Swansea City

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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.”

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Swansea City's decision to hand Liam Cullen a new contract is looking shrewder by the week.

Swansea took their time to tie the forward down, opting to trigger a one-year extension in his previous deal in April rather than handing him the long-term package the player was hoping for.

But the club changed their stance in October, deciding that Cullen was worthy of new three-and-a-half year contract.

Cullen's response to the deal? The best run of form in his career.

Including his breakthrough night with Wales against Iceland last month, Cullen has delivered four goals and four assists in his last four games for club and country.

"He is a joy to watch isn’t he," Swansea head coach Luke Williams said in the wake of Cullen's latest influential performance, in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Portsmouth.

"He has quality, great energy. He's always drenched in sweat, giving everything to the team - and whisking the hair out of his face because he's so cool.

"He is in great form and he deserves to be because he works hard on his game every day and he runs himself into oblivion in every game."

Swansea return to action at Luton Town next weekend.

Given the streak he is enjoying, Cullen will be counting down the days.

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

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John Mousinho suggested energy levels might have been a factor, and Luke Williams might have used it as an excuse.

Portsmouth's high press in the first half of Saturday's 2-2 draw at Swansea City made life difficult for the home side, who were as troubled in possession as they have been all season on their own patch.

Pompey boss Mousinho reckoned his team's sharpness without the ball – which was key to both their goals – was due in part to the fact that this was their first game in three weeks.

Swansea, by contrast, had played twice in the previous six days, including at Derby last Wednesday night.

Williams could have pointed out as much when speaking to the media after what ultimately was a frustrating afternoon for Swansea.

He could have said something about fatigue being a factor, before hailing his players' character after they fought back from 2-0 down to get something from the game.

But he did not go down that road.

When asked whether tiredness may have played a part, Williams shot the idea down.

"That's too easy," he declared. "I am not going to let them (his players) have that because I care about them too much.

"There are going to be more times when they don't feel like they have energy and if they hear me tell them that's a problem, they might think 'I feel low on energy' before we start."

Williams did give his players credit for their comeback, but he was more annoyed than satisfied.

Not for the first time in Swansea's season, after all, this felt like a day when points got away.

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It is one of the most eagerly anticipated dates in the football calendar as Premier League and Championship clubs join the FA Cup action from round three.

The draw will take place on Monday, 2 December from 19:00 GMT and can be watched live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

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Swansea City have a "clear plan" to achieve their ultimate goal of reaching the Premier League, according to Swans Trust supporter director Paul Meller.

The Swans recently confirmed Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien had sold their majority stake in the club to current chairman Andy Coleman, fellow shareholders Brett Cravatt and Nigel Morris and businessman Jason Cohen.

And Meller believes the club is now fully aligned when it comes to its aims for the future.

"We very much welcome the changes," he told BBC Radio Wales.

"It's brought fresh investment into the club, and it's part of building future sustainability, and it really sets the foundation for a forward looking era for our club.

"There's a clear plan in place within the club from top to bottom as to the general direction that it needs to go.

"The Premier League is the ultimate goal."

As part of the structure of the takeover, the Trust - which has a protected 5% stake in the club - have gained an additional seat on the board.

Meller added: "The club were keen that our role was reinforced.

"The position we had beforehand has been strengthened, we've still got the protected 5% stake in the club and we've got that extra position on the board which gives us a greater voice in the boardroom."

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Former Wales striker Iwan Roberts expects Swansea City to take full advantage of Portsmouth's struggles this season when the sides meet on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Swans rose to 11th in the Championship after beating Derby County 2-1 on Wednesday, while Pompey are bottom.

John Mousinho's side have seen their last two league fixtures - against Blackburn Rovers and Millwall - postponed, meaning they have not played since beating Preston North End 3-1 on 9 November.

But Roberts believes Swansea's recent improvement in front of goal will stand them in good stead.

"Portsmouth are 24th in the league and have the second worst defensive record in the division," he told Dros Frecwast.

"They were meant to play on Wednesday night, but the lights at Fratton Park weren't working, so their game against Millwall was postponed.

"They'll be a bit more fresh, but they've only won two games this season.

"It was probably the best half an hour we've seen from Swansea at Derby.

"Their scoring record hasn't been great, but all of a sudden, they've scored five goals in two games.

"Even though Swansea have lost two of their last three at the Swansea.com Stadium, against Millwall and Leeds, after what I saw the other night, great goals from Zan Vipotnik and Ronald as well, I would expect Swansea to beat Portsmouth."

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Luke Williams says he would "always be half-interested" in signing Jamie Paterson after the attacking midfielder left Charlotte FC.

But Williams added that many factors would have to be considered before Swansea City might contemplate making a fresh move for their former player after his brief spell in America.

Paterson, 32, joined Charlotte in August having failed to agree a new deal at Swansea after his previous contract expired in the summer.

But the Major League Soccer side announced earlier this month that they would not take up an option to extend Paterson's short-term deal.

Williams made no secret of his desire to keep Paterson this season.

However, when asked whether he might try to bring Paterson back to Wales, Williams said: "I think he lost my number for a little while because we did make him an offer [in the summer] and I didn’t hear from him.

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"He is one of the players I admire and I enjoyed working with so much. I had a big part to play in him joining the club when I first came here [as assistant to Russell Martin].

"There's a lot to admire about Jamie Paterson, but it's not probably as simple as phoning him up and inviting him in."

Though Swansea have brought in the likes of Eom Ji-Sung and Myles Peart-Harris this season, a fit and firing Paterson would offer something to Williams' squad.

But as things stand, at least, a return seems unlikely.

"We have to look at many things. Who knows, there's always a chance in football," Williams added.

"I'd always be half-interested, but at the same time I have to make sure any decisions, any input I have… it has to be done in the most responsible way for the whole group and who we already have. Then there is the structure of the wages – there's a lot."