Wednesday 8 August 2007 17:41, UK
Swansea striker Darryl Duffy believes his side's progress will not be affected a great deal by the loss of Lee Trundle to Bristol City.
Swansea striker Darryl Duffy believes his side's progress this season will not be affected a great deal by the loss of Lee Trundle to Bristol City. Trundle completed his transfer to Ashton Gate for a seven-figure fee, but Duffy says there is no reason why his side cannot still mount a serious challenge for the League One crown. Manager Roberto Martinez has employed a new-look strike-force for the new season, and Duffy believes they could cause rival defences a fair few problems. "It has been strange in a way to come back for pre-season to find an entirely new strike-force, with Lee, Adebayo Akinfenwa and Pawel Abbott gone," Duffy told skysports.com. "Our new guys are getting to know how each other play, and without doubt in Jason Scotland and Guillem Bauza Mayol, Swansea have two players of real quality who will certainly cause defences some problems. "This is a huge club, and although the manager Roberto Martinez has not set us targets for the new season, there's a common belief that we are outgrowing this division and that this is a club geared towards Championship football." Swansea kick off their season against Oldham on Saturday, and although Duffy recognises that they are a good side, he is confident that his team can start their season with a bang. "It's just another game for us," he continued, "but Oldham are obviously a quality side and it looks like they'll be up there again. "We'll be in for a tough afternoon's work but everyone is determined to kick-off the new campaign with three points, and for me, hopefully a goal as well."