Swansea City v Southampton – F.A. Cup – 21-22 – Issue 14

SEASON 2021-2022

VERSUS

SOUTHAMPTON Saturday, January 8, 2022 - Kick-off 5.30pm

ISSUE 14

JOMA-SPORT.COM PAGE 2

CONTENTS Page 11 - A Message from Matt Grimes

Page 18 - Meet the Opposition

Page 23 - Stilettos & Studs

Page 34 - Interview with Ryan Manning

Page 46 - Jack the Lad

Polite Warning: The British courts have now imposed a standard minimum three-year ban from all football grounds for football-related arrests – both inside and outside the ground. CCTV is currently in operation inside and outside the stadium, while police are also using handheld video cameras.

Offences include: obscene or racist chanting or gesturing; consuming alcohol in seated areas; continual standing in seated areas; aggressive behaviour; going onto the pitch; throwing of items; drunk and disorderly behaviour or under the influence of drugs. Please note there is also a no-smoking policy within the stadium. If broken, you could be ejected. Sales of goods inside and outside the stadium is prohibited unless via official registered sellers. The club badge is a registered trademark and unauthorised use of it will not be permitted. High-quality cameras are not permitted inside the stadium.

STUDY STUDY AT AT ASTUDIWCH YM SWANSEA MHRIFYSGOL SWANSEA UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY ABERTAWE WHERE BRIGHT FUTURES BEGIN

WHERE BRIGHT FUTURES BEGIN DISCOVER MORE DISCOVER

MORE >

DRWS I DDYFODOL DISGLAIR DYSGWCH FWY

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TEACHING EXCELLENCE & STUDENT OUTCOMES FRAMEWORK

FFRAMWAITH RHAGORIAETH TEACHING EXCELLENCE & &STUDENT DEILLIANNAU MYFYRWYR OUTCOMES FRAMEWORK

(The highest award for Teaching Excellence at UK universities)

(Y dyfarniad uchaf am Ragoriaeth Addysgu ym mhrifysgolion y DU)

(The highest award for Teaching Excellence at UK universities)

Chief Executive Julian Winter Board Of Directors Directors: Romie Chaudhari, Bobby Hernreich, Huw Jenkins, Jason Levien, Martin Morgan, Gareth Davies, Julian Winter, Jake Silverstein, Terry Sinnett, Sam Porter Honorary Club President: Alan Curtis; Associate Directors: David Morgan, Sian Davies Team Management Head Coach: Russell Martin Assistant Head Coach: Luke Williams Behind the Team Technical Development Coach: Matt Gill Goalkeeping Coach: Dean Thornton Head of Physical Performance: Matt Willmott Head of Medicine: Dr Jez McCluskey First-Team Performance Analyst: Ben Parker Sporting Director: Mark Allen Staff: Ritson Lloyd, Ailsa Jones, Matthew Murray, Adele Callaghan, Daniel Morris, Lee Watkins, Chris Watkins, Daniel Nisbet, Michael Eames, Shaun Baggridge, Huw Lake, Ashley Gill, Steffan Popham

Senior Management Group Andrew Davies (Head of Operations, Facilities & Development); Gareth Davies (CFO); Mark Allen (Sporting Director); Rebecca Edwards-Symmons (Head of Commercial) Club Staff Club Secretary: Ben Greenwood Assistant Football Secretary: Rebecca Gigg Head of Retail: Andrea Morris Head of Hospitality & Customer Services: Catherine Thomas Head of Safeguarding: Rebeca Storer HR Manager: Nicola Butt Senior Commercial Sponsorship Manager: Lee Merrells Head of Marketing: Katie Hughes Head of Media & Communications: Ben Donovan Media Manager: Chris Wilson-Barney Ticket Office Manager: Luke Hughes Operations & Events Manager: Matthew Daniel Facilities Manager: Gordon David Grounds Manager: Evan Davies Disability Access Officer: Catherine Thomas Swansea City AFC Foundation Manager: Helen Elton Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle

Programme Production Contributors: Ben Donovan, Chris Wilson-Barney, Andrew Gwilym, Sophie Davis, Adam Evans, Dom Hynes, Julie Kissick, Gwyn Rees, Alun Rhys Chivers Designers: Callum Rothwell, Jordan Morcom, Lewis Ward Photography: Athena Picture Agency, Natalie Davis, Alamy Swansea City AFC Swansea.com Stadium, Landore, Swansea, SA1 2FA CP-D Dinas Abertawe Stadiwm Swansea.com, Landore, Abertawe, SA1 2FA Telephone/Ffôn: 01792 616400 Web/Gwe: swanseacity.com Email/E-bost: info@swanseacity.com

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A MESSAGE FROM

JULIAN WINTER G

ood afternoon to all of our supporters wherever you may be watching our return to the Swansea.com Stadium for today’s FA Cup tie against Southampton.

I’d like to start my programme notes by wishing all our supporters a happy new year and hope that you and your loved ones are keeping safe and well.

Unfortunately, this evening’s game will be taking place behind closed doors due to the current restrictions around sporting events in Wales.

We will continue to lobby Welsh Government in the event we see parity with England in terms of the data, in the hope that we can get back to a sense of normality. It has been a strange and difficult period for everyone associated with the club as once again we find ourselves in a position of uncertainty.

Not only will we be playing without the backing of our fantastic supporters, but this is our first fixture of any kind since December 11 due to four consecutive league postponements as a result of rising cases of Covid-19.

After our away trips to QPR and Millwall were called off, we saw a rise in positive cases within our own squad and were unable to be in a position to fulfil our home games against Luton and Fulham.

Our medical team – led by club doctor Jez McCluskey – have been integral in ensuring our players have stayed safe and well, as well as tightening preventative measures and protocols at our Fairwood training base.

As everyone is aware, the January transfer window is now open and unfortunately we have lost Ethan Laird after he was recalled by Manchester United. Ethan had a terrific spell with us and everyone wishes him well in his future career.

Morgan Whittaker has joined Lincoln on loan for the rest of the season and hopefully he can get plenty of games under his belt, while we have recalled Kyle Joseph from Cheltenham and he will be part of Russell’s first-team squad for the remainder of the campaign.

Similar to many other businesses at the moment, we are attempting to navigate through an extremely challenging time without knowing exactly what the future holds.

We are also trying to remain positive and press forward, knowing that you will be back with us in the future.

In early December we launched season ticket renewals for the 2022-23 season and, as part of this we have also re-introduced the

early bird window. Season ticket holders who renew for next season before Monday, January 31, can take advantage of the discounted rate tickets. Our youngest supporters can renew from just £49 per ticket, working out at approximately £2.13 per game.

The club endeavours to do all we possibly can to help our supporters, whether that be helping with setting up streaming codes to watch our league games on SwansTV Live, or getting fans back into the Swansea. com Stadium as safely as possible, when restrictions allow us to do so.

We also rec ognise that our supporters are currently able to travel to fixtures in England and while we see that as great benefit in terms of your backing to Russell and the players, we do urge everyone to keep themselves safe and protect yourselves wherever you can.

Finally, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the management, players, staff and directors from Southampton who have made the trip to Wales for today’s game.

Enjoy the game, Julian

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A MESSAGE FROM

RUSSELL MARTIN G

ood evening everyone as we take in our first game in almost a month.

First of all, I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and new year.

It was certainly a different festive period than what we’re all used to in terms of football, but on the other hand it meant that we all had more time to spend with our loved ones.

While we usually look forward to a packed schedule over Christmas and new year, the postponements of our matches against QPR, Millwall, Luton and Fulham mean that we haven’t played since December 11.

It’s certainly unusual, but given the guidance around Covid-19 and the number of positive cases in our squad it left us with no alternative.

We’ve done all we can as a club to follow the guidelines. The club has been deemed gold standard by the EFL and the health officials who have to come in and check.

We had a number of players who had to have 10 days off with no training at all and not been able to leave their houses or apartments. So that will have taken a bit of fitness out of them with no training, which means this week has been really important to get some work in.

The FA Cup is always a special competition, and it’s revered around the world. This tournament has a lot of rich history, and playing against a Premier League outfit provides us with a great test. The Premier League is a level which we all want to reach, and tonight’s game against an established topflight outfit in Southampton will show us the standard we have to hit week in, week out.

While we play this game behind closed doors at the Swansea.com Stadium, which is a big shame, we know you will be supporting the lads and making a lot of noise from the safety of your homes.

Finally, with it being January, that means the transfer window is open.

We’ve recalled Kyle Joseph from his loan spell at Cheltenham Town, while Morgan Whittaker has joined Lincoln City on loan and Ethan Laird has been recalled by Manchester United.

I’m sure we will be involved in a lot of transfer speculation, but with the pond we are swimming in we cannot go and spend millions of pounds on players in the Championship or Premier League.

We are looking to identify someone like the next Flynn Downes.

You have to invest, where you can, in young players who feel Swansea is the right place for them, not for a pay packet , not just because it’s the Championship. They come here and are hungry and desperate to be here and improve.

They come here knowing they have a chance to be the best version of themselves and the more people like Flynn Downes and Joel Piroe we can get in the building, the better for everyone.

We are working relentlessly, we are clear in what we want and how we are doing things. That makes it easier, but when you want good players so do other people. We also don’t want to just do things for the sake of it, but we are looking at every scenario.

We will have to be a bit patient, Covid will impact things without doubt, but we are working very hard to get things done.

Enjoy the game, Russell

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A MESSAGE FROM

MATT GRIMES G

ood afternoon to you wherever you are watching or listening in for this evening’s Emirates FA Cup fixture against Southampton at the Swansea.com Stadium.

This evening’s cup tie will mark o u r f i r s t m at c h i n a m o n t h following the postponements of our matches against QPR, Millwall, Luton and Fulham.

It made for a different Christmas period to what we’re used to and, although we were able to spend more time with our families, we missed the busy Christmas schedule and the buzz of playing in front of the Jack Army.

It will of course be difficult playing behind closed doors once more and I’m frustrated for our supporters to not be able to be in the stadium.

Football is such an important part of life for so many people and positively affects the m e n t a l h e a l t h o f m a n y, s o we’re hoping that we won’ t face such a prolonged period without fans this time round.

T here’s nothing better than hearing the Jack Army behind us when we’re on the pitch and whilst we can still experience that in away games, nothing compares to hearing a full home crowd.

It’s been a tough time with a number of players having to isolate for 10 days and not being able to train at all, so this week has been imperative for getting as much fitness work in as possible.

T he FA C up is a brilliant competition that we always look forward to and this evening’s match is no different. It will be a good test against an established Premier League side and is an opportunity to progress in a prestigious competition.

Although you won’t be in the Swansea.com Stadium in person we know you’ll be watching from home and behind us every step of the way. We hope to get the win for you and hope to see you back in the stands as soon as possible.

T hank you for your suppor t as always and enjoy this evening’s game.

Matt

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A MESSAGE FR M

TERRY SINNETT O

n behalf of the Supporters Trust, a very happy and healthy new year to the Jack Army.

We hope that everyone has had as good a Christmas and new year festive period as has been possible, given the continuing issues caused by the pandemic. We must all hope that 2022 will eventually see us return to some sort of normality.

Due to Covid-19, it’s four weeks since we played our last game and it has been a difficult time for the club to maintain normal working routines. With so many players and staff affected, training has been very different and it will take some time to return to full fitness, both physically and mentally.

As we look forward, we know that there will be challenges ahead for our club. The January transfer window is upon us and the club have already indicated there will be changes in personnel. At the time of writing, we’ve seen Morgan Whittaker leave on loan, joining Lincoln City until the end of the season. We wish Morgan all the best and look forward to him rejoining us ready for next season.

No doubt we’ll see others move on, some permanently, others on loan. We’ll welcome new members

to our squad who we’ll hope will make telling contributions through to the season’s end.

There can be little doubt that Covid will also influence this transfer window.

The loss of income from postponed games cannot be underestimated.

As ever, a couple of interesting weeks are in store.

Football in general in 2022 faces many challenges. The long awaited ‘Fan-Led Review’ by Tracey Crouch MP was released in November and its details and key recommendations can be seen HERE Supporter groups from around 130 clubs, including ourselves, provided evidence for the report. The main recommendations have been accepted by government and should appear in the next Queen’s Speech, due in the spring. This would be a landmark for implementing change to our game and put the whole football pyramid on a footing that delivers long term sustainability. One to keep an eye on.

December saw us deliver our 20th anniversary pin badge and car window stickers to members and these have been well received.

We also had a special Christmas Prize draw, exclusive and FREE to your Supporters’ Trust members.

A brilliant selection of prizes have been sent out to adult and junior members, including a signed firstteam top, home and away shirts, hats and scarfs, table tennis bats signed

by Supporters Trust ambassador and double paralympic medalist Paul Karabardak and Swans books personally signed by Supporters Trust honorary president Alan Curtis MBE. The prizes are worth more than the cost of membership alone, making our prize draw another great reason to join the Trust, which you can do here Strength comes in numbers, so join us today! You can join by going to: www.swanstrust.co.uk/join-the-trust The third round of the FA Cup would normally generate a lot of excitement, especially this year given that we have a home draw against Premier League Southampton. Due to government regulations, the game will take place behind closed doors.

Let’s hope Russell Martin can field a team capable of winning through to the next round when hopefully crowds will be allowed to return, and we can avenge that significant Premier League game in 2018!

Enjoy the game #YJB

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OUR FORTRESS, YOUR HOME. Season Ticket Renewal 2022-23 Visit swanseacity.com

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Ein Caer. Eich Cartref. Our Fortress. Your Home.

S

wansea City is delighted to release our 2022-23 season ticket campaign a n d p r i c i n g s t r u c t u r e, wi t h renewals having started from December 13.

T he p ast two s e as ons have been like no other and we’ve all faced enormous challenges.

When football was forced to temporarily shut down in March 2020, no one knew what was in store.

The 2020-21 season was historic for games played behind closed doors - our match day experience moved from the stands to our homes.

But regardless of those difficult times, and the challenges ahead, there is one constant that has remained loyal throughout – the Jack Army.

With full capacity crowds returning this season, our s e a s o n t i c ket h o l d e r s h ave backed us vociferously both at the Swansea.com Stadium and on our travels.

Over the past four seasons, the club has reduced season ticket prices significantly and we are pleased to offer one of the cheapest season ticket pricing structures across the Championship.

As a club, we hope to continue to build with the momentum from this season and get as many of our supporters to back our boys at our home for the 2022-23 campaign.

The club can also confirm that it has been in regular dialogue with the Supporters’ Trust over the 2022-23 season ticket pricing and they welcome the positive pricing strategy on behalf of the fans.

For next season we have updated our pricing structure to align adult pricing across the stadium, whilst introducing a lower adult price for adults with children in our south stand.

There will be no price increase to under-18s situated in our family stand, however supporters will notice a minimal increase on pricing from the 2021-22 season.

Fans will also notice that adult pricing across all stands is now the s ame, excluding adult s in the south stand who have children linked to their season t i c ke t . T h i s t o p i c h a s b e e n raised on several occasions to the club as being a frustration of supporters, who want to sit in different stands and were being charged different rates for the privilege.

H o w e v e r, a s w e s h a r e d last se ason, one of the key objec tive s of the club is t o attract younger supporters into our club at a young age, hence why we are incentivising all children with a low entry price point and also incentivising adults with children in the south stand.

The early bird window for season ticket renewals will be re-introduced for this c amp aign, with 60% of our ticket holders historically renewing during this period.

Supporters who renew before Monday, 31 January 2022 can take advantage of discounted prices on their season tickets.

We are pleased to announce that all under-18 season tickets are less than £100, if renewed in the early bird window. “ We are proud as a club to have one of the lowest pricing structures in the Championship,” said Swansea City chief executive Julian Winter. “ Tickets start at just £49 for our youngest suppor ter s in our family stand, with the maximum price being £322 for an adult ticket across the whole s t a d i u m , i f r e n e we d i n t h e early bird window. “ We want to create the most atmospheric setting for our t e a m a n d t h e r e fo r e we a r e s ett i n g a t a r g et t o a c h i eve 15,000 season ticket holders for the 2022-23 season. “ We want to be as open and transparent with our supporters as possible and therefore we are releasing our season ticket pricing for both the early bird window and general sale at the same time.”

More information on how to renew your season ticket can be found HERE

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wansea City was proud to once again be a part of the Everyone Deserves a Christmas campaign, which looked to deliver hampers to struggling families in the local community.

The Swansea City AFC Foundation and the Ospreys teamed up with Carolyn Harris MP and Julie James MS, to help deliver the 2021 campaign.

Now in its fifth year, the annual campaign aims to provide festive cheer to those who require an extra helping hand at this time of year.

Once again, in addition to local politicians, the Foundation worked with several other partners including the South Wales Evening Post, Ospreys in the Community, Swansea Council and many local businesses.

A number of staff and volunteers – including Swansea City AFC Foundation head Helen Elton and club ambassador Lee Trundle - gave their time to help organise and deliver the hampers.

“We first got involved with this campaign a few years ago, and it aims to provide extra support at Christmas for those who need extra help and may be struggling for various reasons,” said Elton.

“It has grown every year and we are now distributing hundreds of hampers.

“It is vital because we know the need for this kind of support is growing year on year. People are really struggling out there.

“As a club we really see ourselves as part of this community, we have grown with this community; so it is important to give something back and support the people who support us.”

“The campaign is designed to help people in the city who might need a bit of help,” said Trundle.

“It can be hard enough at the best of times, but at Christmas if someone is there to help it just shows that bit of love and care.

“It is great for us to go out into the city and show people that we care.

“We have also had our co-owners make a generous donation to the campaign too, which is fantastic.”

You can contribute to the campaign’s JustGiving page HERE

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SOUTHAMPTON

SOUTHAMPTON OWNER

NICKNAME

FOUNDED

Sport Republic

The Saints

1885

STADIUM

OPENED

CAPACITY

St Mary's Stadium

2001

32,384

SOUTHAMPTON TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

@southamptonfc

@southamptonfc

/southamptonfc

SOUTHAMPTON THE GAFFER

The Austrian is currently in his third full season in charge of Southampton, having taken over from Mark Hughes in December 2018.

The 54-year-old guided the Saints to the semi-finals of the FA Cup last season, dispatching Shrewsbury, Arsenal, Wolves and Bournemouth before suffering defeat to eventual winners Leicester City at Wembley in the last four.

SOUTHAMPTON RALPH HASENHÜTTL

He is the only non-Britain to take charge of over 100 games for S outhampton; they have finished 16th, 11th and 15th under his stewardship.

SOUTHAMPTON CLUB CAPTAIN

The 27-year-old has been a part of the set up at Southampton since 2003, making his first team debut for the club in 2011.

SOUTHAMPTON The midfielder has made over 340 appearances for the Saints in all competitions, scoring 36 goals for the club including 11 goals from free kicks, and he is renowned as a dead-ball specialist.

He has also made nine appearances for England, scoring two goals in their 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

SOUTHAMPTON JAMES WARD-PROWSE

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ST MARY'S STADIUM MEET THE OPPOSITION

HOW’S THEIR FORM?

Formed in 1885, Southampton have spent the majority of their history in the top division of English Football, with their best league finish coming in the 1983-84 season as they finished second, just three points behind champions Liverpool.

Saints have won just four Premier League games this season, but they have proven difficult opponents to beat, losing just six league fixtures.

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Following relegation from the Premier League in the 2004-05 season, the Saints spent seven seasons outside of the top flight, including two years in League One, before gaining promotion back to the Premier League in 2011-12.

Southampton are currently playing their 10th season since their return, having secured Europa League football on two occasions, finishing as high as sixth in the Premier League in that time.

A l o n g w i t h B r i g h t o n t h ey h ave p r ove d t h e division’s draw specialists, sharing the spoils on nine occasions so far this term.

Southampton currently sit 14th in the table, 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

However, Southampton have found wins hard to come by on their travels, winning just three games in all competitions. One of those being an 8-0 Carabao Cup success at Newport

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TINO LIVRAMENTO POSITION

RB

NATION

AGE

SHIRT NO.

19 21

ONES TO WATCH

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D

efender Tino Livramento joined Southampton last summer from Chelsea, having not made a firstteam appearance for the Blues, and has hit the ground running with the Saints.

The 19-year-old made his Premier League debut for the S aint s in their opening game of the season as they were beaten 3-1 by Everton.

Livramento scored his first professional goal in October, powering a header home in the Saints 2-2 draw with Burnley.

He would also receive a nomination for Premier League Player of the Month in October, missing out to Mohamed Salah.

Livramento is currently part of the England Under-21s set up, having made three appearances for the Young Lions.

NATHAN REDMOND POSITION

LM

NATION

AGE

SHIRT NO.

27 11

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inger Nathan Redmond is currently playing his sixth season with the Saints, having made 216 appearances for the club.

Redmond has scored 28 goals so far for Southampton, with 2018-19 seeing him net a career best nine goals for the season.

The 27-year-old began his career with B i r m i n g h a m C i t y, m a k i n g 6 2 l e a g u e appearances and scoring seven goals for the Blues.

He would then join Norwich City for £2 million, playing alongside Swans boss Russell Martin. Redmond made 123 appearances in all competitions for the Canaries in his three years with the club.

ADAM ARMSTRONG POSITION

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NATION

AGE

SHIRT NO.

24 9

t riker Adam Armstrong joined Southampton last summer for £15 million from Blackburn Rovers.

Armstrong caught the attention of the Saints following two excellent seasons in the Championship at Ewood Park, scoring 16 and 28 goals respectively, finishing second top scorer in the league last term.

Armstrong began his career at Newcastle United, making 21 appearances for the club across five seasons. The forward had a number of loan spells whilst with the Magpies, spending time at Coventry City, Barnsley and Bolton Wanderers before earning a move to Blackburn.

After a quiet first season, scoring just five goals in 44 games, Armstrong became one of the most prolific strikers in the Championship, hitting 46 goals in 91 games. Armstrong has so far scored two goals and provided two assists this season, most notably scoring the only goal in the Saint 1-0 win over Aston Villa.

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NEW DATE FOR SWANSEA CITY'S TRIP TO QPR

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wansea City 's Championship fixture against Queens Park Rangers has b e e n r e s c h e d u l e d fo r Tu e s d a y, January 25 (7.45pm).

The game was originally due to take place at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on December 18, but was postponed after QPR informed

the EFL that they would be unable to fulfil the fixture due to a number of positive Covid-19 cases within their squad.

Ticket details will be announced for this fixture in due course.

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MORGAN WHITTAKER SEALS LINCOLN LOAN MOVE

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wansea City forward Morgan Whittaker has joined Lincoln City on loan for the remainder of the 2021-22 season, subject to international clearance.

The 20-year-old links up with Michael Appleton’s Imps, who currently sit 20th in League One at the turn of the year.

Whittaker joined the Swans from Derby County in January 2021, and has scored five goals in 22 appearances for the club.

His goals include a hat-trick against Plymouth in the Carabao Cup this season, a treble which made him the first Swansea player to take home the matchball since Scott Sinclair did the same in the 2011 Championship play-off final.

Everyone at Swansea City wishes Morgan every success during his time at the LNER Stadium.

ETHAN LAIRD RECALLED Manchester United have recalled Ethan Laird from his loan spell at Swansea City.

The 20-year-old joined the Swans on a seasonlong loan in August and made 21 appearances in total during his time at the Swansea.com Stadium, registering four assists. Following his recall, Laird has joined Bournemouth on loan.

Everyone at Swansea City would like to thank Ethan for his contribution during his brief time at the club, and wish him every success in his future career.

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I STILETTOS AND STUDS BY JULIE KISSICK

trust you all, Jacks and Saints alike, had a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year. I’m sure we all hope 2022 is an improvement on the previous two years.

Let’s hope this evening’s game serves up a belated dose of festive cheer, because heaven knows we could certainly do with some.

W ith the on-going unc er t ainty and disruption to football as we know it, I thought I would take this opportunity to celebrate some of the positives of the last year. (There definitely were some!)

And I’m going to focus on people rather than games, because in the current climate particularly, it’s important to recognise those who make a significant contribution.

So, as they say on Strictly, in no particular order, my first reason for cheer is Kyle Naughton. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen on Twitter, fans’ forums or heard on phone-ins the phrase ‘seriously u n d e r - r at e d ’ a n d ‘ u n s u n g h e r o’ i n relation to Naughton.

Well, not today. There is no doubt that he has played a significant role for Swansea City in the time he has been with us – which is seven years this month, signing from Tottenham Hotspur in January of 2015.

In that time, he’s played at full-back, wing-back, centre back and midfield and this season he has again proved what an essential part of the side he is and, as the game against Nottingham Forest demonstrated, how much he is missed when he doesn’t feature.

He’s the cool, under-stated type of player who is often over-looked, but he does a consistently good job, wherever he is asked to play.

And from one of the oldest serving members of the squad to one of the newest additions, Jamie Paterson. What a breath of fresh air he has been during his short time in SA1.

He’s one of those players who puts his personality on the pitch, showcasing not only what he can do but also what he feels and it is clear that he feels at home in a white shirt.

As does his mum, Wendy, who has also become a fans’ favourite, not least thanks to this tweet: “Watched my Jamie at many clubs and never have I seen such a brilliant hoard of fans just fantastic to be part of them all. Love the way that fans wait for players coming out at the end it’s great to see Swansea players taking the time to have pictures and sign autographs brill.”

And let’s hear it for the girls – each and every member of the Swansea City Ladies squad.

The four times Welsh Premier Women’s League champions are currently absolutely smashing it at the top of the Adran Premier League, including winning 6-0 in their last two games in league and cup competition.

There is a huge sense of pride and progress when it comes to the women’s game in Wales and we should be incredibly proud of ours because they are trail blazers and superb role models for those who will follow them.

And I couldn’t end this column without referencing the Former Players’ Association.

I’ve been very privileged to be part of the committee since the FPA began last August and I’ve got to interview some former players who are still immensely proud of their association with the club. Do check them out HERE

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ASTUDIA YM MHRIFYSGOL ABERTAWE DRWS I DDYFODOL DISGLAIR DYSGWCH FWY

FFRAMWAITH RHAGORIAETH & DEILLIANNAU MYFYRWYR PAGE 32

(Y dyfarniad uchaf am Ragoriaeth Addysgu ym mhrifysgolion y DU)

WELSH COLUMN BY ALUN RHYS CHIVERS, GOLWG

M

ae’n teimlo fel oes pys ers i ni weld pêl-droed yn Stadiwm Swansea. com, gyda’r gêm ddiwetha’n gorffen yn ddigon siomedig gyda cholled o 4-1, wrth i ni groesawu Steve Cooper yn ôl i’r ddinas gyda’i dîm Nottingham Forest.

Mae’r mis diwetha’ wedi bod yn un rhwystredig iawn yn sgil achosion o Covid-19, sydd wedi gweld y gemau yn erbyn QPR, Luton, Millwall a Fulham yn cael eu gohirio. Os oeddech chi, fel fi, yn edrych ymlaen at yr arlwy arferol o gemau dros gyfnod y Nadolig a’r Flwyddyn Newydd, yna mae’n siŵr i chi gael eich siomi.

Mae’n siŵr y byddai Russell Martin a’i garfan wedi dymuno cael amser ar y cae mewn gemau cystadleuol cyn gorfod herio tîm mor gryf â Southampton. Ond bydd yn rhaid iddyn nhw wneud y tro â’r amser prin gawson nhw i baratoi gyda charfan lawn wrth i gyfnodau o salwch a hunanynysu ddod i ben dros yr wythnos ddiwethaf.

Mae’r Elyrch wedi chwarae mewn un gêm baratoadol yn erbyn Southampton eisoes y tymor hwn, a hynny yn y cyfnod cyn penodi Russell Martin pan oedd Alan Tate wedi camu i’r bwlch yn dilyn ymadawiad Steve Cooper am Nottingham Forest. Colli o 3-1 wnaethon nhw bryd hynny, gyda Mohamed Salisu yn taro’i bêl i’w rwyd ei hun i roi’r Elyrch ar y blaen, cyn i Nathan Tella, Nathan Redmond a Stuart Armstrong gwblhau prynhawn siomedig i’r tîm cartref.

Ond y gêm heno yw’r gêm gystadleuol gyntaf rhwng y timau ers i Southampton ddod i Stadiwm Liberty i fynd â’r Elyrch gam yn nes at gwympo o’r Uwch Gynghrair yn niwedd tymor 2017-18. Roedd y ddau dîm yn y

gwaelodion, ac fe wnaeth buddugoliaeth yr ymwelwyr o 1-0 dros Abertawe, diolch i gôl Manolo Gabbiadini, selio tynged West Brom yn yr wythnos olaf ond un, gyda’r Elyrch yn gorfod curo Stoke ar ddiwrnod ola’r tymor i oroesi. Roedd Southampton bron iawn yn ddiogel, fodd bynnag. Er iddyn nhw golli yn erbyn Manchester City, byddai’n rhaid i’r Elyrch wyrdroi gwahaniaeth goliau o ddeg yn erbyn Stoke – a fyddai’n ormod o dasg i unrhyw dîm, heb sôn am un oedd wedi hen golli eu hysbryd.

Dydy Southampton heb golli gêm ers i Abertawe chwarae ddiwetha’. Collon nhw o 3-0 yn erbyn Arsenal ar ddiwrnod gêm ddiwetha’r Elyrch, ac maen nhw wedi cael gemau cyfartal yn erbyn Crystal Palace a Spurs, gyda’r fuddugoliaeth o 3-2 oddi cartref yn West Ham yn y canol.

Ac mae’r gêm hon yn arwyddocaol fel un sy’n dechrau pennod newydd yn hanes yr ymwelwyr, sydd â pherchennog newydd ers rhai diwrnodau. Mae Dragan Solak, sylfaenydd y cwmni teledu United Group sy’n enedigol o Serbia, wedi prynu 80% o gyfrannau’r clwb fel rhan o gytundeb £100m rhwng y clwb a Sport Republic, cwmni Llundeinig yn y diwydiant chwaraeon ac adloniant. Mae Katharina Liebherr yn cadw’r 20% arall yn dilyn ymadawiad Gao Jisheng o Tsieina. Yn ôl adroddiadau, y bwriad yw gweithredu ar sail model tebyg i Manchester City, gan ymestyn allan i brynu clybiau eraill ar draws y byd.

Mae’r seibiant sydd newydd fod am resymau tu hwnt i reolaeth y ddau glwb wedi rhoi blas iddyn nhw o seibiant y gaeaf a ddaw ar ddiwedd 2022. Er mai gêm gwpan yw hon, gallai canlyniad da heno sbarduno dechrau 2022 i’r naill dîm neu’r llall.

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ASK RYAN MANNING WHAT HIS SPECIALIST POSITION IS THESE DAYS, AND HE’LL SHRUG HIS SHOULDERS. HERE, HE DISCUSSES ADAPTING TO NEW ROLES, GOING VIRAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA WITH OVER 11 MILLION HITS, AND THE SQUAD’S VERSION OF MICHAEL MCINTYRE’S THE WHEEL. CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE....

Plenty to cover here, but let ’s st ar t with the change of position. I’m sure some people back home in Ireland will be surprised you are now an established centre-back!

They would, to be fair. When I started playing in Ireland I was a striker and also played as a winger and number 10, so I’ve moved down the team. I’ll be a goalkeeper before long at this rate!

How did you evolve from a striker to a defender?

When I broke into the QPR team I was playing in midfield, so I just kept in that position until Bidders came to Swansea and the left-back that they’d brought in – Lee Wallace – got injured in pre-season. So I was the only left footer that could slot in, and there was no back up. I did well in preseason and played 40 odd games at left-back despite never having played in that position before.

You must have done a lot of learning on the job, given the changes in mentality as a defender ?

I did, to be honest. My first thought as a midfielder was to attack – that was probably due to me being a striker earlier in my career. It was hard to learn how to defend a one v one, defensive positioning and being aware of the offside trap. But the more games I got, the more understanding I had.

We’ ve also seen you play as left wing-back under Russell Martin. Your versatility gives him plenty of options.

Yeah it’s always handy for the gaffer when players can feature

in different roles. I’m someone who can play centre midfield, left wing-back, left-back and now centre-back, so I can cover a few positions. I’ve had to evolve a little bit in each role, but I enjoy that.

Did all that help your transition to the left centreback position that we’ve seen you in this season?

It definitely did. I’m like a narrow fullback now, rather than a traditional centre-back. But having played left-back helped me adapt. I may have got caught out a bit in terms of positioning this season, but I’m learning on the job. With the way the gaffer wants us to play here, it doesn’t matter what position you would have played in your career, it wouldn’t be played the same way here. But it’s a great position for me.

If you asked me what position I think I am these days, I honestly couldn’t tell you, haha.

Let’s be fair, you don’t mind a tasty challenge either do you? So facing a big, bustling forward is not something that you try to avoid.

Haha, you’re spot on there – I love it! I think it’s from my days playing Gaelic Football. It was really tough, and somethings that we’d get a yellow card for in football here, well, no one would bat an eyelid in Gaelic Football.

And playing football in Ireland at a young age must have toughened you up too?

It really did. I was 16 and playing against tough men that were 10 years older than me. Doing that, you can’t help but get stronger physically and mentally, along with being able to deal with the tough knocks.

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Behind the scenes, you are known as the Swansea City punchbag – you’re one of the most fouled players in the league! Does that surprise you?

I was aware of that, to be fair. I don’t mind taking the knocks – whether it’s getting clattered because it’s a high ball, or if I’ve got ahead of my opponent and got to the ball first.

That leads us to a certain incident at Luton earlier in the season. You were at the centre of a foul that has gained over 11 million views on social media.

Haha, I thought you’d bring that up. The good thing from it was that somehow I wasn’t injured from it. Henri Lansbury absolutely clattered me, but luckily I was still in one piece. But, like I said, I don’t mind all that. I’ve watched it back a few times since then, so I probably lend a few hits to the social media views!

Talking about hits, you bagged your first Swansea City goal recently – a cultured right-footed finish in the top corner. Not bad for a left-footed player!

I’m not too sure about cultured finish – it was more swing the boot and hope! Haha. It was great to finally get my first goal for the club, even though it came in a game we went on to lose. No matter what position you play, you just want to get that first goal and mine came at the 39th time of asking. I didn’t think it would come via my right foot though. I obviously work on that in training, and in game it will either go in the top corner or the top corner of the stand – fortunately on this occasion it found the right place.

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Aside from the goal, you’ve really contributed in setting them up.

You’re among our leading lights in terms of assists. Despite playing as a defender on most occasions, you’re still playing a part in the other end of the pitch.

Yeah, and that’s come through the gaffer ’s style. Defenders don’t just defend, and attackers just attack. We’re all looking to contribute at all ends of the pitch when possible. I’ve managed to chip in with a few assists recently, and I want to keep improving on that. I know if I can get the ball into a certain position then we have players who will finish it.

You’re not the only Manning to have chipped in with goals and assists recently, are you?

My younger brother Ronan is back playing for Galway United the club I used to play for – last season. He got injured late on so that disrupted his season, which is unfortunate as the boys got to the play-off final. He got something like 10 goals and nine assists the previous season (for Athlone Town) - if he’s got more goals or assists he’ll let me know.

Nine times out of 10 he’ll beat me, but he plays as a 10 so he should be getting more!

Back to life in Swansea, you’ve been here almost a year. How’s it going?

It’s very different to what it was like in London, but it’s very similar to where I grew up in Ireland.

Once I got here I realised what a lovely place it is. I enjoy the city and the beaches. There are loads of places to walk my dog.

My partner (Charli) and I take our Cavapoo down Caswell a lot. I

love it there. I go down Three Cliffs a lot too, and when it’s a little wet I go down Mumbles and the seafront. We’re lucky to have so many nice places to go here.

You’ve settled into life in the city very well, and safe to say you’re a popular member of the squad. You’re a bit of a joker in the camp too.

The boys would probably say I’m more of an idiot that says silly stuff a lot and does childish stuff. Haha. There are a few boys in the squad that are similar to me. We enjoy The Wheel too.

I t a ke i t yo u ’ r e n o t t a l k i n g about Michael McIntyre’s TV show on Saturday nights?

Haha, not quit e. We have a wheel in the changing rooms at Fairwood that settles fines.

It’s only for little things like leaving your training top outside, or leaving something in the gym. Then you spin the wheel. T here’s x5, +50, the whole changing room pays a fine. It’s really good fun if you’re not on the rec eiving end. I’m usually the guy laughing in someone’s fac e when they ’re spinning the wheel, and more often or not they get to nominate a teammate to pay their fine. Guess who they pick? Sometimes you can double nominate, which means they can pick someone t o p ay their fine – which is doubled. I’m always picked, by Pato most often. A few players are terrible for paying fines though.

Do tell….

I won’t go in hard on anyone, but Ben Hamer is tighter than cramp!

Bet he’s not the only one! In all seriousness, it all helps with building relationships and creating a genuinely good feel within the squad.

It really does. We have a really good group of lads here, and we really enjoy being around each other. It filters through the whole building in Fairwood.

If you can come into work with a s m i l e o n y o u r f a c e, t h e n that’s a good sign. The people in the kitchen and offices here are Swansea City supporters, and want the club to do well, and that close bond helps because we all want the same thing here.

Now Christmas Day has passed by, what are you hoping for in the second half of the season?

I think it’s important that we keep working on the instructions the gaffer gives us, and the way he wants us to play. Comparing now to the opening game at Blackburn, I t h i n k we’ ve p r o g r e s s e d a heck of a lot since then. It’s a d i ff e r e n t w a y o f p l a y i n g , and I absolutely love it. To be in control of possession and dictate the flow of a game is something I love to be a part of. Of course, we’d love to be up there come the end of the season, but there’s no point thinking about that because there’s a heck of a lot of work to do and games to play before then. The signs have been promising so far, though, and I know the supporters are really enjoying watching us play.

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I

n the latest chapter of our series of features rec alling Swans e a C ity ’s hist oric 198081 season, we look at how some ruthless selection calls from John Toshack got the Swans back on track.

T he player-manager had never been shy of showcasing his ruthless side when required and, sensing change was needed, he decided to shuffle his pack.

Leighton Phillips, a stalwart of the rise through the divisions, was replaced by teenager Dudley Lewis in the defence.

Wyndham Evans, having had to bide his time for much of the season, was brought back into the side, as was Tommy Craig as Toshack brought the former Aston Villa man back into his midfield.

Ante Rajkovic had followed compatriot Dzemal Hadziabdic to the Vetch by this point, but a thigh injury would ensure the Yugoslav’s involvement was quickly curtailed.

“The thing with Dudley was nothing fazed him,” says Curtis of the then 18-year-old Lewis.

“I am sure he did get nervous, but he never seemed to show it. He was so quick, and he could deal with any ball in behind. There were no frills, he would deal with the situation.

“We had Speedy and Wyndham with him and they complemented each other. They were fantastic.

“But that was Tosh, he was not scared of tough decisions. Leighton Phillips had been such an important player. When you think of the Preston game he left John Mahoney – his cousin – out of the side and David Giles was on the bench.”

Evans, meanwhile, was nearing 10 years of service with the Swans, and his battle for a place had done nothing to dim his passion for the club.

“All I wanted was that opportunity and I worked hard for it, I never once thought of leaving the Swans,” he says.

“I just decided I would work as hard as I could, there was only one sub so you didn’t even get to be on the bench.

PAGE 40

“I had been disappointed because I knew we were near to something special, but if there was a race in training I would make sure I won it or was in the first few.

“I just worked really hard until I got back in the team.

“I thought he might change the team back when we started winning again, but he stuck with us.”

The impact was not immediate; handsome wins over Bolton and Wrexham – with Leighton James netting a treble in the former and David Giles on the scoresheet against his old club in the latter – were followed by a goalless draw with Bristol City and a loss to Grimsby Town.

But the tide was turning, and that away loss to the Mariners would be the only reverse in Swansea’s final dozen games.

Jeremy Charles netted the only goal at Derby, with Leighton James and Nigel Stevenson scoring in a vital

win over rivals Blackburn – then under the guidance of future Everton boss Howard Kendall - who advised Toshack to wrap James in cotton wool over the final weeks after tearing Rovers to pieces at the Vetch.

“I scored a few goals that season but I don’t remember those games at all, the only goal I do remember was against Blackburn because I have a photo of it,” says Stevenson.

“They were also promotion rivals and we played them down at the Vetch. We had a corner on the right-hand side, Tommy Craig knocked the ball in, and it took a deflection. It bounced into space and nobody reacted except myself and I did a scissor-kick. The photograph is spectacular.

“Talking to Len Pitson who took the photograph, he said if I was playing for the likes of Arsenal or an English club, that would probably have been photograph of the season, but because we were out here on a limb in

Swansea, it was brushed aside. It was just a reaction attempt really.

“To score at any level is fantastic and being a centre-half you don’t get many opportunities other than going up for free-kicks and corners, and it’s mainly headers then.

“Any goal is priceless and luckily I scored that one against Blackburn that was really, really important at the time. I still get reminded of it from time to time.”

Draws with Orient and Cardiff followed to leave the Swans sixth in the table with just four games remaining.

But Toshack’s men were far from done, Robbie James and Curtis inspired victory over Bristol Rovers before struggling Chelsea were dispatched 3-0 at the Vetch.

The dramatic denouement lay ahead.

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WE COULD PLAY A DIFFERENT WAY TO GET RESULTS, BUT THAT WILL NOT CREATE FIRST-TEAM PLAYERS

H

aving become immersed in the importance of results during his playing career, Kristian O’Leary now has a very different focus as a coach.

O' L e a r y h a s b e e n a s u p e r b s e r v a n t o f S w a n s e a C i t y, making 334 appearances over a 15-year stint that took in everything from the battle for Football L eague survival, to promotions, play-off finals and FAW Premier Cup success.

Returning to the club as a coach in 2012, he would be part of Garry Monk's staff as the Swans secured a best Premier L eague finish - and second highest league history in Swansea history - of eighth during the 2014-15 season.

Guiding Swansea City Under23s this season, having rejoined the club early in 2021, O’L eary has progress rather than points at the forefront of his mind.

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“Football is a results business at the senior end, and everyone likes winning. But, ultimately, you have to take a step back from that at this level and understand what our role is within the club – that’s to develop players,” says O’Leary.

It is a squad that had a major overhaul in the summer with a string of new faces – many as young as 16 – given a chance of developing with the under-23s.

“That’s what the club has done for many years. We’ve always had a core of players within the first-team squad that have come through the system. It’s our job to continue that.”

O’Leary’s remit is, as he points out, not to add silverware to the academy’s trophy cabinet, but to nurture players and prepare them for a potential promotion into Russell Martin’s first-team squad.

While results have been hard to come by this season – there have been three wins and two draws from 12 Professional Development League South fixtures - O’Leary is pleased with the progress his squad is making.

It has not been straightforward, which O’Leary expects given the p ar tic ularly young, raw talent he has at his disposal.

B ut that is a challenge that whets his appetite.

For he was a player that enjoyed a long career at “his club”, as he c alls it , having quickly progressed from a talent on schoolboy forms to a member of the first team.

So, he is more familiar to what his current players are going through than most.

While he believes results have not quite rewarded his players’ performances so far this season, the signs are encouraging.

“At the start of the season we had pretty much a brand new team. It took time for them to settle in, but I can’t question their attitude and application.

Even when things haven’t gone our way, those principles were always strong and that w i l l s t a n d t h e s e p l a ye r s i n good ste ad for the fut ure,” O’Leary points out. “ We’ ve predominantly been 4-3-3 here – with variations of that system – but when Russell c ame in, he invited me into a first-team meeting and he showed us how he did things

at MK D ons and that ’s how we’d do things here. I went in as a coach and came out excited as a fan! “ The under-23s can’t play a different way to the firstteam, because the transition would be difficult.

“So there were challenges there and I think the players have adapted very well. In general, the performances - barring one or two games - have been very good. We’ve been punished by individual errors and collective mistakes. We’ve got to do our utmost to ensure a mistake isn’ t followed by a mistake, but unfortunately these things happen at this level.

“Generally, we are happy with the way things are going.

Speaking to people from other clubs and associations who watch us play, they are excited by what they see. “ We have a clear philosophy here, and the age groups must follow the first team. It simply wouldn’t work otherwise.

“We can win a game by sitting back, soaking up the pressure and hitting teams on the counter and the results would l o o k b e t t e r. B u t t h a t ’ s n o t going to help our players get into our first team. There’s no point playing that way.

“We have to expose them to the challenges and demands that will help them progress into the first team. I am in constant dialogue with Russell. We are on the same page.

“The players will learn a heck of a lot from being exposed to these things. It’s not comfortable at times, but it will serve them well.

“We are enjoying 70 per cent of possession in games, more shots on target, but have lost games.

Individual errors have cost us, while we need to be better in both boxes. Our job is to improve that. “ You don’t tend to see those kind of numbers at this level, though, so it’s helping our players in terms of the way the first-team play.

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“ W e’ v e g o t a y o u n g g r o u p playing at under-23 level. We have lads who are 16, 17, 18 and 19 playing, while our oldest is 20. So there is a lot of potential and learning on offer here.”

L earning is very much a big part of the under-23s’ agenda – both on and off the pitch.

O’Leary is a coach that likes to think outside of the box, and counts on his experience both as a player and now as a coach to help his squad improve.

“We do a lot of work individually and collectively with the players,” O’Leary adds. “We put the onus back on the players to give us some feedback. “ We’ll show them game and training situations from the first team and ask them to show us five good and bad actions.

We’ll discuss that and it’s great from a coaching perspective because you get their thought proc e ss . For them, it give s them something different other than the technical ability they have got.

“I strongly believe that we have a group of players who can be successful, but it takes time.

I said last year when I came back to the club that we have to build it back up. From 2012, when the under-21s originally started at the club, it took a few years to get those lads through – players like Connor Roberts, Josh Sheehan, Liam Shephard went on to have good careers.

“But time is key at this level. Nothing is solved ove r n i g h t , t h e r e i s a l o t o f hard work ahead.”

Part of that hard work has been aligning the under-23s with the philosophy put in place by Martin following his appointment as first-team head coach last summer.

And, he feels, there are clear signs that his young players are making the right steps.

around the first team. We’ ve s e e n t h at a l re a d y. S o m e of our lads are called up to train with the first team.

“Russell has been absolutely fantastic for us. He reminds me of a number of managers we’ ve had at this club who have been very successful.

“He’s at every game he c an attend, and he ask s me for clips of players all the time.

He takes time out of his day to watch our games back, and h e’ s ve r y s u p p o r t i ve of t h e ideas we have.

“That gives him an idea of how a particular player could fit into the first team. “ T here is a pathway at this club for our players, and that is absolutely massive.”

“ We are not here to win leagues. If we won the league then it would be fantastic and it would mean we would have an exceptional team – but how many teams win a league and get all 11 players into the first team? It ’s unrealistic,” O’Leary continues.

“Our goal is to get as many players as possible in and

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JACK THE LAD

T

he start of a new year is traditionally a time for looking ahead and making predictions of what’s to come.

This should allow fans to look forward to the events of the New Year with a certain amount of optimism.

The problem with predictions i s t h at t h ey a r e d i ff i c u l t t o make at the best of times, but after the two years we have experienced it's a more perilous pastime than ever before.

With the postponements of games over Christmas, with the latest being the league game with Fulham scheduled for last Monday, it means we start the new year w i t h a n FA C u p t i e a g a i n s t Premier League opposition.

So, I'm not going to get drawn int o making definit e statements of what I think may, or may not happen, as far as the Swans are concerned.

But I would like to look forward w i t h h o p e a n d o pt i m i s m at what may be in store for the club over the next 12 months.

Although, results hadn’t gone the club's way in the run up to the festive season, I think fans have seen enough from the team so far this season to be excited about what the fut ure c ould bring if things click into place.

Despite the lack of a preseason and the limited preparation time enjoyed

by Russell Martin and the squad he inherited, there have been flashes of the type of fut ure Swans fans would hope to enjoy.

There have been times during the fir st half of the s e as on that the team has once again rediscovered the Swansea Way with some thrilling football.

An FA Cup tie against Southampton is enticing for me in particular.

The Saints’ shock 1-0 win over Manchester United at Wembley in the 1976 is the first FA Cup final I can remember sitting down and watching from start to finish.

The second division side’s giant-killing win launched my fascination with the competition.

Many may argue the cup has lost some of its magic since those halcyon days of the seventies, but I for one will be looking forward to this match with excitement.

Whatever your thoughts o n t h e FA C u p, i t w i l l a l s o be interesting to see how the Swans fare against Premier League opposition.

Beyond that fixture, much will depend on what happens during the January transfer window.

Once again, whatever your opinions on the rights and wrongs of the British transfer

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system, the January window will keep us all glued to our mobile phones for the latest snippets of gossip and news for a whole month.

W hile we will all be hoping for exciting additions to Russell Martin’s squad, there will also be the dread of significant exits, which won’t be so welcome.

The success or otherwise of the remainder of the season could balance on what transactions take place this month.

We’ve seen enough promise in Martin’s style of management to suggest that with a bit of strengthening, this squad could go on to do great things under our impressive young manager.

One of their achievements could be writing their names into the club’s history books by becoming the first Swansea side to do the league double over C ardiff, having already completed phase one of the job with that never to be forgotten 3-0 win earlier in the season.

While the outcome of the Swans’ dome stic c amp aign may hinge on as yet unknown variables, we will know a lot more about what we may all be doing towards the end of next year after March’s international fixtures.

will already know whether their nation will be kicking off at the World Cup in Qatar in November.

B ut for the vast majority of those of us who also follow international football, all eyes will be on the play -off matches in March.

Whether you support Wales, Scotland, Austria, U k ra i n e o r a n y of t h e ot h e r t e ams involve d in the play offs, it’s going to be a hugely exciting few days a s R o b e r t P a g e' s s i d e h o s t Austria and then hopefully welcome the winner of the Scotland v Ukraine clash in a winner-takes-all final.

Could Wales finally end the agonising wait since 1958 for a place in a World Cup finals?

W ith the tournament t aking place in November and D ec ember for the fir st time ever and all the unc er t ainty surrounding the pandemic, o n e w a y o r a n o t h e r, i t ’ s likely to be a footballing year like no other.

L et ’s all hope we are all able t o s afe l y wat c h a s m u c h of the ac tion as we want to in person and it ’s a better year for everyone than the past two have been.

C'mon you Swans!

I’m aware that now more than ever the Swans’ fan base is drawn from all around the wo r l d t h e s e d a y s , s o s o m e

PAGE 47

2021 IN NUMBERS With 2021 drawn to a close, we reflect on the last 12 months by looking back at some of the key facts and figures from an eventful calendar year.

The 3-0 South Wales derby win means Swansea City have won four of their last six meetings with Cardiff, drawing one. During that time the Swans have conceded just one goal to their rivals, while scoring nine of their own.

Swansea were awarded six penalties i n a l l c o m p e t i t i o n s l a s t y e a r, successfully converting all six (Andre Ayew 4, Jamal Lowe 1, Matt Grimes 1 ) . H o w e v e r, n o n e o f t h o s e h a v e come during the 2021-22 season, and the Swans are one of just two Championship sides not be awarded a spot-kick this term.

Joel Piroe ended the year as Swansea's top scorer with 12 goals from his 22 appearanc es. Andre Ayew (9) and Jamie Paterson (8) were next up.

PAGE 48

4 5

Swansea City had the fifth-best record of any Championship team during 2021, racking up 67 p o i nt s f r o m a p o s s i b l e 1 3 8 . O n l y Bournemouth, QPR, Blackburn and Nottingham Forest were better off over the calendar year.

10

Morgan Whittaker became the first Swansea player to score a hatt r i c k i n 1 0 ye a r s w h e n h e n ett e d a treble against Plymouth in the C arabao C up. S c ott S inclair 's trio of goals in the 2011 play-off final had been the last one.

6 12

In total, 19 players scored for the Swans across all competitions in 2021. T hey were: J amal L owe, Wayne Routledge, Viktor Gyokeres, Ben Cabango, Liam Cullen, Matt G r i m e s , O l l i e C o o p e r, C o n o r Hourihane, Jay Fulton, Andre Ayew, Morgan Whittaker, Connor R ober t s , J amie P ater son, Joel Latibeaudiere, Joel Piroe, Olivier Ntcham, Jake Bidwell, Michael Obafemi and Ryan Manning.

The Swans played 55 games in all competitions, winning 24, drawing 11 and losing 20.

Swa n s e a C i t y s c o r e d 7 4 g o a l s i n a l l c o m p et i t i o n s a c r o s s t h e last 12 months.

T he 811 p ass e s Swans e a C ity completed in victory at Barnsley was the most by any side in the top four tiers of English football this season.

It was the highest figure in the Championship for two years.

19 55

42

Forty-two players pulled on a Swansea shirt in the Championship, play-offs, FA Cup or Carabao Cup in 2021.

66.3

Swansea's figure of a 66.3 per cent average share of possession is the best in the Championship as the new year starts.

84

There were 84 bookings and two red cards dished out to Swans players during 2021, with Kyle Naughton and Jay Fulton those to see red, both in games against Brentford.

74 811

FORMER PLAYERS’ ASSOCIATION PAGE 50

F

ive months on from the official launch of the Swansea City Former Players’ Association in August, we’re celebrating the wins and reminding ALL ex-Swans to come and join us in 2022. A warm welcome awa i t s , j u s t f i l l i n T H I S fo r m a n d we’ll be in touch.

There is no doubt that the pandemic has disrupted our plans for social event s, but given the restric tions we’ve all faced, we’re proud to have launched the FPA and helped to bring some former players back to the club.

And we know 2022 is going to see even more reunions.

The FPA section of the club website has interviews with former players including Cliff Jones, Mike Hughes, M a r k B a k e r, N a t a l i e A s h f o r d , O w a i n Tu d u r J o n e s , A n t h o n y James, Lauren Smith as well as the players’ representatives on the FPA committee, Lee Trundle, Leon Britton and Alan Curtis and Esme Allchurch, widow of the great Ivor A llchurch and former Evening P ost Swansea City reporter John Burgum. You can access them all HERE

August Official launch of the FPA Swansea City Chief Executive, J u l i a n W i n t e r s a i d : “ T h e F PA i s about communicating with and acknowledging anyone who has played for Swansea City.

“I think that feeling of being welcomed back to your football club is a really key thing.

“Footballers are generally quite proud people and won’t push themselves into that sort of communication but if they’re asked that is a completely different equation.

“So, this is about creating a vehicle that can go out and communicate with our former players, embrace them back into the football club and for them to feel continuously part of something and then to be there to help each other.

“We all get into difficult circumstances throughout our lives whether you are of the older generation or younger generation.

“It has got off to a really good start in terms of numbers. Alan Curtis, Leon Britton and Lee Trundle are the key figures in the FPA, and we look forward to welcoming more former players into the association in 2022.

September A fundraiser for Alzheimer ’s Society Cymru was announced.

November Social event: coffee morning at the Swansea.com Stadium

It was confirmed that Swansea City is the only club to include former players from its men and women’s teams in its FPA, a move praised by Swansea City L adies first signing, Natalie Ashford. She said: “I think it’s really good that Swansea are the only club to do that. It is a fo r wa r d s t e p i n t h e r i g h t direction for Swansea City and the women’s game,” she said.

FPA chair, Lee Trundle explained what the FPA wanted to achieve: “We wanted to get people together to explain what we want to do as an FPA and how we are going to try to help them,” he said.

“If we can help them in any way, we will do that because they've been massive for this football club and we want to give back as much as we can.”

The first major fundraiser f o r t h e F PA , Q u e s t i o n o f Sport dinner featuring teams c a p t a i n e d b y L e e Tr u n d l e and Russell Martin, had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.

October F PA c o m m i tt e e a n d g u e s t s took part in a memory walk in aid of Alzheimer’s Society Cymru.

FPA bi-monthly newsletter was launched.

“It can be very hard for some people, so we want to be there for a shoulder for people to lean on.

December T he sec ond FPA newsletter went out to members

“Considering that the women’s game has grown so much over the years and certainly compared to when I was playing, this is a brilliant step for the club to take and hopefully it will be one that others will follow.”

The event raised £1,290 for the charity.

“You know, one minute you're in the team, you’re in front of the fans and then the next minute you’re just left to your own devices in your everyday life.

“It was nice to see players from all different eras here as well. We want to draw and pull all the explayers back together and show them that they’re appreciated, not only on a match day with tickets and things but we can help them in their normal everyday life as well.

“One of the reasons why we started the FPA was to for the players to have a contact if they needed any help in any way.

Members of the FPA committee, former players and members of the Disabled Supporters Association shared t h e i r f e s t i v e a n d N e w Ye a r memories. These included E sme A llchurch on life as a footballer’s wife in the 1950s and Mike Hughes on the game that changed his life.

We want to take this opportunity to wish all former Swans a very happy and healthy 2022 and to remind you, if you haven’t done so, to join the FPA bec ause there’s a place waiting for you.

And to all Jacks everywhere, happy New Year.

“You know, we speak so much about mental health these days as well and I think when you've finished playing football you can feel as though you’re forgotten about a little bit.

PAGE 51

Swansea City 2 Manchester City 3 Quarter-final - March 16, 2019

Swansea City produced a performance of tremendous character, and no little quality, but were denied just a third FA Cup semifinal appearance in heartbreaking fashion

by Manchester City.

The Swans had stunned the Premier League champions by sweeping into a 2-0 lead inside half an hour to put themselves on course for a first appearance in the last four of the famous knockout competition since 1964.

Matt Grimes converted from the spot for the first, before Bersant Celina finished a flowing Swansea attack against his old club.

T he sc ore stayed that way until the 69th minute when Bernardo Silva pulled a goal

PAGE 52

back with a fine volley, before a controversial penalty allowed City to level.

Cameron Carter-Vickers was harshly ruled to have fouled Raheem Sterling, and Sergio Aguero’s penalty found the net off the back of Kristoffer Nordfeldt.

That left the tie heading for extra-time but, with two minutes remaining, Aguero - who looked to be offside - expertly headed Bernardo Silva’s cross into the net.

It was harsh on the Swans, who had shown moments of genuine quality against their much-vaunted in-form opponents, but there was no trip to Wembley for Graham Potter and his side.

Liverpool 1 Swansea Town 2 Quarter-final - February 29, 1964 Arguably Swansea's finest FA Cup moment came on their march to the semi-finals in 1964.

The Swans had seen off Barrow, Sheffield United and Stoke City to set-up this last-eight clash in front of over 52,000 fans at Anfield.

The Reds were on their way to the First Division title, while Swansea were battling to avoid relegation from the second tier and few gave them any hope of an upset.

But they led 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Jimmy McLaughlin and Eddie Thomas.

A backs-to-the-wall effort followed with goalkeeper Noel Dwyer turning in a famous performance between the sticks.

Liverpool pulled one back and looked set to level when they were awarded a penalty in the closing stages, only for Ronnie Moran to fail to find the target.

The Swans went on to lose to Preston in the last four at Villa Park.

Swansea City 0 Liverpool 0 Third round - January 6, 1990 Swansea faced the FA Cup holders in the third round at The Vetch and stunned their illustrious visitors by grinding out a goalless draw.

Kenny Dalglish's men were rapidly closing in on another league title, but they could not find a way past the stern resistance of a brave Swansea rearguard effort.

However, the Swans would not be able to manage a repeat in the replay at Anfield as they suffered an 8-0 defeat.

Manchester United 1 Swansea City 2 Third round - January 5, 2014 The Swans were searching for their first ever victory at Old Trafford heading into this showdown with United, who had only failed to progress beyond the third round of the FA Cup once in the previous 30 years.

Michael Laudrup’s men drew first blood in the 12th minute when Alejandro Pozuelo released Wayne Routledge in behind the defence, and he calmly looped the ball over the advancing Anders Lindegaard.

However, the lead lasted for just four minutes as United responded with Javier Hernandez finding space in the six-yard box to guide Alexander Buttner’s deep cross beyond Gerhard Tremmel.

But there was a key moment with 10 minutes remaining when substitute Fabio was sent off for a reckless challenge on Jose Canas.

And the Swans made the numerical advantage count in the dying moments when Routledge broke clear down the left before his cross found Wilfried Bony, who planted a brilliant header past Lindegaard to seal the most dramatic victory and send the travelling Jacks into ecstasy.

Swansea City 1 West Ham 0 Third-round - January 13, 1999 Swansea City had been within minutes of knocking the Premier League Hammers out in the original tie at Upton Park, only for a deflected Julian Dicks' strike to set-up a replay back in South Wales.

On a memorable night at The Vetch, Martin Thomas got the only goal of the game just before the half-hour mark and John Hollins' side then clung on grimly under severe pressure - with Roger Freestone excellent between the sticks - to help the Swans become the first Division Three team to knock a Premier League side out of the FA Cup.

PAGE 53

Become an extraordinary leader ionleadership.co.uk

Portsmouth 0 Swansea City 2 Fourth round - January 24 2009 Goals from Nathan Dyer and Jason Scotland saw Swansea City dump holders Portsmouth out of the FA Cup at Fratton Park.

The visitors took the lead in the 26th minute, with a fine lofted pass from Scotland sending Dyer in on goal to slot beyond David James.

Pompey had won the trophy by defeating Cardiff the previous May, and were a Premier League fixture at the time.

And the advantage doubled on the stroke of half-time as Scotland netted from the spot after Nadir Belhadj had fouled Jordi Gomez in the box.

The Swans, meanwhile, were back in the second tier after Roberto Martinez had led them to the League One title the previous season.

Nwankwo Kanu, Peter Crouch and Armand Traore threatened after the break, but were denied by a combination of keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos and great defensive covering as the Swans advanced.

They had looked assured in the Championship and their confidence was reflected in a fine display on the south coast.

Swansea City 2 Preston 1 Fourth round - January 24, 2004 On another wonderful afternoon at The Vetch, late goals from Andy Robinson and Lee Trundle saw Swansea City dump second-tier Preston out in the fourth round.

The Swans had started superbly but failed to take early chances, and they looked to be heading out of the competition when Dickson Etuhu put North End a goal to the good.

But Robinson curled home a brilliant free-kick with 10 minutes remaining before Trundle read a knock-down superbly to arrive in the area and volley home what proved to be the winner.

Sheffield United 0 Swansea City 3 Third round - January 6, 2007 Kenny Jackett's side had been without nine players through injury and suspension when they travelled to face Neil Warnock's Premier League Blades at Bramall Lane.

But it proved no obstacle for the League One Swans as three goals in 14 second-half minutes sent them into round four in fine fashion.

Tom Butler was the hero on the day, the Irishman netting the first two goals before winning the penalty that allowed Leon Britton to score the third on a day when the visitors' display received a warm reception from the home fans.

PAGE 55

JUNIOR CYRIL'S HALF-TIME QUIZ QUESTION ONE

QUESTION TWO

QUESTION THREE

Which winger did the Swans sign permanently from Southampton in July 2009 following a loan spell?

During his initial loan spell with the Swans, he scored his first goal in a win over the FA Cup holders at the time. Who were they?

The Swans snapped up another Saints player in January 2015.

Who was he?

Tip: He has recently retired.

Tip: They are Southampton’s main rivals.

Tip: He is a midfielder that’s currently at Burnley.

QUESTION FOUR

QUESTION FIVE

QUESTION SIX

Who knocked the Swans out of the FA Cup last season?

What is the furthest stage the Swans have reached in the FA Cup?

What is the best Southampton have achieved in the FA Cup?

Tip: They are known as the Citizens.

Tip: They achieved it twice in 1925-26 and 1963-64.

Tip: They hit the headlines with a shock win over Manchester United.

CYRIL AND CYBIL'S PREDICTION SWANS 2 SOUTHAMPTON 1

PAGE 56

PAGE 57 Cyril’s Half-Time Quiz Answers Question One - Nathan Dyer Question Two - Portsmouth Question Three - Jack Cork

Question Four - Manchester City Question Five - Semi-finals Question Six - Winners in 1975-76 The Players boots are: (From left to right) Ben Hamer, Ryan Manning, Jamie Paterson

CAN YOU HELP CYBIL FIND WHOSE BOOTS THESE BELONG TO?

R JACKS

PLAYER SPONSORS 2021~2022 STEVEN BENDA

BEN HAMER

LEWIS WEBB

KYLE NAUGHTON

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RHYS WILLIAMS

BEN CABANGO

RYAN BENNETT

JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE

LIAM CULLEN

TIVONGE RUSHESHA

LINCOLN McFAYDEN

BRANDON COOPER

RYAN MANNING

FLYNN DOWNES

KOREY SMITH

MATT GRIMES

JAY FULTON

YAN DHANDA

DANIEL WILLIAMS

LIAM WALSH

MICAHEL OBAFEMI

JOEL PIROE

TRAVEL

HOUSE .CO.UK

BEN LLOYD

CALL 01792 616 624 OR PAGE 58

OLIVIER NTCHAM

JAMIE PATERSON

EMAIL L.MERRELLS@SWANSEACITY.COM FOR AVAILABILITY

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FIXTURE LIST SEA FIXTURE

DATE

TEAM

Blackburn Rovers A L 2-1

Sat, Aug 7, 3pm

Benda

Naughton

Reading (CC R1) A W 0-3

Tue, Aug 10, 8pm

Benda

Naughton

Sheffield United H D 0-0

Sat, Aug 14, 8pm

Benda

Stoke City H L 1-3

Tue, Aug 14, 7.45pm

Benda

Bristol City A W 0-1

Fri, Aug 20, 7.45pm

Benda

Cabango

Bennett

Latibeaudiere

Bidwell

Smith 1

Cabango

B.Cooper

Latibeaudiere

Bidwell 3

Williams

Manning

Cabango

B.Cooper

Latibeaudiere

Bidwell

Downes

Manning

Cabango

B.Cooper

Latibeaudiere 3

Bidwell

Downes

Laird

Manning

B.Cooper

Latibeaudiere

Bidwell

Fulton Fulton

2

Plymouth Argyle (CC R2) H W 4-1

Tue, Aug 24, 7pm

Hamer

Manning 1

Joseph 3

Bennett

Latibeaudiere

Bidwell

Preston North End A L 3-1

Sat, Aug 28, 3pm

Benda

Manning

Laird

Bennett 2

Latibeaudiere 1

Bidwell

Fulton 3

Hull City H D 0-0

Sat, Sept 11, 3pm

Hamer

Laird

Williams

Bennett

Naughton 3

Bidwell 2

Downes Downes

2

Millwall H D 0-0

Wed, Sept 15, 7.45pm

Hamer

Naughton

Cabango

Bennett

Laird

Manning

Luton Town A D 3-3

Sat, Sept 18, 3pm

Hamer

Naughton

R Williams 1

Bennett

Laird

Manning

Downes 3

Brighton & Hove Albion (CC R3) A L 2-0

Wed, Sept 22 7.30pm

Benda

R Williams

Cooper

Cabango 1

Latibeaudiere

Walsh 2

Fulton

Huddersfield Town H W 1-0

Sat, Sept 25, 3pm

Hamer

Naughton

Cabango

Manning

Laird

Bidwell

Downes

Fulham A L 3-1

Wed, Sept 29, 7.45pm

Hamer

Naughton

Cabango

Manning

Laird

Bidwell 3

Downes 2

Derby County A D 0-0

Sat, Oct 2, 3pm

Hamer

Naughton

Cabango

Manning

Latibeaudiere 1

Bidwell

Downes

Cardiff City H W 3-0

Sun, Oct 17, 12pm

Hamer

Naughton

Bennett 2

Manning

Laird

Bidwell

Downes

West Bromwich Albion H W 2-1

Wed, Oct 20, 7.45pm

Hamer

Naughton

Bennett

Cabango 2

Laird

Bidwell 3

Downes 1

Birmingham City A L 2-1

Sat, Oct 23, 3pm

Hamer

Naughton

Bennett

Manning

Latibeaudiere

Laird

Smith 1

Peterborough United H W 3-0

Sat, Oct 30, 3pm

Hamer

Naughton

Bennett

Manning

Laird 3

Bidwell

Smith

Coventry City A W 2-1

Tue, Nov 2, 7.45pm

Hamer

Naughton

Bennett

Manning

Laird

Bidwell

Smith

AFC Bournemouth A L 4-0

Sat, Nov 6, 3pm

Hamer

Naughton

Bennett

Manning

Laird

Bidwell 2

Downes

Blackpool H D 1-1

Sat, Nov 20, 3pm

Hamer

Naughton

Cabango

Manning

Laird

Bidwell

Downes

Barnsley A W 0-2

Wed, Nov 24, 7.45pm

Hamer

Bennett

Naughton

Cabango

Laird

Bidwell 2

Downes 1

Reading H L 3-2

Sat, Nov 27, 3pm

Hamer

Bennett 2

Naughton

R Williams

Laird

Manning

Ntcham

Middlesbrough A L 1-0

Sat, Dec 4, 3pm

Hamer

Naughton

Cabango

R Williams 2

Laird 3

Downes

Manning

Nottingham Forest H L 1-4

Sat, Dec 11, 3pm

Hamer

Laird 1

Cabango

Bennett

Manning

Downes

Smith

Southampton (FA C R3) H

Sat, Jan 8, 5.30pm

Huddersfield Town A

Sat, Jan 15, 3pm

Preston North End H

Sat, Jan 22, 3pm

Queens Park Rangers A

Tues, Jan 25, 7.45pm

Hull City A

Sat, Jan 29, 3pm

Blackburn Rovers H

Sat, Feb 5, 3pm

Stoke City A

Tue, Feb 8, 3pm

Bristol City H

Sun, Feb 13, 1pm

Sheffield United A

Sat, Feb 19, 3pm

AFC Bournemouth H

Tue, Feb 22, 7.45pm

West Bromwich Albion A

Sat, Feb 26, 3pm

Coventry City H

Sat, Mar 5, 3pm

Blackpool A

Sat, Mar 12, 3pm

Peterborough United A

Wed, Mar 16, 7.45pm

Birmingham City H

Sat, Mar 19, 3pm

Cardiff City A

Sat, Apr 2, 3pm

Derby County H

Sat, Apr 9, 3pm

Barnsley H

Fri, Apr 15, 3pm

Reading A

Mon, Apr 18, 3pm

Middlesbrough H

Sat, Apr 23, 3pm

Nottingham Forest A

Sat, Apr 30, 3pm

Queens Park Rangers H

Sat, May 7, 12.30pm

Millwall away, Luton Town and Fulham home all to be re-arranged in due course.

Correct as of January 7, 2022.

PAGE 60

Match Statistics Key

Goal =

1

2

ASON 2021~2022 SUBSTITUTES Cullen 2

Lowe

Paterson

Grimes

Defreitas-Hansen, Mcfayden, B.Cooper, Dhanda 1, O.Cooper, Joseph, Whittaker 2

Dhanda

Piroe

Whittaker

Defreitas-Hansen, Manning 1, Mcfayden 3, Lloyd, Joseph 2, Lowe, Cullen

Grimes

Paterson 3

Lowe 1

Cullen 2

Webb, Mcfayden, Williams, Dhanda 3, Joseph, Piroe 1, Whittaker 2

Grimes

Fulton 2

Dhanda 1

Lowe

Webb, Laird 3, Williams, Paterson 2, Cullen, Piroe 1

Grimes

Paterson

Piroe

Cullen

Hamer, Mcfayden, Williams, Dhanda, Joseph, Lowe 2, Whittaker 1

Williams

Dhanda

Lowe

Whittaker

Webb, Naughton 2, Piroe, Cullen, Cooper, Cooper 1, Laird 3

Grimes

Paterson

Cullen

Piroe

Hamer, Cooper 1, Williams, Dhanda, Whittaker, Lowe 2, Naughton 3

Grimes

Ntcham 1

Paterson

Piroe

Benda, Cabango 3, Latibeaudiere, Manning 1, Fulton, Cullen, Obafemi 2

Grimes

Ntcham 1

Paterson 2

Piroe 3

Benda, Fulton, Obafemi 1, Cullen 3, Latibeaudiere, Bidwell, Walsh 2

Grimes

Walsh 2

Paterson

Obafemi

Benda, Cabango 1, Fulton, Smith, Ntcham 2

Bidwell

Smith 3

Whittaker

Cullen

Webb, Manning 1, Rushesha, Laird, Downes 2

Grimes

Ntcham 3

Piroe

Grimes

Ntcham 1

Piroe

Grimes

Smith 3

Piroe 2

Grimes

Smith 1

Piroe

3

Grimes

Smith

Piroe

3

Paterson

Benda, Latibeaudiere 3, Williams 2, Walsh, Ntcham 1, Cullen, Whittaker

Grimes

Ntcham 2

Piroe 3

Paterson

Benda, Cabango, Williams, Fulton, Walsh 2, Cullen 3, Obafemi 1

Grimes

Ntcham

Grimes

Ntcham 1

Grimes

Ntcham

Grimes Grimes

Grimes

1

2

2

, Whittaker

, Piroe 3

, Latbeaudiere

, Dhanda 3, Piroe

Paterson 1

Benda, Cooper, Latibeaudiere, Fulton 3, Smith 1

Paterson

Benda, Cooper, Latibeaudiere 3, Fulton, Smith 1, Walsh, Cullen 2

Paterson

Benda, Williams, Laird 1, Fulton, Walsh, Cullen 2, Whittaker 3

Paterson

Benda, Cabango 2, Latibeaudiere, Walsh, Ntcham 1, Cullen 3, Whittaker

, Walsh, Cullen 2

Paterson

Piroe

1

Benda, Cabango, Latibeaudiere, Downes 2

, Whittaker 3, Obafemi 1, Cullen

Paterson

Piroe

2

Benda, Cabango, Latibeaudiere, Downes 2

, Whittaker, Obafemi 1, Cullen

Paterson

Piroe

Ntcham 2

Paterson

Piroe

Smith

Paterson

Piroe 3

Benda, R.Williams, Latibeaudiere, Manning 2, Walsh, Ntcham 1

Grimes

Smith 1

Paterson

Piroe

Benda, Downes 1, Cooper, Cullen 2, Latibeaudiere, Bidwell, Walsh

Grimes

Smith 1

Paterson

Piroe

Benda, Bennett, Obafemi 2, Ntcham 1, Cullen, Latibeaudiere 3, Bidwell

Grimes

Ntcham

Paterson

Piroe

Benda, R. Williams, Latibeaudiere 1, Bidwell, Walsh, Obafemi 2, Cullen

3

Supporters with a visual impairment can improve their match day experience at the Swansea.com Stadium via a special service.

Radio City 1386AM has provided audio commentary service for supporters with a visual impairment since the opening of the stadium in 2005, while it has broadcasted to the patients, staff and visitors to the Health Board Hospitals since 1968 and is one of the longest running Hospital Radio Services in the country.

Hat-trick =

Captain =

Benda, Cabango, Latibeaudiere, Smith 1, Walsh 3, Whittaker 2, Cullen 1

Benda, R.Williams, Latibeaudiere, Smith 2, Walsh, Obafemi 1, Cullen

They have enjoyed a long association with Swansea City dating back to the days of “Swansea Town” and the Vetch.

They cover all Swansea City home games with live commentary of the action.

Anyone with a visual impairment can request a headset which will be delivered to your seat by the Disability Liaison Team, who will collect the unit after the game finishes.

Sub = 2 (number denotes player replaced) Booked =

, Cullen 3

To request this free service please email accessibility@swanseacity. com or contact the ticket office.

To get more information on Radio City 1386AM visit their website on www.radiocity1386am.co.uk or email sport@radiocity1386am. co.uk

Sent off =

Carabao Cup = CC FA Cup = FA

PAGE 61

TABLE 2021~2022

POS TEAM 1

Bournemouth

25

P W D 14

7

L 4

41

F

20

A GD PTS 21

49

2

Blackburn Rovers

25

13

7

5

43

28

15

46

3

Fulham

23

13

6

4

51

19

32

45

4

West Bromwich Albion

25

11

9

5

31

19

12

42

5

Queens Park Rangers

24

12

5

7

37

30

7

41

6

Huddersfield Town

26

11

7

8

32

29

3

40

7

Middlesbrough

25

11

6

8

29

24

5

39

8

Stoke City

24

10

5

9

28

25

3

35

9

Nottingham Forest

25

9

7

9

32

28

4

34

10

Coventry City

23

9

7

7

29

27

2

34

11

Millwall

24

8

9

7

27

27

0

33

12

Blackpool

26

9

6

11

27

32

-5

33

13

Sheffield United

22

9

5

8

29

28

1

32

14

Preston North End

23

8

7

8

26

29

-3

31

15

Bristol City

25

8

6

11

30

39

-9

30

16

Luton Town

22

7

8

7

31

27

4

29

17

Swansea City

22

7

6

9

26

31

-5

27

18

Birmingham City

24

7

6

11

23

32

-9

27

19

Hull City

24

6

5

13

20

29

-9

23

20

Cardiff City

24

6

5

13

26

43

-17

23

21

Reading*

23

8

4

11

29

36

-7

22

22

Peterborough United

23

5

4

14

20

44

-24

19

23

Barnsley

24

2

8

14

16

36

-20

14

24

Derby County*

25

7

11

7

23

24

-1

11

Correct as of Jan 7, 2022.

*Derby County deducted 21 points and Reading deducted 6 points under EFL Regulations.

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THE TEAMS SWANS

Head Coach: Russell Martin 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 28 35 37 46

Steven Benda Ryan Bennett Ryan Manning Flynn Downes Ben Cabango Jay Fulton Korey Smith Matt Grimes Michael Obafemi Olivier Ntcham Jamie Paterson Kyle Joseph Brandon Cooper Joël Piroe Ben Hamer Tivonge Rushesha Liam Cullen Yan Dhanda Joel Latibeaudiere Jake Bidwell Lewis Webb Kyle Naughton Liam Walsh Lincoln Mcfayden Daniel Williams Rhys Williams

SOUTHAMPTON

Head Coach: Ralph Hasenhüttl 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 27 32 35 41 43 44

Alex McCarthy Kyle Walker-Peters Lyanco Jack Stephens Oriol Romeu Shane Long James Ward-Prowse Adam Armstrong Che Adams Nathan Redmond Willy Caballero Romain Perraud Thierry Small Stuart Armstrong Armando Broja Moussa Djenepo Will Smallbone TIno Livramento Mohammed Salisu Nathan Tella Mohamed Elyounoussi Ibrahima Diallo Theo Walcott Jan Bednarek Harry Lewis Yan Valery Fraser Forster

NEXT UP AT Preston North End Saturday, Jan 22 Kick-off: 3pm

NEXT AWAY Huddersfield Saturday, Jan 15 Kick-off: 3pm

FOLLOW US

~ Referee: Simon Hooper ~ ~ Assistant Referees: Andrew Fox and Richard Wild ~ ~ Fourth Official: Tom Reeves ~

Correct as of December 10, 2021

PAGE 64