Swansea City

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Gareth Vincent, BBC Sport Wales

Southampton boss Russell Martin revealed he “felt sick” before his return to Swansea City as he predicted a bright future for his former club under Luke Williams.

Saints set a new club record as a 3-1 victory saw Martin’s side extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 21 games.

It was Martin’s first visit to Swansea since he left his role as the club’s head coach to become Southampton boss last June.

“I felt sick this morning and couldn’t eat any breakfast,” he said.

“But it was really nice to come back and I enjoyed it more because of our performance and the fact we won.

“Seeing all the backroom staff and lots of people who meant a lot to us - and who we have a lot of love and affection for - was special.

“I just feel loads of gratitude for my time here. We loved the place and we were all in, as we are at Southampton now.”

Michael Duff succeeded Martin at Swansea, but was sacked after less than five months in charge amid criticism over the club’s style of play.

Martin believes the appointment of Williams – who was on the backroom team for part of his Swans reign – will see Swansea improve.

“I think everyone will feel way more positive about their club come the end of the season than they did a five, six weeks ago or whatever,” Martin added.

“This club is unique. If you don’t do things in a certain way here, then you really have to win.

"If you are not winning and people aren’t identifying with their team, then there’s a big problem I think.

“Now they have got a guy who is going to bring them a way [of playing] that is synonymous with what pretty much everyone in this stadium saw as being the biggest USP (unique selling point) in their success, which was the style and identity.

“They have a great coach to do that now. I am excited for him and the guys here and we will always keep an eye on their results.”

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Luke Williams says “things will happen soon” as Swansea City continue their bid to recruit players during the January transfer window.

Swansea’s head coach refused to discuss specific targets amid continued links with Romaine Mundle, the 20-year-old attacking midfielder who left Tottenham Hotspur for Belgian side Standard Liege last summer.

But Williams says Swansea continue to work hard to strengthen their squad, with the Championship club keen to add players with pace and energy to their forward line.

“I don’t want to talk about specifics,” Williams said.

“What I can say is that there’s a lot going on. I want to reassure people that we are at the table talking and things will happen soon.

“In an ideal world, the window opens and then a guy arrives the next day. But in reality, you are in the market for good players, not someone who no-one wants.

“So you have to accept that every time we try to encourage the player or make a negotiation, maybe two or three other clubs are doing the same.

“And if I was a player in the window, you would probably wait, wait, wait. There’s a reason why everything goes crazy on the deadline day and everyone is in the training ground with a box of pizzas, because people are waiting and reviewing the options.

“We have to stay calm and make sure we find people who can make the squad stronger straight away and also have growth in them.”

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Captain Matt Grimes believes Luke Williams' commitment to a possession-based style will help Swansea City reconnect with their fans.

Williams takes charge of a first home league game on Saturday, against Southampton, having been appointed Swansea head coach a fortnight ago.

The Swans turned to Williams, who previously coached at the club under Russell Martin, having been criticised for their style of play under Michael Duff, who was sacked in December.

Asked how Williams’ methods are being received by Swansea's players, Grimes said: “Very well. He’s a possession-based manager.

"The way he works, day in, day out, the detail he goes into with every player, every unit, is second to none. So we are very excited about working with him.

“It suits me to play in a possession team. I think that’s why I’ve been at Swansea for so long. In my opinion, that’s the best way to play the game.

“I think there’s an expectation at Swansea to play possession-based football, to have the all and dominate teams in that way.

“Alan Sheehan came in and did a brilliant job in what was a very turbulent time. We thank him immensely - I think the lads really took to him and what he tried to implement.

“Now the gaffer is in, [he wants to be] heavily possession-based, score a lot of goals, play a lot of exciting football.

"For us it’s [about] wanting to connect back with the fanbase and really kick on and show everyone what they want to see and pay their well-earned money to come and see.”

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Harrison Ashby is back in contention for Swansea City’s Championship meeting with Southampton on Saturday but Ben Cabango will miss the game.

Right-back or wingback Ashby, who is on a season-long loan from Newcastle, has not played since November because of a hamstring issue.

He is set to make a welcome return to Luke Williams’ squad this weekend, with fellow right-sided defender Josh Key still out injured.

Centre-back Cabango will miss out on a reunion with former Swansea boss Russell Martin because of foot and ankle problems.

“Ben is not ready yet but we think he is going to be out on the grass again very soon,” Williams said.

Swansea’s head coach has declined to put a timescale on how long teenager Sam Parker will be out with his hamstring problem, while Liam Walsh is facing another spell on the sidelines after picking up a calf injury during the New Year’s Day win over West Brom.

“Liam is going to take some time,” Williams said.

“He has the journey in front of him to get strong enough to be able to train.”

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Former midfielder Owain Tudur Jones says Russell Martin “genuinely loved” Swansea City and would have been happy to remain at the club for the long term.

Martin makes a first return to Swansea on Saturday since leaving the Welsh club to take over at Southampton last summer.

Ex-Wales international Jones played alongside Martin and his assistant Matt Gill during their time at Norwich City.

Spaking on this week’s Y Coridor Ansicrwydd podcast, Jones said: “I’m not exaggerating by saying that Russ genuinely loved Swansea. If things had been different, he would have loved to stay and he wanted to stay – unless an offer came in from a Premier League club.

“But things haven’t worked out like that.

“Saturday will be an emotional day for him, without a doubt.

“Obviously they (Southampton) have got a job to do.”

Martin was two years into a three-year Swansea deal when he departed for Southampton.

He had said on numerous occasions that he wanted to extend his Swans contract, but no agreement was ever reached with the club.

He returns to face new Swansea boss Luke Williams – who was on his staff at the club in the early stages of his reign.

“The crowd would have given Russ a great welcome, but because Luke Williams has just been appointed, I think it will be a bit different in that the fans will be more focused on supporting him,” Jones added.

“I think Swansea have got a chance to create a bit of a shock, and they need that first win under Williams because there’s a tough run of games ahead.”

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Gareth Vincent, BBC Sport Wales

Swansea City finished last season in sparkling form, taking 23 points from what proved to be Russell Martin's last nine league games in charge.

Five games during that run were at home, and four of those ended in Swansea victories.

Since then, the Swans have played a further 13 league games on their own patch under two different bosses – Michael Duff and then caretaker Alan Sheehan – and registered only four more home wins.

Martin returns to south Wales with in-form Southampton on Saturday to face a Swansea side who are still getting used to life under Luke Williams.

Swansea’s new head coach will be well aware that home form must improve if he is to achieve his goal of leading his side towards the top end of the Championship table between now and May.

After all, only three clubs in the second tier have won fewer home league games than Swansea this season – and they are all in the division's bottom four.

Williams’ side face a stern examination as they look for home league win number five of the season this weekend.

Southampton, after all, have matched a club record by going 20 games unbeaten in all competitions and thumped Swansea 5-0 a little over three weeks ago.

A home win in this fixture would be Swansea's most notable this season.

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Ben Cabango looks doubtful for Swansea City’s Championship meeting with Southampton on Saturday due to a leg injury.

The Wales centre-back is yet to play under Luke Williams having missed last weekend’s draw at Birmingham City and the FA Cup win over Morecambe.

His last appearance was in the 1-0 win over West Brom on New Year’s Day.

“I wouldn’t say [it is] long term but we have to be a bit careful because he returned to training and had a setback,” said Swansea head coach Williams.

“But it’s not like he was stretchered off or something like that. We are hoping it’s more short-term.”

The tests are ramping up for new Swansea City head coach Luke Williams.

From an FA Cup win over League Two Morecambe in his opening game, to last weekend's Championship point at Birmingham - and now high-flying Southampton on Saturday.

With Russell Martin returning to the Swansea.Com Stadium for the lunchtime kick-off for the first time since leaving for the Saints last summer, Swans fans will be hoping his former assistant can make it an unhappy reunion.

But the clash comes after seeing their side denied in injury time at Birmingham - a performance that encouraged some, but frustrated others if the fans that joined BBC Radio Wales' Call Rob Phillips phone-in are anything to go by.

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Clare from Cross Hands told the show - including ex-Wales striker Iwan Roberts and former Swans academy coach Cameron Toshack - that she thought the display was an improvement on recent weeks and offered encouraging signs for the future.

But with Swansea showing they intend to play from the back under former Notts County manager Williams, she warned: "The games are going to be very, very exciting - and very, very nervy.

"It’s going to take a couple of games to gel but two or three signings before February and we’ll have a good enough squad on paper and then it’s about (Williams) implementing his ideas.

"Sometimes at the back our passing wasn’t great but it was enjoyable from what we’ve seen previously so onwards and upwards."

But despite praise for a return to the 'Swansea Way' style of playing, Peter from Port Talbot was far from convinced.

"Until we stop playing this style of football we aren’t going to be able to go anywhere," he told the show. "We were caught out four times mucking about at the back. It’s nonsense football.

"Tapping the ball back to the keeper and centre backs and we end up losing the ball under pressure. The opposing centre backs must be laughing thinking they’ve got a day off.

"It’s boring football, they can make 20 or 30 passes and still be in your own half. The supporters want fast-flowing football, not tap it here, tap it there, going on and on and then losing the ball."

It was not a view shared by Adrian from Carmarthen, although he did admit it will take the squad some time to adjust to the new methods - before giving a transfer tip to Swansea sporting director Paul Watson.

"We desperately need wingers there’s no pace in the side whatsoever," he said.

"The last decent winger we had at the club was Dan James, although Sam Parker has played very well recently since coming in from the youth side.

"I think we need an experienced central defender to come in as well.

"In an ideal world we need to bring in at least two or three more experienced players."

Call Rob Phillips will be back on Saturday from 5.30pm, including reaction from Swansea's game with Southampton.

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Russell Martin makes his Swansea.Com Stadium return on Saturday - boosted after securing Southampton's second signing of the transfer window.

Swansea take on the Saints in an early kick-off, with Martin back at the club he led for two seasons before departing in June 2023.

He'll also be taking on his former assistant, Luke Williams having gone from Martin's backroom to Swans boss via and impressive spell at Notts County.

Southampton go into the game in third place, just three points behind Ipswich and the automatic promotion spots.

The Saints are unbeaten in their last 19 league matches, but are already strengthening in the January window.

Having already brought in Irish teenager Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh from Cork City, Martin has now recruited midfielder Joe Rothwell from Premier League Bournemouth.

The former Blackburn 29-year-old made 11 top-flight appearances for the Cherries this season and could go straight into the squad to face Swansea, who are yet to get up and running in the window.

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

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Gareth Vincent, BBC Sport Wales

Only Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton have led in more Championship games this season than Swansea City.

Yet while Leicester, Ipswich and Russell Martin’s Saints make up the division’s top three, Swansea are languishing in 15th.

The issue for the Swans is their inability to hold on after going in front, as happened once again at Birmingham City on Saturday.

Jordan James’ late Blues equaliser means Swansea have failed to win nine of the 17 games in which they have been ahead.

Four of those games have ended in draws, while Swansea have lost five matches in which they have held the lead, which is at least two more than anyone else in the division.

In all, 23 points have been lost from winning positions in a total of 27 league games.

As new boss Luke Williams seeks to improve Swansea’s fortunes in what remains of this campaign, there is joy to be had if he can find a way to protect leads.

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Joel Cotterill has returned to Swansea City after his loan spell at League Two leaders Stockport County was cut short.

Cotterill, 19, signed for the Hatters on a season-long loan in August, going on to make a total of 11 appearances in all competitions.

The midfielder scored his first senior goal in an 8-0 win over Sutton United in December.

Cameron Toshack says it will be “interesting to see” how much transfer business Swansea City do this month.

Swansea failed to sign a player last January, when a desperate window marked the beginning of the end for Russell Martin’s Swansea reign.

New boss Luke Williams said this week there is a “frenzy” of transfer activity going behind the scenes at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Just like every Swansea fan right now, ex-Swans Under-23 and Leeds United coach Toshack is keen to discover how many new recruits arrive during this window.

“The interesting thing to see before the end of January will be the commitment to Luke from Swansea City,” Toshack said on BBC Radio Wales’ Call Rob phone-in

“You have to bear in mind that they brought in 13, 14 players at the start of the season and it’s not going to be easy to get a lot of those out, so watch this space I guess.”

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

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Former Wales captain Kevin Ratcliffe says Swansea "deserved better" in their 2-2 draw away at Birmingham City.

The Swans twice took the lead at St Andrew's and were a minute away from victory when Wales international Jordan James scored from outside the area to level the score.

The game was Luke Williams' first in the league since taking charge of the Swans, and Ratcliffe says the new head coach will be pleased with what he saw.

"I felt a little bit sorry for Swansea, I thought they deserved better than what they got," Ratcliffe told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

"The equaliser was only the second shot on target Birmingham had in the second half and that was after 94 minutes.

"Liam Cullen was excellent for Swansea, Jamie Paterson and Sam Parker too. They were running the show.

"He'll be pretty pleased I think, Luke Williams. He'll take a long hard look at what he needs to do to improve it and make a bit of an adjustment to the side.

"I think the players he has can do the job he wants, but he will suss that out."

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Swansea City head coach Luke Williams says his players showed a "warrior mentality" in their 2-2 draw away against Birmingham City.

Williams' first game in the Championship since taking over at the Swans almost ended with all three points, but Jordan James' late strike earned a point for Birmingham.

Despite conceding late on, Williams was encouraged by the display.

"I saw some warrior mentality, guys prepared to fight for the ball when we were under a lot of pressure," Williams told BBC Sport Wales.

"I saw some very encouraging things that are essential for a good team but we need time to work and improve our levels.

"We have a game now to review and pick apart and use that to build during our week of training."

Swansea City boss Luke Williams says he has been impressed with left-sided defender Josh Tymon.

The former Stoke man provided assists for both Swansea goals in their 2-2 draw with Birmingham City yesterday.

It was arguably his most influential display since joining the Swans last September.

Williams says Tymon's delivery is a real asset.

“Josh Tymon has a lot of power and he is quick and can really deliver the ball on the run and at dead balls as well, so he’s shown me some really encouraging performances," he told BBC Sport Wales.

"He generates real power and that's a great attribute to have."

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Swansea boss Luke Williams says he is concerned for midfielder Sam Parker after he appeared to suffer a hamstring injury in the 2-2 draw at Birmingham City.

Parker, 17, who has been with the club since he was eight-years old, was forced off in the 64th minute at St Andrew’s.

“It’s a big shame because he is such a bright guy and he made a really good performance,” Williams said.

“We have to wait now and see how that settles down and understand how severe it is.”