Swansea City

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Alan Sheehan says Swansea City must focus on themselves and not the sides around them as they look to end their Championship relegation concerns after the international break.

Swansea were a healthy 12 points clear of the bottom three after victory over Middlesbrough last weekend.

But defeat at Watford in midweek and at home to Burnley on Saturday – combined with results elsewhere – mean the gap to the bottom three has been slashed to six points.

Swansea have eight games remaining this season, the first of which is a daunting trip to Leeds United in 13 days' time.

Caretaker boss Sheehan does not yet know whether he will still be in charge for the Leeds game – but says the Swans must ignore results elsewhere as they look to cement their second-tier status.

"You need to get a certain amount of points to stay in the division," he said.

"I think it's in the club's hands, it's in our hands, so we need to keep focused on ourselves."

Swansea will start as firm underdogs to get anything at Leeds, the Championship leaders who have lost only one home league game all season.

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But at least there should be no issues with the playing surface at Elland Road, amid further problems with the Swansea.com Stadium pitch this weekend.

After Luke Williams criticised the surface earlier this season, there was more trouble in the Burnley game after the pitch irrigation system broke down on Wednesday.

Despite the club's best efforts, the problem could not be fixed in time for the Clarets' visit, meaning groundstaff had to water the pitch the old-fashioned way – using handheld hoses – before kick-off.

And the feeling in the Swansea camp was that the unfortunate Josh Key error – when he tripped over the ball – which led to Burnley's opener was a result of the dry surface.

Sheehan tried to be diplomatic, saying: "I am not going to say the pitch this and the pitch that. It was a bit sticky out there - hard to move the ball around.

"But look, we turned the ball over and they scored. It was the same for both teams."

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Caretaker boss Alan Sheehan says perfection will be required from Swansea City if they are to humble high-flying Burnley today (15:00 GMT).

Swansea are looking for a response having lost narrowly at Watford in midweek, with Sheehan suffering a first defeat since he took the reins following last month's departure of Luke Williams.

But they face one of the Championship's sternest examinations against a Burnley side who have lost only two of their 37 league games this season.

Scott Parker's Clarets have not been beaten in the second tier since a 1-0 reverse at Millwall on 3 November, while they have conceded just 11 league goals in 2024-25.

Sheehan says a Swansea victory this weekend would be an "upset" – but insists his 16th-placed team can topple opponents who are two points adrift of the automatic promotion places.

"You can win every game if you are perfect," Sheehan said.

"There are three four teams up there, in that league of their own. Leeds, Sheffield United and Burnley are there, and Sunderland are there having a very strong season.

"I think you have to be perfect in every way – tactically, physically, mentally – to compete against these teams because they have individuals and a really strong defensive base.

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"But we have to find a way to make us as competitive as possible."

Burnley were held to a draw by West Brom in midweek, a result which ended a three-game league winning run.

The Lancashire club, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, have drawn 15 league games this season, hence they trail Leeds United and Sheffield United in the promotion race even though both those sides have lost more matches.

While expectations about Swansea's prospects may be low heading into the game, Sheehan insists the pressure is on his team to deliver a performance.

"You don't get judged as much playing against these teams because they have so much quality in their squad, but it's important that we show up and do what we do," he said.

"It will be an incredibly difficult test. But we have to be the best version of ourselves, which I feel like we have been for large parts of the last four games."

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Swansea City are sweating over the fitness of Harry Darling as they face a potential centre-back shortage against Burnley on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Darling missed the midweek defeat at Watford after being forced off during last Saturday's win over Middlesbrough because of a hip problem.

On-loan Burnley defender Hannes Delcroix replaced Darling at Vicarage Road – but he is ineligible to feature against his parent club this weekend.

Caretaker boss Alan Sheehan says there are doubts over Darling's availability, meaning Kyle Naughton and Cyrus Christie – both of whom are full-backs primarily – are on standby to face the high-flying Clarets.

"Harry we are not sure on," Sheehan said.

"That will go down to the wire. We have to have a look and respect what he is feeling.

"He is desperate to play, but we'll have to wait and see how it goes."

Sheehan says Swansea are dealing with "bumps and bruises" having been in action at Watford on Wednesday, 24 hours after Burnley drew with West Bromwich Albion.

Swansea lost Myles Peart-Harris to what looks like a season-ending injury earlier this month, meaning resources are thin heading into the final stages of the campaign.

"Myles has gone, Hannes is unavailable," Sheehan added.

"But you have to be adaptable. We have Cyrus and Kyle and we have an academy as well that we are always looking at."

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Swansea City have triggered the option to extend Cameron Congreve's contract until the summer of 2026.

The Wales Under-21 international has excelled during his loan spell with Bromley this season - scoring five goals and adding four assists in 39 appearances in all competitions for the League Two side.

He also netted a fine solo goal against Newcastle United in the FA Cup.

Congreve's deal had been due to expire at the end of the current season, although he is now contracted to the Swans until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

"I have followed Cameron's progress at Bromley over the course of this campaign, and I am delighted he will be with us next season as he continues his development," said Swansea City's director of football Richard Montague.

"We are really looking forward to welcoming him back in for pre-season, and having him around the first-team group."

Congreve made his senior Swansea debut at Blackpool in March 2022 and has made 18 first team appearances for the club.

Burnley visit Swansea City on Saturday (15:00 GMT) in a bid to break into the top two.

The Clarets are two points shy of second placed Sheffield United and would find themselves in an automatic promotion spot should they defeat the Swans, with the Blades set for derby day in the Steel City on Sunday.

Defender CJ Egan-Riley is expected to be part of the match day action after his red card during Burnley's draw to West Bromwich Albion was successfully overturned upon appeal.

• Swansea City have lost each of their last three league games against Burnley. The Swans had won seven of their previous nine against the Clarets beforehand.

• Burnley won 2-1 on their last league visit to Swansea in January 2023. The Clarets haven't won consecutive visits to the Swans in their league history.

• Swansea have won their last two home league games, having lost three in a row before this. Both of these wins have been under caretaker Alan Sheehan, with the Irishman winning each of his last four at Liberty Stadium (also two wins in December and January last season in a previous caretaker spell).

• Burnley have conceded just six goals in 18 away league games this season, the lowest goals conceded per game (0.33) by a team away from home in a season in Football League history.

• Zian Flemming has been involved in eight goals in his last 12 away Championship appearances for Burnley (six goals, two assists).

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Iwan Roberts feels Swansea City players will have been wondering how they left Watford without at least a point after their unbeaten run under Alan Sheehan was ended by the Hornets.

The Swans regularly got into promising positions at Vicarage Road on Wednesday night, but failed to deliver in the final third as Moussa Sissoko's goal in the 27th minute earned the hosts victory.

But former Wales striker Roberts believes Swansea's performance in Hertfordshire demonstrates the squad are fully behind interim boss Sheehan at present.

"If you look at the statistics, [Swansea] had more possession, shots, shots on target and they had far more corners," he told BBC Radio Wales.

"It does leave you scratching your head how they haven't gone away from this game with at the very least a point.

"I just think when they got into key areas, on too many occasions, the final ball was a bit of a let down."

And Roberts feels not converting chances is an ongoing issue for the Swans.

"Twice now under Alan Sheehan they've gone away from home, they've defended well for long periods, but haven't scored," he added.

"They didn't score at Preston and had a few chances, they haven't scored here after creating a few opportunities.

"You've got to take those opportunities when they come your way. I thought Watford were here to be beaten, they're on a really poor run and Swansea coming in full of confidence.

"I don't think it was a bad performance, it was a decent performance again and it shows that the players are going out there and they want to play for Alan Sheehan."

Swansea return to action against promotion-chasing Burnley in south Wales on Saturday (15:00 GMT), their final fixture before the international break.

The Swans have won both of their home matches - against Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough - under Sheehan so far without conceding a goal.

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

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Swansea City ought to be heading into Saturday's game against Burnley with their unbeaten record under Alan Sheehan still intact.

They controlled enough of Wednesday's narrow defeat at Watford to take something from the contest.

The fact Swansea ended up with nothing was thanks largely to the same lack of firepower which has been an issue all season – plus Watford's bizarre winner.

Goncalo Franco has been one of Swansea's standout performers since arriving from Portugal last summer, but it was his almost inexplicable pass to Tom Ince – who he seemingly thought was a team-mate – which allowed the Watford winger to lay on Moussa Sissoko's decisive goal.

It was the sort of error which could sting for a while, so Franco – like his team-mates – will probably be pleased that Burnley's visit is only a couple of days away.

Burnley, who are third in the Championship, will also be keen to put midweek frustration to one side, with the gap to second-placed Sheffield United standing at two points after Tuesday's home draw with West Bromwich Albion.

John Swift's free-kick for the Baggies means Burnley have conceded two goals in their past three league matches, which almost represents a flurry given their astonishing defensive record this season.

In 37 second-tier games Burnley have conceded only 11 goals.

It goes without saying, therefore, that Swansea will need to find some inspiration in the final third if they are to trouble Connor Roberts and Co in the Clarets' defence.

At Watford, Swansea gave themselves plenty of opportunities to attack and managed more efforts on goal than the home side, yet Hornets keeper Egil Selvik was required to make only one meaningful save.

For all the positivity surrounding Sheehan's spell in charge – which may or may not be ending this weekend – Swansea have scored only one goal in three matches since the Irishman's opening win against Blackburn Rovers.

It could have been a different story if there was more attacking talent in Sheehan's squad.

In that sense, Swansea's caretaker boss is facing the same issue as the man he replaced, Luke Williams.

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Alan Sheehan felt Swansea City were unlucky to see their unbeaten run come to end as they went down 1-0 at Watford.

Swansea produced a spirited display at Vicarage Road but were undone by a Goncalo Franco error as well as their own lack of quality in the final third.

Franco seemingly confused Tom Ince with one of his own team-mates as he passed the ball to the veteran Watford winger, who was left with the simple task of laying on Moussa Sissoko's first-half winner.

Swansea had plenty of good moments – and put the pressure on Watford as the contest wore on – but saw their three-game stretch without defeat come to an end.

"I think the overall feeling is disappointment that we didn't keep that unbeaten run going because we probably deserved to," Swansea's caretaker boss said.

"But that's the Championship - never too up, never too down. If you think you are going to go a season unbeaten, you are going to be let down."

Defeat was Swansea's first since Sheehan took charge following the departure of Luke Williams last month.

Sissoko's winner was also the first goal Swansea have conceded since Sheehan took the reins.

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"Especially second half there was only one team with impetus," the Irishman added.

"In terms of application, desire, going to the very last minute, that's pleasing. But we lacked a small bit of quality tonight."

Sheehan will take charge of Swansea again when they host Burnley in their final game before the international break this weekend – but who will be in charge beyond that game remains uncertain.

Sheehan is interested in becoming Swansea's permanent boss but has maintained that he is not guaranteed to take the job even if it is offered to him.

Director of football Richard Montague is leading the search for Williams' permanent successor, with Swansea believed to be considering candidates at home and abroad.

Sheehan is due to meet Montague for talks about the future early next week.

"I will sit down with Richard and we'll have a chat and see what route the football club wants to go down and see if it matches up," he said.

"Either way I think it's important for the football club to appoint the right person to move this club forward. Hopefully this time next week there's a new manager and the right manager in place to move the club forward."

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Alan Sheehan hopes Swansea City will send the locals home unhappy at Watford on Wednesday (19:45 GMT), but has played down the idea that Hornets fans will be frosty before the game even starts.

Sheehan is a former captain of Watford's arch rivals Luton Town, where he played more than 130 games and won two promotions as a player and later worked as a coach.

But Swansea's caretaker boss has laughed off the suggestion that he will face flak from the home supporters when he steps out into the away dugout at Vicarage Road.

"I have not really been there that often," Sheehan said. "They probably don't know who I am."

Swansea will aim to make it four games unbeaten since the departure of Luke Williams as they take on a Watford side who are in the mix for a Championship play-off place.

Tom Cleverley's team are 12th in the table - five points and four places better off than Swansea – heading into the final 10 games of the season.

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But if they are to close the six-point gap to the top six, Watford may need another spectacular shift in form on their own ground.

Having gone unbeaten in their first 11 home games this season, Watford have slumped to six defeats in their past seven home league fixtures.

Despite the recent record, Sheehan is expecting a stern challenge given that only three clubs have won more home matches than Watford in the second tier this season.

"They are a team who have got individuals, we all know who they are, who can hurt you," he said.

"But we've got to go there and be competitive and put our own stamp on the game.

"I think we have been [doing that] and it's another challenge for us that we're looking forward to. We'll respect the opposition, be aware not afraid as I always say, and we'll be well prepared for the challenge ahead."

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Alan Sheehan says he will wait and see what the future holds for Myles Peart-Harris after the attacking midfielder's return to Brentford.

Peart-Harris is on loan at Swansea City until the end of the season, but seems unlikely to play again in 2024-25 because of the back injury he suffered at Preston North End last week.

The 22-year-old is under contract at Brentford until 2026 after the Premier League club triggered a one-year extension option in his deal in January.

Peart-Harris, who scored three times in 30 Swansea games, has made eight substitute appearances for the Bees' first team, including three in the top flight in December 2023.

When asked whether there is any possibility of former Chelsea youngster Peart-Harris returning to Swansea after this season ends, caretaker boss Sheehan said: "Let's just see what happens.

"Myles did really well here. I think he evolved his game and he's going back to Brentford a better player.

"He has played a good number of games, he has got good goals and outcomes in the Championship and shown that he is more than capable of playing at this level.

"I think that's a pleasing aspect for both clubs. That's the good thing about loans, that both clubs are benefiting."

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Alan Sheehan insists Swansea City will not stand still as they look to stretch their unbeaten run to four matches at Watford on Wednesday (19:45 GMT).

Swansea are yet to lose – or concede a goal – since Sheehan took the reins following last month's departure of head coach Luke Williams.

They have taken seven points from three games, beating play-off contenders Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough at home and battling to a draw at Preston North End, to ease the club's relegation concerns.

Caretaker boss Sheehan will remain in charge for Watford and Saturday's home fixture against Burnley before a decision on his future is made next week.

When asked whether Swansea have the capability to come through his five-game interim spell unbeaten, Sheehan said: "It's a good question, can we? The only way we can answer that is on the pitch.

"The only way players get to speak, staff get to speak, people like me get to speak, with substance is when things are done properly on the football pitch.

"I think for this five-game block, from where we were, we have got the points right now, but I never think about standing still.

"We want to go and be competitive in every game and it's up to us to find the way to do that."

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Swansea are not yet guaranteed to be a Championship club next season, but their upturn in form means the gap to the bottom three is now 12 points.

They are six short of the second tier's traditional 50-point safety mark with 10 fixtures remaining this season.

"I think we all have to be pleased as a football club that there have been changes and we've found a positive way to navigate our way through the last few games," Sheehan added.

"We were in danger of being sucked into a relegation battle with an incredibly difficult run coming up.

"So I think we all have to be positive and appreciate all the work that has been done at the football club, and appreciate the efforts of the players and how we are doing things at the moment."

Watford's defeat by Millwall on Saturday ended a three-match unbeaten run and they are six points off the play-off places as they prepare to host Swansea City on Wednesday (19:45 GMT).

The Swans are on their own three-game streak without defeat which has included wins over Blackburn and Middlesbrough.

• Watford have won just two of their past eight league games against Swansea City (D1 L5), scoring more than one goal in just one of those matches.

• Swansea City have lost just one of their past four away league games against Watford (D1 L2), a 2-0 defeat in May 2021.

• Watford are winless in their past four midweek league games (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday), losing three of them (D1).

• Swansea have kept a clean sheet in two of their past three away league games (W1 D1 L1), as many as in their previous 22 league matches on the road (W6 D5 L11).

• Swansea are winless in their past four midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games (D1 L3), this after winning four in a row immediately beforehand.

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Myles Peart-Harris has said farewell and thanks to Swansea City after returning to parent-club Brentford because of a back injury.

Peart-Harris has made 30 appearances – including 18 Championship starts – and scored three goals since joining Swansea on loan for the season last August.

But the 22-year-old looks to have played his final game for the Welsh club after getting injured during the draw at Preston North End last week.

Writing on social media, Peart-Harris said this was not the end to his Swansea spell he hoped for "but this is football".

"I've loved every moment of being a part your family and can't thank everybody enough for playing huge parts in my development," he wrote.

"It's a special club with special people inside and out. Best wishes for the future and lots of love."

Peart-Harris is under contract at Brentford until the summer of 2026.

Swansea caretaker boss Alan Sheehan says the player could return to Wales at the back-end of the season if there is any prospect of him regaining fitness, but that looks unlikely.

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Hannes Delcroix is on standby for a recall when Swansea City go to Watford on Wednesday (19:45 GMT) amid doubts over the fitness of Harry Darling.

Centre-back Darling was forced off in the second half of Saturday's win over Middlesbrough with a hip problem.

On-loan Burnley defender Delcroix played the final 27 minutes of the Boro win and may now be in line for his first start under caretaker boss Alan Sheehan at Vicarage Road.

Sheehan says Swansea will continue to assess Darling before Watford as "there is something in his hip".

"[We are] not sure for the game potentially but let's wait and see," he added.

"It's disappointing to lose any player, but we have to be adaptable. Sometimes we can get bogged down on what we don't have, but I prefer to look at it the other way. Hannes came in and did a good job.

"Whatever happens we'll pick a team that we think is suitable for Watford."

If Darling does not feature at Watford, Swansea will be left hoping he can play a part when Burnley visit south Wales on Saturday given that Delcroix will be unable to face his parent club.

Sheehan says Swansea have no other fresh injury concerns following the Middlesbrough triumph.

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Alan Sheehan was delighted to see Eom Ji-Sung "make the headlines" after the South Korean international's first Swansea City goal sealed victory over Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Eom has shown glimpses of quality since joining Swansea from Gwangju FC last summer.

But the 22-year-old had to wait until his 30th Swansea appearance to score his first goal in English football.

Sheehan had insisted before Middlesbrough's visit that Eom's moment would come – and he duly delivered with a sparkling finish from outside the area.

"The challenge for these players is we want to add outcomes - goals and assists, big moments," Swansea's caretaker boss said.

"Sometimes in the box-to-box stuff, you can do wonderful flashes - and Eom has got wonderful flashes of individual quality.

"But then it's kind of, can you make the headlines? Because we are relying on certain moments to go in our favour and we need the big moments from the attacking players, and that was a big moment from him.

"We're all really delighted for him. You can see how happy he was. These are the moments that make you so pleased."

Eom was picked for his first start under Sheehan as a replacement for Myles Peart-Harris, who looks to have played his last game for Swansea because of a back injury.

But he can expect to keep his shirt when Swansea return to action at Watford on Wednesday.