Mid Wales

We asked Wrexham AFC fans for their views on what the Red Dragons still need to do before the start of the new Championship season in just under two weeks' time.

Here are some of the replies.

Mick: We must focus on improving our defensive record from last season. It is great to see a highly rated right wing back as our first new signing. Now we need to prioritise a top-class keeper but keep hold of Arthur Okonkwo too. We also need a commanding centre half and a ball playing defensive midfielder. Not asking for much really!

Al: We must still add probably a new keeper, a centre back and a striker who can score 15 goals in a season.

Tim: Phil Parkinson seems desperate for a new goalkeeper, but I am not sure why. I don't think we need major surgery hopefully the likes of Lewis Brunt and Zak Vyner can step up and we stay relatively injury free. Last season, we were an unknown quantity, but teams will be savvier against us now.

Jon: I think the priority is a top-class defender as leaking goals was an issue last year. We also need more cover in wide areas due to injuries and Issa Kabore leaving. Maybe also a creative midfield player. Not sure if Parky would agree but in him we trust, right?

Derek: I am not a Wrexham fan, but I think that too many signings cause instability. Wrexham have a great manager, great owners, and a strong team. Just one or two good signings will sort it.

Paul: This transfer window must be an improvement on the January window. We had a massive opportunity there as some of the championship big boys were frankly awful. Wrexham must not get second season syndrome.

We asked Cardiff fans for their views on what the Bluebirds still need to do before the start of the new Championship season. Cardiff have made just one signing but are closing in on another and looked good in their surprise pre-season victory against Italian giants Roma.

Here are some of the replies.

Lew: The team has promising youth backup in a lot of positions, but I think we would benefit from some further experienced support at full-back. Joel Bagan, Perry Ng and Ronan Kpakio all have their skills, but you can't expect them to make it through a season without getting injured. I think some more support up top for Yousef Salech will be key to scoring more this year too.

David: The manager and team did a brilliant job last season - yes it was League One but the manager was still newish to management, and the team was full of very young inexperienced players. We all know the Championship is very tough. We have lost some very experienced players and have only signed 1 player, our keeper on loan last season. We need the cliche 2,3,4 signings who are experienced in this league to complement the great young talent we have. Position wise, it has to be the spine; central defence, central midfield and centre forward.

Jeff: The end of last season showed Cardiff were only just capable of second place - not bringing in experienced championship players will result in probably getting four points from the first eight games. Then we will be trying to get some players in to join a club that doesn't know how to be successful. Cardiff City will probably go back down there's no forward strategy for getting into the Premier League. Our young players will run out of steam way before the middle of the season and probably get overwhelmed with injuries from youngsters trying to impress in a poor squad.

Lynn: Cardiff need a second striker, a central defender to play alongside Dylan Lawlor, a full back with experience, and Omari Kellyman back!

Jon: We need cover at left back, a central midfielder, two pacy wingers and a striker or we could well be back in League One next season!

Daf: BBM did wonders in his first full season, introducing more youngsters into the fold with Ronan Kpakio, Joel Colwill and other brief appearances with other youngsters in cup ties but personally we need more strength in depth. That means possibly another CB (if Dylan Lawlor goes to West Ham), a LB as we can't rely on Bagan all season, a Central midfielder, then two more wingers. Then we should give Roko Šimić a chance as we are going to need to be more physical in the top areas of the pitch.

Adam: We've obviously massively under-resourced at present. Fewer players than we had when we were in League One last year. But this is the way the summer transfer market works, not helped by it being a World Cup year. Biggest signing of the season is BBM extending his stay. In BBM we trust. Patience.

James: Dylan Lawlor staying is effectively the same as a £15m transfer. The bulk of the squad is a year more experienced and should handle the step up. Bringing Omari Kellyman back and a replacement for Ryan Wintle would be more than enough.

Stuart: We should keep playing the young lads from the academy. But we need to invest in a big bruising centre forward and a clever experienced playmaker to take the strain off the younger lads. Then we pray for an injury free season!

Image source, Getty Images

Swansea City forward Kyrell Wilson has joined Belgian top division side KAA Gent for an undisclosed fee.

The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Scottish Premiership side Falkirk, where he scored three goals and made one assist.

Wilson - a former Chelsea academy player - also had a spell on loan at National League side Yeovil Town after joining Swansea in 2021.

Despite featuring in multiple matchday squads, Wilson never made a senior appearance for the Swans.

Image source, Rex Features

Newport County boss Hayden Mullins has urged his players to concentrate on themselves when they complete preparations for the new season against Roma.

The Exiles host the Italian giants, who lost 4-1 to Cardiff on Saturday, tonight (19:00 BST) in Mullins' first game in the dugout at Rodney Parade.

County beat National League side Yeovil in the former Fulham under-21 boss' first friendly in the hot seat, but they face a different test this evening.

"We've got to concentrate on what we want to do, how we set up. They are a very good team," said Mullins.

"We could draw a Premier League team in the cup, for example, and it could be a similar set-up.

"We will try to get some bits into the boys about how we want to go about our game, work out of possession and how to potentially hurt them.

"It's a fantastic game for the fans, and for everyone. We are looking forward to it."

Newport will begin the 2026-27 season with a Carabao Cup tie against League One side AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, 8 August (15:00 BST).

Mullins' first League Two fixture as Exiles manager is against Rochdale on Saturday, 15 August (12:30 BST).