Vitor Matos | We want to hit the ground running

Head coach Vitor Matos wants his Swansea City side to hit the ground running as they prepare to open their competitive campaign against Birmingham City on Saturday afternoon (3pm).

The Swans welcome the Blues to the Swansea.com Stadium in the first round of the Carabao Cup, looking to build on an impressive run in the competition last season.

The club reached the fourth round after victories over Crawley Town, Plymouth Argyle and Nottingham Forest, before ultimately being defeated by eventual winners Manchester City.

Matos is keen for his side to begin the new campaign after a positive pre-season and believes the Carabao Cup provides the perfect chance to build early momentum.

“I think it's important we view the game positively because it's the first game of the season. It's the first game to compete and the first game to build momentum,” he said. 

“It's a competition where you win, you stay; you lose, you are out. If you draw, you go to penalties. So, after that game, one will be in, and we're hoping that's us. 

“For us, we don't separate competitions. We work for the next game, and that's what we're going to do this game.

“It's our next game, the first game of the season, so for us it's a game we want to compete in, and that's what we need.

“It's a competition that we want to stay involved in as much as we can. We prepare as normal, ultimately preparing to try and win the game."

The Swans boss is expecting a stern test from Birmingham, who have also enjoyed a positive pre-season ahead of their second season back in the Championship.

The Blues have gone unbeaten during their preparations which included a penalty shoot-out victory over Barcelona at St Andrew’s last time out.

“Birmingham are a really good team and had really good results in pre-season,” he added.

“If we look at the games they played against really good opposition, the squad is quite stable in terms of signings as well as outs, so it gives them stability at this moment of the season.

“They’re really aggressive, probably one of the most aggressive teams I've seen in recent times in terms of pressing. Direct as well, so this is quite important.

“I think it will be a really good challenge for us.”