please log in to view this image Paul Clement (Photo: Action Images via Reuters) July 12 - Barnet (The Hive) July 15 - Philadelphia Union (Philadelphia) July 19 - Richmond Kickers (Richmond) July 22 - North Carolina (Sahlen's Stadium) July 29 - Birmingham (St Andrew's)
I feel a bit that way and can never decide whether it is better to have some good hard friendlies or to play sides you should be beating comfortably. What I never understand we never get invited to play any tidy friendlies abroad, surely in a lot of countries we would be a side locals would want to watch. I still don't get the point of the American games, unless it is for commercial purposes only, hardly prepares us for a PL season.
At least we have 1 tidy friendly, Last game against Sampdoria. I am not so convinced by the giants tag though. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/swansea-city-confirm-pre-season-13129437
It was obvious we would be going to America...But i dont get Barnet and Brum....I would have liked a couple of teams that Clem was associated with abroad at home.
Dai, clearly every year when the Yanks are here we are going to pre season in USA, but it still doesn't make for a good competitive pre-season, but then we don't do that any year I suppose.
I hope we have recruited our full squad of players before pre-season this time and not leave it until the last minute like we always seem to do....We have missed out before on players because we have left it too late....
we all wish for it, nut it has never happened yet and don't anticipate it will happen this year. I have no doubt there will be the usual panic at the end of August.
Money over substance seems to be the mantra of the Club these days, it is all about the commercial aspect, I expect they'll add a couple more but primarily for the fringe players such as the U23's as they've got a harder test this season .
Don't a lot of sides now almost have 2 pre seasons, one for the first team squad and another for those who are looking at achieving that. Our 23's reached the last 8 or was it 4 of the checkertrade. mayve they need to be tested as well.
Barnet's ground is only about 15 mins from me but the 12th July is my 1st day of summer hols so will be in Crete when they kick off
I actually enjoy going to new grounds and brings back memories. I actually played at Barnets old ground, Underhill so if in the country wouldn't mind a day out to their new one.
Why we don't enter in some sort of Emirates/Champions cup I'll never know. I'd rather play 4-5 teams from the championship than the joke of friendlies in America