New Swansea City head coach Russell Martin insists he is hopeful captain Matt Grimes will remain at the club. Grimes was expected to join the raft of other players who have moved on since the end of last season and has been linked with Premier League Brighton and Watford as well as the Swans’ Championship rivals, Fulham. Bournemouth are also understood to have re-activated their interest in the player in the past few days.

The New Saints have been warned to expect a very different task when they bid to hold onto a two-goal Europa Conference League advantage in the Czech Republic tonight. FC Viktoria Plzeň manager Michal Bilek has told opposite number Anthony Limbrick he will face something far tougher than was served up by the Czechs when they came to Wales. Limbrick’s team moved into a 4-0 lead at Cardiff City Stadium last week before conceding two late goals.

By Tom Prosser  Marley Watkins only has a Cardiff City contract until the end of August but he may have just earned himself a longer one as he bagged a brace against Sutton United in the 1st round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday Evening. Watkins’ goals played a big part in the Bluebirds coming from behind to record a 3-2 win over the Football League’s newest team. “He’s done his chances of signing a longer-term contract no harm,” said Cardiff manager Mick McCarthy.

By Tom Prosser New Swansea City signing Flynn Downes is eager to start working with his new gaffer Russell Martin and has revealed the former MK Dons boss played a big in his decision to move to South Wales. “I am buzzing to be here, it’s a massive club and I cannot wait to get going,” said the 22-year-old. “I spoke to the gaffer, and I just liked the way he came across, the players they have got and it all just added up for me. “The style of play massively appeals to me, I played against the gaffer’s side with Ipswich last year and I think we only touched the ball about four times during the entire game.

Marlon Pack admitted Cardiff City’s tribute to Peter Whittingham left him with a lump in his throat – and a protective arm around teammate Joe Ralls. For the first time since Whittingham died last year at the age of just 35, the return of supporters for the opening day 1-1 draw with Barnsley meant Cardiff fans were able to join an emotional big screen tribute to arguably their greatest player. Images of Whittingham, and his goals, triggered a heartfelt response among the Bluebirds players and midfielder Pack – who opened the scoring – revealed: “I found myself choking up and getting a lump in my throat. 

Michael Flynn had his faith in 42-year-old striker Kevin Ellison rewarded with an opening day 1-0 victory at Oldham. County experienced late delight in Sky Bet League Two as Ellison’s goal handed them a gritty away win in his 24th season of professional football. It was his 160th goal. The hosts were without five key men due to Covid-19 protocols as well as injuries and lacked the necessary spark up top in the absence of Dylan Bahamboula and Hallam Hope.

New Swansea City manager Russell Martin insists he was encouraged by his team’s “courage” in trying to adopt his passing style, even though his first match in charge ended with a 2-defeat at Blackburn Rovers. The Swans suffered opening day defeat at Ewood Park – a venue where they have not tasted victory for 50 years – with Jamie Paterson marking his debut with a goal. The visitors had trailed to a Sam Gallagher goal and a Ben Brereton penalty after a mistake by Swans keeper Steven Benda, but finished the game strongly as they adjusted and adapted to a new gameplan and style of play under the 35-year-old Martin.

Mick McCarthy joined Cardiff City fans in an emotional tribute to the late Peter Whittingham – before hailing another sweet striker of the ball playing in blue. The Bluebirds manager admitted he once tried to sign Whittingham, who died in March of last year, meaning this was the first opportunity of returning fans to honour arguably the club’s most talented player in their history. After a big screen tribute to the midfielder, along with more than 200 fans who have passed away in the past 18 months, it was left to McCarthy’s new signing Ryan Giles to rekindle memories of Whittingham’s artistry.

Newport County will be looking to ease the pain of their play-off final heartbreak by getting their new season off to the perfect start when they travel to Oldham on Saturday afternoon.  Michael Flynn’s side were condemned to another season in League Two after Morecambe were awarded a controversial penalty in extra-time of their clash at Wembley just over two months ago. Since then, Flynn has had a big rebuilding job to do, he has signed 12 new players to replace the 16 that have left. 

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.

By Tom Prosser It may be the start of a new season for Newport County but once again the Rodney Parade pitch is not making things easy for Michael Flynn’s men. The playing surface is currently being re-laid at Rodney Parade and the work is taking longer than first planned. County now as a result face at least five consecutive away matches when also taking into account their League Cup match against Ipswich.

New Swansea City head coach Russell Martin has admitted he can give no guarantees star men Matt Grimes and Connor Roberts will stay at the Liberty Stadium. The frank assessment is likely to encourage the club’s Championship rivals they might be able to prise either away from the Swans on the eve of the new season. But Martin also insists the club can be competitive in the promotion battle and has dismissed suggestions momentum will wane after two play-off failures and the ending of parachute payments.

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.

New Swansea City manager Russell Martin has revealed he sounded out former boss Graham Potter before deciding to move to the Liberty Stadium. Martin has been appointed Swansea’s new head coach on a three-year deal, but needed to gain a positive reference for the club from Brighton manager Potter, who was in charge at the Swans before recently departed head coach Steve Cooper. “I spoke to Graham, and he spoke so highly of the club, of the people and of the area,” said Martin, who has moved from MK Dons.

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.

Swansea City have turned their attention to new managerial targets – including former Chelsea assistant Jody Morris – after reportedly being snubbed by QPR’s John Eustace. The Swans are in a mess of their own making after parting company with former head coach Steve Cooper last week and revisiting links with Eustace, who was on their shortlist when Cooper was appointed two years ago. But despite interviewing the 41-year-old, Eustace has informed Swansea he is staying in west London.

Steve Cooper was encouraged to sign a new contract with Swansea City before it was mutually agreed he should leave, according to the club. The Swans – who have already been linked with QPR assistant manager John Eustace, Lincoln City’s Michael Appleton and MK Dons’ Russell Martin – confirmed on Wednesday evening that Cooper had left The Liberty Stadium after two years in charge. It’s a departure that seemed likely when the Swans failed to win promotion to the Premier League in May after losing their play-off final to Brentford after the Welsh head coach was linked with a number of other jobs.

Former Cork City goalkeeper Noel Mooney has pledged to make the FAW “one of the best football associations, globally” after being appointed as their new chief executive. Mooney, who played for Limerick, Cork and Shamrock Rovers in the League of Ireland, is joining from UEFA, where he currently works as head of strategic development. He succeeds Jonathan Ford, who stood down at the end of March after he had been placed on gardening leave in February. He had been in post for 12 years.

By Rob Carbon The difficult task of replacing Josh Sheehan and Joss Labadie at the heart of the Newport County midfield next season is now starting to take shape. Manager, Michael Flynn will be hoping that Congolese international Christopher Missilou is the man to fill that void.  The 28-year-old has signed a one-year deal earlier this month after being among 13 players let go by relegated Swindon Town and will bring with him a wealth of Football League, as well as current international, experience to Rodney Parade.