Swansea City are primed for Burnley opener, says Mike van der Hoorn

6th August

Mike van der Hoorn believes Swansea City are primed for the Premier League after they rounded off a positive pre-season campaign with victory over Stade Rennais.
Despite being without a number of senior players, the Swans made it five wins in six friendly matches this summer courtesy of a second-half goal from Jay Fulton.
Francesco Guidolin's men now turn their attention to next weekend's top-flight opener at Burnley - and van der Hoorn reckons they will head north in good shape.



"We have had a lot of wins in pre-season and that has given us a lot of confidence," the central defender said. 
"Our opponents this weekend were a step up. I thought they were much stronger than the other teams we have faced so it was an important win.
"Today was a little bit of a no-pressure game, although we wanted to view it as a big game and we wanted to win, but next week it's all or nothing."
The visit of Stade Rennais gave van der Hoorn the chance to make his home debut.
And the summer signing from Ajax was satisfied with a 1-0 triumph - even if the Swans could have won by a more comfortable margin.
Guidolin's side created a number of chances, with new boy Fernando Llorente and Modou Barrow both hitting the woodwork.
"I am very pleased. We kept a clean sheet and this is important for a defender," van der Hoorn added.
"I think this gives us a good feeling for next week. Maybe we should have scored more than one goal, but overall it's really good.
"I was really pleased to play at the Liberty. The atmosphere was good and I think it will be great when the stadium is full.
"This was my first 90 minutes of pre-season. I am feeling good - my body is used to it now. Hopefully next week we will get the same result."