Neil Taylor says Swansea face twin test of Premier and Europe

Image source, Huw Evans picture agency

Neil Taylor says how Swansea City cope amid the twin demands of the Premier League and Europa League will define their 2013-14 campaign.

The Wales defender cites Newcastle United's disappointing 2012-13 experience as a warning to the Swans.

They travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday in the Premier League, then Romania's Petrolul Ploiesti on Thursday in Europe.

"Weeks like these will massively define our season," said Taylor.

"It defined Newcastle's season last year. You have to have a big squad and be prepared.

"You have to rotate but always be competitive, simple as that.

"We got back at 3am when we played the away [Europa League] leg in Malmo, so coming back from Romania will be later again and gives you less time to prepare for the next game.

"You have to be ready to rotate the squad and have the players to do it. I think we have.

"It's what we want to do. We want to be going all over Europe and testing ourselves but remain strong in the Premier League."

Winning last season's Capital One Cup sent the Swans into Europe.

They have over two legs and are 5-1 ahead going into Thursday's second leg in the group stage against Petrolul Ploiesti.

But first, having succumbed 4-1 to Manchester United on their Premier League opener, the Swans go to Spurs, who seem poised to lose Wales star Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.

Amid a summer of speculation over Bale's future, Spurs have brought in Roberto Soldado, Etienne Capoue, Paulinho and Nacer Chadli, although Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Willian has opted for Chelsea instead of White Hart Lane.

Taylor says overall Spurs "look really strong".

He added: "They have spent a lot of money. I thought if they got in the Champions League that's when they would spend a lot.

"They didn't, but they have still spent it.

"They have definitely strengthened and... we have already seen from facing Manchester United that quality can tell.

"We have a quality team as well and hopefully after Thursday we can get a big lift from that win and go there [Spurs] and have a real go."