The very idea that Swansea City should be judged on their first friendly in public this season does seem slightly assured. If it isn’t about results and performance then it is about fitness and getting ‘minutes’ in as the new season regresses we are told.

On Friday we saw the Swans stutter and look lost against an Oxford United side that managed the threat of Joel Piroe, Jerry Yates and all very well indeed. Yates will take time to settle in to the system at Swansea, and to date he has looked a little lost in the behind closed door games and again on Friday. Tuesday evening and the next friendly, this time at the Swansea.Com Stadium is a quick opportunity to reverse the opinions of those who were less than happy after the Friday friendly. Bristol Rovers will be the opposition with pay on the day available to Swans fans at £14 at the turnstile.

There will be very decent turn out for this game with people wanting to see how Michael Duff is ‘getting information’ in to his squad. This is the highest level he has managed at and he too needs time to adjust and get things right. Corny spoke about squad deficiencies this morning, and there are a few. In goal for sure and out at left back. New signing Josh Key favours the right side of the pitch as does Harrison Ashby who despite rumours of him joining the Swans on loan is still in the USA with Newcastle United. The same goes for Carl Rushworth at Brighton.

A more likely signing is Jamal Lewis who is currently at Newcastle United as well. He plays left back and in the middle of defence. At twenty five it may well be he is looking for a new challenge after only a handful of appearances over the past two seasons. His contract is out in 2025, and a loan to buy would be attractive for Swansea City. At his age and with only just over one hundred and twenty professional first team games he is a far more realistic proposition. Loans are one thing, realistic permanent transfers who are better than you have are the goal surely ?

Michael Duff knows him through his Northern Ireland contacts and Lewis knows Duff. There have been talks, and for us if there is going to be some business with Newcastle United then this player is the man to talk about. There are just two weeks to go this pre season highlighting the need for new business to be swift and well researched. Paul Watson has been working exceptionally hard this past few months, and we do know he has had numerous set backs, but that’s the flavour of the summer and new business.

More to come on this maybe ?

Photographs licensed from Reuters

Swansea City Polls