Swansea City

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Swansea City's summer signings are showing signs of improvement after a slow start at the club, according to Owain Tudur Jones.

Players including Goncalo Franco, Zan Vipotnik, Eom Ji-sung, Myles Peart-Harris and Florian Bianchini joined the Swans over the summer, but head coach Luke Williams regularly stressed they needed time to adapt to the rigours of the Championship.

But former Swansea and Wales midfielder Tudur Jones says the club are showing signs of progress in what is their first full season under head coach Williams.

"Like the head coach has said, it takes a bit of time for players who have never played at this level," he told BBC Radio Cymru Dros Brecwast.

"In terms of the team, I do see improvement.

"I'm seeing players that at the start of the season didn't look up to the standard, and a lot is down to Luke Williams, he improves players, and you can just see they're settling in and the confidence is rising but they need to go on a run themselves to make sure that confidence stays."

Williams has regularly had to rotate certain players given the demands of the league schedule.

He has also had to cope with losing players to injury, including Eom, Josh Ginnelly, Sam Parker, Ollie Cooper and Jay Fulton.

But Tudur Jones says Williams has done well to balance keeping his fringe players happy while also protecting his new additions who have taken time to adjust to the second tier.

"He's tried to do that (rotate) all season, and sometimes fans haven't been happy," he added.

"Franco in the middle of the pitch has been a prime example. He's probably been one of Swansea's best players this season, he brings so much energy.

"Luke Williams often pulls him out of the team, and fans are shouting 'why?'.

"It's hard to come into a league like this and play 46 games in a season, tiredness is going to catch up with some players.

"Getting that balance right and putting faith in the other players to make sure they're training hard and that they feel they've got a chance of playing and keeping the shirt, that's what's important to keep a squad happy. 

"It seems Luke Williams is getting that balance right."

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Andy Legg expects Swansea City to pile more pressure on Plymouth Argyle boss Wayne Rooney when the sides meet at Home Park tonight (19:45 GMT kick-off).

The Pilgrims are currently 22nd in the Championship having failed to win in four matches, conceding 10 goals across their last two league fixtures.

And former Swansea and Wales left-man Legg expects Luke Williams' side to prove they can challenge for a top six place by beating Plymouth in Devon.

"They're (Plymouth) a decent team at home, they've had some good results, they beat Sunderland at home," he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"It's on the road that they've got problems.

"But I expect Swansea to go there, put in a performance, come away with all three points and push towards the play-offs."

Legg was in attendance for Swansea's 1-1 draw with Luton Town on Saturday.

Matt Grimes cancelled out Elijah Adebayo's opener as the points were shared in Bedfordshire, but Legg believes the Swans should have claimed victory over the Hatters.

"They played very well, should have won the game as well," he added.

"They missed numerous chances towards the end of the game.

"They totally dominated the game, only a mistake from Ben Cabango let Luton in really.

"They dominated the game from start to finish and should have come away with three points."

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Luke Williams says many of his players are learning on the job as Swansea City look to cope with the grind of the Championship season.

Swansea are back on the road on Tuesday as they take on Plymouth Argyle at Home Park.

It is the second away trip in three days for Williams' team following their weekend draw at Luton Town.

The games will keep on coming with the hectic festive period ahead, with Plymouth the first of seven league fixtures in 24 days.

A number of Swansea players are experiencing the relentless Championship schedule for the first time – and Williams says they must find a way to cope.

"We are backing these players enormously - I can't show it more than giving them minutes on the pitch," said the Swansea head coach.

"But I have also said it is going to be a season where they need to learn really quickly and grow up really quickly.

"We need to support them. We have to be tough on them as well because otherwise they won't get there."

Summer signings Goncalo Franco, Eom Ji-Sung, Florian Bianchini and Zan Vipotnik are all playing English football for the first time this season, while Brazilian winger Ronald is in his first full campaign on these shores following his January move to Wales.

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The likes of Lawrence Vigouroux and Myles Peart-Harris are also playing regular second-tier football for the first time.

"It's hard to compare the Championship with any other league in the world," Williams added.

"The players have to travel long distances, which is tiring, then they have to play in a ferocious game with a huge atmosphere sometimes.

"Then they travel, train the next day because the next game is coming so quickly. Then they get back on the bus to Plymouth, then play, travel back, train the next day and prepare to play again against unbelievable opposition in Sunderland [on Saturday].

"It's difficult for all of us and it's extra difficult for the players who haven't experienced that before."

Williams suggested he will make some changes at Plymouth to give his team "freshness", with the likes of Kyle Naughton, Joe Allen, Jay Fulton and Eom among the players who could be recalled.

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Former Swansea City striker Lee Trundle has been given an honorary master's degree by Swansea University.

Club legend Trundle, 48, scored 78 goals in 146 appearances for Swansea during two spells as a player, when he was known for his flamboyant style.

After retiring from the professional game, Trundle became club ambassador in 2013, a role he still holds.

"When I first moved to Swansea, it was just for football, that's all I had on my mind and it was the first time I'd lived away from home," said Liverpool-born Trundle.

"I didn't know how I would be away from home, but within three months I'd signed a two-year extension. That was not just down to the football club, that was down to the people in the area as well.

"I'd get out into the city as a player where we would go to different events and I would find myself going to a lot of these events, meeting people and not only was I falling in love with the football club, but I was falling in love with the city and how the people were treating me as well."

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The postponement of their scheduled match with Oxford United on Saturday saw Plymouth slip into the Championship's relegation zone at the weekend.

With Mike Phelan joining Wayne Rooney's backroom staff, Argyle fans are hoping a change in fortunes might be just around corner and a six-game unbeaten run at Home Park is certainly something to build on.

Swansea have lost just one of their past five Championship away games and their away performances this season have them in the top 10 of the table.

• Plymouth Argyle have won just one of their past six league games against Swansea City (D1 L4), though that sole win came in their most recent match against the Swans in February earlier this year (1-0).

• Swansea City are unbeaten across their past three away league games against Plymouth Argyle (W2 D1), and could record four in a row against the Pilgrims for the first time since 1938.

• Swansea have won both of their past two midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games, last winning three in a row in November 2021.

• Plymouth boss Wayne Rooney has only won one of his four Championship meetings with Swansea (D1 L2), with that being his first with Derby in December 2020 (2-0).

• Plymouth's Andre Gray has scored five goals in his past six league appearances against Swansea City, the most recent of which came in May 2022 for QPR.

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Iwan Roberts believes Matt Grimes should score more goals for Swansea City after his strike earned Luke Williams' men a point at Luton Town.

Elijah Adebayo put the hosts in front at Kenilworth Road before Swans captain Grimes struck a sweet leveller in the second half to ensure the match ended 1-1.

And former Wales striker Roberts says central midfielder Grimes needs to bolster his goal return after netting for the second time this season.

"People will look at Luton's position and think it's a game that they should go there and get at least a draw, but Luton had won their previous two home games," Roberts told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"They should have won it looking at the highlights, they had plenty of opportunities.

"It was a disappointing goal to give away, a rare mistake from Ben Cabango gave Adebayo the opportunity to put Luton ahead on 17 minutes.

"Fantastic strike to equalise by Matt Grimes. He doesn't score enough goals, it's only his second goal of the season.

"He's only scored 10 league goals in just shy of 300 league appearances for Swansea."

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Swansea City boss Luke Williams says "unbelievable" skipper Matt Grimes is "in a class of his own."

Grimes' fine finish, his second goal of the season, earned Swansea a deserved point in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.

Grimes, 29, who has played over 270 games for the club, is a special talent, according to his manager.

"The important thing is to never take him for granted, which is easy to do when he is ever-present," Williams explained.

"He's an amazing player and an amazing captain he adds incredible quality."

Williams says Grimes' goal and his contribution at Kenilworth Road sums him up as a player, having been a mainstay for the Swans since signing for the club in 2015 from Exeter City.

"The finish [for his goal] is something right out of the very top drawer, he slams that ball on the move on a very tough pitch," Williams added.

"Please don't take him for granted, he's unbelievable. As good as the goal was, he covered a counter-attack against an incredibly athletic substitute in the 95th minute, he's in a class of his own for me."

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Two of the three teams who were relegated from the Premier League last season now occupy the Championship's automatic promotion slots.

But while Sheffield United and Burnley are contenders to make an immediate return to the top flight, the third side who came down in May, Luton Town, are only three points clear of the second tier's relegation zone.

The Hatters have had a difficult time since their one-season stint in the Premier League came to an end, with Rob Edwards' team sitting 19th in the Championship.

They host Swansea City on Saturday afternoon having lost three of their last four games, and conceded 12 goals along the way.

Luton have been unable to find any consistency this season, while their tally of 33 league goals against means they have the second worst defence in the division.

Yet as Swansea head to Kenilworth Road, Luke Williams is convinced Luton's form will improve at some point soon.

"I don't know for sure because you need to be inside the camp, but I imagine the pressure and everything that comes with Premier League football can take a lot out of you," said the Swansea boss.

"To come down and have to go again can be difficult.

"But what I would say is that I don't think they are going to be there for long. They are a very capable group of players and at some point they are going to find some form. I just hope it's not this weekend."

Swansea go to Berkshire with some confidence having won two of their last three away games.

Yet Luton's home form is decent, with Edwards' men suffering only one loss on their patch since August.

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League Cup winner Ki Sung-Yueng was back at Swansea City this week having played a part in the club's summer move for fellow South Korean Eom Ji-Sung.

Midfielder Ki is still playing in his homeland for FC Seoul, though the 35-year-old is looking ahead to a coaching career.

Ki spent six years on Swansea's books, making 162 appearances and scoring 12 goals between 2012 and 2018 and helping the club to Wembley glory in 2013.

Ki is studying his coaching badges with the Football Association of Wales, and had a chat with Luke Williams as part of a documentary he is making about his route into coaching.

But there was also time for a catch-up with Eom, who joined Swansea from South Korean side Gwangju FC in July.

Williams has explained the key role first-team coach Kristian O'Leary played in Eom's arrival – and how Ki had a hand in the transfer too.

"Kris O'Leary in particular was watching some games to keep his eye out for that type of player and he saw Eom," the Swansea head coach said.

"Kris came to me and said 'I think you should look at this player'. I watched him and said this 'looks like a really talented boy, let's find out about him'.

"It's one thing finding out about British players because you know people. Finding out about a Korean player is much more difficult.

"Kris said 'leave it with me'. He spoke to Ki and came back with some unbelievable information which helped us hugely to get the deal done."

Eom has made an impressive start to life at Swansea, despite being sidelined for around six weeks by a knee injury before he returned to action in last weekend's draw with Portsmouth.

He will hope to force himself back into Williams' starting line-up when Swansea go to Luton Town on Saturday.

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Swansea City's FA Cup third round fixture with Southampton will be shown live on television.

The cup tie at St. Mary's Stadium will kick-off at 16:30 GMT on Sunday, January 12.

It will be screened live by BBC Wales.

The match will see Swansea come up against their former head coach Russell Martin - who guided the Saints to promotion from the Championship after leaving the Swans in the summer of 2023.

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Luke Williams says there is finally light at the end of the tunnel for Josh Ginnelly after the winger took part in Swansea City training on Friday.

Ginnelly has not played in more than 14 months after suffering a ruptured Achilles.

The 27-year-old has suffered a number of setbacks in his bid to return to action.

But Swansea are hoping the former Hearts player is now edging towards a return to action, though Williams has warned he still has some way to go.

"Gino was on the grass with the full squad for the beginning of the session," said the Swansea head coach.

"Of course we have a way to go, but it's great to have him out there with everyone.

"It was a light session and he did part of it. He looked great and he came through fine.

"There has been incredible work from the medical team and it's been a really tough journey for him. But this is more motivation for him – the end of a long struggle."

Ginnelly made a promising start to his Swansea career after signing on a free transfer in the summer of 2023.

He scored twice in his first eight appearances, the last of which was when his Achilles gave way against Sheffield Wednesday on 23 September, 2023.

"The medical team have been incredible," Ginnelly added. "Even today, Beth (Chaddock, one of Swansea's physiotherapists) was watching him like a hawk.

"When he came through [the session], he ran straight over and had an embrace with her. That's class, that's respect."

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Luton's performances on home turf are just about keeping them afloat at the moment and Rob Edwards' men badly need another positive result when Swansea visit Kenilworth Road.

The 19th-placed Hatters, just three points above the bottom three, have won their past two games at home - interspersed with heavy defeats on the road at Middlesbrough, Leeds and most recently Norwich last weekend.

Swansea, currently sitting 13th in the table, have won two of their past three games away from home, collecting all three points from trips to both Oxford and Derby.

● Luton Town have won each of their last three league games against Swansea City without conceding a goal in the process - the Hatters will be looking to win four such matches in succession for the first time.

● After losing seven of their eight away league games against Luton Town between 1962 and 2001, Swansea City have since lost on just one of their last five visits to Kenilworth Road (W3 D1).

● Luton have won each of their last two home games by a 1-0 scoreline; the Hatters last recorded three successive clean sheets at Kenilworth Road in April 2023.

● Swansea have won two of their last three away league games (L1), as many wins as in their previous 12 such games (D4 L6).

● Luton have had the most high turnovers in the Championship this season (152), and scored the joint-most goals from high turnovers (4), while only Plymouth (41) have faced more shots from high turnovers than Swansea (34).

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Liam Walsh impressed when his opportunity came only to see his ability to contribute hampered by injury.

It is a line which might be used to describe much of Walsh's three-year stint as a Swansea City player.

It also stands right now, after the midfielder came off the bench - and shone - in Luton Town's win over Hull City on 23 November.

But any chance of Walsh forcing his way into the Hatters' starting side for their next game, at Leeds United four days later, was scuppered by a pain he felt in his hamstring.

After Walsh also missed Luton's 4-2 defeat at Norwich City last weekend, Swansea must wait and see whether they will be reunited with their former player at Kenilworth Road this Saturday.

Walsh was released by Swansea over the summer, three years after he had signed on a free transfer from Bristol City.

Walsh was a popular figure at Swansea's Fairwood training base and gave fans glimpses of his obvious talent during his time in Wales.

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But every time the former Everton youngster threatened to find some momentum at Swansea, it seemed, he was let down by fitness issues.

In all, he managed just 10 league starts among 34 appearances in a Swans shirt.

He scored two goals for the club, the last of which was a belter at Huddersfield Town in April.

But ultimately, and with some regret, Swansea decided that they could not justify a new contract for Walsh, who signed a deal at Luton in August after a spell training with the club.

He has featured 10 times this season – including three starts – though that tally may have been higher but for a red card against Oxford United in October, when Walsh was dismissed for a rash tackle just 36 seconds after coming on as a substitute.

With his suspension long since completed, Walsh will be hoping – not for the first time – for an injury-free run as the season goes on.

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

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Zan Vipotnik looks like a player who is gradually coming to terms with life in the Championship.

So far, the Slovenia forward has racked up 16 league appearances – 10 of which have been starts – since arriving at Swansea City on the eve of the season.

He has scored three goals, two simple close-range finishes and one thumping drive in the win at Derby County eight days ago.

Pride Park was a "nice moment", Vipotnik says, but he craves many more.

"Of course," Vipotnik says, "I am a striker.

"If I play, I like to score. I like to help the team also with good passes, with pressing and recoveries that the coach [Luke Williams] likes. I like to help and the goals will come if I help the team.

"But goals give you energy as a striker. It's normal that we are not happy if we don’t score."

Williams has been saying since the day Vipotnik arrived in Swansea that the powerful forward had the tools to thrive in the second tier.

Vipotnik has proved on Swansea's training ground that he is capable of delivering emphatic finishes with either foot.

The club's fans have not seen too much of that on matchdays, as yet, though the Derby goal – when Vipotnik took one touch before rattling the ball home on his weaker side – provided evidence of what he is capable of.

At 22, Vipotnik is still young, still gathering experience and know-how as he attempts to prove himself in the Championship.

He impressed in France's second tier last season, scoring nine goals for Bordeaux.

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But financial issues at the club made for an uncertain pre-season and ultimately led to Vipotnik's free-transfer move to Wales.

"We didn’t know the situation, what will be with us and the club," Vipotnik says.

"But for me I found a good solution to come to Swansea. I feel really good in Swansea. My dream was to play in English football and now I am here I like to enjoy it.

"The team is amazing, the staff - everyone. I'd like to say thank you to everyone for welcoming me like this. I hope I will give back with goals."

Vipotnik calls the packed Championship fixture list "a little bit crazy", but feels the division is the ideal level for him as he tries to establish himself in the English game.

The next chance to impress comes at Luton Town on Saturday, where Vipotnik will hope to take another step towards peak form and conditioning after his "really small" pre-season.

"I feel good but I know I can improve a lot," he says.

"I know I can be in the game more. I have few touches in the game, but if I score everything is nice."

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Former Swansea City winger Andy Robinson has spoken of his relief at being able to say his old club are back heading in the right direction following their recent takeover.

But he believes January's transfer window could be a telling sign of the new ownership group’s ambition.

Chairman Andy Coleman, fellow shareholders Brett Cravatt and Nigel Morris, and new investor Jason Cohen finalised a deal to take control of the Championship club late last month.

It saw the group acquire the majority shareholding previously held by US businessmen Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan, who had been at the helm for the past eight years.

The deal included a £20m investment into the club, but Coleman has already stated that money will be used to "stabilise the business" with a focus on the "long-term sustainability of the club, while not holding back on our ambition".

Profit and sustainability rules would also prevent rampant spending for a club that lost nearly £18m in the 2022-23 financial year.

But Robinson said he hoped there would still be money for Swans boss Luke Williams if he can push his side closer to the play-off places.

Swansea came from two down to draw 2-2 with bottom club Portsmouth on Saturday, leaving them 12th in the table – seven points off the top six.

And speaking on BBC Radio Wales before the game, Robinson said: "You want things to change.

"We hear about sustainability, but it’s been that way for nine years. From an ex-player and a fan’s point of view, we all want to see the same: the manager given the best tools to do the job.

"Ultimately, it depends on Luke Williams tactically getting it right going into January, because that could be a big turning point.

"If it comes to January and they're in a good position, will there be a bit of a reaction, will Luke Williams be able to ask for something to try and get the side and get the club closer to where we want to go?"

Williams has already spoken positively of the boardroom changes and - despite acknowledging the restrictions - believes the club will become "much more competitive" in their bid to return to the Premier League.

Robinson said he was optimistic of the club’s future under the new ownership, adding: "It's been small steps but it’s going in the right direction and we haven’t been able to say that for a long time."

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Swansea City starlet Sam Parker has seen his injury frustration continue after suffering a setback on his bid for fitness.

The 18-year-old is seen as an impressive prospect who had been linked with a string of top-level clubs before signing a new long-term deal in August.

But having made his first-team breakthrough last December, Parker’s progress has been hampered by injury.

The academy product made three senior appearances before being sidelined with a serious hamstring problem that ended his campaign.

The right-back or right-sided midfielder had returned for the club’s Under-21 side before returning to rehab – and remains at least two weeks away from returning to training after boss Luke Williams revealed an issue.

"He continues to rehabilitate,” Williams said. “He is at least two weeks more before we can start to thinking about him training.

"He had a setback. That's very unfortunate, it's something that happens often with players when they are trying to push really hard to get back to full training.”

There is better injury news for Williams in the form of goalkeeper Andy Fisher who is back in training.

The 26-year-old picked up a groin injury in pre-season which required surgery, but Williams said: “He is training well and very close to being available.”

Lawrence Vigouroux has established himself as Swansea’s number one this season, with former Rangers ‘keeper Jon McLaughlin providing back-up in Fisher’s absence.

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Swansea City manager Jamie Sherwood says his side should take “great pride” in their performance after Sunday’s 3-1 win over Aberystwyth Town.

It was a welcome return to winning ways for the Swans before a three-game week.

They now sit third in the Adran Premier, just three points behind The New Saints and with a game in hand.

Nia Jones gave Swans an early lead in Llandarcy before Jess Williams headed home Emily Richards’ corner delivery to make it 2-0.

Rebecca Mathias pulled one back to make it 2-1 at the break but Aimee Deacon fired home her eighth goal of the season to seal all three points.

“We are pleased; pleased with the performance and pleased with the result,” said Sherwood.

“The girls should take great pride in what they’ve done today, they’ve shown a lot of personality off the ball, and we were really pleased with the chances we took and created.

“We set out our game plan and know what we are capable of achieving. We’ve put our bodies on the line, put ourselves in positions to exploit the chances that we get and that got us the early goals.”