Jake Bidwell | We can be confident, but it's a clean slate

22nd August
First team
Away Kit Jake Bidwell

Jake Bidwell feels Swansea City approach the new Championship season with confidence, but fully aware that their 2019-20 exploits give way to a new challenge when the campaign starts next month.

Steve Cooper’s side returned for pre-season training at Fairwood on Friday, a little over three weeks before their first league fixture at Preston.

It is also a little over three weeks since defeat at Brentford in the play-offs brought an end to a strong end to last term for the Swans.

They were among the division’s form sides following the resumption of football in June, forcing their way into the top six in dramatic fashion and securing a first leg semi-final lead before the loss at Griffin Park.

Defender Bidwell hopes that is form that can be carried over into 2020-21, but knows it is a clean slate for all 24 sides come the big kick-off.

“We want to pick up where we left off and improve. We want to build on it,” he said.

“But the key thing to remember is we are starting from scratch again, what happened last season does not put any points on the board for this season.

Home Kit Jake Bidwell

“That means nothing now. We can take confidence from it, of course, but it is not just going to happen.

“We have to go out and make things happen for ourselves, that’s the challenge and it is one we are looking forward to.”

Swansea will start the season at Deepdale on the weekend of September 12, before facing Birmingham in their first home game at the Liberty the following week.

Bidwell admits the announcement of the fixtures sharpens the focus for players as a return to action draws ever nearer.

“When you see the fixtures come out, that gives you something to aim for,” he added.

“It’s not something we are talking about yet, there’s a few weeks of work to get ready to go, but it just gives you that target of what’s coming.

“The challenge for us is to make sure we are as prepared and ready as we can be to hit the ground running.”