Here is what I think, would amount to successful runs in each competition. Take note I look at them separately and set up a success criteria. So it's not as if all goals have to be met in order to call the season a success, less will do. For the Europa League I have high hopes. Strength of squad, Swansea playstyle and willingness to perform. Looking from the outside, I will be as optimistic as to put Swansea alongside the portuguese top teams we see perform again and again on the international level. Bar one thing, they have the experience Swansea lack. But regardless, success will be somewhere in their ballpark so to speak. Qualifying for the group stages. Some challenging games in the group with the aim to win it and go through. After that, the CL teams join the fray and Swansea could be matched up against one of the huge continental teams. Getting through the group would be a goal reached, what happens from there on is a free lunch. In the Premier League getting those points is all important. It is without a doubt, the prime goal of the season to settle safely in the table. I think Swansea will do this, for a few reasons. For the newcomers, the Premier League is the attraction. Goes both for the Spaniards, but also a guy like Jonjo. They want to take it in, and perform in this league. It won't be regarded by small potatoes in the shadow of cup trophies by anyone, it's simply too much of an experience. The Squad seems big and talented enough to keep momentum all season, so I hope we can improve on last season in that aspect, and I expect, to not see the dive we saw last season. Given the fixture list, I worry more for the opening matches, if they don't go Swanseas way concerns may start to be voiced. The fear of haven bitten off more than we can chew. So a good start is vital. But as I see it, regardless of whether we win or lose in the Euro cup, it will be used to come out guns blazing in the PL. Success here, is to challenge last years result. Not necessarily surpass it, as this season offers so many more challenges and games. Swansea beat some big teams last season. But they also lost some matches they could have won, like the WBA game, or the Norwich game. There are places to improve, and also challenges that will be difficult to repeat. The Capital one cup will benefit from the size of the squad, and players who have found them last in the line of gametime, will drive the urge to win here. Starting matches should be as favourites and I think Swansea will win these first games. What is a success here is abit more difficult to specify. As defending champions you'll want to give everyone a run for their money. When you start drawing the big PL teams it is at best a 50/50 call to win. Showing the flag, and showing aside any team not strong enough will do. Playing Chelsea or Arsenal again somewhere in there, giving them a run for their money will be enough, hopefully at a quarter or semifinal stage at least. The FA Cup is difficult to setup any criteria for at this time. It all depends where we are in all the other tournies. Capital one cup will be drawing towards it's final stages if we are still in there. Euro Cup will have become very exiting if still in after the New Year. The position in the League can overshadow everything if we are not square in the middle. If we are near bottom or top, both things will determine our criteria for success in the FA. Goal is, to win the first game, see who we draw. Take it from there. As I said, these goals are all individual. If we reach them all it would be an over the top season. Less goals will do of course, and still be a win.
