The 2023/24 Championship campaign kicks off this weekend and both Welsh clubs will be looking to challenge at the top end of the table over the course of the season
The 2023/24 Championship season is almost upon us!
The summer, as ever, flew by, but both Cardiff City and Swansea City have undergone sizeable change in preparation for the upcoming campaign, seasons in which both will want to improve.
The teams have new managers following the departures of Sabri Lamouchi and Russell Martin from Cardiff and Swansea respectively, while the Bluebirds have brought in six players to Swansea’s five so far.
But just how different are the clubs’ prospects this time out compared to how they finished the last campaign? Who will dazzle and where will they finish?
ardiff have been dire for years; Bulut has brought excitement back.
Surprise player/one to watch?
I’ll be intrigued to see how Rubin Colwill reacts to Ramsey’s arrival in the Welsh capital.
Bluebirds supporters will hope it will be a case of the apprentice learning off the master as the season progresses. Ramsey, for all the best will in the world, won’t be able to play every match in a 46-game domestic season.
Colwill will likely have to settle for cameos off the bench but the prospect of him being nurtured by the Wales skipper is a fascinating one. I don’t know too much about Josh Bowler, so I’ll be keeping tabs on him too.
Where will Cardiff finish and why?
Cardiff are still a few missing pieces away from completing the jigsaw. If you were, say, to put a Kieffer Moore into this team I think their chances of a successful season are automatically enhanced.
There is, currently, a sense of the unknown with Cardiff, which is both exciting and a little worrisome. The second tier is also at its most challenging this season, with big guns coming down and traditionally strong teams being promoted from League One.
As things stand I’d put them 14th. Sign a striker and a centre-back and I’d push them closer to the top half.
SWANSEA CITY
Tom Coleman, sports writer
Most exciting summer signing?
If/when it’s confirmed, I think Harrison Ashby could be a majorly impressive signing. The youngster can play right-back or in the middle, and has looked really good in his pre-season outings for Newcastle United. There even seems to have been a clamour for Eddie Howe to give him a real first team shot next term, which speaks volumes.
But of the players already through the door, the one I’m most looking forward to seeing in action is Ukrainian striker Mykola Kukharevich. I’ll be honest, I know very little about him, but anyone who impresses someone like Vincent Kompany has to be at least half-decent. Right?
Surprise player/one to watch?
At the time of writing, it now seems highly likely Joel Piroe will stay at the club beyond this summer, which is an incredible state of affairs, really.
From what I understand, a move is currently off the table unless Swansea change their stance on structuring a potential sale and put together a package that will appeal to the player’s representatives. That could still happen, of course. But if the situation remains unchanged, he will certainly be the man to watch. In full flight, he’s arguably the best striker in the league.
Where will Swansea finish and why?
If Piroe sticks around, I genuinely think there’s enough in that first XI to mount a top-six challenge, although Michael Duff is perhaps an unknown quantity at this level and might need a little time to get it right.
My main concern, however, is the level of depth outside that starting line-up. There’s still a real lack of depth in certain areas of this squad. I suspect Duff will try and get two or three more bodies in before the close of the window, but, at present, a couple of injuries here and there could easily cost them.
On that basis, I don’t think there’s quite enough for a top-six finish, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they were part of the conversation for a little while. I’ll go for ninth.
Mathew Davies
Most exciting summer signing?
The temptation here is to go with the strikers; Jerry Yates brings with him promise and a big price tag, while Mykola Kukharevich’s highlights reel looks decent.
But I’m going to opt for Josh Key. Swansea have lacked an attacking thrust from defence on the right flank since Ethan Laird was recalled from his loan stint and although Joel Latibeaudiere did well, he wasn’t a front-foot player.
From the brief glimpses we’ve seen over pre-season, Key looks like he could width and pace from the full-back position.
Surprise player/one to watch?
Nathan Wood was absolutely superb last season and his trajectory only points to him getting better.
He’s attracted Premier league interest from the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Brentford over the past few months and Swansea look to have a real player on their hands.
A solid base in this division is vital and Duff will hope Wood will continue to form a good partnership with Ben Cabango at the heart of defence. I referenced Yates and Kukharevich above; it will be interesting to see how they dovetail with Joel Piroe in a new-look front line.
Where will Swansea finish and why?
This is pretty much dependent on if Joel Piroe stays or goes. Keep him and Swansea have a decent chance of making mid-table. Lose him and it could be a right old slog.
I still think Swansea are a few bodies short. But then again, when have they not been? So I’m going 15th, if they keep the Dutchman.
Paul Abbandonato, Head of Sport
Most exciting summer signing?
Michael Duff. Well, the players the Swans have brought on board aren’t overwhelmingly exciting, so I’m going for the new manager.
The 45-year-old has a proven record with Barnsley and Cheltenham, was eyed by Swansea’s arch-rivals Cardiff City, but he fits the bill more as the kind of Swans manager they have gone for down the years. Young, with everything to prove. Like Russell Martin and Steve Cooper, plus a number of others back beyond that, too.
Duff has a burgeoning reputation within the game, hence the Cardiff interest too, but of course this is the next level up and he needs to show his methods can work in what will be a really tough Championship 2023-24.
Surprise player/one to watch?
Matt Grimes is hardly a surprise, but he is the one who makes the Swans tick and will need to again this season.
The skipper has been the best midfielder in Welsh club football over the past few years, albeit a certain Wales captain alters that dynamic this year, but Grimes is a class act and at 28 at the peak of his powers.
Russell Martin’s expected swoop for his old captain for Southampton hasn’t yet materialised, so if Grimes stays he’ll probably have another excellent campaign.
This hinges on two words – Joel Piroe. If he stays, his goals will win the Swans games they would otherwise have lost.
If he goes, it’s hard to see how the goal power and class he brings to the team will be replaced. Swansea can’t afford to let him go for nothing, so I suspect a deal will be done by Sept 1.
One way or the other it’ll be a bottom half finish I suspect, so let’s go slightly above midway and say 16th.
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