It’s the start of a new season, full of optimism with a new head coach and the much anticipated return of Swanselona football.
Steve Cooper - head coach, Mike Marsh - assistant head-coach, Steve Rands - head of performance analysis, and David Tibet first-team fitness coach have all departed.
Eight players have left, possibly nine. Andre Ayew, Marc Guehi, Freddie Woodman, Conor Hourihane, Kieron Freeman, Declan John, Barrie McKay, George Byers, all departed, Matt Grimes departure pending.
For today’s match Jay Fulton and Joel Latibeaudiere are suspended, new signing Liam Walsh has a hamstring injury, Wayne Routledge and Connor Roberts have long term injuries, and last season’s team captain Matt Grimes is injured/recovering from Covid/departing for Fulham - take your pick.
Which leaves the squad threadbare and an opportunity for fringe players to impress.
The team selection, the formation and the tactics are hard to predict as we go through this transitional phase.
In contrast Blackburn have no such problems with a settled side, no incomings, but a rumour that their leading scorer last season, Adam Armstrong, could be on his way to Crystal Palace.