Roberto Martinez insists that competition for places is good within his squad and just what he wanted

17 months after taking over as manager, Roberto has now got competition for places in most areas within his squad and he insists that it is healthy rivalry between the players - something that should see the Swans in good stead for the upcoming Championship season.

New additions to the squad in key areas this summer means that it is difficult to second guess his opening line up against Charlton in just over two weeks although many pundits have speculated that the starting line up against Espanyol will give the clearest indication yet.

And that starting line up is predicted to include new signings Albert Serran, Gorka Pintado and Fedo Bessone with possibly even Mark Gower appearing whilst there are strong rumours developing that Matty Collins could have leaped ahead of Alan Tate for the right back spot in the absence of Angel Rangel.

It is impossible though to predict a starting line up from a friendly but with Espanyol ready to provide the Swans with their toughest pre-season test to date there is a growing belief that it could be the first glimpse of his Championship hand.

Whether it is or not though depends to be seen and the main thing for Roberto is the competition that has developed within his squad for those places and he told the Western Mail: "You look through the squad and everywhere there are serious contenders to start the season

“But that’s what you need.

“The British football season is now played over more than 50 games so it is clear you need both that competition and that depth.

“Yes, teams can have less but to keep standards high you need those kind of numbers and those kind of options.

“It means the competition is huge, but it has to be like that if we want to be competitive in the Championship.

“You can say there is two per position but I see it as three or four per partnership; I never look at positions because we can play in many different ways and formations.

“Those options and the balance of the squad is in itself is a huge strength because the players have to set their own high standards to put themselves on the teamsheet.

“But I think people should not put too much on who will be there against Charlton because we must look at the bigger roles people will play throughout the season rather than just one game.

“The squad is balanced how I would like it, it has been hard to improve a squad after the last campaign but the level we are in now we knew we had to.

“Besides, this hasn’t been the work of six or seven weeks, this has been 15 or 16 months’ work with some of the players.

“That was important for us because it just shows we have had to be ahead of the game in keeping an eye on players because in this league, money wise, we have to be careful because we’re not yet in a position to compete with the top end of the Championship. We have had to work in a different way.

“And as a result we have players who know they will have to earn their places and if they take their eye off the ball and think they have done enough to be in the side they will be punished.”

Photo: Action Images

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