Alan Sheehan | That was the tough test we needed it to be
Head coach Alan Sheehan believes Swansea City will be all the better for the nature of the test they faced as they rounded off their pre-season campaign against Lorient.
The Swans took on the French top-flight side in their final assignment before the Championship season gets under way against Middlesbrough next weekend.
The visitors ran out 3-1 winners at the Swansea.com Stadium, with Pablo Pagis netting a brace and Mohamed Bamba scoring a penalty.
The Swans got a goal back from the spot through Liam Cullen, who also had a header ruled out for offside, while Melker Widell and Ronald missed good chances.
Sheehan admitted Swansea were well below the level they expect of themselves in the first half, but was happier with their second-half showing.
“That was a very good test, it was certainly the toughest test that we have had in pre-season and I think it was the right one,” said the Swans boss.
“As a group we did not like a lot of what we did in that first half, in the second half we were a bit more like ourselves.
“It still wasn’t perfect, but we got a goal and could have had a couple more, and aspects of that second half were a lot, lot better.
“We were more on the front foot, we will have a lot to take out of it, we will debrief it and look through it.
“There are aspects we will be okay with, but there will be aspects we will need to be a lot better at when the serious business starts.”
The Swans were able to welcome back Zeidane Inoussa and Jisung Eom as they played the final 25 minutes on their return from injury.
Sheehan also confirmed that Ben Cabango, Zan Vipotnik and Filip Lissah will be assessed ahead of next week’s trip to Teesside.
“Those minutes will be good for Jisung and Zeidane, as we look to get players in the right condition for the start of the season,” he added.
“Vipi hurt his toe the other day, so we are just taking a look at that, while we also have Ben, Filip and Ricardo who have been out for a little bit but we are where we are.”