Chairman's column: Bournemouth

Read Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins' programme notes for today's clash with Bournemouth.

Good afternoon and a warm welcome once again to everyone here at the Liberty Stadium for a fixture that is a big one for us in many ways.

We all can see we need to start performing better than we have been. The Premier League and the pressures that come with it for every team at this level are huge for everyone involved.

There’s little doubt that the pressure to win games when you are near the bottom can be insurmountable for many, but I’m sure with everyone’s support behind the manager and the players, we can slowly turn this difficult start to the season around.

I fully understand the huge disappointment at the level of performances we have witnessed over recent weeks, especially at home.

But let’s not forget that the manager and players need your support more than ever when we play at home and things are not going plan.

Last week’s game against Burnley at Turf Moor was the start of an eight-game run without a break before we hit the halfway point of the season. With a bit of luck along the way it should help Paul and the players not only find consistency in performance, but also the opportunity to build some much-needed momentum, which is very difficult to find over the first three months of the season with international breaks in August, September and October.

Your vocal support today and in every home game here at the Liberty Stadium is vital.

I know it is a difficult time at the moment, but I can assure everyone that from our board of directors right down through the club we have only one aim – and that’s to remain a Premier League team and play the quality football we have become renowned for over the years.

Also, and most importantly, we want to produce a team we can all be proud of again. A team that has a strong belief that it can compete with anyone we play at this level – and enjoy every game we play.

Off the field, we received some positive news recently, as our lease agreement with the council to take control of the stadium has been approved.

It has taken time and a lot of hard work to finalise, but it now gives us the opportunity to hopefully increase our commercial revenue to the benefit of the team on the pitch.

I would like to wish Swansea-born Chris Coleman good luck in his new managerial challenge at Sunderland and congratulate him – and thank him – for his fantastic achievements with Wales.

Finally, a warm Welsh welcome goes to all directors, staff, players and supporters who have travelled to support AFC Bournemouth here today.

I hope you enjoy your visit to Swansea and have a successful season in the months ahead.