Luke Williams | There were plenty of positives

Head coach Luke Williams felt there were a number of positives to take after watching his Swansea City side beat Rio Ave 3-0 at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Jay Fulton put the hosts ahead when he turned in a fizzing cross from Josh Key midway through the first half.

Kyle Naughton added a second from close range after a loose ball fell for him, before captain Matt Grimes produced a driven low finish after good work by Josh Thomas.

The win and clean sheet rounded off Swansea’s pre-season schedule, with Williams’ side next in action at Middlesbrough in next weekend’s Championship opener.

There were encouraging displays from the trio of new signings as Eom Ji Sung, Lawrence Vigouroux and Gonçalo Franco made their bows in front of the Jack Army.

And the Swans boss was pleased with the performance and result.

“I thought it was a very good game against really top opposition,” he said.

“I think it was nice to see the team playing on a beautiful pitch in the stadium, with the fans here to give the atmosphere.

“It was a tough game but there were a lot of positives I would say.

“I think we showed some really high-quality actions with the ball, but also the intensity without the ball was there, and the aggression to get the ball back. That was pleasing.

“I think all the new signings did really well, and that’s encouraging again because the opposition was really very good.

“We got a good glimpse of the level of those players, and I think that was a more realistic test in terms of what we are going to face in the Championship. Sometimes pre-season games can be misleading, but I felt that was a more accurate reflection of where we are.”

The fixture also saw the Swans unveil new striker Žan Vipotnik, after he became the fourth signing of the summer window in midweek.

And Williams believes the Slovenian international will provide something different for the Swans in the final third.

“He is going to help us at the top end of the pitch,” said Williams.

“We think the world of Liam Cullen, and he is going to play plenty of football as well, there is no doubt.

“He is a really important member of the squad for us and a true Jack.

“But, of course, we need a squad and VP (Vipotnik) will give us something different with the quality he has. He will bring another goal threat, and we are really excited.

“He is someone we have been looking at for some time and we managed to get him here, and we are really pleased.”