Swansea City

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Alan Sheehan said he was "flattered" by support he received from Swansea City's fans after Saturday's impressive victory over Middlesbrough.

The Boro triumph means Sheehan has claimed seven points in three games since taking the reins following the departure of Luke Williams last month.

As the caretaker boss celebrated victory in front of the Swansea.com Stadium's East Stand, a section of supporters chanted "Alan Sheehan, we want you to stay".

Sheehan is in charge for two more games as things stand, at Watford next Wednesday and at home to Burnley next weekend.

The Championship club are due to give a further update on their managerial situation during the international break which comes after the Clarets visit.

When asked about the fans' chant, Sheehan said: "It is flattering and I am very appreciative of their affection towards me.

"I appreciate their support and I just love how much the players gave to make them happy.

"Sometimes you get the praise for it, but these players are giving everything so I'm delighted to have that chemistry.

"They've been excellent and we've given them back-to-back home wins."

Sheehan, an assistant coach under Williams and predecessor Michael Duff, has said he wants to become a manager in his own right.

But he insisted after Boro that even if he is offered a permanent role at Swansea, he could say no if the conditions are not right.

"Like I said, I'll have a conversation at the end of these two games," Sheehan added.

"And it's not. Do you want the job? Oh, yes, please. It won't work like that.

"What is the plan? Where do we want to get to and how do we want to get to it? How do you want to do things?

"There's so many different aspects. I've been in this position where opportunities have been presented my way, but I want to win, I want to be successful."

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Eom Ji-Sung could win a Swansea City recall against Middlesbrough this afternoon (15:00 GMT) with Alan Sheehan confident the South Korea international's "wow factor" will see him make a mark in the Championship.

Eom has played 29 times for Swansea since joining the Welsh club from South Korean side Gwangju last summer.

The 22-year-old, who was recruited as a number 10 but has played most of his football at Swansea out wide, has given glimpses of his quality on the ball.

However, Eom is yet to score in Swans colours and has only one assist to his name so far this season.

"He is still transitioning to the Championship, which is far more physical than the league he played in - he has said that himself," said Swansea caretaker boss Sheehan.

"He has so much talent. He has that wow factor that we have all seen this season. I think we have seen some wonderful flashes.

"Now we need to get to a position where he is getting outcomes. He is still young and will keep getting better."

Eom will hope to return to Swansea's starting side against Boro after coming off the bench in the first half during Tuesday's goalless draw at Preston.

Eom replaced the more physically imposing Myles Peart-Harris, who impressed in the win over Blackburn Rovers a fortnight ago but was forced off with a back injury.

There are other options for Sheehan, who could also call on Ollie Cooper, Josh Ginnelly or youngster Sam Parker.

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Alan Sheehan has backed Ben Cabango to flourish as Swansea City's club captain.

Wales international Cabango was handed the armband after Matt Grimes' January move to Coventry City.

Academy product Cabango, 24, has skippered Swansea at every level since joining the club as a 14-year-old.

And caretaker boss Sheehan believes Swansea are in safe hands with Cabango leading the dressing room.

"Sometimes we judge captains on certain aspects, but they are all different and they can lead in different ways," he said.

"Ben has transitioned into it really well and I have such high hopes for him as captain of this club.

"He is a rock and a wonderful player, a wonderful person who is great to work with. He has been throughout my time here.

"I have all the respect for him. I think he will be a wonderful captain for this club."

Cabango will go in search of a third win in seven games since taking over as skipper when Swansea host Middlesbrough on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

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Swansea City host Middlesbrough on Saturday (15:00 GMT) with Alan Sheehan hoping to maintain his solid record as the club's caretaker boss.

Sheehan has led a Swansea side who had been in miserable form to a win and a draw – and two clean sheets – in their first two games since the departure of Luke Williams.

The Irishman is in his second spell in caretaker charge, having taken 11 points from seven Swansea games before Williams was appointed in January 2024.

Sheehan will remain at the helm for at least three more games – Boro's visit, the trip to Watford next Wednesday and the home fixture with high-flying Burnley on Saturday, 15 March.

Asked whether he needs to deliver results in those matches to convince Swansea that he is the man to lead the club on a long-term basis, Sheehan said: "I don't know, you will have to speak to the ownership.

"I think our points to game [ratio] is quite strong at the moment, so let's just keep in that positive equity, if you want to say that.

"We want to go into every game and be as positive as possible.

"The place feels good at the moment after the two results and we need to keep building that level of consistency and foundations."

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After a rousing win over Blackburn Rovers a fortnight ago, Sheehan's Swansea will aim to take the scalp of another side in play-off contention as they face Middlesbrough.

The Teessiders suffered six defeats in seven league games in a dreadful run which led to speculation about the future of boss Michael Carrick (pictured above), but have bounced back to form with victories over relegation strugglers Stoke and Derby.

"They are a team with an enormous amount of quality who have been building their squad for a long time now," Sheehan said.

"They had a sticky spell, but they look like they have found their mojo so we are expecting a very difficult challenge with a lot of individuals that can hurt you.

"We have to find a way to be the best version of ourselves and really attack it as a team."

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Hibernian head coach David Gray has said he is "fully committed" to the Scottish Premiership club having been touted as a contender to take over at Swansea City.

Swansea are assessing managerial options at home and abroad following last month's departure of Luke Williams.

Caretaker boss Alan Sheehan will lead Swansea against Middlesbrough on Saturday and in their games against Watford and Burnley next week.

It is not known at this stage who will be in charge after those three games.

There have been reports that Gray, 36, is under consideration at Swansea having sparked an upturn in fortunes at Hibs after a poor start to the season, though sources at the Welsh club have played down the links.

For his part, Gray says his only focus is on his side's game at Celtic this weekend.

"I'm fully committed to what I'm doing here and I'm 100% behind what we're trying to do here moving forward," he told BBC Sport Scotland.

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Swansea City are keeping fingers crossed that Myles Peart-Harris will make a rapid return to action despite coming off at Preston North End with a back injury.

Peart-Harris has been sent for a scan having been forced off before half-time at Deepdale on Tuesday.

The on-loan Brentford player, 22, has scored three goals in 30 Swansea appearances this season, with his most recent strike coming in the 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers 12 days ago.

Caretaker boss Alan Sheehan says Swansea are "quietly hopeful" that Peart-Harris will be available for Saturday's home game against Middlesbrough.

"We are hoping it's not too serious because he gives us something slightly different to other players in the squad," Sheehan said.

"It's disappointing because he gives us something different physically and attacking-wise. So whoever comes in and fills that spot [if Peart-Harris misses out], we'll have to work differently."

Eom Ji-Sung replaced Peart-Harris at Preston and would be favourite to start should he be unavailable this weekend.

Swansea could also deploy Ollie Cooper or Florian Bianchini out wide, or draft in Josh Ginnelly or Sam Parker after they were omitted from the squad in midweek.

Middlesbrough will look to retain their good form from their previous two matches as they cross the border to visit Swansea City on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

A run of five consecutive losses saw Boro out of the top 10, but wins over Derby County and Stoke City now see them back on track with a play off spot just two points away.

While the Swans held their nerve against Preston North End last time out to go 10 points clear of relegation.

• Swansea City have failed to win any of their last seven league games against Middlesbrough (D1 L6), since a 2-1 win in March 2021.

• Middlesbrough have won each of their last five league games against Swansea City, as many victories as across their prior 16 matches against the Swans (D4 L7).

• Swansea City won 3-0 against Blackburn at Liberty Stadium in their last home game. They haven't won consecutive home league games without conceding since April 2024.

• Middlesbrough have won their last two Championship matches, having lost five in a row beforehand. They are looking for three consecutive wins for the first time since November 2024.

• Finn Azaz has created 2.4 chances per 90 minutes in the Championship for Middlesbrough this season. Among players to play 2,000+ minutes in a Championship season for Boro, that is the best ratio since Grant Leadbitter in 2014-15 (2.6 per 90).

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

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The ultimate goal for Alan Sheehan is to become a manager in his own right, whether that is at Swansea City or elsewhere.

His short-term target is to ensure that whoever is in charge at Swansea come the summer is preparing for another season in the Championship.

Swansea edged a little closer to guaranteeing survival on Tuesday night, with a battling draw at Preston North End ensuring the Welsh side are 10 points clear of the relegation places with 11 league games remaining this season.

The performance at Preston was not particularly convincing, but the result was a plus.

Swansea have another point on the board - making it an impressive four from two games under caretaker boss Sheehan - and have maintained momentum heading into Saturday's home game against Middlesbrough.

Having bemoaned the "difficult" conditions at Preston, Sheehan will look forward to returning to the Swansea.com Stadium, scene of a thumping win over Blackburn Rovers in his first game in charge 11 days ago.

Swansea outplayed a high-flying Rovers side, with their energy and desire producing plenty of forward momentum and three goals.

It looked in the early stages at Preston as if Sheehan's Swansea might once again be the dominant attacking force, only for the home side to seize control of the contest before finishing up frustrated that they had not won.

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Aside from the point gained, the big positive for Swansea was that they registered a second successive clean sheet for the first time since April 2024.

The commitment to the cause shown by Sheehan's players – which, in fairness, was rarely questioned even in the painful latter days of Luke Williams' reign – and some wayward Preston finishing combined to ensure Swansea held on for the shutout.

More of the same would be welcome in the weeks ahead as Swansea look to end what has turned into another arduous season by avoiding relegation with something to spare, just as they did last spring.

Sheehan, who is in caretaker charge for at least three more games, does not have an easy task. Like Williams before him, he is working with a squad which lacks depth and quality in certain areas.

But if Sheehan is to convince Swansea's hierarchy that he should be offered a long-term contract, his team may need to play with more fluency and control - at times at least - than they did at Deepdale.

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Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom reckons Swansea City look a side more concerned with high energy than high possession following the departure of Luke Williams.

Preston were left frustrated after creating the better chances in Tuesday's goalless draw with Swansea at Deepdale.

Swansea controlled the contest in the first 25 minutes, but then relied on a battling defensive performance – and some wayward Preston finishing – to hold on for a point.

Caretaker Swans boss Alan Sheehan said the pitch at Preston made it "very difficult" for his team to play possession football.

"When we tried to pass the ball, it takes three touches instead of two in the conditions out there," the Irishman added.

But having watched Swansea in the flesh – and analysed their win over Blackburn Rovers in Sheehan's first game in charge – Heckingbottom felt there was a pattern in their style of play.

"We knew watching Swansea's game [against Blackburn] their approach - high energy," the former Sheffield United boss said.

"That's the big difference in them – pass the ball less and high energy."

Heckingbottom felt Preston's failure to be clinical in front of goal cost them a second successive win, following their impressive FA Cup triumph over Burnley last Saturday.

"Swansea had 10 days [between games] and we were off the back of a big game at the weekend," he added.

"So we had to make sure we guarded against it being a flat performance from us.

"We should have won the game. We created more than enough. If you ask our front players, if they had those chances again, they'd take them on another day."

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Caretaker boss Alan Sheehan was proud of his side's defensive display after Swansea City battled to a goalless draw at Preston North End.

Swansea started impressively at Deepdale only to be left soaking up pressure for much of the contest as Preston created the game's better opportunities.

But goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux claimed a second successive clean sheet as Swansea made it four points from two games since Sheehan took the reins just over a fortnight ago.

"I want the fans to see a team they can be proud of," the Irishman said.

"There are different ways to be proud - all these games are very different.

"It was always going to be difficult at Preston on a Tuesday night. I think we have to be proud of the defensive performance - the lads left it all out there and that's all you can ask."

The Preston draw came on the back of a resounding win over Blackburn Rovers in their first game after the departure of head coach Luke Williams.

Swansea are 16th in the table, 10 points clear of the Championship relegation zone with 11 games remaining this season.

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"I think it was important we added to our points tally in whatever way we could so I am quite pleased with that," Sheehan added.

"We kept going until the very last minute. At times we had to defend as a team but we had some half-chances.

"We have come away and thrown punches but Preston are a big, physical team. They were getting bigger with every substitute [who came on] and we were getting smaller, so I was wary of that, especially defending set-pieces at the end.

"But credit to the lads. They stood up to the fight."

There was one sour note for Swansea as Myles Peart-Harris was forced off before half-time with a back injury.

The on-loan Brentford player will be assessed ahead of Saturday's home game against Middlesbrough.

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Alan Sheehan has challenged Swansea City to put together an unbeaten run as they prepare for a tricky trip to Preston North End on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

Swansea return to action after a 10-day break having claimed a pressure-easing victory against Blackburn Rovers in their first game since the departure of Luke Williams.

They now take on a Preston side who are only one place and two points better off in the Championship table, but have lost just one home league fixture since the opening weekend of the season.

Swansea are nine points clear of the relegation places after the Blackburn triumph, which was just the second win in their past 10 second-tier games.

But Sheehan is looking for some consistency after insisting there is work to do before Swansea can look ahead with any certainty to another year in the Championship.

"You can't take your foot off the pedal because that distance will close again if you think you have done everything in one game," Swansea's caretaker boss said.

"One game is good, two games is better, three games etcetera. That's what you want to build a winning team.

"We all want to be a part of a winning football club that plays really attacking football and are aggressive.

"I think we have done it once. The players deserve all the praise they have got but now is an opportunity to go and do it again. That's the challenge."

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Preston are unbeaten at home in the Championship since a 3-1 loss to Bristol City in early November.

The only other visiting sides to win at Deepdale so far this season are Sheffield United, in August, and Arsenal, who knocked the Lancashire club out of the EFL Cup.

Preston have drawn their past two home league matches, but claimed a memorable FA Cup triumph on their patch against Burnley on Saturday.

"I played at Preston for the first time 18 years ago and have been there many times since, and I don't think I have ever come off and thought 'that was an easy game'," Sheehan added.

"I don't think it will be any different on Tuesday night.

"I am expecting a really tough game, a different challenge to Blackburn, different kind of team and different way of playing."

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Alan Sheehan says fit-again Joe Allen is one of a number of players pushing for a Swansea City recall before Tuesday's game at Preston North End (19:45 GMT).

Allen, 34, has not featured for Swansea since 18 January because of an ankle problem.

But the midfielder is available for the trip to Deepdale – and is among a group of players who have impressed caretaker boss Sheehan on the training ground since Swansea's morale-boosting win over Blackburn Rovers nine days ago.

"Joe is in contention," Sheehan said.

"We had a positive performance last week but we have had some really positive individuals training who haven't been in the team."

Allen may face a battle to dislodge either Goncalo Franco or Lewis O'Brien from Sheehan's starting side after their impressive performances in the Blackburn victory.

But with three more fixtures to come within 11 days after Preston, the Wales international can expect game-time soon

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With Jay Fulton offering another experienced midfield option, Sheehan feels Swansea are well stocked in that department.

When asked about Franco and O'Brien's contribution to the Blackburn triumph, Sheehan said he is a "massive fan" of both players.

"They are excellent, really good forward-momentum-thinking sixes," he added.

"That's really good for breaking up the play. The other day they were really good in their defensive work and their attacking work.

"Also for those positions we have Jay Fulton and Joe Allen. We all know the quality they have so I am very happy in that position."

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Swansea City have postponed a fans' forum for a second time with a new date not yet announced.

It was originally scheduled for Tuesday, 18 February, but was postponed in the wake of head coach Luke Williams' departure to Monday, 3 March.

But that has also now been called off with the club saying it had again "made the difficult decision to postpone" the gathering, citing the following night's home Championship encounter against Preston North End among the reasons.

Swansea stated: "The club remains committed to holding this event. Chairman Andy Coleman has met with several groups of fans over the past few weeks, and open communication with supporters and fan engagement remains a key element of the strategic direction of the club.

"The overwhelming interest from supporters has quite understandably been focused on football performance. Given the recent changes within this department and the required preparations for our game against Preston, it is felt that it is not the right time to hold this event."

Swansea bosses say fans will be invited to take part in a survey to "help shape the direction of the club for the new season".

The statement added: "We can also confirm that the Supporters' Trust have been advised of this decision and of the upcoming supporter survey.

"While they would have preferred the forum to go ahead, they understand it needs to be where the panel is in position to answer our supporters' questions. The club and the Trust will be working together to confirm a new date for the forum as soon as possible."

Such was the interest in the forum scheduled for 3 March, club bosses decided to move the gathering from a lounge with space for 250 people to one of the main stands in the Swansea.com stadium.

The Swans are still searching for a new manager with new director of football Richard Montague saying the club wants a manager who is at the "forefront of the game", with Alan Sheehan remaining in interim control.

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Iwan Roberts felt Goncalo Franco was the star of a standout Swansea City performance as they began life after Luke Williams with a resounding win over Blackburn Rovers.

Swansea toppled a side in the top six of the Championship for the first time this season as goals from Zan Vipotnik, Myles Peart-Harris and Liam Cullen secured victory in the opening game of Alan Sheehan's second spell as caretaker boss.

Former Wales striker Roberts was commentating for BBC Sport Wales on the game – and felt Franco was the leading light in a stellar Swansea performance.

"I have not seen a Swansea side play with that level of energy for a long time," he told BBC Radio Wales.

"That was the best performance I have seen from Swansea this season considering Blackburn are chasing a top-six place and only the top four [in the Championship] had conceded fewer goals than Blackburn.

"It is only the second time in 32 Championship games that Swansea have scored more than two goals.

"I thought Goncalo Franco produced one of the best midfield performances I have seen this season in the Championship. He was absolutely outstanding – he was everywhere."

Roberts also praised Vipotnik, who scored just his fifth goal since joining Swansea last summer, as well as Wales international Cullen, whose cool finish saw him reach double figures for league goals in a season for the first time in his career.

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Victory means Swansea are 10 points clear of the Championship relegation places, and was desperately needed after a run of seven defeats in nine league games saw Williams' 13-month reign come to an end last week.

With Swansea considering their options regarding Williams' long-term successor, Sheehan may well be at the helm once more when they are next in action at Preston North End on Tuesday, 4 March.

The Irishman's first stint as caretaker boss saw Swansea bank 11 points from seven league games following Michael Duff's departure in December 2023.

"When Alan Sheehan was interim manager last season, they went to Rotherham and won 2-1 [in his first game]," Roberts added.

"But that was nowhere near the level of performance which I saw on Saturday, [particularly] considering they had won four points from the previous nine games and they had lost three in a row at the Swansea.com Stadium.

"He went a little bit old school. They have been playing with five at the back, he made four changes and went to a flat back four. They were outstanding.

"It takes the pressure off but there are some tough games to come."

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales

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There was a distinct sense of history repeating as Swansea City kicked off their latest new era - of sorts - on Saturday.

Managerial change is nothing new for the Swans, who have gone through 10 permanent bosses over the past decade.

But even with that perennial state of flux in mind, the 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers still had a feeling of familiarity to it.

Alan Sheehan was stepping in for his second spell as interim head coach, having done so last season in between the sacking of Michael Duff and the hiring of Luke Williams.

On that occasion, Sheehan started with a 2-1 win at Rotherham United, who were also without a manager at the time.

Fast forward 14 months and Sheehan was back in the Swansea dugout to oversee a victory over another managerless Championship side, Blackburn this time.

The Swansea.com Stadium had witnessed three straight home defeats before Rovers' visit and, with supporters as unhappy with the club's owners as they were the team's dismal recent results, you might have expected the atmosphere to be anxious, maybe even toxic.

But within 30 seconds of kick-off, there was a first chant of "Alan Sheehan's barmy army" from the home crowd, a wave of positivity rippling around the ground as they looked to lift their players after the club's latest period of turbulence.

It had the desired effect, fanning the flames of a Swansea performance bursting with energy and purpose - in stark contrast to the listless displays that characterised the end of Williams' once-promising tenure.

The Swans were unrecognisable against Blackburn, overwhelming the play-off contenders physically and punishing them in front of goal.

And that is perhaps where this new start differed from Sheehan's previous stint in charge.

Whereas Swansea scraped to victory at a 10-man Rotherham then propping up the Championship table, here they comprehensively beat a Blackburn side in the top six and with dreams of Premier League promotion.

This was just one game, of course. "Rome wasn't built in a day," Sheehan said afterwards.

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"Today was a day for the fans to show the players some love and vice versa. That's the way it should be. Today was a pleasing performance."

Sheehan was right to strike a cautious note as he conducted his post-match interviews.

He has been at Swansea long enough to know how quickly the fortunes of a Championship club can change.

Williams was fielding questions about the play-offs around Christmas and, by February, he was gone.

But if Sheehan can use the Blackburn performance as a template for future matches, the Swans might yet enjoy a relatively stable end to this season.

The club's hierarchy have indicated that they are willing to take their time over their search for a permanent successor to Williams.

Sheehan has been coy about whether or not he would want the job on a permanent basis but will speak to the board before the next match at Preston North End on Tuesday, 4 March.

After a tempestuous few weeks off the field adding to the exhaustion of a congested fixture list, this little break before the next fixture gives Sheehan and his players a welcome breather.

When they return to action at Deepdale, Swansea will hope they can kick on from this encouraging start to Sheehan's second coming.

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Joe Allen has not retired yet, but he gave a glimpse of what his future might hold when he sat on Swansea City's bench on Saturday.

As the Wales midfielder was unavailable to play, he was instead part of the Swans' coaching staff for their 3-0 Championship win over Blackburn Rovers in their first game since sacking head coach Luke Williams.

Allen is studying for his coaching badges at the moment and interim boss Alan Sheehan was glad to have him by his side at the Swansea.com Stadium.

"I asked him. He wasn't quite ready [to play] but I thought he would add value," said Sheehan.

"Joe Allen is Joe Allen, everybody knows and you don't need me to say he's incredible at what he does.

"If he could share any value, I thought it would be valuable for all of us. I'm not naïve to think I know it all and I'm adaptable and open to learning, so that's the attitude to have. He contributed and the players were excellent."

Allen turns 35 next month and his contract expires at the end of this season.

He has not yet decided what his next steps will be and Sheehan hopes to see the former Liverpool midfielder playing again soon after his latest injury lay-off.

"Hopefully we can get him back fit and get him in a good place to finish the season well," Sheehan added.

"Joe Allen is a Swansea legend."