'We're trying to build something'

25th October
First team

Graham Potter has explained how he has been trying to get to know his players while also delivering results in the first chunk of the Championship season.

Potter has given second-tier opportunities to 26 men in the first 14 league games of his Liberty reign.

Only one side in the division, bottom-club Ipswich Town, have used more players (27) so far in 2018-19, while just two members of the Swans squad have started every league game – Mike van der Hoorn and the versatile Connor Roberts.

And Potter admits part of his job over the last thee months has been to see first-hand what his players can do.

“I had no idea what our young players could do – that’s the truth,” he said.

“Part of the process is finding out, getting to know the players and their attributes.

“For example, which side is Dan James best on? When I came in, some people said right and some people said left.

“Joe (Rodon) and Cian (Harries) were seen as a partnership, and other players in that group were mentioned too.

“The only way to find out about these players is to give them an opportunity.

“We are trying to develop a group and to build something here.

“To do that you need information on all the players, and the only way to get that information and make decisions on players is to see those players in action.”

Potter has become known for making regular changes to his starting side during the early stages of his Swans reign.

And ahead of Saturday’s clash with Reading at the Liberty (3pm), he has shed some light on the thinking behind his selection policy.

“We have a combination of challenges,” Potter added.

“We have had a lot of guys making their debuts this year – it’s a young group of players.

“We only had a four-week pre-season so we’re still working out who can do what.

“We also have to cope with the physical challenges of playing three games of Championship football a week when many of our players have been used to the under-23s.

“We also have a lot of players going away to play international football, whether it’s senior level or under-21s.

“And then it’s about finding the right balance in the team for each game we play.”

 

Tickets for Swans v Reading are still available – get yours HERE or call the ticket office on 01792 616400. Watch the game in style – contact our dedicated hospitality team on 01792 616628 or on hospitality@swanseacity.com.