Žan Vipotnik energised by Championship challenge

Žan Vipotnik is eager to repay the faith and support he has received from staff, teammates and fans since joining Swansea City.

The Slovenia international netted his third goal for the club in the midweek win over Derby County, firing home an unstoppable rising half-volley in the opening seconds at Pride Park.

That goal followed on from his close-range finishes against Preston North End and Oxford United as he adjust and adapts to life in the Championship.

Vipotnik joined the club just before the start of the season after a disrupted pre-season, and head coach Luke Williams has spoken of the need for patience as his number nine gets up to speed.

And Vipotnik is grateful for the backing he has received on and off the pitch since arriving in SA1.

“I am really happy here, I feel at home here. The staff have been amazing to me, everyone at this club has welcomed me and I have to say thank you for that, and I want to be able to pay people back with goals,” he said.

“I know where I am as I try to get better as a player, this is the perfect place for me.

“The training here is at another level, and the games are amazing. Anything can happen when you get down to the last 20 minutes!

“Every game is 50-50, and it is really nice to play in a league that is so competitive.

“Of course, I would love to score every game, but it’s important I do everything to help the team with the ball and without.

“Goals will come if I help the team. They give me a lot of energy.”

Next up for Vipotnik and Swansea is a home meeting with Portsmouth at the Swansea.com Stadium.

It will be Swansea’s third game in six days at the outset of a busy run that incorporates the festive period.

But the striker is enjoying the demands of the league.

“This is a strong, strong league and there are a lot of tough teams. I think it is perfect for me to become a stronger player. I feel good but I know I can improve a lot,” he added.

“You play every three days, but I like it. I did not have much of a pre-season, it was a strange situation for me, so the way we train has helped me and this rhythm with the games coming all the time is a bit crazy but I am enjoying it. It means you always have a chance to improve, and keep building.

“We know we can do better than we did in the second half, and I hope we can show that this Saturday.”