Swansea City

Image source, Getty Images

Head coach Luke Williams has challenged Swansea City to deliver a top-half Championship finish after victory over Rotherham United all but secured their second-tier status.

After a season of struggle, Swansea are nine points clear of the relegation places with only three games of 2023-24 remaining.

The Swans go to 22nd-placed Huddersfield Town next weekend, then face a testing trip to Norwich City before a final-day home game against Millwall.

Williams’ side are five points adrift of 12th-placed Bristol City in 14th – but the former Notts County boss says reaching the top half is possible.

"That's a good challenge,” he said. “Let’s go and make really good performances and see how many points we can pick up.

“At the end of it that (the top half) is quite a respectable performance maybe.”

Swansea dominated possession and territory against Rotherham but could not break down the EFL’s leakiest defence until Andy Rinomhota headed into his own net in the final quarter.

Williams acknowledges that his side must find greater cutting edge next season.

"We're nearly a good team, I feel,” he said.

"I need to continue to try and find solutions for the team, try to help them be more creative. I need to get the balance right because sometimes if you try to be creative, you leave the back door open and concede.

"Getting that balance is a huge challenge for me. But of course we need to get the right personnel who are going to thrive.

“We have a really big summer and then we can do something exciting.”

Image source, Getty Images

Here are the Opta stats ahead of tonight's Championship match between Swansea City and Stoke City.

• None of the last nine league meetings between Swansea City and Stoke City at the Swansea.com Stadium have ended level, since a 3-3 draw in 2013 (4 Swansea wins, 5 Stoke wins).

• Stoke City are unbeaten in their last five league games against Swansea City, with their three wins in that time all seeing them score exactly three times (D2).

• Since Luke Williams’ first home league game in charge of Swansea in January, no Championship side has lost more games on home soil in the competition than the Swans (P7 W2 L5).

• After winning just two of their first seven away league games under Steven Schumacher (D1 L4), Stoke have won each of their last two such games, and could win three in a row for the first time since December 2005 (run of four).

• Four of Stoke’s last eight goals away from home in the league have been from set pieces (2x free kick, 1x direct free kick, 1x corner), one more than their first 15 such goals of the Championship season (3x corner).

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Getty Images

Swansea City have walked out on home soil for 20 league games so far this season.

To date, they have gone back down the tunnel celebrating victory on just six occasions.

Only three Championship sides – Watford, Queens Park Rangers and already-relegated Rotherham United – have won fewer home league fixtures this season.

It is a statistic which helps illustrate why 2023-24 has been a slog for Swansea’s fans – and one which Luke Williams’ players could really do with improving before the end of the campaign.

They have two chances to do just that this week, with Stoke City heading to the Swansea.com Stadium on Wednesday night before Rotherham visit on Saturday.

With 47 points on the board, Swansea have work to do before they can look forward with certainty to another season in the Championship.

One more win might be enough to end all relegation concerns, with Williams hungry to get another result on the board as quickly as possible.

Yet if Swansea pick up against Stoke where they left off at Middlesbrough last weekend, they will do well to get a point, never mind three.

The Potters have plenty to fight for. Having slipped into the bottom three after defeat at Cardiff City in late February, Steven Schumacher’s team have won three of their last seven matches – and lost only two – to pull four points clear of the relegation zone.

And following successive away victories, at Preston North End and Hull City, Stoke travel to Wales with some momentum behind them.

Swansea, by contrast, have lost their way since a rousing victory over Cardiff City last month.

The Swans’ performances since the derby have prompted criticism over players’ attitude, with Williams questioning the mentality of his squad even before they rolled over at the Riverside.

What he needs now is a response, because another abject showing against Stoke would mean more pressure on Swansea – and an even darker mood – going into Rotherham at the weekend.

Image source, BBC Sport

With five games of a traumatic season remaining, Swansea City still have work to do to pull clear of the Championship relegation fight.

It has been a long campaign for the Swans, who are five points above the drop zone having taken only one point from their last three games.

They lost in miserable fashion at Middlesbrough last Saturday, with the nature of the performance prompting frustration among fans as the focus turns to key home games against Stoke City on Wednesday and Rotherham United on Saturday.

We asked for your views after the Boro reverse - and this is what you said.

Philip - This reminds me a little of the season we were relegated from the PL; we fizzled out at the end. Apart from the lack of ability from some players, there is a clear lack of ion and commitment. How I wish the current owners would sell up...

Peter - Swansea have a batch of poor quality players as a result of the bad transfer dealings and the directors’ attitude to the club, hence the position we are in. Until the American so-called business people have departed, things will not improve.

Beans - Glad that Luke Williams comes across as honest with the failings, and humility when the points have arrived. Looks like Swansea got exactly the right man for the job; can't think of anyone who would have fitted better. Disappointing result but the plentiful promise is still alive - young squad of good guys suggests that players will improve.

Mike - Shocking performance again. Spineless and effortless. Too many players not good enough for Swansea City. At least six players needed. Honestly why play [Jerry] Yates? I'd start with 10 players before playing him.

SM - Very disheartening, half-hearted performance. Expect more effort at the very least from the players, they looked uninterested. Don't they realise they are not out of the relegation battle yet?

Paul B - It's the worst team we have had since we have been in the Championship. We have sold our best players and the ones we have got just don't cut it. There is no desire, no commitment, no urge to do anything. We are so predictable, we must be easy to play against. Players don't move they just stand and wait for the ball. They are a disgrace at times.

Paul - Steady decline for the last 8 years. Sleepwalking into league one. Lost 3 good managers since relegation due to a lack of just a little investment & the results are there for all to see.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Former striker Ian Walsh says he is struggling to feel hopeful about Swansea City’s prospects next season.

Swansea are not yet guaranteed to be a Championship club in 2024-25 having taken only one point from their last three games.

Last Saturday’s abject defeat at Middlesbrough leaves the Swans five points clear of the relegation places, in 15th, as they prepare to host fellow strugglers Stoke City on Wednesday.

With a home game against Rotherham United – whose relegation was confirmed last Friday night – to come on Saturday before fixtures against Huddersfield Town, Norwich City and Millwall, Walsh is unconcerned about the possibility of relegation this season.

But when asked whether he feels optimistic about what next term might bring, the ex-Wales international said: “Not really, no.

“I can’t feel optimistic about it with the players that are there and possibly the players coming in and going.

“There’s a massive amount of work to be done between now and the start of next season to start getting any positivity really about Swansea being a threat to get promotion.”

Walsh says he expects Luke Williams’ team to deliver the victory which would take them to 50 points – the traditional Championship safety mark - in one of their next three games.

“Three points should be enough to get them out of trouble, but it’s not where they want to be,” he told BBC Radio Wales’ Call Rob programme.

“The results and performances aren’t going the way we’d hoped they’d be going.

“There’s still lots of work to be done there. I am sure the manager would like to get the season out the way and start preparing for next year.

Walsh says Williams, who took charge in January, “needs help” to improve Swansea’s squad this summer.

“Luke Williams has been thrown in there with a bunch of players [with whom] the club wasn’t going anywhere,” he added.

“All of a sudden people are expecting things to change, but why should they change?

“Is it always the players’ fault or is it the fact that the club aren’t ing the manager?

“That’s what’s happened over the last four or five seasons - there’s been a lack of from the owners.”

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Josh Tymon took time to settle following his £2m move to Swansea City last September, but his possible absence against old club Stoke City on Wednesday means a headache for Luke Williams.

Tymon did not hit the ground running under Michael Duff, who regarded the 24-year-old as a better wing-back than full-back and therefore did not always use him when playing four at the back.

As the season has gone on, however, Tymon has proved well capable of playing left-back rather than in a slightly more advanced wing-back role.

So successful has the former Hull youngster been, in fact, that he is likely to be in with a shout when Swansea fans vote for their player of the season.

It is a blow for Williams, therefore, that Tymon is a doubt for the midweek home meeting with Stoke thanks to the calf injury which forced him off during Saturday’s miserable 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough.

Swansea are in need of a win having taken only one point from three games since their derby victory over Cardiff City last month.

But nothing will come easy against Stoke, who need points themselves – and have found some form in the last month or so – as they too look to pull clear of relegation danger.

Should Tymon miss out on a Potters reunion, Williams will be forced to turn to a makeshift left-back - possibly midfielder Azeem Abdulai, central defender Bashir Humphreys or right-back Josh Key.

In what is a big game for both sides, that is not ideal.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Luke Williams says it will be difficult to keep Jamal Lowe at Swansea City beyond this season because of the player’s salary.

Versatile forward Lowe, 29, has scored eight goals in 29 appearances since reing Swansea on a season-long loan from Bournemouth last September.

Lowe, the Championship club’s t top scorer this season alongside Jerry Yates, sees his Bournemouth contract expire at the end of the season.

He originally ed the Cherries from Swansea in 2021 having scored 14 goals in his first spell during his initial year-long stint in Wales.

Despite being an irer of Lowe’s attacking qualities, Swansea head coach Williams has indicated the Jamaica international is unlikely to return in 2024-25.

“I think it’s going to be difficult because Jamal is on a Premier League salary,” said Williams.

“That could be a real issue. Jamal’s contract in his first spell here was probably when the club were still working almost on a Premier League budget. Then he went on [to Bournemouth] still on a Premier League level.

“But this club is no longer operating at that level. I think we have to be clear about what it’s going to look like if we are going to do anything at all.”

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Matt Grimes says Swansea City can see light at the end of the tunnel as they head into the final stages of a season he concedes has been a “real grind”.

Swansea go to Middlesbrough on Saturday knowing victory would all but secure their Championship status for the 2024-25 campaign.

Grimes is convinced there are better days ahead next season after a season spent looking down the table rather than up.

“It’s been tough to say the least, very topsy-turvy with lots of change,” the Swansea captain said.

“How we have got to where we are now, it’s been a real grind, but the lads have stuck together and we want to finish as strongly as possible.”

Swansea are seven points clear of the relegation places with six games to play.

Last Monday’s defeat by Queens Park Rangers was only their second in seven matches and, despite that setback, Grimes believes Luke Williams’ team are heading in the right direction.

“I think we have made great strides under the new manager,” the long-serving midfielder added.

“We are starting to really dominate games and implement his style. It’s probably the most confident I have felt all season [about the future].

“Our end goal is to be able to compete with the top teams. We are not quite there yet but I feel like we will get there under this manager.”

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Swansea City boss Luke Williams says Kyle Naughton’s season may be over – and is unsure whether that could mean he has played his last game for the club.

Defender Naughton suffered a hamstring injury in last month’s south Wales derby.

The 35-year-old, who ed Swansea from Tottenham Hotspur in January 2015, sees his contract expire this summer.

Williams has praised Naughton’s contribution both on and off the pitch since taking charge at Swansea three months ago, but said: “I don’t know what’s going to happen.

“Naughts is a grown man - he might have something to tell us.

“But he is an incredible player. We will see what happens with his recovery, his plans and our plans.”

Asked if Naughton would be out for the remainder of this season, which runs until 4 May, Williams added: “Maybe. It depends on how the body reacts. We will have to see.”

Joe Allen is another veteran who will be missing when Swansea go to Middlesbrough on Saturday, with the club’s medical staff still assessing the extent of the toe injury he suffered in last Monday’s defeat to Queens Park Rangers.

Przemyslaw Placheta is expected to be absent for around a fortnight with a hamstring injury, while Bashir Humphreys should be available soon after a calf problem.

On-loan Newcastle defender Harrison Ashby, who has not played since coming off at half-time at Leicester in January, is available but has not even made the bench despite Naughton’s absence.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Luke Williams says teenager Aimar Govea has “a chance to be really good” if he continues his progress at Swansea City.

Left-sided winger Govea, 17, made his senior debut as a substitute in last Friday’s draw at Sheffield Wednesday.

A second appearance off the bench followed in Monday’s 1-0 home defeat by Queens Park Rangers.

It has been a whirlwind spell for Ecuador youth international Govea, who signed a first professional contract – described by Swansea as a long-term deal – last month.

Govea ed Swansea’s academy at the age of 13, when older brother Jordi, now 25, signed for the Welsh club having learned his trade at Real Madrid.

Jordi departed without making a first-team appearance for the Swans, but the younger Govea has made his mark.

“I like him because he clearly has quality, no doubt,” said head coach Williams.

“He strikes the ball well, manipulates the ball well. He has a change of direction, shifts his body weight and he is quick enough, so all those things I like.

“And then he is concentrating in training, listening, has a good attitude and those things are equally important.

“Aimar has a chance to be really good if he continues like that. He earned his place to get in the squad and to be on the pitch.”

Govea almost claimed a first senior goal in an unlikely fashion against QPR, when his cross from the right sailed over Rangers keeper Asmir Begovic but came back off the far post.

He will hope for another chance to impress when Swansea return to Championship action at Middlesbrough on Saturday.