Managers Dave Jones, Brendan Rodgers, Dean Holdsworth and Dean Saunders
It never seems to be a dull summer in Wales when it comes to its football clubs and the build-up to the 2010/11 season has been no different.
Cardiff City's off-the-field problems have continued despite a £6m investment by a Malaysian consortium. The Bluebirds are to face a fresh winding up order this month and have had a transfer embargo placed on them which has prevented the signing of new players ahead of the new Championship campaign.
Swansea City's managerial merry-go-round was in full swing again when boss Paulo Sousa quit after a year in charge to take over at Championship rivals Leicester City. Brendan Rodgers has been installed as his replacement and will be tasked with taking the club forward even further which would be the play-offs.
There has been much less action down in the Blue Square Bet Premier though with Wrexham and promoted Newport County quietly working away in preparation for the new season.
So can Cardiff learn the lessons from last season's play-off final heartache and make it to the Premier League? Will Swansea continue to surprise in the Championship? Can Wrexham win promotion back to the Football League at the third attempt or could Newport steal their thunder and go up at the first time of asking?
BBC Sport Wales website reporters David Dulin and Peter Shuttleworth along with BBC Wales' football commentators Rob Phillips and Simon Davies have given their predictions on how they think the four Welsh clubs will do this season.
Below each set of predictions, you can find links to the individual club previews for the new campaign which kicks off on 7 August for the Football League and 14 August for the Blue Square Bet Premier.
David Dulin Cardiff will want to bounce back from their play-off heartache but the continuing financial woes and transfer embargo have already wreaked havoc to their preparations for the new season, and unless they can sort everything out quickly, it could be a long campaign ahead with a very small squad.
One to watch: Peter Whittingham Championship: 11th (higher if the embargo is lifted) Carling Cup: 3rd round FA Cup: 5th round
Peter Shuttleworth The start of this season is very much an anti-climax for Cardiff after their Championship play-off final heartbreak, but Dave Jones is a manager that has the knack of transforming disappointment into determination. Cardiff's threadbare squad will soon catch-up with them if the transfer embargo is not lifted and reinforcements are not signed quickly.
One to watch: Chairman Dato Chan Tien Ghee Championship: 11th Carling Cup: 3rd round FA Cup: 3rd round
Rob Phillips Yet again Cardiff City need to get over the hangover of last gasp heartbreak. But summer financial trials and tribulations have been a huge hindrance. Manager Dave Jones has worked miracles and this summer he has had to attempt to conjure something with hands tied. The club's first 11 or 12 team is still better than most, but the squad needs bolstering.
One to watch: Dato Chan Tien Ghee - chairman holds purse strings and key to everything Championship: Play-offs if Jones gets a fair hand - otherwise 10th. Carling Cup: Without a keeper - 1st round FA Cup: 4th round
Simon Davies It could be a difficult season for Dave Jones' side. The transfer embargo has restricted his options of bringing in new faces and the loss of Joe Ledley is a huge blow to the midfield. Having said that, so far, the bulk of the squad which reached the play-off final is largely in tact. Whether they can get over the disappointment of the Wembley defeat remains to be seen.
One to watch: Adam Matthews Championship: 10th Carling Cup: 4th round FA Cup: 4th round
David Dulin Swansea have gone through the managerial change again this summer, but there is an air of optimism over new boss Brendan Rodgers despite his short-lived tenures at Reading and Watford. Play-offs will be expected by some, but top half is a more realistic target given another year of upheaval and the loss of key midfielder Leon Britton. The strike-force needs bolstering too.
One to watch: Joe Allen Championship: 9th Carling Cup: 3rd round FA Cup: 4th round
Peter Shuttleworth Leon Britton's departure from the Liberty Stadium is a massive void to fill as he was integral to Swansea's defensive and offensive strategy. So Brendan Rodgers must do a little tactical readjusting while goal-scoring - or the distinct lack of it - was Swansea's problem last season and their strike-force still looks a little light-weight. But the Swans, now harmonious after Paulo Sousa's departure, and Rodgers do have a Championship point to prove.
One to watch: Joe Allen Championship: 10th Carling Cup: 4th round FA Cup: 3rd round
Rob Phillips Another summer, another manager. But chairman Huw Jenkins has an excellent track record in picking the right man. On past form, Swans fans need have no fears about the playing style Brendan Rogers will adopt, but he will need time and will want added punch in attack to build on last season's highest placing for more than a quarter of a century.
One to watch: Darren Pratley Championship: 11th Carling Cup: 3rd round FA Cup: 4th round
Simon Davies The players will have to quickly adapt to life under a new manager - but that is nothing new for them. Brendan Rodgers wants to continue with the philosophy of passing and ball retention, and that is a good thing as the Swans are used to playing that way. But the loss of Leon Britton could be a significant one. He has been a midfield linchpin and a vital player in keeping possession, something the Swans pride themselves on.
One to watch: Stephen Dobbie Championship: 12th Carling Cup: 5th round FA Cup: 4th round
David Dulin If Newport ever had the chance to take the bull by the horns then this is it. County are on the crest of a wave after their superb championship-winning season last year and they are within a very good shout of causing some upsets in their first season in non-league's top flight.
One to watch: Craig Reid Blue Square Bet Premier: 7th FA Cup: 2nd round FA Trophy: 4th round
Peter Shuttleworth Manager Dean Holdsworth will hope his team's momentum from their record-breaking season continues back at non-league's top level. But the romance of Newport County being back in the Conference will not win them anything other than friends. However, some solid pre-season signings and a determination from those that won the Blue Square South in such style to prove their worth at this level can ensure a positive first season in the Conference for the famous Newport County.
One to watch: Gary Warren Blue Square Bet Premier: 8th FA Cup: 1st round FA Trophy: 3rd round
Rob Phillips Absolutely brilliant last season, got title in the bag early and showed great professionalism to push on for records. With momentum on the field and fervent support off it, Newport are well equipped to continue their historic progress and should make the step up especially with Dean Holdsworth at the helm.
One to watch: Dean Holdsworth Blue Square Bet Premier: 10th FA Cup: 2nd round FA Trophy: 2nd round
Simon Davies Judging by the way they got promoted last season, County will be high on confidence and could start well at this level. The real test will be if they can sustain good form throughout the season and how they cope with losing a few games, something they haven't been used to. Whatever happens, it is an exciting season ahead for them.
One to watch: Sam Foley Blue Square Bet Premier: 13th FA Cup: 2nd round FA Trophy: 4th round
WREXHAM
David Dulin Wrexham cannot afford another season of struggle and manager Dean Saunders will be under pressure to deliver at least a play-off place in his third season in charge. A good start is imperative to both his and Wrexham's fortunes and a couple of decent signings could just help that.
One to watch: Andy Mangan Blue Square Bet Premier: 9th FA Cup: 1st round FA Trophy: 2nd
Peter Shuttleworth This is a managerial make-or-break season for Dean Saunders as he enters his third term at the Racecourse with some much-needed non-league experience paying dividends as Wrexham seem to now boast a much stronger and more physical and proven squad at this level. Wrexham were defensively sound last season and with the handy Andys of Morrell and Mangan up-front, the Dragons finally boast the fire-power to compete at this level.
One to watch: Dean Keates Blue Square Bet Premier: 4th FA Cup: 3rd round FA Trophy: QF
Rob Phillips Disappointing last season, Wrexham ought to be better for two seasons of Conference experience. Dean Saunders will have learned much and will want to make the most of the lessons from his first full campaign. Crusaders are making a summer splash, the Dragons need to cause winter waves.
One to watch: Andy Mangan Blue Square Bet Premier: 6th FA Cup: 2nd round FA Trophy: QF
Simon Davies Nothing less than the play-offs will surely do for Dean Saunders this season. The Dragons have not performed in two campaigns of Conference football and that has to change. They have found it hard to string a few positive results together, hopefully that can change this time around. Saunders has brought in some new faces, but that does not always guarantee success.
One to watch: Andy Mangan Blue Square Bet Premier: 5th FA Cup: 1st round FA Trophy: 4th round
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