Scott Sinclair' says Swansea 'not under Premier League pressure'
Last updated on .From the section Football
Scott Sinclair believes Swansea City boast the ability to surprise teams in their Premier League debut season.
The Swans begin their campaign on Monday at big-spending FA Cup winners Manchester City.
And England Under-21 international Sinclair, Swansea's play-off final hat-trick hero, insists there will be no pressure on the top-flight new boys.
"Everyone's expecting us to lose, I think we'll surprise a few people and a few teams," said winger Sinclair.
"I think it's a good thing we're the underdogs going into games.
"Everyone's writing us off right now. Every time we go into a game there's no pressure whatsoever.
"From my point of view, and obviously with the team, we can play our normal game.
"We can't get criticised [for] what we're doing because they're writing us off already."
Expectation has been building ahead of Swansea's return to English football's top flight for the first time in 28 years.
Sinclair, Swansea's 27-goal top-scorer last season, has been joined in the Swans attack by summer signings Wayne Routledge, Leroy Lita and record signing Danny Graham.
And Sinclair, who joined the Liberty Stadium side from Chelsea last summer, believes the new additions will provide much needed competition.
"The gaffer's brought in some players and I think it will help us," added Sinclair.
"They've settled in very well and I think they've added some quality to the squad and should help us through the season.
"More competition makes the squad more healthy and everyone's trying that little bit extra in training.
"Everyone's excited to kick off the season. There's a real big buzz still going on around Swansea and the team."
Sinclair is one of a handful of Swansea players who has previous Premier League experience with Chelsea and during a loan spell at Wigan Atheltic.
And the 22-year-old, a member of England's squad at this summer's Uefa Under-21 Championship in Denmark, will have to make the most of their opportunities.
"Being in the Championship you might four or five chances in front of goal but in the Prem you might one or two," he said.
"If you get one or two then you have to stick one away. It comes down to the quality."
