After a summer of upheaval, it’s time for answers
LESS than three weeks have passed since the World Cup came to an end in Russia, but here we are preparing for the start of the new domestic campaign.
It promises to be an intriguing season for Swansea City under the guidance of new manager Graham Potter as the 43-year-old is handed the considerable task of reviving fortunes after relegation from the top-flight.
That process begins in earnest tonight with a challenging trip to a Sheffield United side who were firmly among the promotion contenders last term.
With the number of Swansea departures reaching into double figures and plenty of incoming business needed in the coming days and weeks, there will be a number of talking points and pointers for what lies in wait.
Here, we assess some of the issues and questions to which we should start to get answers in South Yorkshire.
Formation
Potter has said on several occasions that he will look for Swansea City to be flexible and be able to play effectively using more than a couple of variations in set-up.
Nevertheless, seeing how he sets up at Bramall Lane will be instructive in terms of where he sees certain players fitting in.
Bersant Celina has been described as a central playmaker, so does that mean we see the use of a 4-2-3-1 system?
The acquisition of wingers would suggest Swansea will operate with two wide men rather than wingbacks, but is that how it will play out in practice?
Could Potter use three at the back and allow Celina and Barrie McKay to roam behind Oli McBurnie rather than using two traditional widemen?
Tonight should provide us with a few clues and a clearer picture after a pre-season where the manager has had to mix and match between those destined for the exit door and some of the squad’s younger players.
Captain
When asked earlier this week, Potter would not be drawn on who he would select as his captain. Perhaps understandably he has bigger things to be thinking about than who pulls on the armband. The responsibility has been shared around during preseason with Jordi Amat, Wayne Routledge, Nathan Dyer and Mike van der Hoorn among those to lead the Swans.
Federico Fernandez skippered the side for most of last season but his future has been uncertain with Newcastle wanting him on loan and there being interest from elsewhere.
If he leads the side could that mean he is prepared to stay?
It has to be said there is a lack of obvious senior leadership in the squad as it stands, could the new manager be minded to give a younger figure the chance as he looks to rebuild and re-establish Swansea’s identity?
Other clubs have gone for leadership groups rather than pinning it all on one man, could that be an option?
We will soon find out.
Does Ryan Woods play for Brentford?
While Swans fans will be focusing on their own game, they may also be keen to cast an eye on the Brentford line-up when the Bees team to face Rotherham at Griffin Park is announced. Talks have been going on for some time over a move to Swansea City for midfielder Ryan Woods, a player Potter is understand to be very keen to add to his squad ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline.
Bees boss Dean Smith admitted earlier this week that the 24-year-old had been affected by the interest in his services and was unsure whether he would have him in contention for selection. “Ryan Woods is a possible” Smith had told his pre-match press conference on Thursday.
“Obviously there’s the speculation and the bids we have had and he’s been a bit stressed about that. We gave him a couple of days off but he’s been back today.”
Should he be absent, Swans fans will hope it is a signal that the former Shrewsbury man will soon be in SA1.
Does Federico Fernandez play for Swansea?
Similarly it would an interesting development if Fernandez is named in Swansea’s starting line-up.
The centre-half had previously admitted he wanted to play top-flight football, and there has been interest in him from Newcastle and FC Krasnodar.
But Potter has spoken favourably of the former Napoli man’s attitude and application over the course of preseason and suggested he would have no issue putting him in his XI.
Doing so may not be a clear indicator that the 29-year-old is going to stay but it will add a different dimension to the final few days of the transfer window giving it has looked likely all along that he would leave.
It’s also worth considering how short of cover Swansea would be if they sell Fernandez and do not bring a defender in.
The new boys
There have not been as many new arrivals as Swans fans, or Potter for that matter, would like to have seen this summer but they should get a glimpse of three, if not four, new faces at Bramall Lane.
Celina and McKay only arrived in South Wales earlier this week, but they were quickly incorporated into training and are in contention to feature. Even if they do not start, they will surely get a run off the bench and get the chance to leave a first impression on the Jack Army.
Joel Asoro should also see some game time after showcasing his speed during pre-season, while Yan Dhanda has shown some impressive poise for a teenager following his arrival from Liverpool.
Hopefully a few more will be following them through the ‘in’ door, but some bright moments and a good start for the new Swans would be a boost for all concerned.
Away day blues
It would be an understatement to say that following Swansea City on the road in recent seasons has been a rather joyless undertaking.
Over the previous three campaigns the Swans have won just 10 out of 57 games on their travels, a victory rate of just 17% and last term there were just two to cheer at Crystal Palace and Watford.
It might be unrealistic to expect that trend to start being bucked with victory against a Sheffield United side who are a fair way through their own rebuilding programme, while Swansea are just starting theirs.
But Potter has talked of the need for his charges to exhibit some resilience and toughness when under duress. He will want to see some fighting spirit and willingness to battle as an absolute minimum. >
SWANSEA City have confirmed their squad numbers ahead of the 2018/19 Championship season.
Plenty of iconic shirt numbers were up for grabs, with the likes of Lukasz Fabianski and club legend Leon Britton both no longer playing for the Swans.
And the club have announced that Swedish international Kristoffer Nordfeldt will don the No.1 jersey for the upcoming season.
Britton’s No.7 jersey will now be occupied by winger Jefferson Montero who will be eager to revitalise his Swansea career following loan spells with Getafe and Emelec last season.
And another major change sees Scottish forward Oli McBurnie claim the No.9 shirt while Federico Fernandez will take Alfie Mawson’s No.6 following the Englishman’s move to Fulham.
As far as the new signings are concerned, Bersant Celina has been handed the No.10 jersey while Joel Asoro, Barrie McKay and Yan Dhanda will wear the No.16, No.19 and No.30 shirts respectively.
The other swaps see Welshman Connor Roberts take the No.23 shirt, Martin Olsson wear No.3 having previously worn No.15 and Jay Fulton occupy No.27 having previously been No.56.
It comes ahead of the Swans’ first season in England’s second tier since they gained promotion from the division under Brendan Rodgers in the 2010/11 campaign.
The Swans open up their campaign against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday evening, with their new shirt set to feature three different sponsors.
In addition to their main Bet UK sponsor, their shirts will also be emblazoned with the logos of Swansea University as well that of the Mind mental health charity.
Swans COO, Chris Pearlman, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the Mind initiative. We understand how hard it can be to start conversations about your mental health and how important it is to break down the barriers people face.”
“Our players will be proud to wear the Mind logo this season and we hope to inspire people to open up about their mental health.”