Swans set to sign striker Wales

The 19-year-old will sign a four-year contract with the Swans at the end of his current deal on June 1 and becomes the third confirmed summer arrival in South Wales, with Sweden Under-21 internationals Melker Widell and Zeidane Inoussa already set to link up with Alan Sheehan’s squad ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

A Scotland Under-19 international, Wales has been tipped for senior honours on the back of his breakthrough season at Kilmarnock where he scored five goals in 33 games this season for the side who will finish ninth in the Scottish top flight.

He has 69 appearances to his name for Kilmarnock and Alloa, scoring 17 goals, and his form during the 2024-25 season saw him nominated for the Scottish Football Writers’ Association young player of the year award.

He also recently won Kilmarnock’s young player of the year prize.

Swansea City head coach Alan Sheehan said:

“It is very pleasing to bring another talented attacking player into our squad.

“Bobby is a young player, but has experience in the senior game with Kilmarnock and Alloa and provides us with further competition in the final third of the pitch. 

“We look forward to working with him, developing him further in his all-round game, and hopefully helping him fulfil his potential.”

Director of football Richard Montague, added:

“Bobby is a talented young player, and one who boasts plenty of experience of senior football.

“We believe he has the potential to develop into an important player for Swansea City, and the personal accolades he has received in recent years underline how highly thought of he is.

“We look forward to welcoming him to Swansea at the start of pre-season, and are very happy to have been able to move decisively to secure another acquisition so far in advance of the new campaign.”

Adam Worth, Swansea City’s global head of analytics and recruitment, said:

“Bobby is a player we have identified as possessing attributes that can be an asset to the team as we move forward.

“His work-rate and ability to offer a focal point in the final third will provide Alan Sheehan with further competition in attacking areas, and his age means we are confident he will continue to improve as he adapts to life in the Championship.

“He is a bright young talent, and one we are very happy to be bringing to Swansea City for this next stage of his career.”

[Lead image: Jeff Holmes JSHPIX]

Sheehan admits Swans face “big window” to replace and strengthen squad 

Wales great Allen, 35, played the final game before hanging up his boots as Swansea ended their EFL Championship campaign with an entertaining 3-3 draw against Oxford at the Swansea.com Stadium. 

The Swans had led three times through Eom Ji-sung, Ronald, and Liam Cullen, but Oxford responded on each occasion as Greg Leigh, Michal Helik and Przemyslaw Placheta netted to earn the U’s a battling point. 

Midfielder Allen was replaced after 70 minutes to a rousing ovation by the sell-out crowd by Naughton, who also ends his time in South Wales after a ten-year stint. 

Sheehan later confirmed the departures of experienced out-of-contract trio Cyrus Christie 30, Jon McLaughlin 37, and Kristian Pedersen 32, but still harbours hope over key centre back Harry Darling signing a new deal with the club. 

Having been appointed permanent head coach on Wednesday after saving the club from a relegation scrap with seven wins from the last nine games, the Irishman says Swansea must bring in players with Championship know-how when the transfer window opens. 

“It’s a big window. We need to make a lot of right decisions,” said Sheehan. 

“We are going to have to get the right blend, and we are all very clear on that, because we have lost players with incredible experience.” 

Swansea will also lose another established second-tier player in on-loan Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien, whilst versatile defender Hannes Delcroix will return to parent club Burnley. 

Sheehan says he expects a busy week with Swansea looking to do some early summer transfer business to add to the signing of Danish midfielder Melker Widell from AaB Aalborg. 

Reports circulating suggest that 22-year-old BK Hacken winger Zeidane Inoussa is one on the radar, but Sheehan would neither confirm nor deny the interest. 

“I can’t comment on that right now, said the Swans boss. 

“He is a talented player. I think we are all in agreement across the board, we know the areas we need to strengthen to add depth to the squad. 

“We all agree we want to bring in potentially really good players and give them that opportunity to thrive.  

“To do that, you have to have the right culture, the right experience, and the right blend. 

“We have had meetings already. We want to be aggressive in the right areas of recruitment and try to be aggressive on our targets.” 

[Lead image: Swansea City FC]

Swansea City and Wales great Allen set to retire from Football

Allen, is out of contract at Swansea this summer and has opted to call time on a career in which he has made almost 600 club appearances and won 77 international caps after his “instinct” told him he was not going to reach next year’s World Cup.

The 35-year-old has called time on a glittering career, which included a four-year spell at Liverpool, and six years at Stoke City, but will always be remembered for his time at at boyhood club Swansea City where it all began.

Allen won his first Wales cap in 2009 having come through the ranks at Swansea, where he made his league debut as a 16-year-old in 2007.

He helped Swansea win the League One title in his full season, then played a central role as they became the first Welsh club to win promotion to the Premier League in 2011.

After a year in the top flight with Swansea, Allen followed manager Brendan Rodgers to Liverpool in a £15m deal in 2012.

He made 132 appearances for Liverpool, and was part of the side which came close to ending the Reds’ wait for a Premier League title in 2014, before joining Stoke for £13m in 2016.

Allen played more than 200 games for the Potters, staying with the club despite relegation to the Championship in 2018, before opting to rejoin Swansea when his contract expired in 2022.

Allen, memorably, was also part of the Wales team that qualified for three major tournaments, including the magical run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

Allen’s journey as a footballer will now finish with the Swans after making 250 appearances across two spells with the club he first joined at the age of nine.

“This is incredibly difficult. This is not something I’ve taken lightly, I’ve spent a lot of time pondering it,” said Allen to the media ahead of the Swans clash with Oxford.

“It’s not something I’ve taken lightly, spent a lot of time pondering it. The timing’s right. I got to 100 per cent about a month ago and I wasn’t sure how the last few weeks would go, how I’d find things, but it’s actually been a good spell really. I’ve enjoyed it.

“I’ve had a chance to reflect and take it all in. I’m really looking forward to what’s going to be my last game on Saturday.

“I’m very proud. I didn’t think I’d be sat here playing as many games as I have for clubs I have done at that level and for Wales as well.

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate and as I’ve reflected over the last few weeks very grateful and thankful to everyone who has has helped me on my way to have these amazing experiences.”

“I had a chance to reflect and take it all in. I’m really looking forward to what’s going to be my last game on Saturday.”

[Lead image: Swansea City FC]

Swansea’s stadium among Championship’s worst for pollution

Swansea sees one of the biggest traffic drops in the Championship on matchdays, with local congestion around the Swansea.com Stadium falling by 72.7%.

However, despite fewer cars on the road, the stadium is one of the most polluted, due to high average Carbon Monoxide and Methane emission increases. 

This is according to new research from SeatPick which reveals the hidden environmental cost of Championship matchdays by analysing traffic patterns and greenhouse gas emissions both in the immediate stadium area and across each club’s town or city.

The findings expose which grounds become the biggest pollution hotspots when fans arrive to watch their team play.

The research shows that Norwich City’s Carrow Road is the most polluted Championship stadium on matchdays, with a pollution score of 9.52/10 and a traffic increase of 129.6%—the highest in the league.

Preston North End’s Deepdale, while having a 15.4% traffic drop, vehicles around the stadium have an average 9.1% increase in Carbon Monoxide and a 0.2% increase in Methane.

Stoke City sees the biggest city-wide traffic surge, with a 104% increase when they play at home, showing how matchdays affect entire urban areas.

Swansea and Watford recorded the biggest city-wide traffic drops (–70% and –74%), but with very different outcomes: Swansea ranks 6th for pollution, while Watford is the cleanest ground in the league (2.31/10).

Coventry City ranks second lowest for pollution (3.27/10), despite a 16.5% traffic increase, highlighting that lower emission matchdays are achievable.

Matchday pollution vs traffic: How do stadiums stack up?

With 24 home fixtures per season per club, the Championship produces hundreds of mass travel events each year. Using a percentile-based ranking system, this table ranks stadiums by matchday pollution scores (out of 10), combining stadium-area traffic changes with CO₂, carbon monoxide, and methane.

Are Clubs Living Up to Their Green Goals?

The Championship and many top clubs have pledged to cut emissions and improve sustainability in recent seasons. Clubs like Bristol City have pushed for greener stadiums, while clubs such as West Brom and Norwich City are part of the EFL Green Clubs scheme, helping to improve their sustainability practices.

However, the data paints a more complex picture. For example:

• Norwich City is actively working to reduce emissions but currently ranks worst in the league for matchday pollution a score of 9.52/10, largely due to them having the highest stadium-wide traffic increase (129.6%), suggesting that even clubs with strong green commitments still face significant challenges, particularly in tackling fan travel.
• West Bromwich Albion ranks third for pollution, despite a 17.9% drop in city-wide traffic, raising questions about local travel patterns or the type of vehicles in use around The Hawthorns.
• Coventry and Watford perform well, combining low stadium pollution scores with major drops in city-wide traffic. Coventry saw just a 3.27/10 stadium score and only a 16.5% traffic rise, while Watford traffic dropped by 74%, making them standout examples of low-emission matchday behaviour.

This raises the question of how effective current sustainability efforts are, and whether deeper change is needed in fan travel behaviour, stadium planning and local transport partnerships.

Why does it matter?

Championship matchdays happen regularly – every other weekend for nine months of the year – creating a repeating pattern of traffic spikes in some of the UK’s busiest cities.

These effects go beyond stadiums. Stoke-on-Trent, for example, sees a doubling of city-wide traffic on matchdays, with a 104% increase in vehicles when Stoke City play at home, turning an average 20-minute journey into a 38-40 minute journey.

Cities with two Championship clubs feel the strain twice over. In Sheffield, home to Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United, matchdays push city-wide traffic up by over 30%—even though traffic around each ground only rises an average of 13–20%. When both sides play at home on the same weekend, it doubles the environmental pressure, turning these fixtures into city-wide disruptions.

For fans, councils and environmental groups, this is a reminder that sport’s impact on the planet doesn’t stop at the turnstiles.

Sparkling Swans breeze to win over poor Plymouth

It could not have started much better from the Swans as Lewis O’Brien’s header would put the home side in control just minutes into the contest with an earlier opener. Harry Darling doubled the lead at the midpoint of the half heading home a corner for his second goal in three games, before Josh Key’s sublime strike sent the Swansea fans into pandemonium with a three-goal lead at the break.

Plymouth huffed and puffed, but it would be Swansea who looked the more likely to add to their lead. Ji-Sung Eom and Žan Vipotnik having several chances saved by Plymouth goalkeeper Connor Hazard and will be scratching their heads at how they were not on the scoresheet.

That would be it for the scoring as the home faithful would go home happy with back-to-back home wins seeing them closer to the play-off places than the dreaded drop zone.

The Swans came into the match looking to build on the late 1-0 victory over Derby County over the weekend knowing that one more victory would all but secure their status in England’s second tier.

Eom’s late winner against Derby, his second in the last three home games, enough to give the Swans the three points in a match with few and far between chances.

50 points in recent seasons has been enough to survive in the division, and with victory against this evening’s opponents Plymouth, Alan Sheehan’s side knew victory would move them to within touching distance of safety. Nine points ahead of rivals Cardiff City holding the last relegation place of 22nd with five games remaining.

After a grueling battle against the Rams, Sheehan decided to freshen things up bringing in match-winner Eom, veteran Joe Allen, and forward Žan Vipotnik for starts with the Irishman reverting to a more familiar 4-2-3-1 formation.

Visitors Plymouth, fresh off the back of a vital 2-1 victory over Norwich on the weekend made one change themselves as they looked to pull off what would be only a second away win on the road this campaign. Darko Gyabi in for Jordan Houghton in midfield.

With a gap of five points between the Pilgrims to escape the relegation zone, points were becoming a must for Miron Muslic’s side and a good start in south Wales would be vital to the outcome of the contest.

It would be the Swans though who would start the brightest of the two sides. Enjoying the majority of the possession they would catch their opponents cold to score an opening goal with the first meaningful chance.

Brazilian winger Ronald would be fed the ball on the right-hand side before beating his marker to cross and pick out O’Brien’s late run into the penalty area. The on-loan Nottingham Forest midfielder steering a header beyond Plymouth goalkeeper Hazard powerfully into the back of the net.

Ronald would look a livewire in the opening period and came close to setting up a second as the Swans would play with pace and purpose.

The visitors after a slow start would show more ambition and would come close to coming back into the contest. Playmaker Adam Randall striking a free kick from the edge of the box but would only find Swansea goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux in fine form with a a diving save to snuff out the effort.

Ruthless in execution, the Swans would double their lead moments later. Eom with a pin-point corner picking out centre-half Harry Darling to nod home his second of the season.

Plymouth’s night would go from bad to worse as they would struggle to find a foot-hold back in the game with poor closing down allowing Swansea to score a third.

Full back Josh Key given way too much room on the right-hand side to have an eye at goal before the former Exeter man would launch a curling effort from 25-yards into the top corner past a stranded Hazard.

Plymouth would improve after the break, and after a spate of substitutions from Muslic, would come close to pulling a goal back. Midfielder Jordan Houghton, one of the replacements, heading a corner from close range straight at Vigouroux with the goal gaping.

As much as the effort would be there from the visitors Swansea though would almost be creating chances at will. O’Brien firing a deflected effort wide before captain Ben Cabango’s flicked header would go inches past the far post from the resultant corner.

Hazard would keep the score down saving brilliantly from Eom on two occasions. Franco’s picking out the South Korean on the right before his effort would be saved spectacularly one-handed by the Northern Irish international. Plymouth’s number one would then save the wide man’s snap-shot by tipping over the crossbar.

Slovenian forward Vipotnik could not quite get the better of the Plymouth keeper either as the only downside for the Swans would be that they hadn’t scored more on the night.

It wouldn’t matter, however, as Swansea would close out the game with a well-deserved three points which move Sheehan’s side to 14th position in the table.

Swansea City lineup

Lawrence Vigouroux, Josh Tymon, Josh Key (Kyle Naughton 81), Harry Darling, Ben Cabango (captain), Ronald (Florian Bianchini 76),

Ji-Sung Eom (Sam Parker 81), Gonçalo Franco (Ollie Cooper 76), Joe Allen (Jay Fulton 63), Lewis O’Brien, Žan Vipotnik.

Plymouth Argyle lineup

Conor Hazard, Kornel Szucs (Tymoteusz Puchacz 45), Nicola Katic, Julio Pleguezuelo (Victor Palsson 77), Matthew Sorinola, Adam Randell (captain) (Jordan Houghton 45), Darko Gyabi, Bali Mumba, Ryan Hardie (Frederick Issaka 65), Michael Obafemi (Callum Wright 45), Mustapha Bundu.

[Lead image: Swansea City FC]

Sheehan hails ‘wonderful win’ after Derby victory eases Swans relegation threats  

 Ji-Sung Eom netted the winner from close range in a rare moment of quality slotting home Josh Key’s right-wing cross in what was a hard watch for the home faithful. 

Eom’s goal – the only shot on target for the Swans has now eased relegation fears with the Swans rising to 15th place in the second tier – seven points ahead of Cardiff City holding the final relegation placing. 

“It wasn’t a wonderful game, but it was a wonderful win,” said Sheehan in his post-match press conference. 

“It wasn’t a good game to watch. I am not going to sit here and say I was really enjoying it. 

“But there are different ways to win games in the Championship. Huge credit to John Eustace, he has found a way to win games, and we had to try to match their physicality. 

“Some of the defensive displays were outstanding, even though the game itself wasn’t very pleasing on the eye. 

“I tried to explain the magnitude of this game in the week, and I didn’t want to downplay it. Derby had won four games in a row against teams who are up in the top half of the table, so it was always going to be difficult. 

“I thought we dealt with their threats, but we’d have liked to cause them more problems when we had the ball. 

“We found it hard to create tempo in the game because when you defend long throw after long throw, it’s difficult. 

“There are certain ways you have to play against certain teams. We could probably be slightly more fluid today but then concede two or three set plays. 

“At times in the first half, we forced things, we went from back to front too quickly when the spaces were somewhere else. It’s up to me to find the right balance.” 

With six matches remaining this season, bottom of the table Plymouth Argyle are next up for the Swans at home on Wednesday evening. 

Sheehan said he could not speculate on how many more points Swansea need to guarantee survival. 

“We will go into every game and try to pick up as many points as we can,” continued the Swans boss. 

“I think we are showing at the moment that we are very adaptable and are capable of picking up different points. Leeds last week, today is totally different, Blackburn and Middlesbrough are different. 

“The players are in a good place.” 

[Lead image: Swansea City FC]

Eom to the rescue as Swans leave it late to beat Derby

The South Korean international’s second in the last three home games, tapping home Josh Key’s cross from close range would prove to be enough to take all three points for Swansea in a largely forgettable contest lacking quality in the final third.

Having announced interim Alan Sheehan as head coach till the end of the current campaign, the Swans came into the match looking to build on the dramatic late point earned in the 2-2 draw at Leeds last weekend.

Žan Vipotnik’s 96-minute equaliser boosting the Swans hopes of stabilising and maintaining their Championship status for an eighth successive season.

Sheehan admitted his side are now in a ‘dogfight’ after Derby’s midweek over Preston reduced the gap to the bottom three to just five points before the meeting of the two sides. The Swans boss was under no illusions about the threat the Rams would hold after four wins on the bounce giving all the momentum to the resurgent visitors.

Unbeaten in their last four against Derby, including a 2-1 win back in November, The Irishman would name an unchanged starting lineup.

Without on-loan Swans forward Jerry Yates, Derby would bring in forward Kayden Jackson as one of three changes. Defender Sondre Langas and wing-back Kane Wilson also coming in for the Rams.

On a sun-soaked afternoon in south Wales, it would be the weather that would be more of a talking point than the football offered in the first 45 minutes.

Cancelling each other out with their tactical stances, both sides understandably would be cautious with their forays into the opposing halves. The visitors having the best of the chances with Wilson firing into the side netting after a left-wing cross had failed to be cleared by the Swansea defence.

Both sides looked to up the tempo after the break with the Swans probing the Derby penalty searching for an opening, but struggled to find quality in their final delivery.

Sheehan threw on Vipotnik and Eom in search of creativity and penetration in the final third but it would be the visitors who would look the more likely to score.

Wilson showing a rare moment of quality to play a ball across the face of the goal from the right an outstretched Jackson would not be able to get a touch to trouble Lawrence Vigouroux in the Swansea goal, whilst midfielder Harrison Armstrong’s hopeful drive from distance would be straight at the former Burnley man.

With the game looking like heading for a draw, it would be the Swans who would break the deadlock with a rare moment of quality. Substitute Eom arriving late at the back post to tap home from close range after Josh Key had picked out the Korean’s defense-splitting run from the right-hand side.

The Swans would weather a late storm as Derby looked to force the issue but would hold on for a vital three points in their bid to remain in the Championship next season.

Swansea City lineup

Lawrence Vigouroux, Josh Tymon, Josh Key, Harry Darling, Hannes Delcroix (Ji Sung-Eom 62), Ben Cabango (captain), Ronald (Cyrus Christie 90), Gonçalo Franco (Žan Vipotnik 62) , Jay Fulton (Joe Allen 76), Lewis O’Brien Liam Cullen.

Derby County lineup

Jacob Zetterstrom, Nathaniel Phillips, Matt Clarke, Craig Forsyth, Sondre Langas (Tom Barkhuizen 83), Ebou Adams (captain) (Nathaniel Mendez-Laing 83), Harrison Armstrong, Liam Thompson (Kenzo Goudmijn 83), Kane Wilson, Marcus Harness, Kayden Jackson.

[Lead image: Swansea City FC]

“Character and desire” earned that point believes Sheehan as Swans share entertaining draw with Leeds 

Leeds had looked like they were set to claim an unconvincing win after substitute forward Wilfried Gnonto drilled them in front four minutes from the end of normal time, but Slovenian Vipotnik’s low drive meant the Whites missed the chance to reclaim top spot in the Championship. 

The Swans couldn’t have wished for a worse start when Daniel Farke’s side had first gone ahead after just 35 seconds when American Brenden Aaronson finished off a goalmouth scramble by poking home from point-blank range. 

Swansea improved and would have the best of the first half but would not be able to capitalise. Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier saving his team keeping out Josh Tymon’s first-half penalty after former Swan Joe Rodon brought down Lewis O’Brien in the box. 

The Frenchman thought would go from hero to villain as his fumble allowed away defender Harry Darling to score a simple equaliser. 

Gnonto thought he had won it with almost his first touch after coming off the bench late only for Vipotnik’s shot from a tight angle to go under Meslier and into the net to dramatically snatch a point for the visitors deep in stoppage-time. 

The Swans moved seven points away from the relegation zone with six games to play whilst Leeds stay in second position. 

“I think we deserved at least a point out there today; we were tactically excellent,” said Swans boss Sheehan after the game. 

““Leeds are one of the best teams in the league – if not the best – and it’s the toughest ground to go to. 

“To start like that was disappointing. and I let the players know that at half-time, because we know if you do that at Elland Road the place can get on top of you. 

“But the players showed great character, and we controlled most of the rest of that first half. 

“We missed the penalty, we hit the post, we had chances, and we were dangerous with what we wanted to do. 

“Obviously we scored after the break, but then they got the goal – we had a man switch off – but we kept going. 

“But Joe Allen played that pass into Vipotnik and it was wonderful to see the two substitutes combine. To come here and get a point shows the belief and the togetherness that we have right now.” 

“We talk about character, desire and application, and the players were just so determined to work hard for the badge. 

“That was the message beforehand, you cannot do anything individually at a place like this, you have to do it as a collective and I am so, so proud of the players. 

“When you come to places like this, you really find out things about your players. 

“You have a nightmare start, and in that situation it’s about the quality and leadership of the group. We showed that togetherness until the very, very end.” 

[Lead image: Swansea City FC]

All in the detail for Sheehan as Swans edge out Middlesbrough with tactical masterclass.  

The Swans unbeaten run under Sheehan continued as South Korean forward Ji-Sung Eom’s stunning first-half long-range strike dealt a blow to Middlesbrough’s Championship play-offs hopes and all but secured status in the Championship for another season for the home side. 

Eom’s first Swansea goal, in his 30th appearance for the club, was the least Sheehan’s team deserved for their impressive first-half display where if it had not been for the heroics of visiting goalkeeper Mark Travers the Swans would have been out of sight at the break. 

Boro’ striker Tommy Conway came closest to responding for the disappointing visitors drawing a reaction save by Lawrence Vigouroux in the second period, but the Swans number one would be largely untroubled on an afternoon where the Swans under Sheehan once again got their tactics spot on. 

Swansea’s victory means Sheehan has an impressive return of seven points from three games with no goals conceded, having taken charge following the departure of Luke Williams last month. 

When questioned on the performance by the media after the game Sheehan felt it was the buy-in from the players to the detail that has made the difference. 

“As you can see, they’re [Middlesbrough] a team with a lot of quality,” said Sheehan. 

“A lot of investment and a lot of big money’s been spent on these individuals. The manager has done a good job and has been there for a few years now.  

“The preparation for these games has got to be right on point because these games if you’re not perfect, you can lose by two or three.  

“I think it’s important to be very proud of the players today. We showed a different side to us. If I was going to analyse, it was probably halfway between a Blackburn and a Preston performance. 
 
“To go off at half time, one up with I think nine or ten shots and limit them is what we wanted to do. We wanted to compress the space and be aggressive in the right areas. 
 
“I think we’ve got to be very proud of them, you know, because they’re leaving everything out there on the football pitch. 
 
“We’ve got Marg [Martyn Margetson] here who’s exceptional at what he does, defensively and constantly bringing in different strategies again for different oppositions and we talk about it as staff.  

“We changed [back] to a back four [in Sheehan’s three games in charge] and probably changed the system slightly but there’s little things behind every game.  

Ultimately, we defend as a team and we attack as a team because if we become disjointed, the game can become really hard for us.”  

Sheehan was full of praise for match-winner Ji-Sung Eom who scored his first goal for the club. In the build-up to the match the Irishman felt Eom needed a moment to kick-start his Swansea career and certainly felt he delivered. 
 
“It was a magic goal; he’s missed a few easier chances than that this season. 
 
“He has got wonderful flashes of individual quality. But then it’s kind of, can you make the headlines? 
 
“We are relying on certain moments to go in our favour and we need the big moments from the attacking players and that was a big moment from him today. 

“We’re all really delighted for him. You can see how happy he was. So, these are the moments that make you so pleased.” 
 
Sheehan had no update on the injury status of centre back Harry Darling, who went off in the second-half of the win with a knock but says attacker Myles Peart-Harris’ back injury suffered against Preston North End on Tuesday night is a bad one that will likely see his spell in south Wales end prematurely. 

 
“Hopefully, it’s not serious at all because obviously he’s done really well, but credit to Hannes [Delcroix] when he came on. 

“I don’t think it’s good with the scan [on Peart-Harris]. He’s going be [injured for] a good while now with his back. He’s going to go back to Brentford to get assessed but it doesn’t look good. 
 
“It’s a shame because he’s a lovely kid, and he gave us something very different than other people within the team. I’m very disappointed for him.”  

[Lead image: Swansea City FC]

Eom stunner earns Swansea hard-fought victory over Middlesbrough

A stunning first-half strike from Ji-Sung Eom from 25-yards proved to be the difference between the two sides on the day as the Swans solidified their place in mid-table.

Žan Vipotnik had the pick of the chances to extend the lead before the break as Boro faltered, but would find visiting goalkeeper Mark Travers in fine form to keep the score to a solitary goal.

The Swans had to show resolute qualities to see out the last period of the match but in the end come the final whistle would be good value for the three points.

After showing improvements in the few weeks under Sheehan, the Swans came into the match looking to end a run of seven games without a win against Middlesbrough.

A stalemate at Deepdale against Preston North End in midweek would make back-to-back clean sheets and four points from six since the Irishman took over as fears over relegation have almost been extinguished.

It is a case of rebuilding for next season for the Swans and a win against a Boro’ side flirting with the play-off places would do no harm for the former Luton coach Sheehan’s chances of gaining the managerial hot seat in the long-term.

The Swans would make one change to their starting X1. Eom coming in for the injured Myles Peart-Harris.

Middlesbrough’s play-off challenge since the turn of the year had taken a dramatic nose dive with five defeats on the trot threatening to derail Michael Carrick’s side’s promotion hopes.

Back-to-back wins against Stoke City and rock-bottom Derby County have reignited hopes but the former Manchester United midfielder would know getting something from the trip to south Wales would be crucial to keep pace with the top-six.

With a lengthy casualty list, Carrick’s task was made a lot harder with captain Luke Ayling pulling out the matchday squad through injury. The Boro’ centre half would be replaced by Ryan Giles, with left-back Neto Borges moving into the heart of defense.

After a fast paced opening, it would be the home side that would start the brighter of the two sides. Visiting goalkeeper Travers called into early action to deny an Eom header, whilst Vipotnik, after an intricate move involving Liam Cullen and Eom would test the Boro goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

The Swans would be dominant in the opening quarter and would deservedly take the lead through an individual strike of quality from Eom.

The South Korean attacker picking up a loose ball 20-yards out before bending a wonderfully placed curling effort into the bottom-right corner for his first goal in Swansea colours.

Sensing further goals the Swans would enjoy the best of the play in the half, looking more like a play-off contender than the visitors, a shadow of the pre-Christmas selves.

Vipotnik would next send Travers into action once more as a neat Swans breakaway would see the Slovenian benefit from Josh Key’s mazy run forward. The on-loan Bournemouth stopper palming the ball wide of the post effectively keeping his side in the contest at the break.

Carrick sent on loan signing Kelechi Ihaenacho at the break and it would be the former Leicester forward who would tee up the first chance of the half. The Nigerian international breaking free, before releasing strike partner Tommy Conway to drive a low effort inches past the Swansea goal.

It would be the Swans who would look the more likely to extend their lead and would be scratching their heads how they hadn’t. Eom’s in-swinging free kick evading everyone with a touch all that would have been needed, whilst substitute Hannes Delcroix would prod a guilt-edged chance over the bar from 12-yards.

At just a goal behind Boro’ would be dangerous and would still have plenty of time to change the complextion of the contest.

A counter attack seeing Conway free on the left to drive an effort on target. Lawrence Vigouroux in the Swansea goal, a bystander for a majority of the contest would be alert to save with his feet from an acute angle.

Ihaenacho would also be wasteful blasting over with time running out. Boro threw numbers forward at the death but it would be Swansea’s day to pick up the three points and cement a position into the middle of the standings.

Swansea City lineup

Lawrence Vigouroux, Josh Tymon, Josh Key, Harry Darling (Hannes Delcroix 62), Ben Cabango (captain), Ronald, Gonçalo Franco, Lewis O’Brien, Ji-Sung Eom (Ollie Cooper 73), Liam Cullen (Jay Futon 80). Žan Vipotnik (Florian Bianchini 73).

Middlesbrough lineup

Mark Travers, Anfernee Dijksteel, Neto Borges, Dael Fry (Jonny Howson 78), Ryan Giles (Samuel Illing-Junior 45), Aiden Morris, Hayden Hackney (captain), Marcus Forss (Kelechi Ihaenacho 45), Finn Azaz, Morgan Whittaker (Delano Burgzorg 69), Tommy Conway.

[Lead image: Swansea City FC]

“The praise must go to the players,” says Swans boss Sheehan

In the first game since the departure of Luke Williams, the Swans rallied showing heart and desire to convincingly beat their Lancashire opponents. 

First-half goals from Zan Vipotnik and Myles Peart-Harris set the tone before Sheehan’s side laid an onslaught on the Rovers defense adding a third through Liam Cullen.  

There could have been more as Rovers failed to deal with a confident attacking display producing a wealth of chances with Josh Tymon, Viponik and Gonçalo Franco going close to extending the lead.  

It would be a far cry from the latter part of the Williams era where goals had become hard to come by, whilst on the day, an interestingly new-found physicality in the Swans midfield surprised the visitors. 

Dogged and lung-busting performances from Franco and Lewis O’Brien stood out as Sheehan would later comment in “doing the basics well” by breaking up play and starting attacks.  

This would be all part of the meticulous planning of Sheehan whose tactics on the day would be spot on against a strong Rovers team. The former Luton coach though would only have time to give credit to his playing staff. 

“Give all the praise to the players. Today was a pleasing performance, the players were excellent today,” said Sheehan after the match. 

“We’ve had a really difficult start to the week losing Luke [Williams] and Ryan [Harley]. 

“It was about giving everyone their opportunity to have that disappointment, but you have to channel it into some positive energy. 

“We were playing a top-six team and with what we have, we thought this was the game plan to go into the match and the lads have carried it out really well. 

“I was up at four o’clock this morning and looking at in-game changes and scenarios and there are a lot. 

“I wanted to make sure everything was ok, and all the detail was right for the players so they could go and express themselves. 

“I have earned myself a Pepsi Max tonight now. That’s about how exciting it gets for me. 

“We’ve all come under a lot of scrutiny. In the world that we live in people can say whatever they want to you when you go into elite sport. Sometimes the only way you can respond is on a Saturday. 

“There are a lot of bridges that have to be built, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. Today is a day for the fans to show the players love and vice-versa and that’s the way it should be. 

“I’m not going to be a referee on certain things at this football club. My job is to get the team ready. 

“We talked about physicality and doing the basics of the game really well and what it means to be a Swansea City player – go show the fans and they responded well to that. 

“I thought we were incredibly resilient and physical; we weren’t bullied at all which is important. We gave ourselves a chance to show the quality that we have. If you don’t do the basics well in this division, you have no chance. 

“This is the Championship though, you can be wonderful and concede set pieces, etc. But you have to find a way to win different games. 

“We wanted to give the players the freedom to show their quality in the final third. We had a number of chances and potentially could have had more. 

“We can’t be greedy. A clean sheet, three goals and a resilient performance that builds character is important and I’m really happy with that.” 

[Lead image: Swansea City FC]

Dominant Swans down Rovers to give Sheehan first win

First-half strikes from Zan Vipotnik and Myles Peart-Harris would give the home side a comfortable advantage at the break, before Liam Cullen’s 10th of the season saw the Swans win for only the second time in the calendar year.

In an impressive attacking performance of high quality, the scoreline did not flatter the Swans with an array of chances created and most noticeably confidence restored to a team that had lost their way since the Christmas period.

In the first match since the dismissal of head coach Luke Williams, Swansea Interim boss Alan Sheehan came into the match with play-off chasing Rovers looking to improve on a record of seven defeats in their last nine league fixtures since the turn of the year.

A 3-1 collapse against StokeCity last weekend at the Bet 365 stadium proved to be the final nail in Williams’ coffin despite full back Josh Tymon putting the Swans ahead in the second half scoring his second goal in the last three games.

In response, Sheehan called for “fight and energy” to give his side the best chance of getting a result against the side lying in fifth place in the table with the Irishman under no illusions of the challenge Rovers would possess. 

Starting his second caretaker spell in the Swans dugout, Sheehan named a side showing four changes. In a change of shape, Josh Key, Harry Darling, Peart-Harris, and Vipotnik all came back into the X1, with Kyle Naughton, Hannes Delcroix, Ji-sung Eom and Ollie Cooper dropping to the bench. 

In a similar managerial situation, Blackburn meanwhile, had responded well to the shock departure of head coach John Eustace with Interim boss David Lowe picking up impressive victories over fellow play-off hopefuls West Bromwich Albion and struggling Plymouth Argyle to maintain momentum.

They made two changes to their side that beat the Pilgrims with top scorer Andreas Weimann and winger Ryan Hedges recalled.

It would be the away side who would enjoy the better of the early proceedings. Lawrence Vigouroux called into action in the third minute to make a smart save from Weimann’s header after a neat cross saw the Austrian’s effort tipped wide.

The Swans would grow into the half but would struggle for an end product in the opposition’s final third. Both Key and Tymon finding good positions but would be unable to find an attacker in the Blackburn penalty area.

Rovers would be however threatening on the counter attack and Weimann would be guilty of poor finishing when well-placed in the 35th minute. Callum Brittain finding space on the right before teeing up the forward on the edge of the six-yard box only to tamely shoot into Vigouroux’s grateful hands.

It would be the Swans though who would take the lead minutes later. Vipotnik first to react to a loose ball in the Rovers penalty area after a cross had failed to be dealt with to poke past a helpless Aynsley Pears in the Blackburn goal.

With their confidence growing, the Swans would double their advantage in first-half stoppage time. Peart-Harris latching onto a through ball on the left-hand side of the penalty area before outmuscling his marker to drill a low effort perfectly past Pears into the bottom corner, much to the jubilation of the home faithful.

The Swans would start the second-half as they would finish and nearly found a third within the opening minutes. Franco driving through midfield before playing a neat one-two with Vipotnik before drawing a save low from Pears. With Blackburn only half-clearing, the rebound would fall to Key but the former Exeter full back’s deflected shot would always be rising away from goal.

Swansea would not be denied on the hour mark though as the visitors defense faltered once more. Peart-Harris finding room on the left before cutting inside to pick out an unmarked Cullen to fire home his 10th league goal of the season.

Now dominating the midfield battle, O’Brien and Franco would combine before the Portuguese’s piledriver would almost make it four. With their tails up, the Swans would see further chances through Tymon saved by Pears, whilst Cabango and Vipotnik would both narrowly miss the target with the Rovers goal gaping.

Blackburn substitute Buckley would shoot wide from range in a rare forage in the Swans final third of play. But it would be an off colour performance from the visitors whose play-off challenge would falter as Swansea would get back to winning ways to earn the three points.

Swansea City lineup

Lawrence Vigouroux, Josh Tymon, Josh Key, Harry Darling, Ben Cabango (captain), Ronald (Ji-Sung Eom 88), Gonçalo Franco (Jay Fulton 85), Lewis O’Brien, Myles Peart-Harris (Josh Ginnelly 80), Liam Cullen (Ollie Cooper 80). Žan Vipotnik (Florian Bianchini 80).

Blackburn Rovers lineup

Aynsley Pears, Callum Brittain, Yuri Ribeiro, Dion Sanderson, Dominic Hyam,

Lewis Travis (captain), Adam Forshaw (John Buckley 56), Ryan Hedges (Augustus Kargbo 56), Tyrhys Dolan (Joe-Rankin Costello 78), Andreas Weimann (Emmanuel Dennis 56), Makhtar Gueye (Cauley Woodrow 87).

[Lead image: Swansea City FC]