Fede: It starts here
Federico Fernandez believes the hard work starts now for Swansea City as they look to put smiles on faces at the Liberty Stadium in 2018-19.
The Swans were left licking wounds over the summer after their seven-year Premier League adventure come to an end in May.
But a new era has now begun under Graham Potter, with the club looking to put relegation behind them and focus instead on mounting a Championship promotion push.
The Swans got down to business on the training ground this week as preparations begin for the second-tier opener at Sheffield United in a month’s time.
And Fernandez, who skippered the Swans for much of last season, says the shifts Potter’s men put in now will be key as they target a happier campaign.
“We have to work all together with the new manager – we must try to do the things he wants,” the Argentinian international said.
“We must all get ready and make sure we are fit to help the club.
“Then, when the season starts, we want to have a winning team at the Liberty Stadium.
“As the gaffer said to us, when you win football is fun. That’s what we want. We want to generate a good atmosphere between the players and the fans.
“I hope the city will get behind us again and with everyone together, I think we can have a good season.”
After a day of fitness testing and meetings on Monday, the Swans stepped on to the Fairwood grass for the first time since the end of last season on Tuesday.
And while Potter’s opening training session saw his new squad put in the hard yards, there was also plenty of ball work.
“It was hard out there but there was some football as well which was good,” Fernandez added.
“It’s nice to be back with the team and with the new manager as we start to build a new idea.
“There was a lot of work with the ball – it’s nice for us that it is not only running!
“We now have a couple of weeks in Swansea and then we go on tour. The pre-season games will be important as we start to get some minutes.”
The Swans’ opening pre-season friendly comes at Yeovil on July 10.
