Boss expects Blues test

Graham Potter returns to old club Birmingham City on Friday night believing Swansea City will face another stern test of their Championship credentials.

The Birmingham clash will see the Swans come up against Garry Monk for the first time since his 11-year association with the club came to an end in 2015.

But that will not be the only reunion this week, for Potter is heading back home.

The Solihull-born Swans boss came through the youth ranks at Birmingham and made 32 senior appearances for the Blues at the start of his professional career.

“It’s a football club I know well – I made my debut there,” Potter said.

“I know Garry will have his team organised and playing well. We don’t expect any game to be easy in the division we are in and we expect a tough challenge on Friday.

“We just need to recover after the Preston game and focus on Birmingham. We will go there with optimism and positivity but we know it will be another big test.”

The Swans will travel to St Andrew’s with confidence having beaten Sheffield United and Preston in their first two games of the 2018-19 season.

And while it is still very early in the campaign, Potter has been encouraged by his team’s displays thus far.

“It’s not so much the points tally we’ve got, but more the response we’ve had in games,” he said.

“The more we’re learning about each other, the more we understand what we need to do to improve.

“We want to try to build a foundation of players wanting to play for Swansea City and being proud to represent this club.

“We’ve only just started and there’s a long way to go, but it’s been a nice start for us nevertheless.”