Duff hopeful of new faces ahead of Bristol City clash 

The Swans, still winless and searching for their first victory of the EFL Championship campaign, are likely to be active in the market today before the summer transfer window slams shut tonight at 11pm. 

Having only picked up two points from their opening four league matches, the former Barnsley head-coach is hopeful of having the extra faces available for selection to face Nigel Pearson’s mid-table side. 

Looking to take the positives from a strong showing in their midweek 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Premier League Bournemouth on Tuesday night, the Northern Irishman feels if his side can put together parts of the last two matches three points against the Robins can be gained.  

“I thought we were good both with and without the ball [against Bournemouth]. I thought the structure of the team was good,” said Duff. 

I’m disappointed to lose the game but we’re at a point at the moment where we are trying to implement things, structures and processes. 

“I thought the first 25 minutes we moved the ball really well and then they took control of the game. It was their quality in the end that saw it through. I was really pleased with the performance. 

“Ultimately, we’ll have to do what we did in the last two games but stick them together as one. We need to be as good with the ball as we were for the first hour at Preston and be as good when they got it like we were the other night against Bournemouth, that is the challenge.” 

The Swans will be at full strength with no new injury concerns with only midfielder Liam Walsh unavailable for the fixture. 

“There were a couple of knocks, but everyone should be fine and hopefully there will be a few bodies in the building to bolster the squad for the weekend,” explained Duff. 

“Walshy is on the grass, he joined in today as a floater, so he still hasn’t had any contact. He needs to do a pre-season so is still a little while away. 

“We’re hoping for two or three. Whether it comes off we will see but it won’t be through lack of trying. It is if’s, buts and maybes at the minute. In a perfect world, you get your own players. We’re not in one so whether it is loans or permanents we will have to see. 

“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see what we’re looking for so we will be trying to fill those areas. In thirty-six hours, we will know a lot more. We are in for players, and we do need a couple of players in certain positions. 

“It’s not the derby but it is a bit of a derby. They had a really strong finish last year but have been indifferent, losing a couple in the last three. 

“Nigel Pearson’s teams though are pretty robust. They have some pretty good players, as has every team in the league, and they can hurt you. Nahki Wells, who I’ve played with knows where the goal is. 

“There shouldn’t be any more of an edge, there might be a few more in than there would normally be, and the atmosphere might be a bit louder. From where we are looking at, we’re just looking to see things in games.  

“We have been the better team according to the stats a lot of the time in the last few games, but the important stat is the one that counts and is the one we haven’t fallen on the right side of. It’s can we see progression – yes, so will keep working and hopefully it will change.” 

(Lead image: Swansea City FC)