'Togetherness is our ethos'

Billy Reid has revealed that togetherness will be central to Swansea City’s approach during Graham Potter’s Liberty Stadium reign.

The Swans have worked hard off the field as well as on it during their pre-season tour of Germany and Austria, which comes to a close after today’s friendly with SC Freiburg (4pm UK time).

As well as a quiz night – after which the losing team’s forfeit was to take a late-night dip in the hotel pool – and the traditional initiations for new faces, the entire touring party spent one afternoon whitewater rafting.

And as the trip to the Continent draws to a close – the Swans will fly home on Saturday – Reid says unity will be vital as Potter’s men try to make a mark in the Championship this season.

“We were disappointed to lose the game against Eibar earlier in the week, but results are not the main thing at this stage,” the Swans’ assistant manager said.

“The main thing is the management team getting to know the players and vice versa.

“We have had a bit of team-bonding this week which is really important because when the season starts, we need everybody to be together. That will be our ethos at the football club.”

The Freiburg game is the Swans’ last before their Championship campaign begins with a trip to Sheffield United.

And former Hamilton manager Reid believes Potter’s squad are making progress as they build-up to the second-tier opener.

“I feel as though it’s been a profitable week,” he added.

“We have had the issue of not knowing exactly what players will be here (when the transfer window closes), but we have to adapt to that with Sheffield United in mind.

“We have prepared in the best way we could have done. We are seeing the strengths of the players which is important.

“Hopefully we can pick a team that is more than capable of going to Sheffield United and winning.”