Stilettos & Studs

NEW DATE FOR SWANSEA CITY'S TRIP TO QPR

Swansea City's Championship fixture against Queens Park Rangers has been rescheduled for Tuesday, 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.

MORGAN WHITTAKER SEALS LINCOLN LOAN MOVE

Swansea 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.

STILETTOS AND STUDS BY JULIE KISSICK

Itrust 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.

With the on-going uncertainty 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 under-rated’ and ‘unsung hero’ in 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

WELSH COLUMN BY ALUN RHYS CHIVERS, GOLWG

Mae’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.