Planet Swans ArchivesBritton enters another season with the Swans today under yet another manager after a summer that saw his former midfield partner and manager disappear for the bright lights of the Premiership.
But despite the changes – that also saw nearly all the backroom staff depart as well – Britton believes that the target for the season could remain the same and there is no reason why the team cannot target a Premier League end to the new campaign.
Speaking to the Western Mail on the eve of the season Britton said “I don’t see why we should change our targets,
We have lost one or two players, but we still have a strong squad and I can see us doing well in this division.
“Whether that will mean we are fighting for the play-offs or automatic promotion, we’ll have to see. But we still believe we can make the top six and we have to be confident.
“We know this division, we know what it’s about and, while there are some quality teams involved, we have shown that we can beat anyone.
“I definitely don’t think there is anything for us to fear in the Championship and we aren’t looking at the table and thinking we might struggle.
“The summer has been fine, everything is a bit up in the air when you change the manager and backroom staff, but things soon settled down.
“A lot of the lads have had similar situations at previous clubs so it’s not a new experience.
“We have just pushed on and had a good pre-season with the new manager getting his ideas across in training.
“There hasn’t been too many changes. Both managers have the same outlook on football and, while there are changes in the training techniques, it has essentially followed on from last year.
“Obviously it’s disappointing when you lose quality players and a quality manager. But we have lost top people before at Swansea and, while some people have questioned what we will do, we have always come back stronger.
“I think that will be the case again. We have still got a very good squad here and, with the core of the team staying put, I’m sure we will be OK."
Britton will also come face to face with Richie Wellens this afternoon for the first time since the midfielder was cleared of spitting at Britton at the Liberty Stadium back in February. But was that a point of focus for Leon ahead of the game?
“I don’t want to talk about Richie Wellens,” he said. “That’s in the past now and my sole focus is on getting three points against Leicester.
“It will be a difficult start because they are a big club with Premiership experience and fantastic support. They have got a few good players there and they can be a handful.
“It will be a tough game because they are coming into this division on a big high after last year’s success. We know what that’s like so we will have to be on top of our game.
“It’s important we hit the ground running and get an early win under our belt.”
