Swansea Focus - Business as usual for Laudrup's Europe-bound Swans
Michael Laudrup’s Swansea have hit the ground running following a chaotic, yet hugely successful few weeks that has seen them partake in a warm-weather training camp in Dubai as well as an away clash at Liverpool and a Capital One Cup final tie with Bradford at Wembley.
Things have been pretty hectic, but a result against Newcastle at the Liberty Stadium has set the Swans on good form ahead of a relatively risk-free, but still important, run-in to this Premier League campaign’s conclusion. Maintaining a top-half finish come May is vital, despite their participation in next season’s Europa League already being guaranteed.
The next step on Laudrup’s road to success will undoubtedly be an attempt to establish Swansea as a respectable top-half side with long-term ambitions of regular European football. That is however, if flagship striker Michu as well as captain defender Ashley Williams and the pacey Pablo Hernandez remain at the club in the summer transfer window.
Talking of transfers, in a time of managerial uncertainty amongst a few top Premier League clubs - Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City to name a few - Laudrup could be on his way out of Swansea just a season after arriving last year. Regardless if Laudrup stays in the summer though, the Dane will surely manage the team in a knowledgeable way despite the possibility of his departure.
Concentrating on bringing youngsters and reserve players through the ranks during the next few weeks with regular first-team starts at Premier League level will not only boost morale but also show fans and rivals what Swansea have in stock even if they do lose their star names in the summer.
Swansea’s season ambitions have already been achieved, thus making way for experimentation with players who would not normally make the cut. Obviously, it would have to be done in a controlled and sensible way but by blending in the club’s upcoming talent with the Swans’ veteran ranks will only make way for a more solid first-team squad going forward.
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