Swansea showed some glimpses of what is to come despite going down 2-1 to defending champions Leicester City on Saturday.
Jamie Vardy and Wes Morgan gave the home team a two-goal lead before Leroy Fer pulled one back for Swansea in the 81st minute.
Positives
The better second half was evidence that this side has some self-belief, and the continuing good work of Mo Barrow gives at least one reason to be optimistic despite Swansea having now lost two of their opening three matches.
Negatives
Watching Swansea play a high line against a team comprising Jamie Vardy, be punished for doing so, and then continue their ways, was bewildering to say the least. Leicester's first goal was completely preventable. The entire first half performance was a horror show, and if the Swans start so badly again against any of the big six sides they'll face in the coming month or so, they could be in serious trouble.
Manager rating out of 10
5 -- There was no justification for Francesco Guidolin to play a high line in this game and Swansea were duly punished. He also could have made his last substitution 15 minutes sooner, as bringing on a second striker with less than five minutes to play while chasing a goal is leaving it a little late to say the least.
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best; players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating):
GK Lukasz Fabianski, 8 -- Saved a penalty and the follow-up shot to keep Swansea in the game having had little chance on Leicester's goals.
DF Kyle Naughton, 7 -- Made the second most passes with 80 next to Mo Barrow's 83, and is developing a partnership with the winger to rival the Angel Rangel-Nathan Dyer combination of old.
DF Federico Fernandez, 5 -- Was easily beaten in the air on the play which led to Leicester's second goal. Must stand taller on set pieces.
DF Jordi Amat, 5 -- Has proven too reckless in one-on-one challenges lately, picking up a needless yellow in the last match and giving away a penalty this time.
DF Stephen Kingsley, 7 -- Managed to offer good service going forward without being punished by Riyad Mahrez behind.
MF Jack Cork, 6 -- Led all players with six tackles in a typically consistent defensive display.
MF Leroy Fer, 8 -- Got the Swans lone goal with a strong header having thrown himself at everything played his way in the last quarter of the game.
MF Mo Barrow, 7 -- Picked up an assist and looks completely settled as the Swans starting right wing, one of the surprise benefits of the Andre Ayew sale.
MF Gylfi Sigurdsson, 6 -- Came close to scoring with a barrage of long-range shooting, though how much Fernando Llorente would have appreciated that is debatable.
MF Wayne Routledge, 4 -- An awful game for the Swans stalwart who couldn't connect a pass all game. Committed turnovers and should have been subbed much sooner.
FW Fernando Llorente, 6 -- Needs a goal to start his Swans career properly. Might be starting to feel the fatigue having played every minute of the Swans first three league matches.
Substitutes:
MF Ki Sung-Yeung, 6 -- On for Sigurdsson in the 59th minute, but denied a shift in his best position as the No.10 and asked to play deep instead.
MF Jefferson Montero, 6 -- Replaced Routledge in the 59th minute. Could have come on sooner, before the rain spoiled the dribbling game. Still provided one or two decent crosses.
FW Oliver McBurnie, NA -- Rightfully given a chance to feature at Premier League level but given far too little time to shine having replaced Cork with 86 minutes played.