........although we did come down to earth a little.
The pre-game Presser at the Swans first conference in the States had included an interesting Q&A from both Michael Laudrup and Gary Monk .
Both performed honestly, confirming the fact that in our new Manager and the on-going Club Captain we have admirable professionals who bring an enlightened and open aspect to the rote relief of disseminating information to us, the fans. This is good in itself, and as GM illustrates, it contrasts to being a "million miles from where we've been." Fine stuff, from both.
That the fixture took part at the Dick's Sporting Arena, situated just 12m from the appalling and tragic events of the Aurora shootings was painful in the extreme, and both Swansea City and the Colorado Rapids wore black armbands in respect.
Prior to the Club jetting out to the States, excellent news was posted in relation to a concrete commitment to develop a Training Centre at Fairwood, in conjunction with Swansea University.
Great news indeed, developed in conjunction with the upgrade at Landore.
Exciting times, and Gary Monk's pertinent contrast to 10 yrs ago nails it, particularly when he talks about the journey we're still on. ("Puffs chest out whilst throwing salt into Satan's Karmic eye over the left shoulder").
A word here, too, for our very own Local Hero, our estimable Chairman Huw Jenkins, who obviously co-ordinated the Club's dignified and pertinent statement re the Joe Allen farrago. No more need be said than this.
The only comment I'll make is this - if Joe Allen is a "limited player" (as I've read and heard on more stunted outlets) - how come he gets to start ahead of Aaron Ramsey and other Midfield luminaries for Team GB in their first game tonight. Stuart Pearce, like others before him, has seen the quality. Get your cheque books out all you wanters. He's ours till you cough up the readies.
As for the first game on Tour, it ended as we know in a 2-1 defeat, but contained a wonderful free-kick goal from Jonathan de Guzman, which promised to continue the threat that Gylfi Sigurdsson gave us last year. Encouraging, to say the least. get a full report from the OS here.
The Team moves on now to the sunnier climes of California, to take on Lower US League side the Ventura County Fusion, before moving on the West Coast to play their last fixture against the San Jose Earthquakes.
So, in a more general sense, where do we go from here?
Well, the first thing to stipulate is that we're on the right track. Let's be realistic - the years have gone by when we went on a Pre-Season tour either locally, or nearby in Continental Europe. As a member of the Premier League, we're nowadays a good deal more attractive opponent in the International Market, and long may this be so.
Similarly, in the off season we've not only engaged a truly world class ex-player and prominently engaging Manager in ML's replacement of BR, but we've only signed 3 players who all have PL Class stamped upon them by their previous progress. You must agree, it's a pretty good start to the year.
Here's the bonus.
Take a look at the Olympic Football Tournament for men, because it's a cracking advert for top-class young players. A veritable feast of quality and opportunity. Bet your life that our Scouts (and others) are watching it too.
Subsequent to our USA Trip, pleasing Home fixtures are set up against FC Stuttgart on the 11th August and Blackpool, previously, on the 7th August, a particularly pleasing contrast between the Bundesliga's prominent Club, and Ian Holloway's near-missers from the Championship, built very much on our model.
Our opening PL fixtures , of course, see us sent to the West London Millionaires for our first up, before we get to come back to the Lib to welcome Sam Allardyce's equally recent arrivistes, who, I may add, are still arguing internally about their "style". Nonetheless, it would be unfair to include either of the joint Chairmen, David Gold and David Sullivan in this curfuffle, as both they and Karen Brady are more likely to be counting the Shekels having "arrived".
Am I being overly cynical? I don't think so, since WHU's outlook on life in the PL is so very very different from ours, "Legacy", and the Olympic Stadium included. I suspect you'll forgive me for a little cynicism there.
It leads nicely on to our recognition and advantage of being a member of this global elite.
I've written previously of the necessity to secure long term fruition and advancement of our current situation, and both Landore and Fairwood, along with Stadium expansion are testament to that. As I've said before- kudos to the Board.
This Season, above all others, it is absolutely vital that we remain where we are.
On that basis this American Tour will at least give ML a chance to assess his squad in detail, and also to plan any additions and releases he deems necessary. From a personal viewpoint, I would love to see an addition of further attacking, scoring talent, and I don't doubt from ML's quotes that he has his eye on anything less.
Having laid off earlier from an in-depth appreciation of where the Joe Allen deal lies, I will say this. £15m, if it's that (and it should be), buys us a certain amount of influence, to do what we want.
I am minded to trust our Manager and Chairman.
As I hinted earlier, retention of our PL Status will not only be pleasant and enjoyable, if it matches last year it'll be fantastic. Most of us Swans will have had a tremendous experience where we saw our Club surpass it's previous, admirable, efforts. To think we could do it again is both frightening and encouraging. Plus, the rewards are not only personal and pleasurable - they are quintessentially key.
This is about survival, this is about progress, this is why Football matters.
Onward, Swansea City
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My best regards and support to the Portsmouth FC Supporters Trust. They are trying to do for their Club what our wonderful Trust did for ours. Please support them in any way you can.
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