Matos spoiled for choice as Idah delivers

[Huw Evans Picture Agency] Adam Idah needed only seconds after coming on at Stoke to strike the blow which gave Swansea City the ideal start to the new Championship campaign. With Zan Vipotnik nursing a calf injury, Idah was Swansea's first choice up front during the majority of pre-season, and started the EFL Cup defeat to Birmingham City last weekend. Yet when league action began in the Potteries, Idah was back in the position he found himself in all too often last season – on the Swansea bench. Vipotnik started at the bet365 Stadium but, in truth, had little impact on the game, even if his attempt to head goalwards turned into an assist for Joseph Opoku's first-half equaliser. The Slovenia international was the star of Swansea's attack in 2025-26, but it was Idah who stole the headlines in Stoke when he rounded off a slick attacking move with a crisp finish to seal all three points for Vitor Matos' team. After a £6m move from Celtic last September, Idah's first season at Swansea was not easy, with a serious hamstring injury and Vipotnik's form combining to ensure he played only a limited role. Stoke was Idah's 20th league substitute appearance for Swansea, for whom he has made a mere six Championship starts. [Huw Evans Picture Agency] But the Republic of Ireland international is now up to seven Swans goals in the second tier. On average, he has scored once every 121 minutes while on the pitch, which is an outstanding return. The challenge in this campaign for Idah is to get more game-time. Vipotnik's situation will have an impact, of course, with Swansea waiting to see whether last season's 25-goal leading scorer will still be their player when the transfer window shuts in just over a fortnight's time. And this season there is a new contender for opportunities in Swansea's attack, with summer recruit Ross Stewart hoping to be available for the first time when Sheffield United visit next weekend. Swansea have work to do in the closing stages of the market, with greater depth required in midfield and central defence, But certainly, head coach Matos cannot complain about his options in attack.