Taking Flight Once Again: Swansea City

Some very good results in pre-season, especially the win over Werder Bremen, confidence should be sky high headed into a long and difficult Championship season

100% record in pre-season is always impressive, and that result against Bremen will be a huge confidence boost ahead of the season!

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Swansea City made a triumphant return to the Sky Bet Championship after a 2-0 win at Brammal Lane against Sheffield United.

In a game which marked Swans' boss and cult figure Leon Britton's competitive debut, Swansea proved to be too strong for Chris Wilder's side in an impressive display.

The visitors took control early on; forcing on-loan goalkeeper Dean Henderson to make a number of saves to keep the scoreline level.

However, the barrage of attacks finally paid dividence when Bersant Celina's free-kick wasn't deal with by Jack O'Connell and his miscued header was capitalised on by Tom Carroll - who headed home with half an hour gone.

Swansea's attacking nature was seemingly too overwhelming for the hosts, who couldn't get a foothold into the game, only really testing Swans keeper Kristoffer Nordtfeldt when Billy Sharp's smart shot was turned round the post by the Swede.

It was only a matter of time before the second goal came, one could argue, and it did so when Carroll combined with McBurnie. The goalscorer's cross met the head of the Scottish international; who found the underside of the bar before the ball hit the back of the net to double their lead.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder said he was "disappointed" by his sides efforts in the game, but gave credit to Britton and his Swansea side - saying that the result was "thoroughly deserved."

Britton spoke openly saying, "I was very pleased with the boys today. It was a magnificent performance and the bar has been set high for the remainder of the season. It's great to see all our hard work and preparation for this game has paid off - but now it's about focusing on the next game and ensuring these points are followed up."

Sheffield United XI: Henderson, Basham, Egan, O'Connell, Baldock (Freeman, 78), Stevens (Johnson, 71), Norwood, Fleck, Duffy, McGoldrick (Clarke, 67), Sharp

Swansea XI: Nordfeldt, Naughton, Van Der Hoorn, Rodon (Carter Vickers, 72), Olsson, McKay (James, 72), Fulton, Carroll, Montero, Celina, McBurnie

Replies

Griffin: I was very impressed with the result against Bremen, in particular. It certainly did us the boost going into the new season.

Justice: It is, you can never underestimate any side - regardless of their quality.

An excellent result for the Swans against a very good Blades side, repeat results like this and you'll have no problems getting out of the Championship at the first time of asking

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Swansea City have completed the signing of George Saunders, ahead of the deadline for Premier League and Football League clubs later tonight.

He signs from Colombian side Envigado for £21,500 - after Swansea took advantage of the midfielders non-contract terms.

The 29-year-old, born in London, has never featured for an English side in his twelve year career; which has taken him across Spain and Colombia. He has featured for the likes of Espanyol, Villerreal and Levante but failed to make an impact in the first-team before moving to Colombian side America de Cali in 2013.

Since, he has gone to make over 100 appearances across spells with five clubs - settling with his previous employers for the last three seasons. Saunders had already made 10 appearances this season in Colombia prior to his move to the Liberty.

He is the only British player to have played in South America, quoting "A lot of people are in the comfort zone but sometimes in life you’ve got to take a risk," on behalf of his unusual career path.

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Griffin: Very pleased to get the season off on the right foot. It's always good to start as you mean to go on.

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Today we have confirmed our squad for the Sky Bet Championship season. This is to comply within the rules of the competition, which require each team to register players for them to be eligible. Those who are not registered cannot feature until the registration window reopens in January.

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Ivorian striker Wilfried Bony has expressed that he is unsure if he will be eligible to play for the club after he returns from injury over work permit issues.

The 29-year-old is currently sidelined with damaged cruciate ligaments, an injury sustained at the back-end of last season; which keeps him out of action until November.

He rejoined the club last Summer, following a £12,000,000 move from Manchester City after a disappointing loan spell at Stoke the previous campaign. But failed to make an impact netting just twice in 15 games.

Bony had previously left the Liberty Stadium for Manchester, after completing a £25,000,000 deal in 2015 - but failed to live up to expectations, scoring just six times in 36 appearances at the Etihad.

The reports came following a conversation between Bony and club officials. Bony has represented his native Ivory Coast 50 times, but hasn't been capped since the African Cup of Nations in 2017 by the Elephants.

Therefore, the striker has serious doubts whether he will be granted a permit which will allow him to continue to play in the United Kingdom. It is believed that several clubs have shown interest in the forward, as a result, however Swansea have rejected these bids.

Manager Leon Britton said, "Wilfried is an important player and a very good player at that. If he is able to play for this club, then it's a huge boost. It would be devastating to lose somebody of his calibre - but time will tell. Currently, it's all just worry and nothing is set in stone."

"We will be having conversations with the relevant individuals regarding the situation. Once we find out the arrangements, then we can carry on this discussion; but for now, there's nothing more to discuss, really."

The squad is looking very strong for the Championship, and if utilised in the right way will be a real force this season! Getting Bony back and firing could be key for your promotion push and chances at staying in the Premier League if and when you get promoted

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"August was always going to be an important club for the club. It marked the start of our return to the Championship and the start of my competitive tenure here as a manager.

I have witnessed first-hand the up's and down's of management already. We began fantastically with three impressive results to be the only club in the division with an 100% record, keeping clean sheets in each game in the process. To then see five shipped past us by Marcelo Biesla's Leeds, a man I have great respect for.

In that game, it served as a reality check for the players. We were trying to be too clever and were too confident after such an impressive start. It was key that we bounced back in a game that means a fair bit to the supporters [Bristol City] and we failed to do so.

I cannot lie, it had me thinking that all the great work had been undone at that point. The dressing room was downbeat, realistically, who's dressing room wouldn't after conceding eight goals in two fixtures? But, we had a midweek game to prepare for against Brentford in the Carabao Cup to complete the month.

Therefore, the lads worked harder on the training pitch. Usually, I would allow for rest after a game but they were put through their paces more so than ever, I'd say. I want my team to play for the fans and I don't appreciate when the fans are disappointed in such a way after two, I have to say, shameful displays.

It worked. We managed to seal our place in the Third Round of the Carabao Cup - booking a home tie against Reading. A competition we are hoping to make our mark on.

All in all, it has been a month of real tests. It has tested my abilities as a manager and that's something that I think will really benefit us in the long run. To be handed a reality check now is much better than it happening towards the back end of a season - when perhaps the response won't be there at all.

It's important that we look to get back to winning ways in the league. The expectations are high and we don't want to slip behind our rivals - leaving us having to play catch-up, we want to be in control of our own fate. I'm confident in the squad, who have definitely responded after those two results in the league and therefore have optimism.

A trip to Millwall is certainly not the nicest of fixtures to begin September on, followed by Forest and Stoke; but getting results there will definitely prove to be a boost."

Replies

Griffin: I love the squad, it's balanced well with a number of young players capable of starting. Bony will certainly be a man welcomed if we can nurse him back to fitness and no such issues rise with his work permit.

Nice to see our boys stick five past you In all seriousness, Championship is a league where anyone can beat anyone, there is a long way to go and you've had the benefit of a good start

A bit inconsistent to start with but the Championship is extremely competitive at times! I envisage a title-winning run to come soon!

A steady start, hopefully this team will improve as the season goes on and the inconsistencies will be ironed out and the Swans will be a real force

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Scottish midfielder George Byers has confirmed he will be out for the majority of the season, at a minimum, after scans showed he had damaged his cruciate ligaments.

The 22-year-old suffered the injury playing for Swansea in an U23 game against West Ham United, where he captains the Swans side. He has yet to make a first-team appearance for the club - however had been tipped to make a breakthrough this campaign.

Scans revealed that Byers will be out until February, at a minimum, but is it likely that the Scotsman will be out for the remainder of the season.

Swansea under-23's coach Cameron Toshack stated: "It's a real blow for us. George is an incredibly talented footballer and I am absolutely gutted for him. He had real potential to make an impact in the senior squad this season and Leon [Britton] was keen to hand him an opportunity over the coming few weeks."

"You know you'll always get 100% from him. He has that love for the game and has great heart and desire; the type of player any manager wants to have in his team. It truly is a massive shame and we all wish George the best in his recovery."

Defender Cameron Carter-Vickers is also set to miss the next few weeks with injury. The American suffered a calf-strain in the Carabao Cup win against Brentford in midweek and therefore won't be available for the trip to Millwall on Saturday. Wilfried Bony is the only other absentee for the Swans.

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Jack: Knew you'd be happy with that when I played it. The Championship is certainly interesting in that regard and it's important we look to get back on the right path quickly.

Justice: One can hope! You never know in this division.

Griffin: It's a young squad, so it can only get better with team; I think. Fingers crossed that is indeed the case.

Frustrating to say the least, but you're more than capable of dealing with his absence, up the swans!

Big blow, without a doubt, as he seemed to be promising. Hopefully he can come back next season with resilience and be better than ever.