Optimism levels high ahead of new season?

I have to say that over the course of the shortest close season in history, optimism levels have risen amongst Swansea fans thanks to some strong transfer activity and built on that run to the play offs at the end of last season.

It has become almost the norm during the close season to become a little pessimistic about our chances especially in the past few years with relegation struggles in the Premier League followed by the financial challenges that the relegation bought about which has seen many more departures from the club than arrivals.

But following a flirt with the top 6 under Graham Potter we secured that play off spot last season thanks to the most incredible 25 minutes of football I think I have ever seen at Reading to overturn the deficit against Nottingham Forest.  It may have ended with defeat ultimately in the semi final but given our form, better football and that night at Reading maybe this will contribute to the increased optimism we are seeing?

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Then you factor in some good additions this summer.  Freddie Woodman and Marc Guehi have both returned on a season long loan and we have secured the signing of Morgan Gibbs-White who is highly rated by just about everyone that has seen him.  Add in Jamal Lowe (Wigan) and Korey Smith (Bristol City) and you have the additional development of what seems to be a good squad capable of building on last season.

Kyle Naughton and Wayne Routledge both signed new contracts which will keep experience in the squad and we know that they can both do a job for us in the team.

Departures have been minimal.  We always knew Mike van der Hoorn was going to leave but the question marks still hang over whether Joe Rodon or Andre Ayew will be here when the transfer window closes.  If they are then the optimism level will rise again, if they aren’t then it will surely just depend on who we manage to replace them with.

It’s great to see new faces coming in, it’s always good to welcome in new faces and new players, particularly when they are of the calibre we have seen so far,” said the midfielder.

“We have some players back who did well last year, and new signings who I’m sure are going to add a lot. – Swansea Captain Matt Grimes

We all know that money is tight at the club but whatever your views on the club and the way it is run, what finances we have are being managed well and used to make the best out of what we have available.  Vast reductions in income, the last season of parachute payments all have to be factored in but we do seem to be building a team that at least is capable of competing on the pitch which is the first part of any battle at a football club.

I still also cling to the hope that we can bring Rhian Brewster back to the Liberty next season.  The hope is based on nothing other than a gut feel but if this gut feel turns out to be accurate then Steve Cooper will have a team available to himself that is certainly able to compete at the top end of the Championship for the next eight months.

There are now just 12 days to the start of the league season, 5 to the start of competitive football again and optimism levels are definitely high and rightly so – there could be some very good days ahead?