SWANS: ‘We will level with them’ — Matos ready to match Sheffield United

Vitor Matos wants Swansea City to meet Sheffield United blow for blow when the sides meet at the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors arrive under Chris Wilder having been held to a goalless draw at home by Birmingham City on the opening weekend, and the Swansea head coach knows what is coming.

“We now have Sheffield United, who are a really good team. Chris is a really experienced man, and he knows the league really well. His teams are really competitive, and they have a clear plan of what to do on the pitch,” Matos said.

“We come to a difficult game knowing that we will level with them with aggressiveness, with verticality, with quick attacks. I think that’s something that we need to be aware of, and we need to find a way to impose our game.”

‘We want to be a team that no one feels comfortable playing against’

Swansea have won their opening home game in each of the past two seasons, beating Sheffield United 1-0 in last season’s, and the head coach wants the stadium to be a difficult place to visit again.

“I think it’s about having this feeling that we want to make our stadium a proper place for us. For that, we need the fans, we need that connection with the fans and with the squad,” Matos said.

“It’s up to us as a team to give the energy and take the first step, by showing energy, by showing intensity, by showing hard work, by showing our football.

“I think the fans give it back, and that connection is really important for us. It was really important last season, and I think, of course, will be really important this season as well.

“We want to be a team that no one feels comfortable playing against, especially at our stadium.”

Victory would give the Swans their first winning start to an EFL campaign in eight years, after the comeback win at Stoke City, though Matos was not interested in the record.

“It’s not about that. It’s about being competitive, that’s what we want,” he said.

“It’s always good to win. I think it was emotional for the fans to win away. Our fans were outstanding, and having them there with us, with their support and the connection.

“It’s a win, but it’s only one game, and now we have the responsibility to keep improving and developing.”

Team news

Ross Stewart is available for the first time since joining on a free from Southampton, though the striker is more likely to be introduced from the bench than to start, having arrived without a pre-season behind him.

“He is available for the game, so apart from that everything is the same,” Matos said.

“I’m very excited to have all the team that is available now. Of course, Ross is a player we signed who offers a lot of quality, and I’m really happy to have him.”

His availability gives Matos three senior centre-forwards, alongside Zan Vipotnik, whose Hull City bid was rejected this month, and Adam Idah, who scored the winner at Stoke with his first touch after coming off the bench.

“I think that shows how important it is that we are building the squad in terms of profiles and strengths so we can use them depending on the situation,” the head coach said.

There was better news too on Gonçalo Franco, who has been out since ankle ligament surgery in July.

“Franco is still in rehab, but back on the grass. So he’s on schedule regarding everything,” Matos said.

“It’s more about finishing his rehab and then improving his fitness levels because he missed the pre-season, but he’s in a good way.”

Swansea remain without Cameron Burgess, ruled out for the season with a ruptured Achilles, with Stephen Welsh having partnered captain Ben Cabango at Stoke.

Kick-off at the Swansea.com Stadium is at 3pm on Saturday.