Michael Duff’s first interview as Swansea City manager threw up an interesting quote.
“I want to play good football and I know that there is an expectation of that at this football club, but it’s about evolving it, moving it and being a bit more on the front foot and a bit more progressive at times,” he said.
“It’s about getting the balance of all those things because ultimately it’s a winning business. You’ve got to win.”
The man who he is replacing in the dugout at Swansea, Russell Martin, was a practitioner of an extreme style of football he rarely, if ever, strayed from. Duff, 45, from the above quote at least, appears to be more pragmatic. Winning is, after all, the goal.
READ MORE: Michael Duff's first words as Swansea City boss as he reveals why he wanted job
An exciting new era has begun at Swansea with the former Barnsley man at the helm but the task he faces is something of a stark one. Players arrive at Fairwood today for pre-season before they jet off to Spain on Sunday for a warm-weather training camp.
There has been plenty of upheaval in Landore over the last few months, on and off the pitch, with a change in the manager’s office, significant movement at boardroom level and players set to come and go.
Duff has six weeks before the season kicks off against Birmingham City at the Swansea.com Stadium.
He has no time to lose.
Develop working relationships
"Good luck to the new coach at Swansea City! Need to understand that the American owners very rarely come to the games and don’t expect any support!!"
A tweet from former Swansea player-turned-BBC-pundit Ian Walsh on Thursday night spelt it out. It's no secret the relationship between Martin and the Swansea hierarchy was strained at times, especially after the poor January transfer window earlier in the year when no new signings were brought into the club. But with new men now in place, all parties - including fans - will hope this is the start of a clean slate.
Duff will need to work harmoniously with new chairman Andy Coleman, incoming sporting director Paul Watson and Josh Marsh to bring in signings who will improve both the first XI and the squad, all on a budget.
From initial discussions it appears ambitions are aligned.
“I’m excited to get going and meet the players, because that’s when it’ll really kick in when you’re on the grass and doing your job,” Duff said last night
“There were lots of reasons I wanted to come to Swansea; the step up in level, but also the infrastructure that’s already at the football club, and speaking to the owners and the ambition they’ve got for the club it matches my own ambition"
Supporters will hope that statement will be backed up financially this summer.
Sort out Piroe
Barring a pretty dramatic U-turn, Joel Piroe is likely to leave SA1 before the end of the transfer window..
Two seasons of scoring 20-odd goals in the Championship will always attract attention from clubs further up the food chain and Premier League sides and teams on the continent - reportedly from Serie A - have been keeping tabs on him.
With Piroe out of contract next summer, Swansea need to cash in or risk losing the Dutchman for free - something that is inconceivable for the financial structure of the club. Duff - along with Coleman and Watson - will want this situation wrapped up quickly, one way or another.
Recruitment in general
Swansea were already a striker down following the loan (then permanent) departure of Michael Obafemi in January to Burnley.
With the Republic of Ireland man now long gone and the very real prospect of losing Piroe, Swansea will be in need of two strikers - and that’s even before you consider the question marks hanging over fringe man Morgan Whittaker's future in SA1.
At the other end of the pitch, plenty of surgery is needed too.
Joel Latibeaudiere and Ryan Manning have now left on free transfers, while Matty Sorinola’s loan deal with the club expired. Both defensive flanks therefore need addressing.
Keeping hold of the skipper
National reports have linked Matt Grimes with following Martin to Southampton this summer. Jay Fulton, too.
Skipper Grimes has been a fine servant to the club since arriving during the Premier League years and is this team’s heartbeat, dictating the tempo of play. There will be concern over his close relationship with Martin, with both having immense respect for each other. It should be one of Duff’s early priorities to keep the captain at the club.
Supporters know that finances dictate but if Swansea were to see Piroe leave, that would surely plug the monetary hole for one window at least, allowing them to retain the midfielder.
Establish his own style
Martin’s football, when it worked, was extremely easy on the eye. When it didn’t, it was heart attack-inducing.
His insistence on playing out from the back was trusting in the extreme and the rewards were there for all to see when it was performed to its optimum level but the opposite can be said when it failed.
Former Barnsley and Cheltenham Town man Duff will tread his own path. He has already given a little glimpse into what he’ll instill into the players for the campaign ahead.
“I’ve come in with my eyes wide open in terms of the managers who have been here before,” he added.
“If you look at my previous teams, you’ll see we’re aggressive and in your face, we’ll go and press but we look to play football as well.
“I see a lot of good footballers and a lot of talent in the dressing room, so if we can add to that then I see an opportunity to do something. Everyone needs to be pulling in the same direction. Everything is about the team.”
Backroom team
Swansea have seen assistant Matt Gill and goalkeeping coach Dean Thornton head to St Mary’s with Martin.
The fact negotiations with the Saints were so elongated meant this was no surprise and allowed Swansea plenty of time to plan for the future.
Duff, like most managers, will want to bring his own team with him - and it would be beneficial for all concerned if this was sorted before the flight to Spain.
"An update regarding Duff’s coaching staff will follow in due course," Swansea said in their statement on Thursday night.
