Goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux says Swansea City's impressive early-season form means they now command respect from their Championship rivals. The Swans sit top of the league with 11 points from five games, having scored seven goals and conceded just one, as they prepare for a Welsh showdown with Wrexham this weekend.
Vitor Matos's side is the only unbeaten team in the division after a midweek victory over Watford that featured a stunning team goal. The win kept them one point clear of Middlesbrough at the summit. Vigouroux, the Chile international, told reporters that their performances have not gone unnoticed. "I think a lot of the teams now will show us a bit of respect for how we've been playing recently," he said. "And I think we deserve that at the moment because I think we've played really well - but it can change in an instant."
Swansea's current standings position is their best start to a campaign in years, built on a solid defence and fluid attacking play reminiscent of the club's Premier League era. Manager Vitor Matos has insisted the team is on the right track to recapturing that famous style. The early momentum provides a platform ahead of a busy period, with three more games before the next international break. Vigouroux stressed the need for focus, acknowledging the fine margins in the Championship. Each opponent presents a different puzzle, and Swansea must find ways to adapt their game plan weekly to maintain their position.
The upcoming match offers a different kind of test. Wrexham arrive at their stadium buoyed by their first win of the season, a 3-0 triumph at Millwall in midweek. Their deadline-day signings of Joe Worrall and Callum O'Hare have bolstered Phil Parkinson's squad. Vigouroux expects a physical examination. "We know what they'll bring," he noted. The last meeting was a 2-0 win for Wrexham at the Racecourse in March, though Swansea were victorious in the corresponding home fixture last December.
While the fixture pits the two highest-placed Welsh clubs against each other, its status as a derby is nuanced. The geographical distance between north and south Wales means it lacks the traditional intensity of Swansea's rivalry with Cardiff City. Matos was quick to remind everyone that the South Wales derby remains the primary focus for the club. However, with Wrexham's Hollywood-backed rise and ambitions to become Wales's top club, a competitive edge has certainly grown. "Of course Cardiff is the main derby, that's the one when the fixtures come out, you look for," Vigouroux said. "This one, in the last couple of years, has been getting there."
Swansea will have to handle the next phase of the season without two key players. Defender Cameron Burgess and midfielder Gonçalo Franco are currently sidelined. Their absence tests the squad's depth as they aim to stay at the top. The team's early success has been a collective effort, with the defensive record a particular highlight. Maintaining this resilience will be vital during a demanding Championship schedule where squad rotation is often necessary. Fans can view the full roster on the official squad list.
Swansea's immediate focus is on continuing their unbeaten run, but they face a quick turnaround. Their next Championship fixture is an away trip to face Southampton on Tuesday, September 8th.
