Swansea City Thread

[vimto66]

Best result of the season so far and no comment yet!

[davidge]

46 minutes ago, vimto66 said:

Best result of the season so far and no comment yet!

Always a good day when we beat Cardiff 

One of the best derby wins for a long time. Due more to them being rubbish than anything else, but we played some nice football.

Still think we’re no more than a lower half side at the moment but a few signings in January could see us comfortably in top half.

 

[vimto66]

1 hour ago, davidge said:

Always a good day when we beat Cardiff 

One of the best derby wins for a long time. Due more to them being rubbish than anything else, but we played some nice football.

Still think we’re no more than a lower half side at the moment but a few signings in January could see us comfortably in top half.

 

Pretty surprised at the Cardiff situation, i thought Mcarthy would do ok there, he might yet but he surely hasn't much time left, if any.

[davidge]

8 hours ago, vimto66 said:

Pretty surprised at the Cardiff situation, i thought Mcarthy would do ok there, he might yet but he surely hasn't much time left, if any.

I’ll be surprised if he’s there much longer. The problems come from above him, though. They’ve gone for a succession of managers that play the same way (awful football) and now have a squad entirely built for that.

[davidge]

Whisper it softly but the Swans are beginning to look quite good.

After hammering Cardiff we got a well-deserved win against West Brom last night. We still give away soft goals (giving the ball away twice for their goal in the first minute) and we don’t have enough efforts on target, but new signings are beginning to gel.

Piroe has settled well and looks like the central striker we’ve needed for 3 years, Paterson is growing in confidence as a ‘number 10’ and Downes looks like a very good holding midfielder. Ntcham has had a few bright moments but still inconsistent, while Obafemi hasn’t been fit yet. Laird is an excellent loan signing at right wing-back though Rhys Williams hasn’t really settled yet.

It’s looking likely that there will be more business done in January. It’s pretty clear that the manager doesn’t really rate Cullen, Whittaker, Dhanda or Fulton so we could see them leaving on loan or permanently. If Grimes doesn’t sign a new contract then he’ll almost certainly go in January as well.

Given the limited size of the squad, we’ll need to replace anybody that leaves. By the end of January we could well have 70%+ of the squad being different to the one that reached last year’s playoffs final.

[davidge]

Unexpected good news. Our captain has signed a new contract. 

https://www.swanseacity.com/news/matt-grimes-signs-new-swansea-city-deal-through-2025

 

[davidge]

SWANSEA CITY SADDENED TO LEARN OF PASSING OF FRANK BURROWS

11 MINUTES AGO

  Club

Swansea City is saddened to learn of the passing of former manager Frank Burrows at the age of 77.

The Scotsman was appointed Swans boss in March 1991 and guided the club away from the threat of relegation, before winning the Welsh Cup with victory over Wrexham at Cardiff Arms Park.

His Swansea side just missed out on promotion to the First Division in the 1992-93 play-offs, while he will always be remembered as the manager who took the club to Wembley for the first time in their Autoglass Trophy win over Huddersfield Town in 1994, before leaving his role the following year.

He spent his early footballing career north of the border in his homeland, but made the move to England in 1965 with Scunthorpe United and then Swindon Town. While with the Wiltshire club, Burrows and his team-mates – who were playing in the third tier at the time - made history by beating top-flight Arsenal in the 1969 League Cup final.

After retiring from playing in 1976, he moved into coaching at Swindon and found success at a series of clubs, including Portsmouth and Cardiff City, as a manager.

Frank was also part of Harry Redknapp’s coaching staff at West Ham, and was assistant manager at West Brom as they twice secured promotion to the Premier League in the early part of this century.

His final coaching role was at Leicester, where he left the Foxes after a spell in caretaker charge in 2007.

Frank was a popular and much-loved figure at the Swans and within Welsh football, and everyone at Swansea City sends their sincerest condolences to Frank’s family and friends at this sad time.

The first team will wear black armbands in his memory for this evening's Championship fixture against Barnsley before a further tribute at Saturday’s home game against Reading.

[davidge]

[davidge]

Ray Kennedy has died, aged 70.

A legend from Arsenal's 1971 double team (scored the winner the night Arsenal won the league at White Hart Lane), who went on to achieve incredible things for Liverpool before signing for the Swans.

He fought a long battle with Parkinson's disease. 
 

[davidge]

Not good news:

 

Swansea City can confirm that head of recruitment Andy Scott has left the club.

This decision was reached mutually and follows on from recent structural changes at the football club.

The process of recruitment will now sit alongside two roles which will be announced soon, with a specific focus on player identification and player acquisition.

Sporting director Mark Allen will help oversee this process, and he will continue to work closely with head coach Russell Martin and chief executive Julian Winter.

Scott joined the club in July 2019 following a lengthy and thorough process involving a number of high-quality candidates.

The former Brentford head of recruitment and Watford sporting director joined as head of recruitment and oversaw several transfer windows during his tenure.

“Andy joined in the summer of 2019 following the departure of Graham Potter in what was a transition period for the club,” said Swansea City chief executive Julian Winter.

“He has done a tremendous amount of good work during his time here and the decision has been reached amicably, while Andy has also expressed an interest in pursuing new opportunities.

“Good recruitment is fundamentally important for the football club, and with the January transfer window approaching we are in a position where we can press forward with our plans for both the short and long term.”

Andy Scott added: “I believe that I leave the club with the squad in very good shape, with an excellent balance that has been built methodically and strategically over the last two years.

“To be part of the last two play-off seasons has been a pleasure and I’d like to thank my team of scouts and analysts for the outstanding work they’ve put in as well as all the support staff, particularly Ben Greenwood, Rebecca Gigg, Ashley Gill and Huw Lake.

“The squad has some exciting talent and the relatively small fees paid for players like Joel Piroe and Ryan Manning, for example, continue to prove that a good scouting process and plan is invaluable. 

“I’ve loved my time at Swansea City; the club, city and people are fantastic but with the impending change in recruitment strategy I feel this is the right time to move on and look forward to the next stage of my career.”

The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Andy for all his hard work while at the club and wish him well in the future.

[davidge]

Swansea City’s Boxing Day Championship fixture against Millwall has been postponed.

The game had been due to take place on Sunday, December 26 at 3pm at The New Den.

Millwall informed the EFL that they would be unable to fulfil the fixture due to a number of positive Covid-19 cases within their squad.

In light of the increased transmission rate of the Omicron variant, the EFL will now review the circumstances surrounding the postponement and any rearranged date will be confirmed in due course.

[davidge]

Swansea City’s Championship fixture against Luton Town has been postponed.The game had been due to take place on Wednesday, December 29 at 7pm at the Swansea.com Stadium.

This is due to an additional number of positive COVID-19 cases within the playing squad. The club has worked hard to ensure that it has been able to fulfil the fixture, however, taking into account injuries and positive COVID-19 cases, the club does not have a sufficient number of players available in order to fulfil the fixture.

Any rearranged date will be confirmed in due course, while Swansea City will automatically refund supporters who have purchased streaming passes for this fixture.

[davidge]

[davidge]

Swansea City’s Championship fixture against Fulham has been postponed.

The game had been due to take place on Monday, January 3 at 3pm at the Swansea.comStadium. This is due to a considerable number of positive COVID-19 cases within the playing squad.

The club has worked hard to try and ensure it would be able to fulfil the fixture, however, the amount of positive cases means the club do not have a sufficient amount of players available for selection.

[davidge]

Transfer Window:

Morgan Whittaker has officially joined Lincoln on loan.

Ethan Laird recalled by Man Utd from his loan. Meant to be going to Bournemouth on loan instead.

Kyle Joseph has been recalled from his loan at Cheltenham and is expected to join the first team squad for the rest of the season.

Swansea have completed the signing of goalkeeper Andy Fisher from MK Dons.

Swansea City goalkeeper Steven Benda has joined Peterborough on loan for the remainder of the season, subject to international clearance.

Lincoln City have agreed a deal to sign Swansea City forward Liam Cullen on loan.

Swansea City has completed the signing of defender Cyrus Christie on loan for the remainder of the 2021-22 season, subject to international clearance. The experienced 29-year-old joins the Swans from Championship rivals Fulham.

 

[davidge]

Swansea City are close to signing MK Dons goalkeeper Andrew Fisher for a fee expected to be in the region of £400,000.

The 23-year-old is set to follow former boss Russell Martin to Swansea having played under him at MK Dons. 

Fisher has made 57 Dons appearances since joining the League One club from Blackburn Rovers in October 2020.

Dons boss Liam Manning said on Monday the League One club had accepted a bid from Swansea for their number one.

"It's disappointing, timing-wise, and with how it's played out with the noise and disruption," Manning said. "He won't be involved tomorrow [against AFC Wimbledon]."

Martin believes Fisher's qualities make him an ideal fit for his possession-based style.

The Blackburn academy product had previously spent time on loan with the Dons, as well as Northampton Town.

Wigan-born Fisher made four cup appearances for Blackburn.

Known for his distribution, Fisher joined Martin's Dons on loan in January 2020 and, though he was a back-up option at that stage, returned on a permanent deal 10 months later.

After Swansea lost Newcastle United loanee Freddie Woodman - their first choice in goal for two seasons under Steve Cooper - Martin initially handed Steven Benda the keeper's shirt this season.

He was replaced in September by Ben Hamer, but the 34-year-old is now likely to make way for Fisher.

Benda, 23, could move on this month should Swansea complete a deal for Fisher.
 

(BBC)

[vimto66]

Reduced prices for tomorrows game at ours, due to welsh fans not being able to recently go to matches Swansea will probably bring more than usual too, as they wont have seen any live action for a while.

We're on a decent run, reduced prices, should be 20,000+,Swansea not in particularly good form, what could possibly go wrong.

Edited January 14, 2022 by vimto66

[davidge]

28 minutes ago, vimto66 said:

Reduced prices for tomorrows game at ours, due to welsh fans not being able to recently go to matches Swansea will probably bring more than usual too, as they wont have seen any live action for a while.

We're on a decent run, reduced prices, should be 20,000+,Swansea not in particularly good form, what could possibly go wrong.

As it turned out, none of the ‘behind closed doors’ league games took place due to Covid in the Swans squad. Fans will be allowed to attend again in just over a week (announced today) so the only game actually affected was the Cup game.

I saw that prices had been reduced, good on Huddersfield. 

I’ve no idea what to expect tbh. We were poor before the enforced break and 3 or 4 players were dreadful against Southampton. We’ve sent more players out on loan than we’ve signed so far so not the biggest squad available. 

The Manager wants more signings but the cash isn’t there at the moment. He’s pleading with the owners (who have put nothing into the club since buying it).

[davidge]

Over 1100 Swans fans at Huddersfield today. As one of them said, “I know it’s misty but I’ve never seen anywhere so grey.” 

I’ve not seen highlights yet but by all accounts we weren’t very good in the first half but much better in the second. Could have won it but, overall, a draw probably a fair result.

The manager gave a very pointed interview aimed at the owners, again asking for investment to sign players. I’m not sure what success he’ll have as they completely failed to back Steve Cooper which is why he walked away.

[vimto66]

We shaded first half and should have gone in more than 1-0 up but Hamer made two excellent saves (one with his face).

Second half different story, Swansea were on the front foot most of the second half and we barely created a chance, our keeper was called into action a number of times and when Swansea equalized it was deserved, ironically that galvanised us but the damage had been done, sitting too deep and inviting teams onto you often dosn't end well.

All in all a draw was probabaly fair, if Swansea had snatched it i wouldnt have been too surprised as they seemed to want it more in the second half.

As for us we need to be more brave and less cautious, our manager has done extremely well with journeymen and lower league signings so its hard to be critical.

 

Edited January 16, 2022 by vimto66

[davidge]

Jamie Paterson was not involved in Swansea City's draw at Huddersfield Townon Saturday because he has told the club he is not in the right frame of mind to play.

BBC Wales Sport understands Paterson, 30, is not happy with his contract situation.

The forward has been one of Swansea's star performers this season, scoring eight goals in 21 appearances.

But there are now doubts over his future at the Championship club.

Swansea are not commenting on the situation, while BBC Sport Wales has contacted Paterson's representatives, Unique Sports Group, for comment.

Paterson was a free agent when Swansea signed him in August 2021 him on an initial one-year deal, which included the option of an extra year.

The Championship club took up that option earlier this month.h

Paterson had been close to triggering an automatic extension, which would have happened when he reached 25 Swansea appearances.

"We triggered the extension a little bit early so that's nothing to worry about now," Swansea head coach Russell Martin said on 9 January.

Paterson is understood to have told Martin and sporting director Mark Allen last Wednesday that he is not currently ready to play.

He has been a key figure in Martin's Swansea side having produced arguably the best form of his career this season, and has settled well at the Welsh club.

Paterson was released by Bristol City at the end of last season and had a spell on trial with Middlesbrough in pre-season before Swansea signed him the day before the 2021-22 campaign began.

With the January transfer window open, there are thought to be at least two rival Championship clubs interested in Paterson's services. 

Paterson, who earns considerably less than Swansea's highest-paid players, could potentially secure a more lucrative contract elsewhere, although any interested club would need to pay a fee to secure his services.
 

(BBC)

[davidge]

On 01/01/2022 at 12:47, davidge said:

Transfer Window:

Morgan Whittaker has officially joined Lincoln on loan.

Ethan Laird recalled by Man Utd from his loan. Meant to be going to Bournemouth on loan instead.

Kyle Joseph has been recalled from his loan at Cheltenham and is expected to join the first team squad for the rest of the season.

Swansea have completed the signing of goalkeeper Andy Fisher from MK Dons.

Swansea City goalkeeper Steven Benda has joined Peterborough on loan for the remainder of the season, subject to international clearance.

Lincoln City have agreed a deal to sign Swansea City forward Liam Cullen on loan.

Swansea City has completed the signing of defender Cyrus Christie on loan for the remainder of the 2021-22 season, subject to international clearance. The experienced 29-year-old joins the Swans from Championship rivals Fulham.

 

Jake Bidwell has moved to Coventry City for an undisclosed fee (probably free).

Swansea midfielder Dan Williams has agreed a loan move to League of Ireland club Dundalk.

[davidge]

Transfer Window summary:

Ins

Cyrus Christie - on loan from Fulham

Hannes Wolf - on loan from Borussia Mönchengladbach

Andy Fisher - permanent deal from MK Dons

Kyle Joseph - recalled from Cheltenham Town

Finley Burns - on loan from Manchester City

Nathaneal Ogbeta - permanent deal from Shrewsbury Town

Outs

Dan Williams - on loan at Dundalk

Steven Benda - on loan at Peterborough United

Liam Cullen - on loan at Lincoln City

Lewis Webb - on loan at Shelbourne

Morgan Whittaker - on loan at Lincoln City

Ethan Laird - Manchester United loan cancelled

Rhys Williams - Liverpool loan cancelled

Jake Bidwell - permanent move to Coventry City

Brandon Cooper - on loan at Swindon Town

Liam Walsh - on loan at Hull City

[davidge]

Korey Smith and Ben Hamer will leave Swansea City when their contracts expire at the end of the season.

[davidge]