Cardiff City's form skyrocketed after their efforts in the January transfer window.
Steve Morison, the recruitment team and staff all have to take credit for that, but so, too, do the players who have been brought in.
Each player has made a telling impact since they joined the Bluebirds in the mid-season window, prompting many to wonder if any or all of them would be able to return next season.
Speaking about that earlier this month, Bluebirds boss Morison said: “All the conversations we’ve had with the clubs since have been really positive. We will have gained trust from a lot of them. All the clubs have sent down individual representatives to see how we work behind the scenes. They have got a complete overview of it. Plus the performances from those players have been excellent as well.
“I have no doubt in my mind, if the season stopped tomorrow, they’ll be going back better players.
“Would we be able to get any of those players back next year? Probably not, but we might be able to get the next one in line, because they know what we’re doing.”
Here, we look at how they have all fared and the Welsh club's chances of signing them again this summer.
Cody Drameh
While this is all subjective, of course, for many Cody Drameh has been the pick of the bunch.
The Leeds United right-back has been electric for the Bluebirds over the last two months and has made a massive difference to the side at both ends of the pitch.
One moment he will be defending his own goal, the next he is pressing the opposition goalkeeper. His pace is frightening, he rarely lets you down defensively and has an innate ability to dribble past players.
He has been sublime and it seems unthinkable that this rising star won't be playing Premier League football next season.
At present, Leeds are currently embroiled in the relegation battle in the top flight. If they do eventually drop down, the Elland Road club will no doubt want him to play a part in their bit to get back there. Failing that, another Premier League club would be silly not to sign him.
If Leeds do stay up, well new manager Jesse Marsch will need to convince Drameh he will play a sizeable role next year, or the right- back could once again take a stand and force his way out, just as he did in January.
That's just about Cardiff's only hope, really, because if anyone in the top flight has been watching him then they will know he should feature in that division next season.
Rating : 9/10
Chances of signing next season : 5/10
Tommy Doyle
The Manchester City loanee has been an incredibly classy operator since joining in January.
With no Harry Wilson or Lee Tomlin this season and a reliance on 19-year-old Rubin Colwill, fans were rightly concerned about a lack of consistent creativity in the final third.
Enter Tommy Doyle. He has looked a cut above with the ball at his feet and his work-rate off the ball is akin to a butcher's dog.
He has made such a difference and the rest of City's attack has been lifted as a result.
The 20-year-old has had a couple of off days, too, games which haven't quite suited him, but the Championship is a big learning curve for anyone and that is to be expected.
He is reminiscent of Conor Gallagher and it would be no surprise to see him enjoy a similar trajectory over the coming seasons.
Take Gallagher as an example. After his Swansea City loan, he returned to the Championship for another season with West Brom, getting more games under his belt and it allowed him to learn his trade better. He then joined Crystal Palace this season on loan and is flourishing in the Premier League.
That could be the route Doyle goes down and that's where Cardiff will think they have a chance of re-signing him. Doyle will want another year of regular football and Morison will be at the front of the queue throwing his hand in the air no doubt.
He has done well and there will be many suitors in the summer, from an array of leagues, but Doyle wanted to join Cardiff in January and it cannot be ruled out that he might want to do the same again this summer.
Rating : 8/10
Chances of signing next season : 6/10
READ MORE: All the latest Cardiff City news, views and features
Jordan Hugill
The Norwich City striker made a big initial impact in front of goal, scoring in two of his first three games.
While the goals have dried up, his importance to the side cannot be underestimated. His hold-up play is first class, while his control and link-up play have allowed Cardiff to affect things further up the pitch. He has also chipped in with a couple of assists, too.
His all-round game has ensured Kieffer Moore's departure to Bournemouth was not really felt too badly, which is exactly why he was brought in.
Following yet another defeat for Norwich City at the weekend, there is little doubt they will be a Championship team next season. They sit bottom of the Premier League with little to no hope of staying up now.
Hugill is a very good Championship striker and it is incredibly likely he will form part of Dean Smith's forward line next season.
After all, Cardiff could not afford to buy him and it would be an odd decision for Norwich to loan him out to a Championship rival, one would think.
His wages would also likely prove prohibitive, too, with Cardiff looking to trim the bill and sign an army of players this summer.
Rating : 7/10
Chances of signing next season : 4/10
Uche Ikpeazu
Another striker who has done well but in a different way to Hugill.
Ikpeazu has been impactful off the bench since joining from Middlesbrough, bringing some brawn when games have broken down and actually providing some clinical finishing when afforded the opportunity.
He was bright at the weekend, again off the bench, against Preston North End and is surely banging on the door for a start now. He will want to add to his three Cardiff goals before the campaign is through.
He has proved to be a very useful back-up option to Hugill and his vibrancy and enthusiastic ayatollah has endeared him to those in the terraces.
The 27-year-old appears to be out of Chris Wilder's plans at Boro and there is little to suggest that will change in the summer.
Given Cardiff fans have taken to him, he is performing and his parent club don't seem to want him, Ikpeazu himself would likely prefer a summer switch.
The problem is that the Riverside club forked out £750,000 for him ahead of this season and they wanted to recoup all of that sum with a sale in January.
While Morison has been an admirer for some time, Ikpeazu has two more years left on his Middlesbrough deal, meaning it is likely they will want to drop their asking price too much and thus probably pricing Cardiff out of a permanent signing.
Another year on loan seems unlikely, too, so unless Boro drastically drop the price then it seems unlikely. But never say never.
Rating : 7/10
Chances of signing next season : 6/10
Alfie Doughty
Doughty has been a really solid addition since joining from Stoke City in January.
He impressed on debut against Nottingham Forest before suffering an ankle injury in the next game against Barnsley.
Unfortunately for him, his injury coincided with the re-emergence of Joel Bagan, who scored three goals in three games in Doughty's absence amid a tremendous run of form.
Doughty struggled at QPR, but other than that he has been a really bright performer. He carries the ball brilliantly up the wing, is not afraid to take people on and can whip in dangerous crosses.
He has offered competition for Bagan and both are improving as a result, it seems.
Doughty is only 22 and once again has two years left on his deal in the Potteries. He has the potential to become a top left-sided player in this division and it seems unlikely Stoke would let him leave for a snip.
While he would no doubt add to Cardiff's options on the left side next season, it seems more likely they will turn their attentions elsewhere in the summer.
Rating : 7/10
Chances of signing next season : 5/10
For the latest Cardiff City news and analysis delivered straight to your inbox, you can sign up for our newsletter here.
