Swans are aiming to fly high

By David Dulin

Swansea City begin life in the second tier of English football for the first time in 24 years when they travel to Charlton on 9 August.

Under the leadership of rookie boss Roberto Martinez in his first year as a manager, the Swans won League One with a club-record 92 points.

But now comes a whole new (and much more difficult) challenge for the Spaniard and his men as they battle with some big hitters in the Championship including Birmingham, Reading, Derby and QPR.

Last season, the division was wide open with teams in contention for promotion finding themselves in a relegation battle within the space of a few poor results and vice versa.

Roberto Martinez has Swansea playing fluent passing football

So for Swansea, it will be important to find their feet as soon as possible in order to give themselves a chance.

And that means the eight new faces Martinez has brought in over the summer gelling quickly.

"Everyone has settled in straight away because we've got such a strong core of players," he said.

"They make it very easy for anyone who comes in from outside.

"After two weeks, they look like they've been here for a long time."

Ashley Williams, Albert Serran and Fede Bessone will add more competition to the back four, an area that looked rather suspect at times last season.

Captain Garry Monk is certain to be a key figure in the heart of defence along with Angel Rangel who was impressive in his first season.

That could mean Dennis Lawrence, Alan Tate and Marcos Painter will find it harder to hold down a first team place.

But the biggest talking points over the summer concerned arguably the Swans strongest area, midfield.

First Andy Robinson chose to make his way out of the Liberty Stadium for Leeds and was replaced by Mark Gower.

Then Liverpool loanee opted for a spell at Nottingham Forest ahead of a second year at the Liberty.

STORIES OF THE SUMMER Robinson agrees to Leeds switch Swans complete Williams signing Spanish duo complete Liberty move Swans sign Argentine defender Martinez confirms Gower signing Swans sign Serran in £80,000 deal Swans sign young Baggies striker Bodde opts to stay at Swans

And influential Dutchman Ferrie Bodde decided he want to leave too.

In an eight-week transfer saga Bodde demanded a move to Derby but eventually had a change of heart and signed a new deal.

So with Bodde, Gower, Leon Britton, Darren Pratley, Thomas Butler, Owain Tudur Jones along with new boy Jordi Gomez, Martinez is spoilt for choice.

Up front, Guillem Bauza has made his claim for a starting place on the opening day with his fine pre-season form along with Gorka Pintado, another of the new arrivals.

And they could be set for an early chance with last season's top scorer Jason Scotland likely to miss the start of the season.

Jordi Gomez is highly rated in Spain

While other clubs like fellow newcomers Nottingham Forest were spending millions of pounds on new players, Martinez has splashed out just £780,000.

Some may say he has not spent enough for the Championship, but he proved last season in Bodde, Rangel and Scotland that you do not have to spend big to achieve.

"It's about having a strong squad to compete in the Championship and that's what we are working towards," said Martinez.

"Football makes the decision (on who gets picked each week), it's not down to me.

"They need to work hard throughout the next 10 months.

"You need performances and the performances will bring you the results.

"Our dressing room is a special place to work and that will carry on."

BBC WALES FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS

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In: Ashley Williams (Stockport County, £400,000), Gorka Pintado (Granada, £100,000), Jordi Gomez (Espanyol, season loan), Mark Gower (Southend United, free), Fede Bessone (Espanyol, free), Albert Serran (Espanyol, £80,000), Stefan Morrison (West Brom, free), Febian Brandy (Manchester United, six-month loan)

Out: Paul Anderson (Liverpool, end of loan), Steven Watt (released), Andy Robinson (Leeds United, free), Kevin Austin (Chesterfield, free), Kevin Amankwaah (Swindon, free), Darryl Duffy (Bristol Rovers, £100,000), Darren Way (Yeovil, £50,000), David Knight (released)

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