Rubin Colwill could make his first Championship start against Burnley on Saturday as Cardiff City test themselves against one of the favourites for promotion. Colwill’s inclusion is only theoretical, though, and certainly not something that can be guaranteed.

Luke Williams pulled no punches and admitted Swansea City got what they deserved from their Championship opener – nothing. Opponents Middlesbrough won on the opening day for the first time in a decade as Emmanuel Latte Lath continued his blistering form from last season with the only goal in a 1-0 victory. Latte Lath scored 17 league goals in his first campaign on Teesside and took just 25 minutes to open his account this term, netting from the spot after Isaiah Jones was fouled inside the box.

Swansea City’s hopes of reviving their flagging fortunes rest squarely on the shoulders of new striker Žan Vipotnik this season. The 22-year-old Slovenian spent the summer at the Euros in Germany with his national side before committing himself to the Championship club following the demise of Bordeaux in Ligue 1 in France.

When it comes to the long ride ahead of a Championship season, nothing prepares a manager better than some time in the saddle. Which may account for the difference in approach between this summer and last for Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut. A year ago, the German-born Turk was bold in his declarations that promotion, or a top six finish at least, was his aim for the campaign.

The summer transfer window used to be a frothy cocktail – all foam, sprigs of mint and mini-umbrellas – before the start of the new football season. But this year’s is more like a flat pint of lager served in a plastic cup. Low on fizz, energy and sparkle.

Swansea City have signed Slovenian striker Zan Vipotnik on a four-year deal. The club were in desperate need of strengthening their forward resources ahead of the new Championship season and have recruited a 10-cap international who played at this summer’s Euro 2024 finals.

Welsh coaching guru Osian Roberts is spending his summer watching the seeds he has planted across Europe come into full bloom. It might have been a very different few months for Roberts had he not decided to withdraw himself early on from the race to succeed Rob Page as Wales manager.

He may not have quite matched Billy McCandless’ 1948 record of winning his first three games in charge, but Graham Potter did okay as manager of Swansea City. There was no promotion from the Championship to the Premier League – the Swans finished 10th in his one season in charge in 2018-2019 – but there was enough to admire to realise why England may now be keen to make him their successor to the departed Gareth Southgate.

Graham Potter says he feels “really ready, really excited” to return to football management, but would not comment on speculation linking him with the vacant England job. The former Swansea City boss has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in April 2023 after just seven months in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Former Swansea City head coach Russell Martin has backed Nathan Wood to thrive in the Premier League after signing him for Southampton for a cut-price £3m. The England Under-21 international has signed a four-year deal at St Mary’s and is reunited with Martin, who he played under at the Swans.

Joe Rodon has completed his permanent move from Tottenham Hotspur to Leeds United for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £10m. The Wales defender returns to the Championship club following an impressive loan spell at Elland Road last season. He has now committed to a four-year contract, extending through to the summer of 2028.

Thierry Henry once flogged Renault Clios by talking about “va va voom”. But now it’s Wales who want to add some glamour to a bog-standard banger with the suggestion they want him to manage a team stuck on the hard shoulder.