After gaining many new friends along the way last season en route to a more than satisfying finish, the previous two Champions of League One meet head to head at the Walkers Stadium tomorrow as the 2009/10 season gets underway.
And whilst it has been a turbulent summer at the Liberty which saw the manager and many familiar faces depart, Paulo insists that he is not about to make mass changes and sees his role as one of evolution rather than revolution.
Speaking to the Western Mail, the Swans boss said “It is about evolution, things must be open and on-going. Football is not always as simple as two plus two equals four – it is evolutionary, it is about dynamism and progress.
“And that is what I am looking for as a manager.
“I am not surprised from what I have seen here. I said before I joined, Swansea were one of the best footballing sides in the division and everything I have expected, I have.
“I have seen players progress already in different ways, I have seen us adjust our game and progress after losing players.
“That is evolution; losing important players, but still progressing in other ways.
“We have made a start, we have had pre-season where it is about building important principles and identity.
“Now, with focus, that can help us to start better than we did last season.
“Then the different demands from every game will help this evolution, for players as individuals and for players as a team.
“And I will work hard every day to give the best I can to my players to help this evolution.
“What I expect from the season is to see high levels from my players,” said Sousa on his hopes for the coming campaign.
“The predictions from the critics isn’t so nice for us.
“But that is because predictions normally depend on who you buy or don’t buy.
“Yet, from the beginning, I said I expected good levels from my players and from that to be in the top 10.
“If we can get different players in with different levels and different characteristics we can be looking higher.
“That’s what I want, that’s the ambition and what the players will expect.
“But we have to focused every day to stay on the right way, which is about winning. It will be winning differently in different ways, but the aim is always to win.
“I have to respect what these critics say, but I know what I expect. Perhaps at the end of the season then we can talk again.
“The first game of the season is important,” the 37-year-old added.
“There are key points all the way through a season. And, of course, starting well is one of those.
“We have prepared well. The majority of the players are at their best levels.
“What do I know of Leicester? I know everything I need to know about them.
“They are a typical English team, with key points important to their game. very strong in the air, with quick players in the channels.
“But, with all the respect we have for our opponents, we want to make our own game and not the one of our opponents – and that’s what we go to Leicester to do.
“And going into this game what more can you ask for as a player or a manager to have our supporters sell-out the tickets before the end of the week, to know that they are all behind us?
“What more can you ask for than a nice stadium and a good pitch to play? That all gives me confidence in my players and myself to get a result.”
