Michael Duff | We want to start on the front foot

Michael Duff wants Swansea City to start the new season on the front foot when they host Birmingham City at the Swansea.com Stadium.

The head coach takes charge of the Swans for the first time as they host the Blues in their Championship opener.

It is just over six weeks since Duff was appointed in SA1, and he has been honest in admitting he and his coaching staff would have loved pre-season to still have a few weeks to run.

But he feels his squad are in a good place as they prepare to face a Blues side buoyed by a change of ownership and a revamped squad.

“I know (Birmingham head coach) John Eustace really well, I did my football diploma with him,” said Duff.

“I got to know him quite well and he is a really good football man.

“They have new ownership, and have signed eight or nine players. I have watched them during pre-season, and it looks as though they might change the way they play and may become more expansive and possession-based.

“The players they have brought in have experience at this level, but there are no easy games at this level, regardless of the opposition.

“People might get bored of me saying it, but if you are at this level you are not going to get an easy game.

“They will be exactly the same as us. They will want to start on a positive note but hopefully we can get on the front foot early, keep the ball as we want to keep the ball.

“We will want to press how we want to press, and hopefully the supporters will see that and come with us.”