Forget Kieffer Moore for a minute, or fellow Wales Euro squad man Rubin Colwill, the Cardiff City player who has caught the eye in pre-season has been Ryan Giles. Now, the 21-year-old winger will be hoping to continue to make a firm impression by helping the Bluebirds to an opening win of the season in their first fixture at home to Barnsley on Saturday. Giles – a name older Cardiff fans will recall with affection when they think of another wide man who wore blue, namesake David – plans on getting returning Bluebirds supporters off their seats this year.

Look who’s back! The Football League kicks off the new season on Friday night when West Bromwich Albion travel to Bournemouth. Cardiff City, Swansea City and Newport County are all in action for the first time on Saturday. So, what to expect from 2021-22? Fraser Watson suggests managerial experience of a particular league, on its own, is over-rated when it’s stacked against a whole load of other demands. In the immediate aftermath of Steve Cooper leaving Swansea City, a development seemingly inevitable and yet so untimely, discussion amongst supporters soon turned to his likely successor. Indeed, a mere hour or so after a club statement confirmed the departure, I sat in a golf clubhouse with three other regular hackers, who – perhaps oblivious to the financial constraints at the Liberty Stadium – banded about the predictable names.

By Tom Prosser Cardiff City beat Newport County 2-0 on Saturday as both clubs completed their pre-season fixtures with the new season now just days away. Joe Ralls scored the opening goal with a stunning strike from outside the box and former Newport loanee Mark Harris scored with a neat finish from close range after some good work by the impressive Ryan Giles. The Bluebirds and the Exiles will begin their league fixtures on Saturday against Barnsley and Oldham respectively.

By Paul Jones Cardiff City welcomed fans back for the first time in nearly 18 months yesterday but with a 4-0 defeat to Southampton and issues with the new digital ticketing system, the club will be hoping for improvements both on and off the pitch. With the new season fast approaching in just 10 days time, the Bluebirds will be looking for clarity from the Welsh Government about whether they can welcome back a full crowd or not for their opening Championship fixture at home to Barnsley. Due to the uncertain nature of how many fans will be allowed into the ground, Cardiff have been forced to put in place a digital ticket system where fans had to scan their mobile tickets on a device in order to gain access.

Cardiff City manager Mick McCarthy has told striker Isaac Vassell to concentrate on regaining full fitness, rather than worry about scoring goals. Vassell reminded McCarthy – as well as Bluebirds supporters – that he remains a valuable option for the club next season with a goal in the 5-0 pre-season friendly win at Bath City. It was Vassell’s first appearance in a Cardiff first team shirt for almost two years after a string of injury problems since he joined the club from Birmingham City in 2019.

Wales’ Euro 2020 hero Kieffer Moore had to be protected after a gruelling domestic season impacted by Covid-19, interim manager Robert Page has explained. Former lifeguard Moore was Wales’ saviour in their tournament opener against Switzerland as his second-half headed equaliser secured a 1-1 draw in Baku. The 6ft 5ins Cardiff City striker had only started two of the eight games Wales had played since manager Ryan Giggs went on leave in November, with Page preferring to play a false nine alongside two widemen.

Kieffer Moore insists he will take confidence from a goal against Switzerland he believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic would have been proud of. The Wales striker – nicknamed Zlatan by his Cardiff City teammates after a 20-goal season in the Championship – has pushed himself into the Euro 2020 spotlight with his equaliser for Wales against Switzerland in the 1-1 draw. Now, Moore has turned his attention to Wales’ next game against Turkey on Wednesday, which is likely to be the pivotal in their attempts to reach the tournament’s knockout stages.

As Wales prepare to start their Euros campaign, much of the debate has turned to team selection. Does Robert Page play Kieffer Moore, or go with a “false nine” and rely on the different skill set of a player such as Harry Wilson. For Jack Hammett, the call for Page may be just as much about opponents Switzerland as it is about his own side. Many fans, pundits, ex-players and Cardiff cabbies are saying it’s insanity for Wales not to start Kieffer Moore in their opening match against Switzerland on Saturday in Baku.

Jonny Williams insists he will not be affected by speculation about his future as he prepares for yet another historic European Championship campaign with Wales. Williams, 27, was released by Cardiff City despite only joining the club from Charlton Athletic on deadline day in January.  With his club future uncertain, speculation has been rife about his next steps following the conclusion of this summer’s tournament.

Cardiff City fans have reacted with anger and disappointment over the club’s decision to release Sol Bamba. The defender – who announced last month that he is cancer free following his battle with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma – has been moved on along with Joe Bennett, Junior Hoilett and Euro 2020-bound Wales midfielder Jonny Williams at the end of their contracts. Bamba, Bennett and Hoilett joined the Bluebirds in 2016 and made a combined total of 478 appearances.

Rubin Colwill – Cardiff City’s 19-year-old midfielder – has been included in Wales’ Euro 2020 squad after just 191 minutes of senior football. Colwill is the surprise name in a 26-man squad skippered by Gareth Bale and containing the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Daniel James, Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon. There are eight survivors from the group which reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals in France – Bale, Ramsey, Ben Davies, Chris Gunter, Danny Ward, Joe Allen, Jonny Williams and Wayne Hennessey.

While Swansea City make plans for Wembley and a shot at promotion to the Premier League, things are a bit more low key at present for Cardiff Ciity. That’s not to say they are inactive, but Jack Price reckons home-grown talent, and its suitability for the Championship, is high on their agenda. Cardiff City have shown a willingness to get their transfer business done early this summer but it could well be players within their own back yard they eventually spend more time weighing up. Striker James Collins has already arrived from Luton Town and while cynics will argue his recruitment is a re-stock job before they sell Kieffer Moore, few would argue it’s cheaper to buy before sellers smell desperation.