Stoke City started the season with a deflating 2-0 defeat at Millwall, conceding both goals from set pieces. But there are 45 games to go and another month in the transfer window and a lot of work to do on and off the pitch.
Here are the talking points after the first match of the campaign. This could be a good season for Ben Wilmot but it can't be much of a secret that he looks more naturally fitted on the right of a back three rather than on the left.
As with the start of last season, it limits how much Josh Tymon can be brought into play down that side too. It wouldn't half help Stoke if they had a striker who could hold the ball up as well.
If he can do that and score regularly then that's the kind of forward Stoke haven't had for quite a while. If he can do that and also some Peter Crouch tribute at the other end to help defending set pieces, then it goes from game changer to season changer.