Swansea City

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Captain Ben Cabango reckons Swansea City are making strides under Alan Sheehan as they look to pull clear of the Championship relegation scrap.

Swansea responded to successive defeats prior to the international break with a morale-boosting draw at Leeds United on Saturday.

Zan Viptonik's 96th-minute equaliser ensured Swansea came away from Elland Road with something after a courageous display against the promotion-chasing Whites.

The Leeds draw means Swansea are seven points clear of the bottom three with seven games to play this season, though the gap will be down to five should Derby County win their game in hand against Preston North End on Wednesday.

Swansea host 22nd-place Derby on Saturday, before bottom-of-the-table Plymouth Argyle visit four days later.

The Swans head into two potentially pivotal fixtures in good spirits after another positive display under caretaker head coach Sheehan.

"There's still work to do," said centre-back Cabango.

"We are trying to get better each game - Shees (Sheehan) has only just come in. We have a big game next week and we need to take the positives from Leeds into that one."

Swansea have taken eight points from six games since Sheehan took the reins following Luke Williams departed in February on the back of a run of seven defeats in nine league games.

Williams' side were four points off the play-offs after 24 league matches this season, only for a collapse in form to raise concerns about dropping to League One.

"It's been a wild season to be honest, with Luke Williams starting and then Shees coming in - it's been a lot of change," Cabango added.

"But I feel like Shees has brought some good things in for us. We have all taken it on board and it shows when we go and perform like we did at Leeds that the boys are giving everything for him."

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Played 19 games, won 15 and lost only one, having scored a whopping 47 goals and conceded just nine along the way.

Leeds United's home record in this Championship campaign before the weekend meant Swansea City travelled to Elland Road with hope rather than any great expectation.

Yet Alan Sheehan's squad made the long trip home from Yorkshire with a point in their pocket and wind in their sails.

A 96th-minute equaliser guarantees a psychological boost, as does avoiding defeat when facing one of the best sides in the division on their ground.

So Saturday's 2-2 draw at Leeds – and the manner in which it was achieved – should be a fillip for Swansea as they attempt to finish another turbulent season in positive fashion.

The gap to the bottom three now stands at seven points, though that could be cut to five should Derby County beat Preston North End on Wednesday.

Even if the Rams lose, there is work to do before Swansea can begin planning with certainty for another season in the second tier.

Derby, who are 22nd, come to the Swansea.com Stadium this Saturday, before bottom-club Plymouth Argyle follow four days later.

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If the Swans could dig out successive home victories, all relegation concerns would surely be eliminated.

Sheehan, meanwhile, would have an impressive points-per-game ratio as Swansea's caretaker boss.

During seven games in charge last season, the Irishman helped Swansea claim 11 points.

This time around, his team claimed seven points in the initial block of five matches after Luke Williams departed in February.

That was enough to convince Swansea to ask Sheehan to remain in charge for the remainder of the season, with the Leeds draw representing a rousing start to the final push in 2024-25.

The fact that Sheehan has been given only a short-term deal indicates that Swansea's new-look hierarchy – led by American owners Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen, plus director of football Richard Montague – are still weighing up their options when it comes to selecting the club's next permanent head coach.

For Sheehan, who it seems is in the midst of a lengthy audition, more displays like Swansea's courageous effort at Leeds will do the cause no harm.

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Alan Sheehan paid tribute to Joe Allen's "top level" contribution to Swansea City's dramatic draw at Leeds United – at the end of the week in which the midfielder's error almost cost Wales in North Macedonia.

Allen was in the headlines for the wrong reasons as his uncharacteristic misplaced pass led to North Macedonia's opening goal in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier in Skopje.

But Allen's blushes were saved thanks to David Brooks' last-gasp Wales equaliser – and there was further redemption for the Swansea veteran at Elland Road.

Sheehan's team were staring at what would have been a painful defeat after Wilfried Gnonto put Leeds 2-1 up in the closing stages of Saturday's Championship fixture.

But Allen, 35, then produced a moment of quality to beat Ao Tanaka before rolling the ball through for Zan Vipotnik to lash home Swansea's 96th-minute leveller.

"I suppose it's two passes this week," said Swansea caretaker head coach Sheehan.

"You are talking about the pass Joe made for Wales and then you are talking about that inch-perfect, weighted pass [for Vipotnik].

"This is the detail you are talking about. He is leaving that there in the 96th minute at Elland Road so he can hit it first time… that's top level.

"With some people, you'll need to take a touch there and then it changes. You are looking for those big moments and to be clinical like that."

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Alan Sheehan revealed Josh Tymon stepped up to take Swansea City's spot-kick at Leeds United because new regular penalty-taker Zan Vipotnik was on the bench.

Long-serving club skipper Matt Grimes has been Swansea's preferred choice on penalties in recent years.

But following Grimes' January move to Coventry City, Swansea needed a new man to take the responsibility from 12 yards after Leeds defender Joe Rodon was penalised for a foul on Lewis O'Brien.

Left-wingback Tymon grabbed the ball – but was left with head in hands as Leeds keeper guessed right and saved a penalty which could have been struck more sweetly.

Caretaker head coach Sheehan said it was left to the players on the pitch to decide who took the spot-kick – and insisted there would be no criticism of Tymon.

"That's between the players. This is the leadership and ownership we want them to take," Sheehan said.

"It's the first penalty since Grimesy left, Vipotnik would normally take it.

"Anybody who has the courage to take a penalty at Elland Road, that's fine. It happens. We move on."

The penalty miss came after Leeds went in front inside 35 seconds through Brenden Aaronson.

Harry Darling made it 1-1 after the break only for Wilfried Gnonto to score what looked like being Leeds' winner four minutes from time – but substitute Vipotnik struck a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser to earn Swansea a draw which felt more like a victory.

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Alan Sheehan said togetherness was key for Swansea City as they stunned Leeds United with a 96th-minute equaliser to claim a point at Elland Road.

Swansea looked destined to get no reward for their spirited performance against one of the Championship's heavyweight clubs when Wilfried Gnonto put Leeds 2-1 ahead four minutes from the end of normal time.

But there was a memorable climax to a dramatic game as Zan Vipotnik struck to ensure Swansea became only the fifth visiting side to avoid defeat at Leeds in the second tier this season.

It was a sweet moment for caretaker head coach Sheehan after he agreed to remain in charge until the end of the season with the club declining to offer him a longer-term deal at this stage.

"You see a togetherness and a character and how happy everybody is when we score," the Irishman said.

"We said before the game, no individual can succeed at Elland Road.

"It's got to be a team. Make sure we get to the end of the game and look to the left and the right and think 'you had my back today'. What a feeling that is, hey?"

"We are competing against ourselves. We have had six games now and five of them we have been OK."

The point earned at Leeds – and the psychological boost it should offer – could be key for Swansea as they look to extinguish relegation concerns.

Sheehan's 16th-placed team are now seven points clear of the bottom three with seven games remaining this season, though the gap could be cut by the time they host Derby County next weekend as the 22nd-placed Rams face Preston in midweek.

Swansea recovered from a desperate start at Leeds as they conceded to Brenden Aaronson after only 35 seconds, while they also overcame the blow of missing a first-half penalty when Josh Tymon's spot-kick was saved by Illan Meslier.

Meslier went from hero to villain when his fumble saw Harry Darling score Swansea's first equaliser before the pendulum swung way and then the other late on.

"We were disappointed with the manner of the goal so early, it gets this place absolutely rocking, but then you find out things about your players," Sheehan added.

"When you come to places like this, you can go one way or the other.

"In everything I do, we talk about character, resilience, togetherness, honesty, never giving up and fighting for this club. It's an honour to play for this club so we have to give every ounce that we have."

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Alan Sheehan has described himself as "a bit of perfectionist" – and says his new-look management team will help Swansea City thrive in the final stages of the season.

Sheehan will be flanked in the dugout at Leeds United on Saturday (15:00 GMT) by new coaches Mark Fotheringham and Richard Stearman.

The duo arrived on short-term contracts this week, joining Kristian O'Leary and goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson on Swansea's first-team staff.

Sheehan says he is delighted to be working with two former team-mates who showed "so much desire to come in and help" Swansea secure their Championship status for next season.

"I'm incredibly pleased to have two people and then Marge (Margetson) and Kris, to have that team where we can get through work because I am quite demanding and I do work long hours and we do discuss a lot," Swansea's caretaker head coach said.

"We want to improve this team as much as we can in every moment of every game and every training session.

"I'm a bit of a perfectionist so you're doing a lot of stuff. It's wonderful to have this calibre of coaches that are willing to come in for six weeks."

The new faces go straight in at the deep end at this weekend, with Swansea aiming to become only the second visiting team this season to win a second-tier game at Elland Road.

Swansea have won only one of their past nine away matches, while Leeds have won 15 of their 19 home league fixtures in 2024-25.

While his side will start as underdogs, Sheehan says Swansea's players have responded well to the new voices on the training ground.

"We've got a really good relationship with the players. They are very good to us, they give everything," he said.

"I think there's no question of their application and desire to work hard for each other.

"Yes we fell short against Burnley and I take ownership of that. Now we get ready for really a difficult test against Leeds, but in terms of the players, I think so highly of them."

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Alan Sheehan returns to Leeds United this weekend hoping his old club will enjoy "all the success" after Swansea City's visit to Elland Road.

Former left-back Sheehan played 24 games for Leeds, scoring twice, after joining the Yorkshire club – initially on loan and then permanently – from Leicester City in 2008.

He was part of a squad who lost to Doncaster Rovers in the League One play-off final in 2007-08, the same season in which Roberto Martinez's Swansea team won the division in style.

Sheehan has fond memories of playing for Leeds under Gary McAllister, but the arrival of Simon Grayson as manager saw the Irishman fall out of favour.

He had loan spells with Crewe Alexandra, Oldham Athletic and Swindon Town before making a permanent move to the County Ground in 2010.

Asked about his spell at Leeds, Sheehan joked: "I was there for half an hour.

"I had a good time there on loan under Gary McAllister. We lost in the play-off final in the year Swansea got promoted from League One.

"Then I signed permanently. I had some good times under Gary McAllister, then there was a change of manager and I ended up going out on loan.

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"It's a massive football club with really, really passionate fans. I wish them all the success after Saturday."

Leeds head into the weekend on top of the Championship table despite something of a lean spell which has seen them win only one of their past four matches.

But Daniel Farke's team have lost only one home league game all season – to Burnley last September – and will start as firm favourites against a Swansea side aiming to avoid a third successive defeat.

"They're a top team for this league - to butter it up any other way would be silly," Sheehan said.

"It's probably the toughest game of the season. No matter what form they are in, we're expecting a difficult challenge.

"They've got quality all over the field, high-level players for this division. That's why they are where they are."

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Alan Sheehan says Swansea City are happy heading into the final stages of the Championship season because they do not need help from elsewhere to ensure they stay in the division.

Swansea are six points clear of the relegation places with eight games remaining in what has turned into another arduous campaign for the Welsh club.

The gap to 22nd place was as big as 12 points only two games ago, but successive defeats – coupled with the successes of others – mean Swansea are looking over their shoulders as they prepare for Saturday's daunting trip to Leeds United (15:00 GMT).

Caretaker head coach Sheehan, who will stay in charge for the rest of the season having taken seven points from his five games since the departure of Luke Williams, says Swansea's challenge is to maintain the sort of performance levels on show since he took the reins.

"Everybody is fighting for their lives down there," Sheehan said.

"I think the most important thing is it is in our hands what we do. The challenge is to be the best version of ourselves and in the five-game block [before the international break], I think we've been close to that on four occasions.

"I think where we are at the moment, we need to keep doing what we are doing but become better at it."

Sheehan says a visit to Elland Road means "probably the toughest game you're going to get in the Championship".

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Swansea have won only once on their travels since early December, when Josh Tymon's goal sealed victory at Bristol City on 9 February.

Leeds, meanwhile, have won 15 of their 19 home league fixtures this season, with their only second-tier defeat on their patch coming against Burnley back in September.

"In possession and out of possession, apart from a couple of areas to improve, I think statistically we have been very strong," Sheehan added.

"I think we just need to keep that aggression and robustness and that intent that we want to play fast, attacking football, but there are different ways and different spaces to attack different opposition.

"Leeds are an elite team for this division so to be beat them you have to be perfect in the big moments. When the big moments come, you have to take them."

Leeds United will aim to keep their place at the top when they welcome Swansea City on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Whites currently lead the Championship on goal difference but may find themselves back in second should Sheffield United prevail against Coventry City on Friday evening.

Though this could be a tricky fixture for Leeds, having seen somewhat of a dip in form in their past four league games prior to the international break (W1 D2 L1) and the pressure of keeping the title in their hands mounting.

Meanwhile, the Swans will spy an opportunity to get some revenge for the reverse fixture in November, when Wilfried Gnonto scored a winner one minute after Florian Bianchini had equalised for the hosts on the 90th minute.

• Leeds United have won each of their last four league games against Swansea City, scoring 3+ goals in each of the three most recent.

• Swansea City have won just one of their last 17 away league games against Leeds United (D3 L13), with the exception coming with a 1-0 victory at Elland Road in August 2019.

• Leeds have won each of their last six league games against sides from Wales, scoring 3.8 goals on average per match during that time. This is already the club's longest winning run against Welsh opposition in league action.

• Swansea have lost six of their last eight away league games (W1 D1), failing to score in four separate matches during that time and never netting more than once in a game.

• Leeds pair Dan James and Junior Firpo have both provided nine assists in the Championship this season, with only Georginio Rutter (15 in 2023-24) and Pablo Hernandez (12 in 2018-19) managing more in a campaign for the Whites in the last 10 years.

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Alan Sheehan says Swansea City must wait and see whether Harry Darling will be fit for Saturday's trip to Leeds United.

Centre-back Darling has been out since picking up a hip injury during Swansea's win over Middlesbrough on 8 March.

With Darling in the side, Swansea kept clean sheets in their first three games under caretaker boss Sheehan.

Without him, they suffered successive defeats against Watford and Burnley prior to the international break.

But Sheehan says there are no guarantees that Darling will be feature against the leaders at Elland Road.

"Nothing is 100%," Sheehan said.

"Harry is back on the grass, so we'll have a look at him closer to the game."

Swansea will be boosted by the return of Hannes Delcroix at Leeds after the defender was forced to sit out the 2-0 defeat to Burnley because he is on loan from the Clarets.

Sheehan, meanwhile, says Swansea are assessing a "few bumps and bruises" after eight players who have been away on international duty returned to their Fairwood training base on Thursday.

"Today is the first day we've had the group together, after coming back from South Korea, Australia, Chile, Slovenia and North Macedonia," he said.

"We have had to train with a small group, but we have now got most of the group available."

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Leon Britton reckons stability is required at Swansea City to ensure the club do not end up dropping out of the Championship.

Britton is confident Swansea, who are six points clear of the drop zone with eight games remaining, will have enough quality to stay in the second tier this season.

But the club legend is concerned that off-field upheaval will eventually cost Swansea on the pitch.

In the last six weeks, Richard Montague has begun work as Swansea's director of football, while chairman Andy Coleman has handed over responsibility for the day-to-day running of the club to new chief executive Tom Gorringe.

Meanwhile, uncertainty over Swansea's long-term managerial situation continues after caretaker head coach Alan Sheehan agreed to remain in place until the end of the season.

Britton, a former Swansea midfielder, caretaker boss and sporting director, says off-field disruption does not help players deliver results.

"We need some stability for a period of time now. Hopefully the new chief executive and sporting director will be in their roles for quite a while and we can have a bit of smooth sailing," he told Radio Wales Breakfast.

"It has been a bit of a bumpy road in the last couple of years. On the pitch we have been looking over our shoulder and we need to settle things down.

"I think if the turnover in managers and executive positions carries on, eventually we are going to find ourselves in trouble and really having a battle on our hands to stay in the league."

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Sheehan has been at the helm since the departure of Luke Williams in mid-February.

The Irishman had indicated he wanted to sign a long-term deal during the current international break, but has instead agreed to stay in place for the last five weeks of this campaign.

Swansea have allowed Sheehan to bring in two new staff members, Richard Stearman and Mark Fotheringham, as the club look to end any relegation concerns.

Britton says former Luton and Southampton coach Sheehan is in "pole position" to become Swansea head coach on a permanent basis.

"It's his job to lose if you like," Britton added.

"He'll be looking to get some results in this period, some strong performances, to really put himself in a position to say 'look, I am the man to take this club forward from the summer onwards'.

"Obviously if things don't go so well and performances and results don't follow, maybe the club will look to go in a different direction.

"But he will be looking at this period to really stamp his authority on the team and get the job full-time."

Britton says Sheehan's "main job" is to ensure Swansea are still in the Championship come August.

"I think we will be," he added.

"There are a couple of very tough games in there, including this Saturday against Leeds, and Sunderland, but the other six are games where you'd expect us to pick up enough points to make sure we are safe."

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Swansea City's Melker Widell made his senior international debut on Tuesday as Sweden thumped Northern Ireland in Stockholm.

Widell signed for Swansea in January, but returned to Danish club Aab Aalborg on loan for the rest of the 2024-25 season.

The 22-year-old will arrive in Wales this summer as a full international having come on for the closing minutes of Sweden's 5-1 friendly win.

Widell, an attacking midfielder or wide player, featured alongside the likes of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga and Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof.

He has signed a contract at Swansea which runs until 2029, with the Championship club paying a significant fee to secure his signature.

The Swans had been keen for Widell to join up with them in January, but Aalborg would only agree to the transfer if Widell's return on loan was guaranteed.

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Swansea City fans will finally get the chance to grill club officials next week after a twice-postponed forum was given a new date.

With the Championship club under fire on and off the pitch, the Swans hierarchy had initially agreed to face supporters in February.

But with head coach Luke Williams sacked 24 hours before the event, it was put back until the following month.

That was then also cancelled, with chairman Andy Coleman announcing he was stepping down at the end of the season in the days that followed.

Now the club have confirmed there will be a chance for supporters to put their questions and concerns to officials with new chief executive Tom Gorringe and recently appointed director of football Richard Montague on the panel.

Former Bristol Rovers chief Gorringe has taken over the day-to-day running of the club from Coleman having been originally appointed as chief operating officer in February.

Montague was hired from Notts County at the start of the year and is leading the search for Williams' replacement.

Caretaker boss Alan Sheehan will not face questions, with commercial head Richard Morris making up the panel for the event at the club's Swansea.Com Stadium home on Thursday, 3 April at 18:00 (BST).

The original event had been so heavily subscribed Swansea had moved it into the stands but next week's forum will take place in one of the hospitality lounges and limited to 400 guests – although fans can also follow a live stream and submit questions in advance.

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While Alan Sheehan is still leading training at Swansea City's Fairwood training base, preparations continue without a number of key players.

Following the defeat by Burnley, caretaker boss Sheehan revealed he had been told to remain at the helm for the initial build-up to the trip to Leeds United next weekend.

Yet as many as eight of the squad will be absent because of international call-ups - with four involved in Wales' 2026 World Cup qualifying openers against Kazakhstan and North Macedonia.

That includes captain Ben Cabango, veteran midfielder Joe Allen, top scorer Liam Cullen and midfielder Oli Cooper all of whom have been called up by Wales boss Craig Bellamy.

Elsewhere, striker Zan Vipotnik is in the Slovenia squad for their Nations League play-off ties with Slovakia.

Still waiting for his first cap, goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux has again been called up by Chile for their World Cup qualifiers with Paraguay and Ecuador, while Eom Ji-Sung is with South Korea for their fixtures with Oman and Jordan.

And full-back Nathan Tjoe-A-On is part of Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia set-up for their qualifiers against Australia and Bahrain.

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Alan Sheehan says Harry Darling will be "touch and go" over the coming weeks after a scan revealed an issue with the defender's recovery from injury.

Centre-back Darling, 25, was withdrawn in the second half of Swansea's 1-0 win against Middlesbrough on 8 March due to a hip problem.

He was left out of the squads for his side's defeats to Watford and Burnley, with Hannes Delcroix and Kyle Naughton filling in at the heart of Swansea's defence.

And interim boss Sheehan says Darling will continue to be assessed during the international break before Swansea's return to action against Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday, 29 March (15:00 GMT).

"Harry had a scan and something showed up on it," said Sheehan.

"That will be touch and go now in the next couple of weeks to see how he heals.

"Naughts came in and did well. We understood we were going to have make changes."

Darling's Swans contract expires in the summer.