Cardiff City's pre-season began with a 3-2 win over League One outfit Cambridge United. While clubs will often tell you that little can be read into these friendly fixtures, there are still decisions which are being made and boxes which need ticking.
Cardiff will have a number of questions which they will want some sort of concrete answer to over the coming weeks before that opener against Norwich City kicks off on July 30, which you can read more about here. Top of that list will be where the strikers stand and what City's striker stable will look like before the transfer window closes on September 1.
Here, we take a look at the four forwards now under the microscope, where they stand and what the plan is moving ahead for them...
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James Collins
Few could argue with the notion that James Collins' Cardiff City career hasn't panned out the way he expected. He came with goals in the bank from his previous clubs and knew then-manager Mick McCarthy really well from their time together with the Republic of Ireland.
He looked to have slotted in seamlessly last pre-season, too, but for a whole manner of different reasons, including the performance and tactics of the team around him, it just didn't click when the campaign began in earnest. With a misfiring Kieffer Moore also in situ, too, it all amounted to a pretty feckless start for City's striker's last year.
A couple of goals eventually came after the change of manager, before he was bombed out all together from January, with Jordan Hugill, Uche Ikpeazu, Isaak Davies and Mark Harris all usurping him in the pecking order.
Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley has admitted Cardiff told them Collins was available to leave this summer, while Derby County appear to be leading the race for his signature.
But he has taken part in full pre-season and scored in that win over the U's, that will do his chances of sealing a move no harm. Cardiff would ideally like a striker in before Collins is allowed to leave, but it might not transpire that way. Probably needs a fresh start and, at this stage, it looks highly unlikely he will be in the Welsh capital come the start of September.
Max Watters
Probably the one there is highest hopes for among the existing striker clan. Those at the club believe there is a good Championship striker in there and believe he has the weaponry in his arsenal to show it this season.
The 23-year-old is an accomplished finisher and has shown that in divisions below the Championship. The challenge now, of course, is to make a meaningful impact in the second tier. He will be an important player for Cardiff this season and the Bluebirds will need a decent goal return from him if they are to even start thinking about being anywhere near that top six.
It is hoped the change of style will perhaps suit him more. He will be more dangerous with the ball on the ground for a larger share of time. With the ball in at his feet and more opportunities to get it out of his control before quickly snapping out a shot, there is hope we might see a better Max Watters over the next 12 months.
Scored against Cambridge, a couple more before the season starts will do his confidence a world of good.
Mark Harris
There has been speculation about moves away for Mark Harris in the past, to Championship, League One and even German clubs. That's probably because, by now, he might have expected to be a nailed-on starter. But he is invariably a bench option and a more than capable one at that.
The Wales international makes a far greater impact off the bench than he has done when he starts games, a player, to be fair, every team needs. But, like Watters, he will want to kick on this season and really push for a starting spot on a more regular basis.
Quite where he will be used in the upcoming season is unknown, too. Would he be more effective on the left or right of a front three, stretching out defences, running the channels and pressing the opposing full-backs? Or is he confidently staking a claim for a striker spot? If it's the latter, he will know his goal return will need to improve.
But he has rarely let Cardiff down since he has been brought into the fray and has impressed when given the chance on international duty, too, which shows that he can thrive with better players around him and in a system which potentially suits him better.
So, certainly someone who will play a part, provided he stays and isn't offered a more attractive move elsewhere, but in what capacity remains to be seen at the minute. A close eye should be kept on how he is used in pre-season and in the opening games of the Championship campaign.
Isaak Davies
You can potentially cut and paste a lot of the above in this section. An exciting, rapid talent who enjoyed a purple patch following the turn of the year. It led to some believing he might even be in line for senior Wales honours himself.
Like Harris, his goal return has been meagre so far and that will need to change if Cardiff are going to start looking up the table, but his dribbling ability at pace is a real asset and is another reason why he might lend himself to a wider role rather than as a striker.
It's a big year for him, though, and, frustratingly, he will start it a little undercooked due to him being out rehabilitating a knee injury for most of pre-season.
Wouldn't expect him to be going anywhere before the window shuts, though, that's for sure. But the lack of goals from him and Harris will almost certainly force Cardiff into the market for one, potentially two centre-forwards.
...Rubin Colwill?
OK, well, here's the wildcard pick. Where does Rubin Colwill play this season?
City have packed out their midfield options in the transfer window, signing Ebou Adams, Romaine Sawyers and Andy Rinomhota, while Joe Ralls, Ryan Wintle and Eli King are still with the club. A very welcome headache for Steve Morison to have heading into the season.
Where does Rubin Colwill figure, then? Well, he doesn't appear naturally quick enough to play on the wing, although that might be an option for him, while playing at the tip of a midfield three relinquishes some defensive stability.
If Cardiff operate in a system of two strikers, deploying Colwill as the deeper-lying one might become a very real option this season. A playmaker with the ability to create and score, with the right strike partner it might just be the perfect spot for him in this new-look City side.
Again, one to keep an eye on in pre-season and at the start of the campaign...
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