Swansea City

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Swansea City’s rediscovery of the need for speed is key in their upturn in form, according to former striker Ian Walsh.

The Swans head into Wednesday’s trip to Watford having recorded back-to-back wins for only the second time this season.

And Walsh says the performances of pacey pair Ronald and Przemyslaw Placheta have done much to ensure the side are now starting to progress under head coach Luke Williams.

The ex-Wales and Swans forward suggested the direct duo offer flashbacks to sides of the recent past that used widemen to compliment their possession game, including Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer.

And after Placheta helped Joe Allen to Swansea’s opener against Blackburn a week on after Ronald’s double in the win at Sunderland, Walsh said: “They’re a breath of fresh air.

"Apart from their pace, their first thought is positive, to want to get forward.

“They are dragging everybody up the field, which is why you saw Allen get in the box for the first; because Placheta did some brilliant work down the left-hand side.”

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Between them, the January gs won 12 individual duels in the 2-1 win over Blackburn, Ronald is already the sixth highest in the squad for successful dribbles this season despite only arriving from Gremio a month ago. Indeed, Ronald is already topping the charts for average number of dribbles (3.9) per game, ahead of the injured Josh Key (3.6).

“They want to turn defenders all the time,” Walsh added, speaking on Call Rob Phillips. “It enables the rest of team to play on the front foot. And that is the difference because they haven’t had the of pace in those sort of areas.

“There are lots of areas to improve on; the second half wasn’t particularly good (against Blackburn) and they weren’t in the game, but they are a breath of fresh air for me.”

The BBC Radio Wales Sport pundit added that Swansea still have work to do as they remain just four points ahead of the relegation places, saying: “It's week by week because if teams below keep picking up points it’s going to be a scrap until the end of the season.

“The performance first half against Blackburn was excellent and in the second they managed the game pretty well, defended well and made some brave tackles and get the all important points. It’s another game, they have to go into midweek with the same attitude.”

Commentary of Swansea’s game at Watford on Wednesday will be available on BBC Radio Wales on FM/DAB in south west Wales from 1900.

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Swansea City can head into the final ten games of the season with the chance to finally put a positive spin on their difficult year.

The 2-1 win over Blackburn at the weekend saw the Swans enter the final quarter of the campaign enjoying back-to-back wins for the first time under Luke Williams.

They take on 12th-placed Watford on Wednesday – who, conversely, have lost their last two – hoping to pull away from the relegation places just four points below them.

The season has seen the poorest points return at this level since promotion to the second tier under Roberto Martinez in 2008, spending just one matchweek in the top half of the table.

Yet as well as continuing the encouraging recent spell of form, a Vicarage Road victory would also see Swansea move above their standing at the same stage last season.

Because despite their lengthy struggles, Swansea are only one point worse off after 35 games than they were under Russell Martin a year ago.

Martin’s team would eventually tease a push for the play-offs, an opportunity only eventually ruled out on the penultimate weekend of the season after an eye-catching run of wins.

With the top-six 14 points away, no-one is suggesting Williams and his side should be thinking of an incredulous run on the play-off places.

But in a season where there has been previous little to smile about, moving ahead of last year’s markers could be seen as a further step in the right direction under the new head coach.

Rob Phillips
BBC Sport Wales football correspondent

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Swansea City's resident flyers have helped steer the club clear of the Championship relegation zone with valuable consecutive league wins.

But do not underestimate the role of Joe Allen, the man his manager Luke Williams described as an "animal" - in the nicest possible way!

Brazilian winger Ronald and his speedy accomplice Przemyslaw Placheta have been eye-catching and headline-grabbing in the 2-1 win at Sunderland and last Saturday's 2-1 vicrtory over Blackburn Rovers.

Allen has never been blessed with the pace of his Brazilian and Polish colleagues.

Yet the Welshman's career hallmarks of speed of thought, know-how, tenacity and an ability to be in the right place at the right time - both offensively and defensively- have come to the fore when Swansea have most needed them.

Allen, now 33, has been a growing influence since his return from a groin injury which sidelined him from September to December.

The Swans have also been careful with his rehabilitation.

Having returned as a substitute on Boxing Day, only six of his 13 appearances have been starts.

Yet, significantly, he has started the past three games. Allen was involved in an improved display despite defeat against Ipswich, he had an assist in the win Sunderland and followed that by scoring early to put the Swans on their way to a vital victory over Blackburn.

The goal was the former Liverpool and Stoke player's second in six games, his third in total since re-ing his first club in 2022.

And he told the club website: "It does not happen too often, so it was great to get on the scoresheet and always an added bonus when it adds to a win."

Yet, perhaps the most revealing aspect of Allen's contribution to Saturday's first home league win under the Williams regime was the fact Swansea were hanging on by the final whistle as Blackburn revived. Allen had been replaced on 66 minutes.

Blackburn definitely improved and were boosted by a goal from Championship top scorer Sammie Szmodics - but Allen's control and experience alongside captain Matt Grimes was definitely missed when he was watching from the bench.

Its a balancing act for Williams. Allen has yet to play more than 69 minutes since returning from injury. Yet his growing influence is there for all to see.

The Swans boss said: "He is so switched on, he has so much quality, he is so committed. He is a 'Jack' and that helps as well.

"And he plays like that. He plays with the same energy as the fans have when they are singing his name."

Neither is Allen's influence lost on the Swans fans, judging by their comments on the BBC Sport Wales match report of the Blackburn encounter.

Boibachogymru: "What a difference two speedy wingers make. And Joe Allen playing like he was 18 again."

YnysmeudwyJack: "Allen looks reborn."

Mike Watts: "Joe Allen stays fit, we stay up."

Swansea's consecutive wins ensures there is a small cushion between them and the bottom three relegation places. Other sides around them are also winning and their refusal to throw in the towel shows there is no room for complacency.

But this could be where the vast experience of Allen will be so important. A few months ago, there might have been doubts over the wisdom of the midfielder returning to his boyhood club.

Injuries have meant the former Liverpool and Stoke player has been restricted to only 39 league appearances on his return to his roots.

Yet now, providing he stays injury-free, Allen looks vital to Swansea's ambitions to avoid the drop.

And with his contract expiring this summer, Allen may hope this could lead to a new deal.

Allen retired from international football a year ago. The so-called "Welsh Pirlo" was named in the Euro2016 team of the tournament and played in the delayed 2021 version.

He ended his international days by being part of the Wales squad at the World Cup in Qatar.

Were Allen still available now, you could see him slotting back into the engine room alongside Jordan James and giving Rob Page the option of playing Ethan Ampadu at centre-back alongside his Leeds United club partner Joe Rodon.

On the other hand, Allen will benefit from a break during the international window to prepare for the remainder of the Championship season.

Swansea could be clear of relegation worries by then.

But if they are not, the "animal" will have to prove his legs and astute footballing brain are still in fine working order to help ensure his beloved Swansea's survival in the Championship.

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Former Swansea City captain and head coach Garry Monk has been named as Cambridge United's new boss.

The 44-year-old replaces ex-Cardiff City manager Neil Harris, who quit the League One side after just 17 games in charge to take over at Millwall.

Monk began his managerial career with Swansea, where he had spent 10 years as a player.

He has also managed Sheffied Wednesday, Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Birmingham City.

Monk has been out of football since he was sacked by Wednesday in November 2020 after 14 months at Hillsborough.

The former centre-back has ed Cambridge, who are 19th in League One, on a contract to the summer of 2026.

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Swansea City are waiting to discover the extent of an injury to attacking midfielder Jamie Paterson.

Paterson, 32, scored the Swans' second goal in Saturday's 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers but was forced off in the 71st minute.

Asked how severe the injury was, Swansea head coach Luke Williams said: "I don't know yet.

"He's a big player for us on and off the pitch. So I'm hoping that when it settles down that they tell me it's nothing too serious.

"If it's more then maybe we have to have a scan. But hopefully the scan comes back and it's nothing too serious.

"We take each stage as it comes, but we need some more time for it to settle down first."

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Swansea City head coach Luke Williams savoured the “special” connection between his players and the club’s fans after overseeing his first home league win against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

The 2-1 victory secured back-to-back wins for the Swans for the first time since October and moved them up to 15th in the Championship table.

“There’s a whole 50% that’s not tangible, you can’t taste it but it’s there and it’s as important as anything else,” said Williams, who was appointed in January.

“Slowly we’re trying to make a feeling and I felt something from the connection between the players and the fans that I didn’t feel before. We have to build that.

“It was a really good feeling because they’ve been so great, the fans, and after games we’ve lost they’ve shown some love to us.

“That’s incredible but it’s better when you’re sharing celebrations together and that felt really special.”

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Jamal Lowe returns to the Swansea City squad to face Blackburn Rovers on Saturday with Luke Williams delighted to have the on-loan Bournemouth forward back in contention.

Lowe, who has six goals in 23 appearances this season, has played only twice since Williams took charge at Swansea due to injury.

They were Williams’ first two league fixtures, the draw at Birmingham and defeat to Southampton, with Lowe picking up a knee problem against the Saints.

Since then, Liam Cullen and Jerry Yates have been Williams' preferred options at centre-forward, although there was one substitute appearance from Mykola Kuharevich.

But Lowe, 29, should play some part as Swansea target a first home league win under Williams against Blackburn.

“I like Jamal a lot,” Williams said.

“I think he is an excellent player and a really good guy as well. He really wants to do well for the club, that’s for sure.

“I think he really enjoys himself here and has a good connection. I am really happy he is back - he brings us a lot of qualities.

“He is capable of playing all the way across the front of the pitch so that’s something we can use to our advantage.”

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Luke Williams says Swansea City have work to do before securing a second loan spell at the Championship club for Brighton goalkeeper Carl Rushworth.

Williams said after last weekend’s win at Sunderland that he thought Rushworth would “be with us next season of course”.

But the Swansea head coach has now acknowledged there are no guarantees over the future of Rushworth, 22, who has been one of the Welsh side’s standout players since ing on a season-long deal last summer.

"We've been in touch with Brighton all the way through because they're a brilliant club,” said former Seagulls youth coach Williams.

“They want to always have to make sure and of course that conversation [about next season] has already happened because naturally you start to plan ahead and try to work out what's possible. But it's nothing more than that.

"That will depend on many things. It won't come down to my desire alone. There will be many things. It would be impossible for me to say at the moment."

Asked about his comments on Rushworth at Sunderland, Williams said: "I think what was going on in my head and what I was hoping for and reality all merged.

"He's obviously a very good goalkeeper, a really good guy and we really like him a lot. I know a lot of the people at Brighton as well.

"We know he's a brilliant goalkeeper and I'm sure we'd be interested in him coming back here. But we have Andy Fisher, who I've worked with before at MK Dons and here briefly in my first spell. He's an excellent goalkeeper as well, so it's important for me to make that point.”

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Swansea City host Blackburn Rovers this Saturday, with Danny Gabbidon believing there is a familiar look to Luke Williams’ side following their impressive victory at Sunderland.

Swansea won for only the second time in eight league games under Williams thanks to Ronald’s first-half double at the Stadium of Light last weekend.

Former Wales defender Gabbidon reckons the Swans are moving back towards the sort of possession-based game that has been key to their successes in the club’s recent history.

“That was a big, big win at Sunderland,” Gabbidon told this week’s Elis James’ Feast of Football podcast.

“It’s always a difficult place to go and they are a good side.

“For Swansea to go and pick up a result - that will be huge for them and their confidence.

“It’s taken a bit of time for the new manager to come in and assess things and what kind of system he wants to play. It looks now like the ideas are starting to get across a little bit more.

“You look at the first goal. That’s how I Swansea playing. That’s Swansea at their very best, playing out from the back, moving the ball quickly up the field. It’s a brilliant team goal.

“The second goal, the off-the-ball stuff. Swansea are on top of them, Joe Allen steps in and Ronald gets his second goal.

“I just thought the two goals showed the better team understanding, with the ball and without the ball.

“The make-up of the team looks better now. They have a few more threats.”

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Rebecca Welch will become the first woman to referee a Swansea City match when she oversees Saturday's Championship meeting with Blackburn Rovers at the Swansea.com Stadium.

In December, Welch took charge of her first Premier League match – a clash between Fulham and Burnley - becoming the first woman to referee at that level. She also oversaw Bournemouth’s top-flight meeting with Nottingham Forest in February.

Welch began officiating in the North East in 2010 and quickly moved to refereeing in the Women’s Super League before being awarded the 2017 and 2020 Women’s FA Cup finals.

In December 2020, Welch was added to Uefa’s list which put her among the elite female referees in Europe and, last summer, she was promoted to Select Group 2 in the English system.

In total this season, Welch has taken charge of 15 men's games across all four professional leagues as well as the FA Cup. She has handed out 74 yellow cards and three reds.

On Saturday, she will be assisted by Shaun Hudson and Alex James. Lee Swabey will be the fourth official.

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

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In what has been a long old season, yesterday’s first half at Sunderland was among the most enjoyable Swansea City’s fans have seen.

Swansea’s followers have not had a great deal to shout about in a turbulent campaign.

Yet for 45 minutes at the Stadium of Light, Swansea looked a decent side.

ittedly, they might have faced the Black Cats at a good time, with Jack Clarke – one of the players of the Championship season – and Dan Ballard both missing.

But then Swansea had their share of absentees too.

There is plenty of good news for Luke Williams as he looks ahead to Blackburn Rovers next weekend.

After an injury-hit campaign, Nathan Wood is starting to look like the player who attracted big-money bids from Southampton last summer, while Joe Allen has followed Kyle Naughton’s lead by serving up a reminder of his enduring class having returned to Swansea’s starting side.

Josh Tymon is another who deserves praise - once again - having continued his impressive run of form.

Ahead of Tymon on the left flank, Przemyslaw Placheta had a bright day at Sunderland, bringing pace and balance to Williams’ team, although he will be frustrated not to have opened his for the club.

That feat was achieved yesterday by the man on the opposite wing.

It looked like something of a gamble when Swansea paid in excess of £1m to recruit Brazilian winger Ronald in January.

But, so far at least, the g is looking like a smart piece of business.

Ronald’s two goals should boost his confidence, increasing the likelihood of further match winning contributions in the weeks ahead.

And Swansea will need them.

The one downside for Williams and his players this weekend was that so many of the other sides in the bottom third of the Championship table picked up positive results.

But then Swansea's performance on Wearside should add to belief in the dressing room that they can pull themselves clear of the second-tier relegation scrap.

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Luke Williams says Ronald’s matchwinning double at Sunderland was an overdue reward for the Brazilian’s efforts since he ed Swansea City.

Ronald, 22, ed Swansea for a seven-figure fee from Brazilian club Gremio Anapolis in January.

The winger’s goals at the Stadium of Light - his first in English football - came in his sixth Swansea appearance.

Ronald is yet to an assist for his new club, although that statistic could have been very different had his new team-mates taken some of the numerous chances he has laid on.

“Ronald deserved both the goals,” said Swansea boss Williams, “and I think he has probably deserved one or two more key actions - assists in previous games.

“He was a huge threat today. He is so quick and direct so I am really happy for him.”

Ronald ought to have had an assist at Sunderland when he crossed for Przemyslaw Placheta, only for the Poland international winger to blaze over from close range.

Ronald then came close to completing what would have been a rare Swansea hat-trick when his drive was turned on to the post late on.

Placheta also hit the woodwork on a day when Swansea’s wide players had plenty of joy, with Williams impressed by the efforts of the two mid-season recruits.

“I think maybe I’m a bit of dinosaur these days, a bit of throwback, but I love to see these type of actions,” Williams added.

“For Pzemy and Ronald, there is a lot of high-intensity work to get behind these backlines and then to steady themselves and deliver into the box.

“Josh Tymon as well ed in the attack and put some fantastic balls in. I like that – I am really happy to see that.”