SWANSEA CITY returned from their pre-season tour to the north-west of England today with manager Jan Molby claiming he had a far clearer picture of who will start the Third Division campaign against Brighton on August 9.
Having drawn with Morecambe, lost to Southport and beaten Burscough over the three-game tour, Molby said it was a "worthwhile exercise."
"It was our first batch of pre-season games and I've got a far better idea of who will be pushing for a first-team place against Brighton. One or two of the youngsters like Jason Price and Jamie Harris pushed themselves up the order, while one or two of the more senior players disappointed me."
Molby was particularly critical of his side's performance in the 4-2 defeat by GM Vauxhall Conference outfit Southport. "We were a shambles. We couldn't defend, pass, hit the back of the net or get our shape. There were some strong words said after that game. The players were back in work and they should have got on with it. Instead, I think a few of them thought they had become superstars overnight because of the success we had last season. But every side has a game like that during the pre-season and, hopefully, that's ours out of the way. In fairness, they responded well against Burscough because it's always difficult playing three games in three days. Jason Price and Torpey get their share of goals, but I was worried with the lack of goals from other people. We should have beaten Burscough by double figures."
Molby takes his entire 19-man senior squad to Stebonheath Park tomorrow to play Robbie James's Llanelli side in a pre-season friendly (3). James will give two youngsters the chance to catch Molby's eye. Steve Dyer and Lee Suggett have been drafted in from the youth team after impressing Llanelli's new manager.
Swansea's prospective new owners, who held talks with Molby last night, are also expected to be in attendance and were also playing in the club's annual golf day at Clyne this afternoon.
Eighteen year old Jamie Harris was coming to terms with his new status as a professional footballer today after Swansea City signed the Mumbles product on a 12-month contract. The striker was given a trial from Pic-Up Spares Swansea League side Mumbles Rangers midway through last season on the recommendation of youth team coach Alan Curtis.
"He spent quite a bit of time with us last season and we were duly impressed," confirmed Swansea manager Jan Molby. "We would have signed him on a YTS form last season but he had studies to finish."
Harris was named on the substitutes' bench last night as Swansea kicked off their pre-season tour with a 1-1 draw against Morecambe, a second-half equaliser from Jason Price saving them from defeat.
"It was a good work-out against a good side who finished fourth in the Conference last season," added Molby. "That's what these pre-season friendlies are about. We included a lot of youngsters in the side and while they did very well, there's still room for plenty of improvement."
Molby is set to make a host of changes against Southport, also of the GM Conference, tonight (7.30).
"It's going to be another tough game and it's important we remain unbeaten."
But there will be no new faces on show tonight. "We did have one or two new players in mind to have a look at, but they are carrying slight injuries," added Molby. "It's pointless having a look at players if they are only half fit. But they'll keep."
Kwame Ampadu is Swansea's only injury doubt with a slight calf strain.
Meanwhile, Swansea will kick-off their Third Division campaign against Brighton at Vetch Field on August 9. The south coast club secured their Football status by paying the required £500,000 performance bond.
The League had called an extraordinary general meeting for Thursday to consider a special resolution Brighton for failing to meet the original June 20 deadline for payment of the bond.
SWANSEA CITY manager Jan Molby took his entire senior squad on the road today as preparations for the forthcoming Third Division season got fully underway.
Apart from the injured Mark Clode, Molby has taken every available senior player away from Vetch Field for a mini-tour which kicks off at GM Vauxhall Conference outfit Morecambe tonight (7.30).
Twenty players boarded the coach this morning for a four-day exercise which will take in Southport, also of the Conference on Tuesday night and ending with another friendly against North West Counties champions Burscourgh on Wednesday.
The only new face in the party was Gary Jones, the right-wing back Molby signed earlier this month from League of Wales side Caernarfon.
"Hopefully, we will be able to bring in one or two new players as we go along," explained Molby. "That way they can get used to the way we play before the season starts."
Molby will have to remain patient for a while longer though, before being able to strengthen his squad on a permanent basis. The proposed takeover still going to plan is not expected to be completed until the end of the week.
The first glimpse of any new players could come at Vetch Field a week on Wednesday when Swansea take on Bristol City in a re-arranged friendly. "We had to cancel the game against Bristol Rovers because their pitch was not ready," explained Molby. "Fortunately, we've been able to bring Bristol City to the Vetch Field instead."
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