Potter: We want unity and pride

Graham Potter has set his sights on restoring pride at Swansea City as the club embark on the new Championship season.

The 2018-19 campaign kicks off with a trip to Sheffield United on Saturday evening (5.30pm).

And Potter, who arrived from Ostersund in the summer, hopes to help his new club find a response to last season’s relegation from the Premier League.

The Swans boss has shied away from making bold predictions for the year ahead, but has stressed that he wants to see consistent progress in SA1.

“We want improvement – constant improvement,” Potter said.

“We want the supporters to recognise the team enjoying what they are doing and playing good football.

“We also want a sense of togetherness and unity as a club.

“If we get those things, hopefully the results will go our way.”

Having clocked up more than 350 senior games in the English game during his playing days, Solihull-born Potter will be on the touchline for the first time in the Football League this weekend.

And he is relishing the prospect of leading the Swans out at Bramall Lane.

“There will be some butterflies and some excitement of course, because the games are what we are all here for,” Potter added.

“We are going to a fantastic football club in terms of tradition and the game is live on TV, so I am really looking forward to it.

“But it’s not about me, it’s more about the start of the journey for me as an employee of Swansea City.

“I am part of this club and I want to start the process of us improving, and us getting the pride and intensity back at this club.”

The Swans face a United side who were play-off contenders for much of last season before eventually finishing 10th.

It is a tricky start for Potter, who feels there is a need to rebuild confidence at the Liberty following relegation.

“Everyone in the division is dreaming of getting into the Premier League,” he said.

“But we understand where we are and the situation the club has been in over the last few years, which has left us where we are now.

“We have to try to improve, get better and focus on our next game.

“We will try to win each game we play and try to get a belief back about what is possible.

“The club has been through a long period of struggle and negativity and we need to try to wrestle that belief back.”