Swansea City

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Luke Williams believes Swansea City are reaping the rewards of the progress made by Ben Cabango and Liam Cullen at international level.

Centre-back Cabango, 24, and 25-year-old forward Cullen have been key players for Williams' Swansea this season.

The duo have also made significant progress with Wales during 2024-25, having both been given significant game-time by Craig Bellamy after being fringe figures under former boss Rob Page.

Cullen claimed a classy assist as Swansea took charge early on at Derby County on Wednesday, while Cabango was a central figure as Williams' team clung on for a 2-1 win despite a Rams fightback.

"Ben has very high defensive instincts and he is very motivated to defend the goal for this club," Williams said.

"I have got do doubt [he is taking confidence from Wales] and I think Liam is in the same situation.

"They hopefully are really believing in themselves and enjoying their football. I certainly think their experience with the national team has really developed their game and helped them a lot."

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Iwan Roberts reckons Swansea City are finding the cutting edge required to thrive in the Championship after Wednesday's victory at Derby County.

Swansea struck twice in the opening 14 minutes at Pride Park, through Zan Vipotnik and Ronald, and then held on for a 2-1 win despite a spirited Derby fightback.

Luke Williams' team had been the lowest scorers in the Championship before this week, with just 11 goals coming in their first 15 league games in 2024-25.

But former Wales striker Roberts believes Swansea have taken a step forward having scored three times in defeat to Leeds United last Sunday before the early double at Derby.

"Vipotnik's goal is a great strike - the first touch is unbelievable and the second touch is ridiculous, the power that he generates," he told BBC Radio Wales.

"I have not seen enough of him, but that bit of skill alone won me over.

"The second goal Liam Cullen drops deep, gets on the half-turn and slips the ball in for Ronald, who for once shows the composure to score. Hopefully five goals in the last two games, things are looking up for Swansea in that final third."

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Head coach Williams acknowledged Swansea were fortunate to hold on for victory at Derby given the pressure on Lawrence Vigouroux's goal in the final hour of the contest.

The Rams threatened at a couple of set-pieces before the break, while Kayden Jackson missed a golden chance to score in the second half before Nathaniel Mendez-Laing's penalty gave the home side hope of a comeback.

Yet despite Derby's control, Swansea dug deep to deliver a third away win of the season.

"Derby gave it everything in the second half but once again Swansea's defensive capabilities were outstanding," Roberts added.

"For 30 minutes in the first half, Swansea were breathtaking with the football they played. One more goal and it would have been game over.

"Credit to Derby, there was a big reaction from them. But when they had to roll their sleeves up, that's what Swansea did and it's a fantastic win away from home."

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Zan Vipotnik says he likes the challenge of wearing the number nine jersey for Swansea City.

The Slovenia international has been in and out of the side under Luke Williams since joining the Swans after leaving Bordeaux in the summer.

But he scored his third goal of the campaign inside two minutes as Swansea won 2-1 at Derby County on Wednesday night to move up to 11th in the Championship table.

The 22-year-old hopes to add to his goal tally as the Swans host bottom side Portsmouth on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

"I feel really good. It's a tough league," he told BBC Sport Wales.

"When we start to win it's easier and I hope that we will continue next Saturday.

"It's not easy to wear, but it's an amazing challenge to wear the number nine in Swansea.

"It's nice for me and nice for the team. It's amazing when you score in the first five minutes, it helps the team a lot.

"It's my third goal, it was an amazing goal and I will try to do it every week."

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At times this season, Swansea City have played better than they did during Wednesday's 2-1 victory at Derby County and come away with nothing.

The opening quarter aside, Swansea were well short of their best at Pride Park.

But after successive last-gasp defeats, at Burnley and then at home to Leeds United last Sunday, the result was what counted most against the Rams.

Not since the early weeks of Williams' reign have Swansea suffered three successive defeats.

They avoided an unwelcome hat-trick thanks largely to a clinical opening spell at Derby, where Zan Vipotnik and Ronald produced finishes which reflected Swansea's sharp start.

Williams' team spent the last hour of the contest looking to fend off their hosts, which they managed, just, despite Nathaniel Mendez-Laing's second-half penalty.

Williams felt Swansea's battling performance proved they remain in upbeat mood, despite the agony of losing to Leeds having led twice and made it 3-3 in the closing minutes of that game only to be beaten by a stoppage-time Wilfried Gnonto goal.

When asked about Swansea's response to the Leeds reverse, Williams said: "The most important thing is they performed really well on Sunday.

"They should be pleased with the performance even though we were devastated with the result, particularly the way it happened when we had just equalised in the dying moments against the best team in the league.

"But I think it showed that the players didn’t suffer a lack of confidence because they came to Derby and started the game in a brilliant fashion and we got the result, so we are very happy."

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Luke Williams has eased concerns over the fitness of Harry Darling after revealing the centre-back was substituted during Wednesday's win at Derby County because of illness.

Darling came off after an hour of Swansea's 2-1 win at Pride Park, breaking up his partnership with Ben Cabango.

Before the trip to Pride Park, Darling and Cabango had played every minute of this Championship campaign alongside each other at the heart of Williams' defence.

But the Swansea head coach has suggested that despite his early exit at Derby, Darling should be in contention for Saturday's home game against Portsmouth.

"He has been really ill and to be honest the performance he put in given how unwell he has been was incredible," Williams said.

"I am really proud of him for that. He was spent [when he came off], totally spent. He gave us everything he could today.

"He'll be fine. It's a bug and it’s on the way out, but he lost a lot of energy."

Darling was replaced by Cyrus Christie, whose foul on Tom Barkhuizen saw Derby captain Nathaniel Mendez-Laing make it 2-1 from the penalty spot.

But Swansea held on for their third away victory of the season after early goals from Zan Vipotnik and Ronald.

The win was a welcome response after painful late defeats to Leeds United and Burnley, and lifts Swansea to 11th in the table.

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Luke Williams wants more of the same from Swansea City at Derby County on Wednesday despite defeat by Leeds United.

Williams' side lost a thrilling game in agonising circumstances as Wilfried Gnonto scored a stoppage-time winner at Swansea.com Stadium on Sunday.

It was the third time in five Championship games that Swansea have been beaten by a last-gasp goal.

But Williams was so encouraged by the nature of his team's performance against high-flying Leeds that he is relishing the prospect of a trip to Pride Park.

"I cannot wait because I want the players to understand that if they can play at that level against Leeds United then they have a really good chance against many teams in the division," said the Swansea head coach.

"They should look at it in that way – I will try to convince them to look at the opportunity that way.

"We know it's going to be a really tough game, but we are looking forward to it."

Swansea go in search of a third away win of the season as they face Derby, though Paul Warne's team are formidable opponents on their own patch.

The Rams, who are one point better off than Swansea, have lost only one of seven home league games since winning promotion back to the Championship in 2023-24.

Last weekend's draw at Preston means they have lost just once in eight fixtures at home and away, though five of those have been draws.

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Luke Williams says he would "always support" Alan Sheehan if Swansea City's assistant head coach gets the chance to become a manager.

Former Luton Town and Southampton coach Sheehan joined Swansea's staff in the summer of 2023 and had a spell as caretaker boss last season after the sacking of Michael Duff.

Sheehan has been touted as a possible contender for the Coventry City manager's job, though Frank Lampard remains firm favourite to succeed Mark Robins.

Williams says he has not discussed the Coventry speculation with Sheehan as it "didn’t get to the stage where I felt the need or he felt the need".

But the Swansea head coach says he is not surprised to see the Irishman linked with jobs elsewhere.

"When he did his pro licence, he was the shining light, the example on that course," Williams said.

"So of course there are going to be many people who took notice of that, and he had a spell here where he made a really positive impact.

"He continues to do a brilliant job for us and I hope that continues for a long time to come. But of course if something is a brilliant opportunity for him and his family, then I would always support him in that and he would leave here having done a fantastic job."

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Jerry Yates will be missing when Swansea City go to Derby County on Wednesday night, and the absence of the striker represents a blow for the Rams.

Yates scored nine goals for Swansea in 2023-24 after signing from Blackpool but was allowed to join Derby on a season-long loan in July.

He is unable to play against his parent club under the terms of the deal, and that is a setback for Derby boss Paul Warne given that Yates is in fine form, having scored in three successive matches.

In all, Yates has scored four times in 14 league starts for Derby, with the high point being a spectacular overhead kick against Plymouth Argyle earlier this month.

Yates, 28, also has a couple of assists having established himself as first-choice centre-forward in a squad which is not overly blessed with strikers.

With Yates missing, experienced former Cardiff forward James Collins is favourite to start up front against Swansea.

Teenage academy graduate Dajaune Brown is another attacking option for Warne, as is Northern Ireland international Conor Washington – though he is yet to play this season.

Yates will expect to be back in the Derby side when they face Sheffield Wednesday next weekend.

As for where he will be next summer, fans of Derby – and Swansea – will have to wait and see.

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Ian Walsh has welcomed the takeover of his former club Swansea City.

After an eight year spell, Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan sold their majority shareholding.

Andy Coleman and fellow Americans Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen now control 77.4% of Swansea's shares, with Brit Nigel Morris holding a 14% stake.

"I think the previous owners have been diabolical for this football club, without a shadow of a doubt," said former Wales forward Walsh.

"The club has gone backwards since the original Americans took over."

The former Swansea goalscorer added Coleman "says all the right things" but that "the proof of the pudding is what they deliver to this football club".

"I desperately want to believe that he is going away completely from the previous owners, even though he’s been involved with them," said Walsh.

After Sunday’s 4-3 loss to table toppers Leeds, the Swans are currently 14th in the Championship.

Walsh told Radio Wales Sport: "Results will be the key things as to whether these people are talking a good game or are providing a good game.

“I said back in the day, you don’t buy a house with the foundations breaking down, that’s what they seem to think has happened, but that’s far from the truth.

“This is a solid football club, it’s got fantastic fans, tremendous emotion, and in my opinion a changeover had to come.

“Let’s just see now in the next six months, because it’s not going to happen overnight, let’s see what they deliver.”

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

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Even in defeat, Luke Williams reckons Swansea City showed enough against the new Championship leaders to suggest they should be in the top half of the table too.

Sunday's 4-3 loss to Leeds United was a belting contest, with both sides trying to play eye-catching, attacking football.

As a result, two defences who have spent most of this season on top were opened up on numerous occasions.

The fact that Leeds took all the points courtesy of a stoppage-time Wilfried Gnonto goal was a little cruel on Swansea, particularly after they had conjured an equaliser only seconds earlier.

Having said that, Williams acknowledged that the Yorkshire side's greater quality ultimately proved decisive.

Swansea, who are now 14th in the table, have proved in the early stages of this season that can compete with teams like Leeds, having been blown away all too often by the Championship's heavyweight clubs in the last campaign.

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Remember, for instance, the 4-0 home defeat to Leeds in February, or the 5-0 mauling at Southampton over Christmas 2023?

Swansea's success or otherwise in 2024-25 is not going to rest on whether they can beat the likes of Leeds, Sheffield United, Sunderland or Burnley, even if Williams will hope to pick up a result or two along the way against this season's Premier League contenders.

What the Swansea head coach really wants is for his team to deliver results against all those second-tier clubs outside the top bracket.

Already this season, Williams' side have come away from games against Cardiff City, Bristol City, Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers, Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall feeling they could – maybe should – have taken more points than they did.

That is the area where Swansea will look for significant improvement as the campaign goes on.

And there are opportunities to improve their points return ahead, with Derby County, Portsmouth (twice), Luton Town (twice), Plymouth Argyle, Hull City and Queens Park Rangers to come in their next nine games.

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Luke Williams felt Swansea City proved they are good enough to compete in the top half of the Championship – at the very least – despite defeat to Leeds United.

Swansea lost a thrilling game in agonising fashion as Wilfried Gnonto's stoppage-time goal gave Leeds a 4-3 win in south Wales.

Swansea had twice led in the match, first through Harry Darling's early goal and then when Liam Cullen struck just before half-time.

Leeds turned the contest around to lead 3-2 before Florian Bianchini's 90th-minute goal appeared to have rescued a point for Swansea, only for Italy international Gnonto to have the final word and send the Whites top of the table.

"I am pleased with almost all of the game in terms of performance, but the result is really difficult to accept," said Swansea boss Williams.

"The performance certainly doesn’t look like anything less than a team that's top half at least.

"I certainly don’t feel like we looked miles apart from Leeds, that we should be 14th and Leeds top."

Leeds became the first side this season to score more than one goal in a game against a Swansea side who have been difficult to break down.

The Swans have been beaten seven times in 16 Championship games in 2024-25, though they are still lose a game by a wider margin than one goal.

Williams feels Swansea have competed better with the division's top sides this season than they did in the last campaign – but says his team must deliver more points against lesser opponents.

"We have to win games we are clearly capable of winning and games where we are by far the best team," he said.

"I don’t think this is the game where I can say we should have won, absolutely not. But there have been plenty where I have felt we have done more than enough to win and we haven't done that."

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Luke Williams says Swansea City will face a Premier League side in waiting when they host "absolutely fabulous" Leeds United on Sunday.

Daniel Farke's team finished third in the Championship last season but missed out on an immediate return to the Premier League after play-off final defeat to Southampton.

Williams expects Leeds to go one better this season by finishing in the second tier's top two.

"Personally I think they will," said the Swansea head coach.

"It's not like there aren’t other excellent sides in the division, but this group have been together and had a very good season last season, when [they missed out as] the teams at the top had very high points totals.

"They have built on that and have an excellent manager who has been in this position in many times. That's a good combination."

Leeds beat Queens Park Rangers 2-0 in their last game before the international break, which was a fourth win in six games for Farke's side.

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They have a squad packed with stellar Championship performers, including former Swans Joe Rodon, Daniel James and Joel Piroe.

"They are an absolutely fabulous team at the level," Williams added.

"But we have competed this season against the top sides better than we did last season, so we have to take some confidence from that and be brave and try to make a really good performance at home.

"We will have to be immaculate defensively and we will have to be ruthless at the other end."

Swansea have lost only one league game on their ground so far this season, when Millwall snatched an undeserved victory by scoring the only goal on a breakaway in the closing minutes.

Leeds, meanwhile, are looking to improve their away record. While they have won five straight games at Elland Road, the Yorkshire side have not registered an away victory in the last four attempts.

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Daniel Farke says his Leeds United side have to be "on it" after suggesting it will be difficult to score against Swansea City on Sunday.

Luke Williams' men have let in just 10 goals in 15 league games so far this season - with only four Championship teams conceding fewer.

And Farke also expects Swans striker Liam Cullen to be in buoyant mood against Leeds following his two-goal salvo for Wales against Iceland in midweek.

"It’s not easy to score goals against them (Swansea)," said Farke.

"I have to say they’re well-structured, I like a lot what they do in build-up and midfield play.

"Cullen will play with confidence after scoring a brace for Wales.

"We are respectful, we have to be on it."

Leeds have no fresh injury concerns ahead of their trip to south Wales.

The visitors will be without Isaac Schmidt due to a hernia problem, although Largie Ramazani and Max Wober are expected to be available.

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Jay Fulton will return for Swansea City's Championship game against Leeds United on Sunday after recovering from injury.

Midfielder Fulton has missed Swansea's last three matches with a calf problem.

But Luke Williams says the 30-year-old is looking "very sharp" as Swansea prepare to return to action after the international break.

However, Eom Ji-Sung, Sam Parker, Andy Fisher, Ollie Cooper and Josh Ginnelly remain on the sidelines.

South Korea international Eom could return to full training next week after picking up a knee injury while playing for his country last month.

Youngster Parker, who is yet to play this season, is also close to returning to full training after long-term hamstring issues.

And there was encouraging news for winger Ginnelly this week as he began light training on the grass at Swansea's Fairwood training base.

Winger Ginnelly, 27, has not played since September 2023 after suffering a ruptured Achilles.

"We are getting there again with Josh," Williams said.

"We have to be very careful and we need him to be very careful about everything he does away from the training pitch, because his body is not used to training fully because of the amount of time he has been away.

"It's a step forward. It's the stage he was at before his last setback so we are optimistic now that we are going to crack it, and we are excited to see him on the pitch."