Swansea City

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Luke Williams said Swansea City are still "in my heart" after he knocked fierce Welsh rivals Cardiff City out of the FA Cup on his return to management.

The former Swans boss was sacked by Swansea in February after a poor run of one win in 10 Championship games.

Williams had spent 13 months as head coach at the Swansea.com Stadium following Michael Duff's departure.

The 44-year-old is back in football as boss of League One strugglers Peterborough United, and marked his first game in charge by dumping Cardiff out of the FA Cup with a 1-0 first-round win at London Road.

Asked whether beating the Bluebirds felt sweeter because of his Swans connections, Williams said: "I've had a couple of messages from people from Swansea that I'm very fond of.

"[Cardiff] are a brilliant team. I love the way they play, the manager is superb. But of course Swansea are in my heart."

Williams' priority at Peterborough is to keep them in League One. Posh are currently five points from safety at the bottom of the table, having won only three of their 13 games this season - a run that cost Darren Ferguson his job last week.

But Williams hopes his experience at Swansea will help lift them away from danger.

"Having worked with some of the players at Swansea...[they were] so talented that they taught me a lot of things, and some of the teams in the Championship are amazing," he said.

"So hopefully those experiences will stand me in good stead."

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

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The loss of Zan Vipotnik for any length of time will be a negative for Swansea City, but Alan Sheehan must hope his leading scorer's injury proves to be good news for his record signing.

Vipotnik has been in spectacular form this season, scoring eight goals in 15 club games having netted on only seven occasions during 2024-25, his maiden campaign as a Swansea player.

The Slovenia international's form has left Idah playing a back-up role since he arrived from Celtic on 1 September.

But with Vipotnik forced to watch on from the stands at Charlton Athletic on Saturday thanks to a quad injury, Idah was handed a starting chance and duly produced the goal which earned his team a point.

Idah's fine finish brought his first open-play goal in Swansea colours, with his only other strike coming from the penalty spot against Leicester City almost a month ago.

The hope for Sheehan will be that the £6m Republic of Ireland forward – Swansea's most expensive signing outside their seven-year stint in the Premier League – can kick on having made his mark at The Valley.

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"I think he led the line well [at Charlton]," the Swansea head coach said.

"He has a different profile to Vipi (Viptonik) so we have to change different things with him in the team. But he got a goal and on another day he could have had two or three."

Sheehan is right. Idah saw a volley go over – though that chance was far from simple – and a header bounce wide, while he ran through on goal at one stage in the first half only to be snuffed out by the home defence when a square ball would have teed up a golden chance for Goncalo Franco.

Idah would probably acknowledge himself that there is room for improvement.

The good news from his point of view is that Swansea have two more games on the horizon, at Preston North End on Wednesday and at home to Ipswich next weekend.

Assuming Vipotnik is facing a spell on the sidelines, this looks like being Idah's first clear opportunity to establish himself in the Swansea team.

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Former Swansea City manager Colin Addison has died at the age of 85.

Addison led Swansea during one of the most traumatic spells in their history after being appointed as successor to John Hollins in September 2001.

Tony Petty bought Swansea for £1 the following month, prompting a traumatic spell at the then fourth-tier club in which the Australia-based businessman controversially attempted to sack players and tried to reduce wages to cut costs.

In January 2002, Petty sold the club to a consortium of businessmen – as well as the supporters' trust – in a move which eventually led to Swansea reaching the Premier League.

But Addison, who also managed the likes of Atletico Madrid and Hereford United, departed in March 2002 after the new Swansea board decided against offering him a new contract.

Nick Cusack then had a brief spell as Swansea boss before making way for Brian Flynn, who saved the club from relegation to non-league football in 2003 before their rise up the divisions began.

Charlton welcome Swansea to The Valley on Saturday (15:00 GMT) seeking to build on their fast start to the Championship season.

The newly-promoted Addicks have taken 19 points from their opening 12 games to sit sixth, have taken 10 points from their five home fixtures so far and have lost just once in their past eight matches overall.

The Swans are 13th but only three points back, having picked up seven points from their past four away games, but went down 3-1 at home to Man City in the EFL Cup fourth round on Tuesday.

• Charlton Athletic have won just one of their past nine league games against Swansea City (D2 L6), with this the first meeting between the sides since a 1-0 victory for the Swans in January 2020.

• Swansea City have won two of their past four away league games against Charlton Athletic (D1 L1), as many victories as across their first 18 away trips to the London side (D5 L11).

• Charlton have lost just one of their past 20 home league games (W15 D4), averaging 1.8 goals per game during that time.

• Swansea remain the only team yet to score from a set-piece (excluding penalties) in the 2025-26 Championship campaign, while only Coventry City (11) and Oxford United (10) have scored more such goals than Charlton Athletic (7).

• Only Birmingham City (6) have won more points from goals scored in the 90th minute or later than Charlton Athletic (5) in the Championship so far this season, with the Addicks earning a point against Hull last time out in the 91st minute.

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Alan Sheehan says Swansea City will consider sending Bobby Wales out on loan in January if the striker remains outside the first-team picture at the Championship club.

Wales has played only 27 minutes of first-team football since joining Swansea from Kilmarnock in the summer.

He scored on his debut after coming off the bench in the Carabao Cup tie against Crawley, then appeared briefly in Swansea's Championship win over Sheffield United, but has not featured since August.

Sheehan says the 20-year-old's lack of opportunities is down to competition for places in Swansea's attack.

"He has Vipi (Zan Vipotnik) in serious form and Adam [Idah] there. It's been difficult to get him involved," the Swansea head coach said.

"But that's not down to anything he's done. His attitude has been exceptional.

"He is our player. Sometimes you are closer than you think you are [to playing games]. If the opportunity comes where he needs to get regular football, we need to have a conversation and see how he feels."

Sheehan added that 19-year-old academy product Sam Parker, who has made two Carabao Cup appearances so far this season, is another who may also be a candidate for a loan spell come the January transfer window.

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Alan Sheehan will do battle with a man who has had a big influence on his career when Swansea City go to Charlton Athletic on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Swansea head coach Sheehan will go up against Nathan Jones having spent many years on the same side as the Welshman.

Former left-back Sheehan was enduring a difficult spell at Bradford City when he joined Jones' Luton Town on loan in January 2016.

Sheehan ended up as club captain at Luton, where he helped Jones' team win promotion from League Two in 2018 and then from League One 12 months later.

The Irishman left Kenilworth Road in 2020 to continue his playing career, but then returned to join Jones' Luton coaching staff in 2022 before following him to Southampton later that year.

After being dismissed by Saints in February 2023, Jones and Sheehan went their separate ways, with the latter joining Swansea's staff that summer.

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But it is safe to assume there will be plenty of respect on the touchline at the Valley this weekend as Sheehan faces his former boss.

"It will be the first time that we come up against each other as managers," Sheehan said. "And I think it will be a very difficult game."

Jones is something of a controversial figure in the eyes of Swansea's fans, thanks chiefly to the fact that he supports their south Wales rivals Cardiff City.

But after his previous successes at Luton, the 52-year-old is once again thriving at Charlton, with his team sixth in the Championship table having won promotion from League One last season.

"It's a team that's built up a lot of momentum in the last year or so and a very difficult team to play against from what I have seen," Sheehan added.

"They beat Ipswich 3-0 away the other day and they are in the play-off places at the moment, so we understand it's going to be a very difficult game."

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Former Wales striker Iwan Roberts believes Cardiff City's Rubin Colwill is a better number 10 option for Craig Bellamy than Swansea City's Liam Cullen.

Colwill is enjoying a fine run of form at Cardiff, where he has scored four goals in 17 appearances so far this season.

But the 23-year-old, who was a late call-up to the national squad in this month's international window, is still to convince Wales boss Bellamy that he should be part of his team.

Swansea's Cullen, who has spent most of his career as a striker, has been used in a deeper role by Bellamy.

Roberts argues Colwill is better suited to that position than his Swansea counterpart, and that he should be utilised more by Wales.

"If you are going to go with two numbers 10s against maybe the smaller nations, when the onus is on us to go and attack, I think he is a better player in that position than Liam Cullen," Roberts told this week's Feast of Football podcast.

"I think Liam Cullen is a more of a centre-forward. I don't think he has got the technical ability Rubin has got.

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"I think he's got better ability, he's better on the ball. He can pick a pass, he can open a defence. I think Liam Cullen ideally, if I look at the way Swansea play, I think he'd be better close to Zan Viptonik as a second centre-forward."

Roberts says Colwill is performing "on a weekly basis" at Cardiff because Bluebirds boss Brian Barry-Murphy has focused on the academy product's strengths rather than his weaknesses.

Cullen, meanwhile, has faced a battle for game-time at Swansea thanks to the fine form of Slovenia forward Vipotnik and the £6m signing of Adam Idah.

However, another ex-Wales international, Sam Vokes, says Cullen is worthy of his place.

"I think that's one of our strongest positions," Vokes said on Feast of Football.

"I like Liam Cullen. He had a much stronger season last season in terms of numbers and output wise. I like him in that position.

"Right now I don't think he (Colwill) breaks into our starting line-up, but he can be used as a good back-up or someone to bring in if we are struggling to unlock a side."

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Pep Guardiola said he did not expect anything other than a fierce challenge at Swansea City after Manchester City had to come from behind to knock the Championship club out of the Carabao Cup.

Manchester City will host Brentford in the quarter-finals having come through what threatened to be a difficult night at Swansea on Wednesday.

Alan Sheehan's Swansea side were excellent in the opening half-hour, playing with energy and intensity and going in front thanks to a sparkling Goncalo Franco goal.

But Jeremy Doku's deflected shot brought Manchester City level before the break and the Premier League heavyweights controlled the second period, with late goals from Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki sending them into the last eight.

Guardiola acknowledged that Swansea had made life hard for his team, saying: "It could not be otherwise.

"This competition, away against Swansea, a team historically who always played really, really good. They started fantastic and they got the goal.

"But after that, 20-25 minutes, we got the game and the second half was brilliant to attack in most spaces. We didn't go to transition and everywhere the commitment [was there]."

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Former Wales striker Iwan Roberts says the pressure is off Swansea City in tonight's Carabao Cup last-16 tie as they host Premier League powers Manchester City.

"It is. I think they've lost their last seven against Manchester City. I think in their last 13, they've lost 12, just one draw in the Premier League to show for, but I think it's a night for them to enjoy," Roberts told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

Pep Guardiola's side have won the EFL Cup in six of past 12 seasons, with Swansea famously claiming the trophy in 2013 when they upset Bradford City.

Man City are expected to field a much-changed side from the one that lost in the Premier League to Aston Villa last weekend.

Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference that: "The Carabao Cup has always been like that in the first stages. We have less injured [players this season] and we have players who need minutes, so the Carabao Cup is perfect for that."

He also hinted that goal machine Erling Haaland - who already has 11 in just nine league games this season - could be rested as they "don't need to risk him", with the Norwegian striker getting "a knock" at Villa Park.

While even a second-string Man City team will start as overwhelming favourites against their Championship hosts, Roberts says Swansea go into the game with their own centre forward in fine form

Zan Vipotnik scored a spectacular brace as the Swans beat Norwich City 2-1 on Saturday, taking the Slovenia striker's tally for the season to nine goals for club and country.

"You know, they've [Swansea] got a centre forward that's bang in form in Zan Vipotnik, two fantastic goals he scored against Norwich at the weekend," Roberts added.

"It's a tall order, but I'm sure it's a night that Swansea fans will really enjoy."

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Swansea City may not have to deal with Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland when they host Manchester City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

The Norwegian striker was limping heavily during Sunday's league defeat at Aston Villa after colliding with a post when he had a goal disallowed for offside.

His absence would be a big boost for Alan Sheehan's men as the 25-year-old has been in blistering form this season, scoring 15 goals in 12 appearances for club and country.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola said the trip to Swansea is an opportunity to rest the Norway striker, with Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki in contention to start.

He said: "I haven't seen Erling today but it was a knock, and day by day it is better. We train this afternoon [Tuesday], we will find out how he feels and decide if he can play."

Midfielder Rodri is training and is "getting better" after sustaining a hamstring injury before the international break, but remains out.

Zan Vipotnik scored a spectacular brace as Swansea City beat Norwich City 2-1 on Saturday.

After scoring seven goals in 44 games for the Swans last season, he already has eight in 14 in this campaign with Alan Sheehan describing him as a "livewire."

We asked supporters if Vipotnik was Swansea's new talisman?

Here's a selection of your responses.

James: I think he has to start every game. Idah seems way too lazy and has not proven himself yet. I also think Cullen would work well behind Vipotnik in the number 10 role. He had a great start to the season and arguably scraped us out of some tough games.

Ian: Much fitter and therefore showing his potential, deadly if he can turn towards goal anywhere near the box. Confidence is high and he has the opportunity to become a legend!

Malcolm: Thank goodness for VIP - we'd be languishing at the bottom of the league without him. Just think how many goals he could score if he had decent service all the time. Other members of the team have to step up and contribute goals too.

Richard: I don't think that you can rely on one striker, as he will go through a baron spell. When the Swans got promoted to the Premier League their midfielders and wingers were scoring their fair share of goals.

Leon: Yes, he has got to be playing week in week out, unless he gets injured he is going to be our top goalscorer this season!

Joel: It depends on if the players around him have the same ambition. I think they have the quality, but are just too reserved. A good partnership needs to be built with whoever the attacking midfielder is, as both goals in the Norwich game came from the centre. Is Melker Widell the man to fill that gap?

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Swansea City bounced back after defeat in midweek with a 3-2 victory over Norwich City - their first win at home in five Championship games.

Zan Vipotnik scored two spectacular goals and his performance pleased Swansea head coach Alan Sheehan, who believes he is improving with each outing.

With eight goals so far, is Vipotnik the man to fire Swansea up the table?

Have your say here

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Zan Vipotnik caught the eye with two spectacular goals as Swansea City saw off visitors Norwich City on Saturday.

The Slovenia target man scored either side of Jovo Makama's goal for the Canaries to secure a 2-1 win, and with it a welcome first victory at home in five league games to keep Swansea 13th in the Championship.

Vipotnik's performance particularly pleased Swansea head coach Alan Sheehan, who believes he is improving with each outing.

"I don't have a good-ometer, but they [the goals] were really, really good finishes, top class, excellent," Sheehan said.

"He was a livewire today, he led the line. At times, out of possession, there's things that we want more from him, to be relentless within that because he's the one who leads that first line of pressure.

"But in terms of scoring goals - and ultimately those were two moments of real quality - and that clinical edge that we have been missing in certain games.

"But he was exceptional, they're high-level goals, and you've seen a player that's really enjoying his football."

Swansea signed Vipotnik in August 2024 on a four-year contract following the mutual termination of his contract with Bordeaux.

The striker scored seven goals in 51 games last season in all competitions, but the brace against Norwich means the 23-year-old has already hit nine this campaign for club and country.

"When players come from different leagues, it takes different players different times for it to gel," Sheehan added.

"Like [Eom] Ji-Sung for example, like Zeidane [Inoussa], sometimes it will be hot and cold until it's permanently hot, and it's about integrating them into that.

"With VP (Vipotnik) he was up and down last year really, and then he came back fitter. He missed a pre-season with Bordeaux last year and he came in and probably we didn't see the best of him consistently, if you want to say.

"But then this year, he missed little bits of pre-season, but he was in a better place and he understood what he had to do, and he looks really well right now."

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After three years and 112 appearances for Swansea City, Harry Darling returns to Wales this weekend in Norwich City colours.

Had Alan Sheehan got his way, Darling would still be part of his Swansea squad.

As it is, Sheehan is trying to find a way to ensure Darling and his colleagues in the Norwich defence endure a difficult afternoon at the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST).

After only one win in their past seven league games, Swansea could do with a positive result.

If they are to make it happen, they must find more attacking inspiration having struggled going forward against Queens Park Rangers in midweek and at Southampton last weekend.

In truth, Swansea's attacking prowess has been an issue for much of the season.

Only three Championship clubs have scored fewer league goals than Swansea in 2025-26, while Sheehan's men have the second lowest overall XG in the division.

"We want to get that formula, be more clinical, be more ruthless and have that freedom in the final third to express ourselves," Sheehan said.

"I think at times we get into these great areas and sometimes the quality lets us down.

"In terms of getting there, that's not really an issue. It is that last bit, sticking the ball in the net, crosses, landing on something."

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Darling has been a regular for Norwich since turning down the offer of a new contract at Swansea in the summer in favour of a three-year deal at Carrow Road.

But things have not gone according to plan so far this season, with the Canaries dropping into the bottom three after suffering a fourth successive defeat at Derby County in midweek.

Norwich's home form has been the biggest issue, with six defeats from six on their own patch in all competitions this season.

They have been better on the road, taking eight points from six away league games, though their most recent win was on 30 August.

While Sheehan's Swansea could do with a result, the need looks even greater for Norwich boss Liam Manning.