Kuban boss eyeing positive result
Kuban Krasnodar coach Viktor Goncharenko insists his side need to beat Swansea to have any hope of progressing in the Europa League.
The Russian side arrived in south Wales on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for Thursday's Group A clash at the Liberty Stadium.
Kuban have had a tough start in the group, losing their opening two games to St Gallen and Valencia.
Swansea, meanwhile, sit top after maximum points from their opening two fixtures - and Michael Laudrup's side will be looking to put one foot in the knockout phase with a victory.
And Goncharenko - who has only been in charge since taking over from Dorinel Munteanu earlier this month - knows that the visitors need to start picking up points in Group A.
"I have only been here for 10 days, but we have a lot of good players in the squad and there is something to build on.
"You learn from every game and it's important that you use this knowledge in the next game.
"But we are prepared to go for it on Thursday because we have the readiness and the willingness. We also have no points so far.
"And if we want to go a bit further, we need to start picking them up."
There is, however, a familiar face for Kuban Krasnodar in the form of striker Djibril Cisse.
The former Liverpool and Sunderland man signed for the Russian club back in the summer following his departure from Queens Park Rangers.
The R's were relegated from the Premier League last season, with Cisse playing for the London club in the Swans' 5-0 win at Loftus Road last August.
And he is hoping that his experience of English football can have a positive impact on Thursday.
"I know the league very well," he said. "For me, I think it is an advantage. I'm going to try and talk to my team-mates and give them a few tips about Swansea.
"The football is different compared to the Russian league and we need to adapt as soon as the game starts and be ready.
"If you give them (Swansea) time to start playing their football then we will be in trouble.
"They have great offensive players and the philosophy is the coach to play forward all the time. But if we play good football and be confident, then we could cause them problems as well.
"Swansea are the favourites, but we won't be scared and we'll be looking for a positive result."