating Barnsley 5-3 at home and Burnley in the Carling Cup. One goal apiece at Elland Road allowed the Bluebirds to end their difficult month on a positive note.

November

Carrying their momentum into November, Mackay and company continued their undefeated run by beating five of their six opponents and taking a point from the other.

Triumphs over Derby County, Crystal Palace, Reading and Premier League outfit Blackburn Rovers in the Carling Cup completed the club's most successful month yet and lifted them into third place in the league.

Meanwhile, Mackay received his second nomination for Manager of the Month and beat out the competition to lift the award.

December

The Scot downplayed talk of promotion entering December as the club continued their longest unbeaten stretch of the season so far, beating Birmingham by a single goal at home.

However, a 3-2 defeat at home to Middlesbrough brought their 11-game unbeaten run – eight of which were wins – to a halt.

Mackay returned to his former club on Boxing Day, but could only lead Cardiff to a 1-1 tie, leaving them in fourth place in the table.