South Wales Evening Post

Mark Gower admits Swansea City must learn fast after fears of set-piece sorrow came true on the season's opening day.

The midfielder highlighted set-pieces as the major difference between the Championship and League One after his season with Southend United in the second tier.

Gower, who issued his warning after signing on a free transfer at the Liberty Stadium this summer, saw his new team-mates downed at Charlton Athletic via two goals from set-pieces.

Goals from Mark Hudson and Andy Gray handed Swansea an opening defeat at The Valley, with a corner and free-kick the source of the goals.

And Gower feels Roberto Martinez's side needs to quickly get to grips with the quality of the Championship's dead-ball specialists.

''It was disappointing to concede the goals we did,'' said Gower, who was the only summer signing to win his first league start.

''Set-pieces are big in this league and we have got to defend them or we will be fighting an uphill battle.

''Garry (Monk) was blocked for the first goal and his man has nicked a few yards and got a free header.

''That is what happens in this league. The Championship is a strong league with quality players and you have got to defend set-pieces if you want to go anywhere.

''In League One maybe the delivery of the ball is not as good and the opposition are not as big and strong. But that is something we need to get used to quickly. There are lessons to be learned and it is something we will get stronger from.''

Despite their set-back, Gower pointed to a number of positives in which Swansea can take from their opening defeat.

Goals aside, Martinez's side dominated possession and controlled the majority of the game and were still in the game despite Garry Monk's second-half dismissal for a second booking.

And Gower reckons his team-mates will remain upbeat despite falling short at Charlton.

''Charlton are one of the favourites and were in the Premier League two years ago, but I think we dominated the game - particularly in the first half,'' he said.

''We bounced back well after the early goal and we controlled the game. We had a few chances and their keeper spilled a few shots, and when you look back at it you will see we played them off the park. On another day it could have been completely different.

''But the lads are winners - you don't win League One like we did last season if you don't have winners in the dressing room.

''We are disappointed to lose, but we can't allow ourselves to get too downhearted. We can definitely bounce back from this.''

Swansea's opportunity to bounce back comes tomorrow night as they take on Brentford in the Carling Cup first round at the Liberty Stadium (7.45).

Martinez is expected to make a few changes and will definitely be without skipper Garry Monk, who serves a one-match suspension, and he could hand a debut to Albert Serran.

He sat out Saturday's defeat because of a suspension carried over from his time at Espanyol, but he may come in to replace Monk.