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Despite the ticketing fiasco that has unravelled over the last few days, the club claim that over 11,000 tickets have been sold so far and are expecting sales to reach the 13,500 mark by Saturday. News that the stadium's on-line ticketing machine crashed on Friday morning after failing to cope with demand, will also hardly boost confidence in the behind-the-scenes actions at the New Stadium. However, many supporters would agree that they would prefer any difficulties to be highlighted and corrected now, as opposed to in eight days time when League One commences.
The club were also dealt another large blow this week with the news that signing Adebayo Akinfenwa could cost them as much as £110k, with the decision being made by a tribunal on Thursday afternoon. Chairman Huw Jenkins was understandably "enraged" by the tribunal's verdict and was previously holding out for a maximum figure closer to the £50k mark. Kenny Jackett's kitty has thus been reduced accordingly and it would appear that any further transfer activity before the August deadline will rely on free transfers and loan deals. That said, Jackett expects to complete his third summer signing over the weekend as Owain Tudor-Jones appears likely to sign an initial one-month contract and fellow trialists Stuart Edwards and Nigerian International Minabo Asechemie continue to impress in training. Rumours have also been flying in Bournemouth, where Jackett was apparently lining up Brian Stock in a player-exchange deal for Swans striker Paul Connor...but that deal now appears dead.
On the pitch the signs have been good. The Swans followed up two convincing wins with a deserved draw against Premiership Fulham in last weekend's "New Stadium" opener, while a second-string side played out a dull 0-0 with Conference outfit Forest Green on Tuesday. Garry Monk made a welcome return to first-team action in the latter and there were also welcome run-outs for Lee Thorpe, Kevin McLeod and Andy Robinson.
However, the talk of pre-season remains new signing Marc Goodfellow, who has thoroughly impressed in his appearances so far. Goodfellow also wrote his name in club history by scoring the first ever Swans goal at the New Stadium on Saturday. Now looking a first-choice partner for the Akinfenwa and Trundle in attack, "Goody" appears to be carrying the expectations of Swans supporters desperately hoping for success in League One.
Blackburn have stated that they will name a strong XI at the New Stadium on Saturday, with the likes of Craig Bellamy, Brad Friedel and other International stars set for a run-out in South Wales' new arena. Contraversial midfielder Robbie Savage could also return to first-team action and is expected to play some part in the weekend's friendly.
In just 8 days time, League One commences...and Kenny will be hoping for one final decent performance before the arrival of Tranmere Rovers next Saturday. Full match report available online after the final whistle.