. . . as Premier League action returns to the Liberty
West Ham United make their first trip to the Liberty this Saturday, with the Swans hoping to build on their stunning start to the new Premier League campaign.
Something has to give as both clubs picked up victories in their opening games – West Ham beat Aston Villa while the Swans won 5-0 at QPR.
Michael Laudrup’s side deservedly stole the headlines on the first weekend of top-flight action, and Neil Taylor feels they must take momentum into Saturday’s clash with the Hammers.
“It was a great performance and victory last weekend,” said Taylor. “I think we must try and carry the momentum from that into Saturday’s match with West Ham.
“West Ham are a strong outfit – they are an established Premier League side, despite being out of the top division last season.
“They know what this division is about and they will be looking to really push on this season, so it will be a big test for us.
“I guess when you look at the promoted teams from last season we are well behind them in becoming an established Premier League team.
“Reading have been there and done it for a good few years while the same goes for Southampton.
“Even though we finished 11th last year, I think there’s still a lot of hard work ahead. You don’t become an established Premier League club after one season.
“So that’s the scale of the job ahead, but we are a tight, hard-working group of players who all want to push the club forward.”
Taylor could be going against some familiar faces on Saturday when Sam Allardyce’s newly-promoted side arrive in South West Wales.
International team-mates James Collins – who joined the Hammers this summer from Aston Villa – and Jack Collison will be in the claret and blue, rather than the red of Wales, this time around though.
And Taylor is looking forward to potentially locking horns with the pair.
“I’m not sure if they will be available, but it would be great to play against them as they are very good players,” said Taylor, who also represented Team GB in the London Olympics.
“James has a great deal of experience with Wales and also in the Premier League, while James has obviously played the majority of his career so far in the Premier League.”