After a voyage that left him battered, bruised, and bedazzled, Jack Butty found himself on shore leave at Marazion. It was in the ale houses of the town that he came across Cap’n Barnacle Bob and his first mate, Smee. Bob was standing on a table thronged by wannabes, telling of his dreams of gold and riches. “Of you wretches who’s with me? No hands were raised save mine. I believed.

Fans with half an eye on this summer’s transfer window would have been aware that what was happening looked promising. Not just the deals, but that these were being conducted with the Swans, keeping their cards close to their chest. No rumours, red herrings, or other fishy stories apart from the usual suspects and other inventors of news on social media.

It was not just that many deals were done early, where the tendency in the past has been to leave matters to the dying hours and minutes when there is the stench of panic in the air. And not just that the players looked decent and properly scouted rather than has-beens or no-beans, as has occurred not infrequently in the past.

Areas of weakness in the squad have been identified and addressed.* We have leaders, we have height, we have physical players, and we have skill. Tons of it. More than anything, there looked to be purpose and direction and…maybe most of all…a chuffin’ plan. The club has been business-like and acted like it knows exactly what it is doing, and the intention is to continue this approach in the future. So yes, fans should be optimistic and pleased with the direction we are headed.

OK, the preseason was underwhelming – as they can be, and the first game of the season against Middlesbrough seemed a little flat. But this is a new squad with seven new players and counting, a blend of youth and experience, from different countries, cultures, languages, and backgrounds. It’s bound to take a little time, especially with the likelihood of a couple more recruits in the next couple of weeks. And for all the waiting, the season’s start is the test of whether optimism is well-founded or just another puff of smoke. The game on Saturday against Sheffield Utd gave us our first three points, the first home win, and the first clean sheet. The one-nil scoreline flattered Sheff Utd, and it could easily have been 3 or 4-nil. More than that, it showed us a team that is stronger than last season’s.

Much stronger.

Our defence was outstanding. Ben Cabango led by example, and considering he is still effectively in his pre-season, it was a terrific performance. Midfield was a revelation. Ethan Galbraith deserved MoM, and he was everywhere. Gonçalo Franco and Malick Yalcouye supported him well. The latter had his debut yesterday, and his desire to get involved was evident. He wanted to receive the ball, to push forward, and to disrupt Sheffield Utd’s attacking play. To go straight into the squad and persuade Alan Sheehan he could do that shows great maturity for a nineteen-year-old man. He is a player who is going to get better and better with us.

The second half was where we showed what we could do. Our midfield tore Sheffield Utd apart. Franco, Galbraith and Melker Widell drove forward with sweet little flicks of the ball to each other and bringing in Ronald and, later, Zeidane Inoussa. This is a team that should do well this season, especially if a striker is found who can knock in goals and win games. But optimism must be tempered with realism. Sheehan recognises this, as do club statements at the recent fans’ forum, which talk about needing several transfer windows to build the squad that can win promotion. Promotion may come sooner, but in the meantime, we will have the pleasure of watching the Swans as a competitive team, playing lovely football with a touch of steel. This could be our best season of Swans football since relegation from the Premier League…a long time coming.

*Areas of weakness in the squad have been identified and addressed.* This is clearly work in progress. A new striker is imminent – dedos cruzados!

Artwork Swansea Independent : Photographs as credited

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