Jay Fulton | We managed the game really well
Jay Fulton hailed the work-rate and togetherness within the Swansea City squad after they came from behind to secure the 2-1 victory at Stoke City on the opening day of the Championship season.
Goals from new signing Joseph Opoku and Adam Idah turned the game around at the bet365 Stadium, securing Swansea just their third league victory away at Stoke this century.
Fulton played a key role in the comeback, being involved in the build-up to both goals, and was subsequently voted man of the match for his performance.
The midfielder was delighted with the way Swansea responded after falling behind and believes there is plenty more to come as the squad now turn their attentions to Saturday's home Championship opener against Sheffield United.
“It was a great win. We started the game really well, conceded against the run of play, and then managed to get ourselves back into it and get two good goals of our own,” he said.
“We defended well at times and managed the game well. There are a lot of new faces in the building and a lot of people playing their first Championship games. I might be wrong, but I think maybe that’s the first time we’ve won our first game of the season in six years so it's a really positive start.”
Fulton was instrumental in the move that led to Opoku’s equaliser, combining twice with his teammates to help create the opening for the Ghanaian to find the net on his Swansea league debut.
“I was starting quite deep, and between me, Marko and Tymon, we’ve managed to find a bit of space and we’ve got through it," he explained.
"Moussa, obviously, who’s not on the last line, made a great run. I think Vipi will feel unlucky not to get his head on the cross, but then Joseph’s in the right position and he gets a goal. That’s his first goal of the season as well, with Moussa and Joseph both affecting the game at the top end.”
Swansea then completed the comeback late on, with substitute Adam Idah making an immediate impact by finding the net seconds after his introduction.
With a number of new arrivals now settling into the squad, Fulton believes the depth available to head coach Vitor Matos could prove crucial in the months ahead, with every player needing to buy into the collective effort.
“We’ve spoken quite a lot and there’s an excitement within the group. I think, looking at the fans, there was an excitement within the supporters before the game as well,” he continued.
“It's great when you have a strong starting line-up, and then you have people ready to come on and make an impact; having players like Adam, Melker and Jisung Eom, and the others who contributed from the bench is really important.
“Having the five players coming on and stepping straight into the game, that’s why you can come into places like this and take a win.
“We spoke about how, if we’re going to be successful, this team is not going to be 11 people that are starting every week. It’s going to be a whole squad.
“This win just emphasised the fact that you’ve got people coming on and making an impact.”