Swansea City

Image source, FAW

While Swansea City are finding it tough going in front of goal this season, a former star is showing you never lose a scoring touch.

The Swans’ goalless draw with Stoke City at the weekend made it the fourth time Luke Williams’ side have drawn a blank this season – with only rivals Cardiff City (five) failing to find the net on more occasions.

Although creating chances and still occupying a place in the top half of the Championship, Swansea have only managed eight league goals – with Preston North End (seven) and Cardiff (four) the only sides with fewer.

It has led to boss Williams saying he needs to play the role of a psychologist to help, and former striker Ian Walsh blaming a lack of service.

But Swansea have also been shorn of a star striker since the sale of Joel Piroe to Leeds United last summer.

Before him, Swans fans could count on the likes of Andre Ayew, Oli McBurnie, Fernando Llorente, Wilfried Bony and streets favourite Michu to grab the goals.

But another cult hero is still in red-hot form only a few miles from the Swansea.com Stadium, with Lee Trundle still banging them in for Cymru South side Trefelin.

Trundle signed for the Port Talbot-based side in Wales’ second tier at the start of the season.

And even at the age of 47, the skilful goalscorer – who also serves as Swansea’s club ambassador – has managed eight goals in just nine games.

His latest came on Friday when he scored in the fourth minute of injury time to earn Trefelin a point in a 3-3 draw with Taffs Well, lining up alongside former Wales midfielder Shaun MacDonald.

Trundle scored 91 goals for Swansea across 194 appearances over two spells and remains one of the club’s most popular players.

Which begs the question, if you could magically return one former Swansea striker back to their peak of their powers to help out the current side, who would you choose?

Trundle? Bony? Michu? Jason Scotland? Or even Bob Latchford?

Send us your dream choice here, external.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Wales striker Iwan Roberts believes Swansea City can be pleased with their start to the 2024-25 season despite being frustrated in their last three games.

The Swans are without a win since beating Coventry City 2-1 at the Coventry Building Society Arena on 21 September.

Indeed, Luke Williams' side surrendered a lead against Bristol City before Josh Tymon's own goal handed Sheffield United victory and then the Swans were unable to break down a stubborn Stoke City side.

Swansea sit 11th going into the penultimate international break of 2024, having claimed 12 of the 27 points on offer so far this term.

But Roberts feels that tally should be higher given some of the Swans' performances to date.

"I think it's been a good start to the season for Swansea, I think they should have more points than they've got. They're four points off the play-off places," Roberts told Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast.

"Their defence is performing well, it's the third best defence in the league.

"But the attacking side, it's the third worst, only Preston and Cardiff have scored fewer goals than Swansea."

On the 0-0 draw with Stoke, Roberts added: "I can understand Swansea fans will be a bit disappointed with the result, they had enough chances in the first-half.

"Ronald should have gone home with the match ball, Eom [Ji-sung] hit the bar.

"In the second-half, fair play, Stoke were the better team, but it's been a good start to the season [for Swansea]."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Ian Walsh believes the lack of service received by Swansea City's strikers is massively hampering Luke Williams' side.

The Swans impressed in spells against Stoke City in their final fixture before the international break but were unable to bulge the net as the contest in south Wales ended goalless.

Only bottom side Cardiff City and Preston North End have scored fewer than Swansea's tally of eight Championship goals so far this term.

And ex-Wales frontman Walsh said it would be a "nightmare" to be a striker in the current Swansea setup. 

“It seems like Swansea are always trying to play the perfect game, the perfect pass and score the perfect goal," he told BBC Radio Wales.

"Sometimes football isn’t perfect, sometimes a game needs to be scrapped out, especially in the Championship. Not enough creativity and quality in the final third.

"For me as a former striker, playing in this Swansea team today would be a nightmare, there’s a lack of opportunities for the frontmen."

Reflecting on the stalemate with the Potters, Walsh added: “It wasn’t a great spectacle, I’m disappointed with the way Swansea ended the game. 

"I’ve seen them too often this season where they’ve been okay for most of the game, but then let the opposition in.

"It might be down to fitness; they changed a lot of players in the second half."

Image source, Getty Images

Luke Williams will ask his players for a final push before the season’s second international break when Swansea City host Stoke City on Saturday.

Swansea are back on home soil after a midweek defeat at Sheffield United.

The Bramall Lane reverse was a third on the road in the Championship in 2024-25, but Williams’ team will defend an unbeaten home record in the league this season as they take on the Potters.

Swansea have beaten Preston and Norwich City on their own ground this term, while there have been draws with Cardiff City and Bristol City.

“We have had a couple of draws we feel we disappointed we didn’t convert to wins, particularly after scoring first in both games,” Williams said.

“But overall we should be quite pleased with our home form.

“Now we have to find the energy, intensity and quality to play one more game in this block before a bit of a break.”

Stoke, in 15th, are two points and three places worse off than Swansea in the early-season Championship table.

Image source, Getty Images

Following the sacking of Steven Schumacher, Stoke lost their first two games under new boss Narcis Pelach – who was part of Norwich’s staff when they lost at Swansea in September – before thrashing Portsmouth 6-1 in midweek.

“It certainly looks like they’ve found their feet and they will be full of confidence after that win,” Williams added.

“I think the new manager is going to do well. I was lucky to meet him just a few weeks ago because he was on the staff at a different club.

“He is very enthusiastic and I hear a lot of good things about him as a coach and how he can put his ideas across to the group. Watching the team, it’s quite evident that that’s the case.

“It’s a team being reborn at the moment and we have to be on our guard for that.”

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Luke Williams says Goncalo Franco was given a rest this week because the midfielder was showing signs of fatigue.

Franco, 23, has been one of Swansea City’s star performers since joining the Championship club from Portuguese side Moreirense in the summer.

But he was left to watch on from the bench as Swansea were beaten at Sheffield United on Wednesday.

“There’s no question that Franco has settled in really well and has given us some good performances,” said Swansea head coach Williams.

“He is a young player making his first appearances at this level. In his last performance I could see some signs of fatigue and in the testing scores we could see some signs of fatigue.

“Then of course we have Jay Fulton who is brilliant. Franco has taken a lot of the minutes, but Jay’s a fantastic player and he did brilliantly at Sheffield United.”

Williams must decide whether to stick with the dependable Fulton against Stoke City, or recall Franco.

Liam Cullen is back in contention as Swansea look to maintain their unbeaten home record in the Championship this season.

Kristian Pedersen and Sam Parker are still unavailable after injury issues, though Williams says both players are close to returning to full training.

But there is still no sign of Josh Ginnelly making a comeback more than a year after he suffered a ruptured Achilles.

Image source, Getty Images

Swansea City are showing "great improvement" under Luke Williams, according to club captain Matt Grimes.

The Swans sit 12th in the Championship after eight matches of the 2024-25 season.

Indeed, Williams' side have a strong home record having gone unbeaten in their opening four league fixtures at the Swansea.com Stadium.

They are also proving difficult to score against, with only Burnley, Sheffield United, Leeds United and Middlesbrough conceding fewer than Swansea's tally of six goals given away to date.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, Grimes said: "We're making steps in the right direction.

"Since the manager has come in, we've always wanted to go toe-to-toe against any team we come up against.

"We're showing great improvement in every game and hopefully we can have a strong season."

Swansea saw their three-game unbeaten run come to an end as they lost 1-0 to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Williams' side return to action against Stoke City on Saturday (15:00 BST), and Grimes knows Swansea's unbeaten home Championship record will be put to the test by a Potters side that thumped Portsmouth 6-1 in midweek.

"Yeah, really good [home form]. I know it'll be a tough game, playing against Stoke is always tough," added Grimes.

"It's a very fast turnaround, we'll rest up and go again.

"The Championship is mental, everyone knows that, but hopefully they [Stoke] have used all of their goals up for the week."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Matt Grimes believes Joe Allen's international return can "only be positive" for Wales.

Midfielder Allen retired from international duty little more than two months after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but has been included in Craig Bellamy's squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Iceland and Montenegro.

And Swansea City captain Grimes says Allen's international recall will provide a "massive boost" to the Wales squad.

"He's an unbelievable guy and an unbelievable player," Grimes told BBC Sport Wales.

"I think it's a massive boost for Wales and their lads because he's just a brilliant player. It can only be positive.

"Joe gives you so much more than just the football. He's an unbelievable leader and character on and off the pitch, just having him there with his experience is unbelievable."

Grimes has been a mainstay for the Swans since they were relegated from the Premier League in 2018.

The Swansea skipper is now one of the key senior figures under Luke Williams, although he admits the experience of Allen and Kyle Naughton have been hugely beneficial when it comes to improving his own leadership qualities.

"I learn off a lot of the senior players that have been here over the years," added Grimes.

"Joe and Naughts are the two now, they've done everything in their careers.

"They've played at the highest level. You'd be a fool if you didn't draw inspiration from them."

Image source, Getty Images

Swansea City captain Matt Grimes described Josh Tymon as the "best left-back" in the Championship following his string of impressive displays for the club.

Tymon, 25, struggled to make his mark under Michael Duff after joining the Swans from Stoke City in the summer of 2023.

But he has been one of the club's best performers under current head coach Luke Williams - who was appointed boss in January.

He was swiftly supported by his team-mates and coaching staff after turning the ball into his own net as Sheffield United beat Swansea 1-0 at Bramall Lane on Wednesday night.

And Grimes says the experienced defender will be unfazed by his own goal against the Blades as the Swans turn their attention to facing Tymon's former club Stoke on Saturday.

"Tymo's been one of our best players for a long time now," Grimes told BBC Sport Wales.

"He's been at the club just over a year and he's been absolutely phenomenal.

"He's a top talent, he's the best left-back in the league in my opinion.

"It won't phase him at all, it's one of those things, it happens to us all at different times."

Image source, Rex Features

Luke Williams says he is "suffering" on Josh Tymon's behalf after the Swansea City defender's own goal handed Sheffield United victory over his side.

The left-back volleyed Harrison Burrows' cross into his own net on the stroke of half-time at Bramall Lane as the Blades secured a 1-0 win to end Swansea's three-game unbeaten run.

As Tymon cut a dejected figure while walking off the pitch at half-time, the defender was consoled by several members of Swansea's coaching staff, including Williams.

And the head coach urged the 25-year-old to keep his head up as Swansea prepare to return to action against Tymon's former club Stoke City on Saturday (15:00 BST).

"He's (Tymon) been a brilliant player for us. We love him. I don't want him to feel so terrible when he's doing everything right," Williams told BBC Radio Wales.

"It's not like a sloppy error from a player out of focus or making a terrible decision.

"He gives everything week-in week-out and he tried to scoop the ball away from danger and this happened.

"I'm suffering for him and I couldn't wait to tell him that I trust him and tell him not to dwell on it.

"He's a top player, he's going to be fine."

Image source, Getty Images

Luke Williams says only the “very best” of his team will do as Swansea City look to end Sheffield United’s unbeaten start to the Championship season on Wednesday.

Swansea go to Bramall Lane having lost just one league game since their opening-day defeat at Middlesbrough.

But Williams says Swansea will face one of their toughest assignments of the season when they meet Chris Wilder’s Blades on their own patch.

“If you go there and perform well, it should give you a huge boost in confidence because you know you are not going to face anything more difficult,” he said.

“Ferocious atmosphere, good squad, very good manager... We have to play at our very best, be very brave, be squeaky clean, do everything well - and then you might have to add to that a slice of luck.”

Wilder’s side have won four and drawn three of their seven league games this season, though they began 2024-25 on minus two points having broken EFL rules over payments to other clubs.

Image source, Rex Features

They conceded 104 league goals as they finished bottom of the Premier League last term, yet currently have the Championship’s meanest defence.

Wilder’s squad includes numerous attacking threats, such as Gustavo Hamer, Wales striker Kieffer Moore and former Swansea loanee Rhian Brewster.

Tyrese Campbell is another option for Wilder, though he has made only two substitute appearances in the league this season having turned down the chance to join Swansea in favour of moving to South Yorkshire over the summer.

“Credit to any team that can be unbeaten at this stage,” Williams added.

“They have players of high quality with a lot of experience and of course there are some funds to back that, but you still need to galvanise a group of players, give them a game-plan and keep them on the right track.

“That’s why you have an excellent manager to go along with an excellent squad, so that’s why it’s going to be very difficult to play against them.”

Image source, Getty Images

Luke Williams is confident Zan Vipotnik will “be able to show his talent” once the striker comes to terms with life as a Swansea City player.

Liam Cullen’s absence through illness meant Vipotnik made just his second Championship start in Swansea’s 1-1 draw with Bristol City on Sunday.

The Slovenia international has made eight appearances in all – with two further starts in the EFL Cup – since joining Swansea over the summer, but has managed only one goal for his new club to date.

Williams says the 22-year-old will thrive in Wales given time.

“I have got no doubts with Vipi (Vipotnik),” the Swansea head coach said.

“I am really happy with Vipi because he has real quality, he is really motivated and wants to do so well for us.

“I need to help him feel confident and to get into the team in a natural way, and not to try to force it or put unrealistic expectations on him.”

Vipotnik arrived at Swansea in the latter stages of pre-season after the collapse of former club Bordeaux.

He scored 10 goals in the French second tier last season but was allowed to leave due to Bordeaux’s financial troubles.

Image source, Getty Images

“He had a very disjointed end to last season and pre-season and it’s a big change to come here,” Williams added.

“Some of the touches [against Bristol City] when he brings people into play - he is very sure-footed and very bright.

“When you work with him every day, his finishing is exceptional… so I look forward to [seeing] that because we haven’t quite seen it.

“Then there’s a whole other side of the game that he has to cope with. The relentless pressing and recovering – the Championship is different for him and the way we want to play is different for him.

"He is going to get up to speed with that and then he’ll be able to show his talent.”

Vipotnik may be asked to lead the Swansea line once more at Sheffield United on Wednesday, though Williams is hopeful that Cullen, the club’s three-goal leading scorer, will be fit to feature at Bramall Lane.