Bob Bradley: We must remember what Swansea city shirt means
20th October
Bob Bradley has reminded his players about the responsibility that comes with wearing the Swansea City shirt ahead of his Liberty debut against Watford.
The Swans' new boss takes charge of his first home game this weekend when his team tackle the Hornets.
Bradley has urged the fans do all they can to help the home cause on Saturday.
And he has told his players to remember who they will be fighting for when they take to the field.
"With all the things that go on in the lives of footballers, sometimes you have to be reminded of what a club was all about before you arrived on the scene," Bradley said.
"It is worth remembering that it didn't all start when you pulled the Swansea City Football Club jersey on for the first time.
"Sometimes it's good to have reminders about how much a club means to people and the responsibilities you have.
"That part has never changed for me - it's the same whether you are coaching a national team or a club team.
"I want to make sure the players understand the responsibility of wearing that jersey.
"When you come to a club, I think that responsibility is at the heart of the kind of environment you create every day.
"You have to understand the people who are going to live and die by every kick of the ball in every match.
"You have to understand that the fans want to see something they are proud of, and of course at the same time you have to get results.
"It's not something you can talk about in long speeches with the players, but I think it's important to remind the players of some of these things.
"I think the players here are good guys - they are not unaware. But sometimes in football it is easy to think you came first."
Bradley has been boosted by news that Fernando Llorente will be available to face Watford having missed the Swans' last two matches through injury.
Mo Barrow has also been declared fit for the game despite coming off at Arsenal last weekend with an ankle problem, but Jefferson Montero is not yet ready to return from a calf complaint.
Bradley acknowledges that the key to the Swans' chances of landing a first home win of the season will be how many individuals within his team perform at somewhere close to their best.
But he also believes the Jack Army have a part to play.
"Sometimes it's worth saying, just to make sure, that we need them," he added.
"We are all in it together. I am not one who is going to stand in front of the bunch waving a flag up and down.
"I think that if we work the right way, if we understand what the fans are looking for and get that right, that speaks for itself.
"But this is an important home match for us. Our home record this season isn't what anybody wants, so it's worth a little reminder to everyone who is coming to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday that we need you and we are counting on you."
Bradley on where his team must improve after Arsenal
"There's not one thing. To be a good team you need the whole package.
"The players here like to work. They want to be coached. It's about how we continue to improve - about how we make our football, our mentality and intensity better, and we also have to eliminate mistakes."
Bradley on Mo Barrow
"He took a kick last week but he is fit. We all felt overall it was a good game for him last weekend, but I said I think it's just the start.
"I know he has shown glimpses of talent in the past, but I thought especially in the second half he was a real threat.
"He is fit and ready to build on that. We can all see his talent, now it's about how we push it along."
Bradley on Watford
"They have done well. They are direct in certain moments, they fight for balls and they are hard to break down. They defend in numbers, so we will have to have some good ideas to create chances.
"But we have to be positive. We have to view it as an important home match, for our supporters and for confidence."
Bradley on Pierre Barrieu - and the chances of another new face joining his staff
"I think the group of staff that (head of performance) Richard Buchanan has put in place is a very good group.
"Pierre comes in and adds something to that. I already feel the communication is very good and the players like him.
"We are still continuing with the possibility of adding an assistant who would also be doing more coaching on the pitch with me."
Bradley on the relegation battle
"If you look at the way this team have played in recent years and some of the finishes they have had, you can easily say this is a team who have shown themselves to be a mid-table type of team with the possibility of being in the top 10.
"I am hoping if we continue to work every week, that will eventually be a target again.
"But at the moment, we are a team who have had a tough start and a managerial change and you see where we are in the table.
"Whether we are in a relegation fight for two weeks, four weeks or six weeks - that depends if we can get ourselves on a good run."
