Michael Laudrup: Looking for Swansea to build on last season

Success in the Capital One Cup last season has carried the Swans into the Europa League, with the Welsh outfit holding a 4-0 lead over Malmo heading into the second leg of their third qualifying round tie on Thursday.

A productive run through continental competition would be welcome at the Liberty Stadium, but they must ensure that it is not allowed to become a distraction and a hindrance to their domestic efforts.

Laudrup insists he will not allow that to become an issue, with the Dane focused on building on last season's ninth-place top flight finish.

He said: "Success for us this season will be to consolidate the team as a mid-table side in the Premier League. That would be fantastic to do so for a third consecutive year.

"It's not easy because the teams below us last season have invested hard as they want to go up the table. Newcastle, West Ham and Southampton, among others, want to do that.

"We have the other competitions - the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League and we will just have to take them step by step. But the main thing for me is the Premier League."

Competitive

With his priorities laid out, Laudrup feels early European football could work in Swansea's favour - as they ready themselves for a visit from reigning champions Manchester United on the opening weekend of the new season.

He added: "When you go in from pre-season to the first game in the league, I think every manager has doubts about where his team are.

"I felt the same last season before we went to London to face QPR. You don't know how it will go.

"That is because friendly games are very different. The first half is okay, but in the second half you get 15 changes across the two sides.

"But in competitive games, like these two we are playing against Malmo, you don't get that. So it is very good for us."