Swansea City's Championship season is just around the corner and there's a noticeable level of optimism and anticipation buzzing around.
Compare that to this time last year, when a poorly-handled upheaval saw Russell Martin rushed into the hot-seat, just two weeks before the first competitive ball was kicked.
What followed was a cobbled together season of transition. One riddled with frequent mentions of 'conditioning', as well as individual errors, contract disputes and, ultimately, a largely underwhelming mid-table finish.
But Swansea's ambitions are likely to be a little higher this time around, with Martin adding the finishing touches to his first full pre-season at the helm.
So, who comes out of the summer as the winners and who are the losers, so to speak? We take a closer look...
Winners
Russell Martin
We'll start with the obvious one. Martin always felt that a botched summer of preparation had left his squad poorly equipped to deal with his style of football last term, and was persistent in stressing the importance of bringing his players up to speed, before progress could even be entertained.
However, he's had an entire pre-season to cast an eye over his squad this time round, a luxury he wasn't afforded last time, and hopefully the green shoots of progress will start to grow further.
In a way, the pressure on Martin has perhaps increased. After a full summer of preparation, it will be increasingly more difficult to claim that the players haven't yet fully grasped Martin's philosophies. A previously patient Jack Army may subsequently be less forgiving should things start to go pear-shaped.
However, to dwell on that point is to overlook the cause for optimism around the camp at the moment, which would be a huge mistake. Everyone has bought into the task at hand, and there's a real sense of excitement about the potential capabilities of this team.
The outgoing Flynn Downes declared a full pre-season under Martin's guidance could help to build a 'scary' team capable of dining at the top table of the Championship next season. Martin himself certainly appears confident that his side can hit the ground running.
"It's been really nice to have a bit of time with the players. I think, physically, the players are in a really good place. They've put a lot of hard work in.
"Now it's about being fresher for the games rather than really working them hard so we can get as much out of the game as we possibly can. Every day, every week, every game that goes by, we just have that bit more clarity on what we need to prioritise to be ready for the new season."
Jamie Paterson
The dispute around Jamie Paterson's contract was a significant sour note for the Swans last season, but is now a speck in the club's rearview mirror.
For a fleeting period back in January, there were real doubts over the forward's future in SA1, which given his immense contribution to Swansea's attacking efforts would have clearly been a significant blow.
But after missing several weeks of first team action, he was brought back into the fold and, after the club activated an extension in his contract to keep him here until next summer, the bridges that were seemingly burned in January looked to have been rebuilt.
The announcement of another 12 months on his current deal has only helped to further draw a line under the saga, and that's good news for everyone.
The recruitment team
The transfer window can sometimes be a rather harrowing time for Swansea. But this summer has, on the whole, been a reasonably successful one for the club's recruitment team.
Yes, losing Downes to West Ham has clearly been a blow, but bringing Joe Allen back home is a move that more than makes up for that disappointment.
Nathan Wood's willingness to learn has seen him rather curiously described as a 'sponge' on the training ground, while Harry Darling and Matthew Sorinola come into this squad well aware of what it take to succeed under Martin's system due to their time at MK Dons together.
Swansea have recruited well so far, although there are admittedly a couple of other areas Martin would still like to strengthen, including at right wing-back.
There are also still some players the club would clearly like to move on in order to grease the wheels of those further incomings.
But having got the bulk of their business done so early and so successfully leaves them well placed ahead of the new campaign.
Cameron Congreve
The youngster is clearly one of the most highly rated prospects at the moment and could well be poised for a big campaign, following an impressive run of form in pre-season.
It's already been a significant summer for the 18-year-old, who put pen to paper on a new deal earlier this summer, despite interest from Scottish giants Rangers.
His sparkling performance against Charlton at the Valley, which was capped off with a wonderful assist, will only act as further fuel for plaudits from a fanbase that knows a thing or two about talented youngsters.
Should he continue on his current trajectory, there's every chance we may see more of him over the coming campaign.
Losers
Ryan Bennett
Once a stalwart under predecessor Steve Cooper, Bennett has struggled to adapt to the Martin era, and is one of several players to have been made available in this window.
Bennett hasn't been given a squad number ahead of the new campaign, the clearest demonstration yet that he's not in Martin's plans for the new season, and hasn't even been in a matchday squad since March.
He sat out much of Swansea's pre-season schedule, too. As well as being omitted from the games with Plymouth and Charlton , he didn't travel with the Swans to their week-long training camp at Pennyhill Park at the beginning of the summer.
There doesn't seem to be a way back for the 34-year-old under the current regime and, with his contract now up at the end of next summer, there's a feeling something will have to give.
Clubs elsewhere have already begun to take interest in his situation. It's understood Reading have been monitoring developments, although it remains to be seen whether they'd have the finances to secure a deal.
Nathaneal Ogbeta
The versatile defender deserves credit for the way he's bounced back from previous injury woes, and has actually been heavily involved in the club's pre-season plans.
Not only did he take part in the club's training camp at Pennyhill Park, but he also featured in the pre-season fixtures against Haverfordwest County, Colchester United, Forest Green Rovers, Plymouth Argyle and Bristol Rovers.
However, he wasn't involved in Swansea's final game of the summer against Charlton Athletic at the Valley, and it's understood he's been told he doesn't feature in Martin's first team plans next season.
Liam Walsh
The 24-year-old was withdrawn in the opening half of his side's pre-season win over Haverfordwest County at the beginning of the summer, and was later found to have ruptured his Achilles.
The midfielder was due to go under the knife earlier this month, and now faces a significant spell on the sidelines.
“It is so unfortunate because Walshy was in a brilliant place and had come back in really good shape,” assistant boss Matt Gill said at the time. “He was training and playing well. It is a really tough one for us to take, as it obviously is for Walshy.
“He is going to have some surgery on his Achilles. We will make sure he gets looked after properly and he gets the care and attention he deserves and needs.”
To compound matters, Walsh was another player Swansea were open to cashing in on this summer, with the former Everton man earmarked as a the possible source of funds needed to seal Allen's homecoming shortly before Downes departed.
His long-term future in SA1 remains uncertain.
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