Potter: We are progressing
Graham Potter reckons Swansea City are showing signs of progress after victory in their pre-season friendly against Newport County.
The Swans took on their League Two neighbours in a behind-closed-doors game at Fairwood on Wednesday afternoon.
The hosts triumphed 1-0 thanks to a 12th-minute goal from Luciano Narsingh, with the winger latching on to Andre Ayew’s flick before rolling the ball into the corner of the net.
The Swans ought to have won more comfortably, with Mike van der Hoorn, Matt Grimes, Yan Dhanda, Jordan Ayew and Joe Rodon all going close to scoring.
But Potter was happy enough with his team’s performance as they made it two pre-season victories out of two.
“It was another useful exercise for us and a big thank you goes to Newport for a competitive game,” said the Swans boss.
“We have had another week on the training field and you could see we are a little bit better in our structure.
“We controlled the game and did a lot of things well. It’s still quite early, but we have moved forward.
“We could have scored a couple more goals, but the pattern and the structure was better today. We had an idea of what we are trying to do.
“There were some mistakes here and there but they are things we can improve on.”
Potter made a raft of changes just after the hour mark against Newport.
Federico Fernandez was forced off just before half-time after receiving a bang on the thigh, while Oli McBurnie, Nathan Dyer and George Byers did not feature because of minor muscle complaints.
“I was pleased with the attitude of all the players. We managed to get a lot of them on the pitch which is important for us,” Potter added.
“Now we have a couple of days’ recovery and then we are on the plane to Germany and Austria.”
McBurnie and Dyer will get game-time during the Swans’ trip to the Continent, while the club will check on the fitness of Fernandez and Byers.
Potter’s squad fly out to Germany on Friday ahead of 60-minute games against FC Magdeburg and Genoa on Saturday.
Joel Asoro made a bright first appearance in Swans colours against Newport, while Jefferson Montero was another to impress after coming off the bench.
Swans (v Newport County): Erwin Mulder, Connor Roberts (Kyle Naughton 63), Federico Fernandez (capt, Joe Rodon 42), Mike van der Hoorn, Matt Grimes, Jordi Amat (Jay Fulton 63), Tom Carroll, Wayne Routledge (Yan Dhanda 63), Dan James (Joel Asoro 63), Andre Ayew (Jordan Ayew 63), Luciano Narsingh (Jefferson Montero 63).
