Frankie Ignoring The Critics

The Swans enter a 6th Premier League season today at Burnley and Guidolin will be keen to ensure that they get off to a good start after some of the trials and tribulations of last season where the team flirted with relegation too long.

Guidolin was appointed at Swansea back in January with a need to keep the Swans in the Premier League and he did that with some to spare as the side finished 12th at the end of the season which – despite the predictions of ‘experts’ is still the lowest we have finished since we first arrived at this level in 2011.

Guidolin will go into today’s game without a full strength side to pick from with Taylor and Sigurdsson both set to miss out following their exploits at the Euros this summer that will give Stephen Kingsley a chance at left back and Leroy Fer to fill the boots of Gylfi behind Fernando Llorente up front because record signing Borja Baston will not feature.

But Guidolin is ready now to see his side talking on the pitch as he looked ahead to the game “We have to show what we can do because words are words and the pitch is the pitch. The truth is on the pitch,” said the Italian.

“Now, normally, at the beginning of the season, all teams are ready. Big teams are ready to go for the title and other good teams are ready to go for the Europa League. Other teams are ready to try not to get relegated.

“This is always the same and for me words are not important. It’s important to play well and the truth is on the pitch.”

After being thrown in at the deep end when he took the Swansea reins last January, Guidolin has now had an entire summer of preparation.

“Last season when I came here, I needed to understand two or three things as soon as possible,” he added. “I was focused on 12 or 13 players, but within a week I knew other players and now I know all my players.

“This is important for me and my job is easier because of this.

“I have a big vision and knowledge of the Premier League, not a lot of experience, but knowledge. I can now better understand my players.”

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