'We want a 90-minute performance'

Billy Reid is urging Swansea City to produce a 90-minute performance against Preston North End this weekend as they look to make it two wins from two in 2018-19.

The Swans kicked off the new season with an impressive 2-1 victory at Sheffield United.

Graham Potter’s side will now attempt to follow up that triumph by toppling Preston – but Reid concedes that will be no easy task.

The Swans assistant manager, who worked with Preston boss Alex Neil for seven years at Hamilton, reckons a stern examination is in store at the Liberty on Saturday (3pm).

And Reid says the Swans must improve on the Bramall Lane display if they are to open up on home soil with a victory.

“I know Alex Neil well and I know he has built a team with a fantastic work ethic who will make things hard for their opponents,” he said.

“But it’s our first home game of the season and we will have something close to a sell-out crowd behind us.

“The players are looking forward to it and the staff are looking forward to it.

“In the second half against Sheffield United you saw a glimpse of how we want to play.

“Now we have to try to produce that sort of performance over a full 90 minutes.”

The Swans have lost a host of senior players during the summer, but a number of their younger players shone in Sheffield.

And Reid is hoping to see more of the same against the Lilywhites.

“This situation gives young players an opportunity,” he added.

“Look at Yan Dhanda last week. Some of these players will surprise you when they get that opportunity, and we have to give them the belief that they are good enough to play at Championship level.”

Almost 1,000 travelling fans roared the Swans to victory last weekend, and Reid reckons the Jack Army have a big role to play once more tomorrow.

“It’s critical that the fans are behind us,” he said.

“They backed us even when we went behind at Sheffield United and they got their reward in the end.

“Hopefully the fans can see where the club is at the moment and can see that we need them.

“There will be young players playing and there’s nothing better for young players than having the fans behind them.”

Tickets for the Preston game are available – get yours HERE or call the ticket office on 01792 616400. Watch the game in style in our 1912 Heritage lounge – contact our dedicated hospitality team on 01792 616628 or on hospitality@swanseacity.com.

The Preston game will be available on SwansTV Live to all our international fans on Saturday*.

The full match will be available for just £7.99. You can purchase the game by clicking HERE or you can sign up for the season for £110 HERE. To find out more information on SwansTV Live click HERE.

*Please note that due to EFL broadcasting rules, you will not be able to live stream Saturday’s fixture against Preston in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, Guernsey or Jersey.