Don Goodman says he “really likes” what he has seen from Swansea City this season, backing Vitor Matos’ side for a top-eight challenge after their strong start.
The former striker and Sky Sports pundit pointed to a settled, aggressive style under a head coach the Swans landed almost by accident, after missing out on first choice Kim Hellberg to Middlesbrough.
“Fate brought Vitor Matos to South Wales,” said Goodman. “I love Kim Hellberg and what he’s done at Middlesbrough, but I don’t think he could have got much more out of this group than Matos has. It’s been a win for Boro, but it’s definitely been a win for Swansea too.”
Goodman singled out the pressing game as what sets Swansea apart.
“He’s got a lovely balance of being possession-based, he wants his team to control games, and what they do better than anybody else is the high press. They’ve won the ball back the most in the Championship in the opposition’s final third,” he said.
“They’re sharing the goals around this season rather than relying solely on Zan Vipotnik. They’ve got at least four players who have scored two goals already, a really good Championship goalkeeper, a solid defence, and a good mix overall.”
‘An ambitious club’
The pundit said the summer’s recruitment continued a shift he first noticed a year ago, when Swansea signed Adam Idah and others.
“That was the first time in years they looked like an ambitious club in the Championship, rather than one just wanting to survive or coast through. They’ve done it again this summer, spending decent money by their own standards on lots of players,” he said.
Goodman noted the club’s own bullish messaging, with the chief executive having spoken about being ready for a Premier League push.
“All the noises are really positive, and I would definitely have them down for a top-eight challenge, that’s for sure,” he said.
His view chimes with a bright start that has Swansea back in the automatic promotion places after Saturday’s win over Burnley, and followed Matos being praised for a complete display in that game.
“I like them, I really like them,” he added.
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