Francesco Guidolin Swans Swansea City Charlote USA

14th July

Francesco Guidolin believes Swansea City are showing positive signs ahead of the new Premier League campaign after they kicked off pre-season with a 4-0 win over Charlotte Independence.
The Swans had to cope with stifling temperatures and fierce humidity as they took on opposition from the United Soccer League, the third level in America's football pyramid.
But Guidolin's men came through their first friendly of the summer with flying colours.
Oliver McBurnie opened the scoring before the break at the Ramblewood Stadium with a spectacular 25-yard effort, then Wayne Routledge netted twice inside 21 second-half minutes before Kenji Gorre rounded off a dominant Swans display nine minutes from the end.



And while these are early days, Guidolin reckons his team are shaping up nicely ahead of the 2016-17 season.
"I am happy," said the Swans manager. "Our pre-season is going well. It is good - the players have worked very, very well.
"The first test was a little bit strong, but we played well.
"I chose to play two halves with different players because we are not ready, but I saw some important things and I am happy with this game and with this period.
"It is a positive for us. Our players worked very hard and it is a good moment.
"The result is not important, it's important to improve the fitness. This is the priority and I am happy with that."
Guidolin, whose side face Richmond Kickers on Saturday, acknowledged the North Carolina heat did not make life easy for his players.
But he feels they will benefit from getting game-time under their belts in testing conditions.
"It is too hot, it's very warm," Guidolin added. "But that's no problem for the players.
"It is a good to have a blue sky and the sun shining. Maybe a little lower temperature could be better, but it's good for us."
Leroy Fer, who recently completed a permanent move to the Liberty, and new signing Mike van der Hoorn both featured in Charlotte.
Guidolin believes there is a need to add further new faces to his squad before the season begins on August 13 - but has stressed the importance of landing the right targets.
"I spoke with the chairman this evening - I spoke with him every day, every week," he said.
"There is the possibility to sign some players, but at the moment I am focused on the group we have out here.
"I don't know what will happen but I am confident. It's important to do something in the transfer market, but it's also important to choose the best players for us."