Ferrie Bodde and Joe Allen will soon be joined by Darren Pratley in returning from injury giving Paulo Sousa a rare chance to select from a host of players who he can fit into his central midfield.
And Orlandi – thrust into central midfield this season – remains intent on holding his place in the starting line up as he told the Western Mail “If I play well, I will keep my shirt
โIf I donโt, then there are players waiting to come in. But that pressure has always been there.
โIt keeps you on your toes and I love it. Iโm not going to worry about it
โThe way I see it, Iโm not competing against my team-mates; Iโm competing against other teams.
โAfter two seasons without playing much, itโs been hard,โ he admitted. โIn pre-season, the manager talked to me about moving in from the wing.
โI actually played in a similar position behind the strikers when I was on loan at Barcelona.
โIโve been struggling a little bit physically โ central midfield is more physical in Britain โ but now Iโm getting used to it and enjoying it.
โBut it wouldnโt matter if I had to go back to the wing, or even play left-back, I would play.
โEvery game I play, Iโm playing better, so Iโm very happy.
โWeโre making opportunities and the goals will come,โ said Orlandi, whose only goal for the Swans came against Reading last January.
โBut it is in your mind when youโre out there playing that we havenโt scored enough.
โFor me, the next move is to try and score goals. Thatโs one thing Iโm not doing, but I know I can.
โI have a good left foot and need to shoot more. When I have the chance, I need more composure.
โEven when I havenโt been playing, the Swansea fans have been fantastic with me,โ he said. โI want to give them something back. Iโm doing all I can, but I know I can give them more.โ