Swansea City Thread

[davidge]

Swans 1 Bristol City 2

 

Local sport reporter:

Margin of victory didn't reflect the gulf in class between the teams. Bristol City totally dominant, Swansea porous, shapeless and still winless in the Championship the season.

 

Fans Network:

We don’t often have a go at the manager / head coach but that today was an utter shambles. The high tempo is clearly not achievable and the players look disorganised and lack any direction. Here’s hoping the new boys can turn this around.

[davidge]

Some big injuries blows for Swansea 😬

Josh Ginnelly (ruptured Achilles) out for the season, Joe Allen has had groin surgery and is out for three months, Nathan Wood needs ankle surgery and is also out for three months.

[davidge]

Michael Duff was sacked as Swansea manager last night.

No indication of who might replace him.

[davidge]

1978/79

We finished 3rd in the old Division 3 and were promoted. I saw every home game.

[vimto66]

On 05/12/2023 at 05:54, davidge said:

Michael Duff was sacked as Swansea manager last night.

No indication of who might replace him.

Nathan Jones perhaps, hes Welsh, a bit abrasive but did wonders at Luton.

 

[davidge]

9 hours ago, vimto66 said:

Nathan Jones perhaps, hes Welsh, a bit abrasive but did wonders at Luton.

 

It would be just about the most unpopular appointment imaginable with the fans. Theres a good chance he would be booed from his first home game.

Personally, I think it would be a disaster as well. The bloke is mentally unhinged.

 

The owners are unpredictable and know nothing about football. They’ve lost most of the fans and attendances have dropped. There appear to be some financial shenanigans going on as well with a LLC set up in the USA and funds from the club stashed there. 

[vimto66]

13 hours ago, davidge said:

It would be just about the most unpopular appointment imaginable with the fans. Theres a good chance he would be booed from his first home game.

Personally, I think it would be a disaster as well. The bloke is mentally unhinged.

 

The owners are unpredictable and know nothing about football. They’ve lost most of the fans and attendances have dropped. There appear to be some financial shenanigans going on as well with a LLC set up in the USA and funds from the club stashed there. 

Didnt realse there was any amnosity tbh, does it stem from a particular incident or a particular match etc, fans have long memories.

Its no coincidence both Mowbrey at Sunderland and Duff were both sacked shortly after home games against us which most would have had as home wins, bit surprised at Sunderland but Swansea have been out of sorts for a while.

[davidge]

10 hours ago, vimto66 said:

Didnt realse there was any amnosity tbh, does it stem from a particular incident or a particular match etc, fans have long memories.

Its no coincidence both Mowbrey at Sunderland and Duff were both sacked shortly after home games against us which most would have had as home wins, bit surprised at Sunderland but Swansea have been out of sorts for a while.

There was one match where his behaviour on the pitch afterwards really riled the Swans fans.

According to the Fans blog, the club is looking for a younger, progressive coach this time but who knows?

Chris Davies one of the Spurs coaches was favourite but Spurs have refused permission to speak to him. There’s a young coach at Man Utd being mentioned as well. I’m not sure anyone really knows at the moment though.

[davidge]

Swansea City are in talks with Notts County boss Luke Williams to become their new head coach.

The Swans sacked Michael Duff on 4 December after a run of just five wins in 19 Championship games.

Alan Sheehan oversaw three wins, two draws and two defeats during his stint as caretaker boss.

But the club are now in discussions to finalise a deal to make Williams their new head coach.

A potential move would see Williams return to the club he left in February 2022 following a stint as assistant coach to Russell Martin.

No compensation package has been agreed between the clubs yet, although Williams' assistant Ryan Harley is also expected to make the move to Wales.

Williams took charge of Notts County in the summer of 2022 and guided the Magpies to promotion into the Football League via the play-offs having claimed a club record 107 points during the regular season.

In December, Williams admitted it was "flattering" to be linked with the Swans vacancy.

The Meadow Lane outfit are currently fifth in League Two and sit seven points adrift of the automatic promotion places.

After not being offered a new contract, former boss Martin departed to take charge of Southampton in June, with former Burnley defender Duff leaving Barnsley to join Swansea.
 

(BBC)

[davidge]

Swansea City is delighted to confirm the appointment of Luke Williams as the club’s head coach.

The 43-year-old joins the Swans on a three-and-a-half year contract from Notts County, having led the Magpies to promotion to League Two following a superb National League campaign last season.

His assistant, Ryan Harley, and first-team coach analyst George Lawtey, also make the move from Meadow Lane as part of Williams’ coaching staff.

They will be in charge for Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Morecambe.

The club would like to thank Alan Sheehan, who has led the Swans impressively since assuming caretaker head coach responsibilities last month, delivering a top ten performance over his seven games in charge. Alan will return to his role as assistant head coach and work alongside Luke.  

Williams’ appointment follows a thorough and extensive search for a head coach who can deliver the types of performances and results Swansea City need to achieve our goals while exhibiting a commitment to a brand of football in-keeping with the club’s best recent traditions.

Swansea City Chairman Andy Coleman said: “As I have said previously, we have undertaken a diligent and detailed process to find our next head coach. I have been fortunate to spend a lot of time with Luke recently. I have looked him in the eye and know that we can trust Luke to be a coach and leader who is aligned with our vision for Swansea City. 

"He fits right into the mould of other talented and ambitious young managers who have succeeded here. I am confident our supporters will be excited by and proud of this Luke Williams-led Swansea City team.”    

  

His arrival sees Williams return to SA1 having previously been a leading member of Russell Martin’s coaching staff during the 2021-22 season, proving a popular and respected figure among the first-team squad.

Renowned for producing sides with an exciting and progressive possession-based approach, Williams won numerous plaudits for the outstanding football played by his record-breaking Notts County side.

The 2022-23 campaign saw them rack up 107 points, scoring a league record 117 goals while conceding just 42 producing another league record goal difference, and setting a new club record of 25 league games unbeaten.

They also won 32 of their 46 league games, yet another club record, before they were promoted via the play-offs courtesy of victory over Chesterfield on penalties after twice coming from behind.

This season they are sitting fifth in the League Two table after impressively making the step up to the EFL with their eye-catching style of play, and they are currently the top scorers in the top four divisions with 55 goals in 26 games.

Sporting director Paul Watson said of Williams, “We know Luke can coach the style of play we want, in part because he was an integral part of delivering it here in training sessions when he was an assistant. Luke’s ability is also backed by the data and results. He is a great fit for Swansea City and our ambitions.”

Williams’ own playing career saw him have stints in non-league and in the Norwich City academy, before a knee injury curtailed his on-field ambitions.

He quickly moved into coaching, working at Leyton Orient and West Ham United, before becoming a coach in the FA Skills programme.

From there Williams joined Brighton & Hove Albion, becoming manager of their under-21 and reserve sides.

He became assistant manager at Swindon in 2013 and helped them reach the League One play-off final in 2015, where they lost to Preston North End.

Williams then had a successful 14 months at the helm of the Robins before becoming coach of Bristol City Under-23s, where his work in player development was praised by those in the senior set-up.

He was an assistant at MK Dons before his move to Swansea and his successful time with Notts County.

[davidge]

JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW

Swansea City defender Nathan Tjoe-A-On has joined Heerenveen on loan for the remainder of the 2023-24 season, subject to international clearance. (Not played for first team since joining in September)

Defender Nathanael Ogbeta has joined Bolton Wanderers on loan for the remainder of the 2023-24 season, subject to international clearance. His contract expires at the end of the season so that’s likely to be goodbye.

Swansea City have announced the signing of Brazilian winger Ronald. The 22-year-old's transfer signals the first signing for the Luke Williams era at SA1 and it's in an area of the pitch the Swans have been desperate to bolster in this window. It is understood that Swansea have paid a seven-figure fee to Brazilian club Grêmio Esportivo Anápolis to acquire the player's services. He signs until the summer of 2027 with an option of another year. The wide player helped Estrela da Amadora, where he was on a long-term loan from Grêmio, achieve promotion from the second tier last season, notching five goals and two assists in that campaign. Comfortable playing on either flank, the forward has accrued one goal and two assists in the Primera Liga this term. Following loan stints with Atlético Goianiense, in the Brazilian top flight, and Guarani in the second tier, Ronald was transferred to Portugal in 2022 and has impressed there. However, the move to Swansea will represent his first stint outside of a Portuguese-speaking country.

Swansea City can confirm Yannick Bolasie has left the club following the end of his short-term contract. The 34-year-old winger joined the club in November having been a free agent, and made 11 appearances for the Swans in all competitions. (Manager wanted him to stay but player has decided to leave)

Swansea City have signed Arsenal teenager Charles Sagoe Jnr on loan until the end of the season. The 19-year-old winger has become the club's second signing of the January window.

Swansea City has completed the signing of Przemyslaw Placheta, subject to international clearance. The 25-year-old left-sided wide player has joined the Swans on a deal through to the end of the 2023-24 campaign, having most recently been at Norwich City.

Kristian Pedersen has joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the season. One of the higher earners and not in Manager’s plans so Swans were desperate to offload him.

 

So, 3 in annd 4 out. Once again a rather underwhelming January window, though better than last year. A week ago the manager was confidently talking about at least 5 signings but he’s learnt the same lesson as Russell Martin - don’t believe what e owners tell you. It was the lack of signings last January that convinced Martin to leave.

[davidge]

I was at the game 

[davidge]

 

SWANSEA CITY DEEPLY SADDENED BY PASSING OF LEIGHTON JAMES

 

 

 

Swansea City is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Leighton James at the age of 71.

The gifted winger, widely-regarded as one of the Swans’ finest players, was a key figure in the side that secured a first-ever promotion to the top-flight in 1981, scoring a stunning goal in the victory over Preston North End at Deepdale to complete the club’s rise.

He went on to star the following campaign as John Toshack’s side took the fight to the elite of English football, eventually finishing sixth in the First Division.

James won 54 caps for Wales, scoring 10 goals including a famous penalty to secure victory over England at Wembley in 1977.

Hailing from Gorseinon, James initially made his name at Burnley – who, along with the Swans – were a club he became synonymous with.

Having made his senior debut in 1970, James was integral as the Clarets won the Second Division title in 1973, before making the move to Derby County for a then club-record fee of £310,000.

James spent two seasons at the Baseball Ground before joining Queens Park Rangers and then heading back to Burnley.

He would return to his homeland in 1980 when he joined Toshack’s upwardly-mobile Swans, and he was all but unplayable at times during his first season in Swans colours.

James would end the season with 16 league goals to his name, 18 in all competitions, and the aforementioned strike against Preston summed up his brilliance.

Receiving the ball on the left flank, tight to the touchline, James drove forward and infield to push his marker back towards the Preston box.

A drop of the shoulder allowed him to escape into the area before curling a brilliant, floating strike over the keeper and into the far corner.

 

He would also be part of two Welsh Cup triumphs during his two-and-a-half years with Swansea, before he departed for Sunderland in January 1983 with 27 goals from 98 league games under his belt.

James went on to have spells with Bury, Newport County and Burnley again before hanging up his boots at professional level.

He later held various coaching positions at a number of clubs, including Llanelli, before moving into media work as a columnist and pundit, where the directness and honesty he showed as a player continued to be in evidence.

The thoughts of everyone at Swansea City are with Leighton’s friends and family at this sad time.

 

 

[davidge]

I still remember standing behind the goal at Preston when he cut in from the left wing to score one of the goals that got us promoted to the old Division 1.

[BigLicks]

R.I.P. Leighton.......gave me a lot of pleasure watching you and later listening to some of your outspoken comments on the radio.