It’s a pleasant feeling, an opening day win for the first time in five years.
Blues were decent value for the 1-0 success at Swansea City in the Carabao Cup first round, although nobody is suggesting there isn’t work to do still.
But also apparent from the afternoon in south Wales is that Blues are carrying themselves differently away from home.
They didn’t have as much possession as they often enjoyed last season on the road (39 per cent; that has to be tempered by the fact Swansea are all about keeping the ball, too).
And they wrestled the initiative, keeping Swansea pretty much at arm’s length in the second-half after addressing issues that caused concern in the first period, showing physicality and a will to try and finish things off with another goal.
Blues, it seems, won’t be as aesthetically pleasing away from home this season, but they will try to be more efficient and effective.
Part of that is their concentration on being a problem from set-pieces – and they were here, making Swansea cower on the Gower.
Blues didn’t pepper the goal, and big chance creation away – and therefore in theory more goals – is something that Chris Davies has acknowledge needs to be improved this season.
August Priske’s 44th minute goal – a real poacher’s, darting across to the front of the six-yard box to deftly turn in Carlos Vicente’s driven invite – was the difference in the end.
It was heartening to see Priske continue his pre-season form and get off the mark immediately in real action. He again showed signs of becoming a troublesome, active leader of the line.
The squad still needs some new recruits, for the frontline and midfield.
Paik Seung-ho was trusted as the number 10 by Davies due to injury to Kanya Fujimoto and nursing of Demarai Gray after a niggle, which meant Jay Stansfield had to do duties wide on the left at the start.
Paik is OK as a 10, but we know that’s not going to be his regular position. Similarly Stansfield who, whilst he can do a turn on the flank, is more effective centrally.
Swansea, giving debuts to three players, were brighter and threatened sporadically during an untidy but gritty beginning by Blues in the opening half-an-hour.
The sight of opposition players quickly breaking lines and coming through Blues was an uncomfortable reminder of one of the problems away from home in 2025/26.
But Blues addressed that, got their distances and positioning better and at the beginning of the second-half, for a 20 minute period up to a raft of substitutes – Swansea made four changes in one fell swoop – went at their hosts and came close to taking it away from them for good.
The breakthrough was sparked by a long throw from Priske of all people – who knew? – which Stansfield nodded goalwards, forcing a tip-over save.
From a deep free-kick by Alex Cochrane two minutes later as Blues continued to apply pressure, confusion and indecision plagued Swansea ranks and Vicente, near the byline, put the ball towards the six-yard box with a controlled, punched cross on the full and Priske did the rest.
Blues pressed well and caused Swansea to cough up possession high on numerous occasions and they were press-resistant themselves by tending to go longer the majority of the time. Doing what it takes.
In the 70th minute, James Beadle made an outstanding low stop after Ben Kabango got a shot in after the ball rebounded off Christoph Klarer to him during a penalty area melee.
It was a sound, all-round performance by the goalkeeper who was pushed forward to take the acclaim of the away support afterwards, which can only gladden his soul considering the grumblings on socials after he came back on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Another standout for Blues was Jhon Solis, who seemed to be everywhere when it mattered. He is growing into a vitally important cog in this Davies side, and his upside remains high.
Davies brought on Gray for Paik, allowing Stansfield to go into the 10. Then Ethan Laird came on for Stansfield and Luis Vazquez for Priske, who showed up competently on his debut cameo.
Laird played in front of Bright Osayi-Samuel (who also had an excellent game) in those last 18 minutes, Davies opting for his athletic running and recovery power instead of Patrick Roberts’ more intricate skills, and Vicente moved into the 10 role.
Again, a nod to Blues doing what it takes in the moment away from home.
When Beadle came over a crowd of bodies to claim a high ball into the box in the fifth-minute of added time and snaffled it into his chest, the Blues fans cheers were loud for that was that.
Blues had done a decent job in their first game. And there’s something about a 1-0 away win, isn’t there?
It left Davies to reflect: “I thought it was an excellent day for us
“It wasn’t about being perfect – it never is – it was about having the right attitude in every moment.
And I thought we had that throughout the game. Our approach, competitiveness, concentration – excellent.
“There were times where we had to work really hard. But we looked a threat. Swansea are a really good footballing team, but we got after them and looked a threat, especially from our set-pieces.
“We looked like a different animal, at times, to last season. We have to build on it.”
