Luke Williams | We have to be ready and excited by the test ahead

Head coach Luke Williams has urged Swansea City to be energised by the challenge of facing promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough when they kick-off the new Championship season this afternoon (12.30pm).

The Swans head to Teesside for the opening assignment of the 2024-25 campaign, taking on a Boro side who were being widely tipped to be among those in the hunt for promotion come the season’s end.

Williams’ side may start as underdogs in the eyes of many, but the Swans boss has made clear he expects his side to show the bravery and belief to go toe to toe with allcomers, and that starts at the Riverside Stadium. 

“They are a very good side, they have a decent squad and very good staff, and they will be a threat,” said Williams of Saturday’s opponents.

“There is going to be a lot of excitement and energy in the stadium, they will be a tough opposition.

“But we have to play every team at home and every team away, so let’s be excited about it rather than worried about it. We need to be ready.

“It’s our first learning about this group in a competitive match situation because it’s going to be one heck of a game. 

“We have to go there and be prepared to try and play, to be excited about the opportunity, take the game and see if we can impose our game on them.”