please log in to view this image Blackburn v Swansea City Competition - Sky Bet Championship Venue - Ewood Park Date - 7 August 2021 Kick Off - 3:00pm Following their Play-Off Final defeat at the hands of Brentford, another season in the Championship beckons for the Swans. As widely anticipated, Head Coach Steve Cooper left the club - the surprise being that his departure was so near to the start of the season - along with a number of players including Andrew Ayew (out of contract), Conor Hourihane, Freddie Woodman and Marc Guehi (all returned to their Clubs). Cooper’s replacement, Russell Martin, only took over on Sunday afternoon, so just has 5 ‘coaching’ days to get his new charges ready for their first match of the season. Whilst new arrivals (and further departures) are expected, no new faces are expected ahead of kick off at Ewood Park. On that basis, and with Connor Roberts out injured and Jay Fulton suspended, what will Russell Martin’s first team selection look like? ……………….Benda.................... ...... Cabango...Bennett....Latibeaudiere....... Naughton............................Bidwell .............Smith…...Walsh.............. ...................Dhanda.................... ...........Lowe............Cullen........... I’m guessing that Martin will not be ‘allowed’ to play either Grimes or Byers due to the expected departures and Julian Winter not wanting to risk that ‘cash inflow’. The Swans have played Blackburn on 45 previous occasions, winning 15, drawing 8 and losing 22. In the corresponding fixture last season, the teams drew 1-1 at Ewood Park, with Dack scoring for the home side and Ayew netting a (fortunate?) penalty for the Swans: As for Saturday, I would be delighted if the team could return to South Wales with a point. However, will Walsh be fit? If not, who plays instead of him? On balance, I think that Rovers will run out 2-0 winners, with Russell Martin knowing early doors that he has to find a goal scorer for his new team, I hope that I’m wrong and that we have that ‘new manager bounce’!
Thanks for kicking us off Taff. I too hope we may see a bounce but looking at the squad we may struggle as Martin will not have had much time to get to grips with things. So at best we will get a point but I see us going down 1-0
I'd hope that the players will be looking to impress the new manager but I worry when I look at the squad - even if they play better than expected I can't see much quality there. Blackburn victory by 2 goals at least.
So hard to call at this very early stage in Martin's tenure, a draw wouldn't be a bad start. Hopefully we'll see some (attempted) improvement on our previous playing style within the first few games.
I will bite your hand off for a point, with all the disruption can’t see anything other than 3 points for blackburn
Swansea City midfielder George Byers has completed a transfer to Sheffield Wednesday, subject to international clearance. The 25-year-old leaves after six years in SA1, during which time he made 65 first-team appearances and scored eight goals. He has put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the League One Owls, and will link up with the rest of Darren Moore’s squad at Hillsborough. The deal also includes a sell-on clause. Byers joined the Swans from Watford in the summer of 2015, and initially linked up with the club’s under-23 squad. He helped them to secure a league and cup double during the 2016-17 season, and he was an unused substitute for the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Tottenham the following campaign. He made his first-team breakthrough under Graham Potter during the 2018-19 season, racking up 26 appearances and scoring his first goal for the Swans in a 1-0 win over Millwall. A further 39 appearances followed under Steve Cooper the following year as the Swans reached the play-offs, but he found game time harder to come by last term after recovering from ankle and groin injuries. He joined Portsmouth on loan over the second half of the season, making 15 appearances including a starting role in their EFL Trophy final defeat to Salford at Wembley. Everyone at Swansea City wishes George every success in his future career.
I think Walsh is injured , so soon point would be great and imo unexpected , It s long season ahead and it hopefully won't be defined by Saturdays result ,I just hope to see small shoots of recovery from the dire style we've endured for the past 2 years .
164 shots on target last season. 11th best in the Championship. 478 shots in total. 19th best in the Championship. 56 goals. 9th best in the Championship.
Subject to Welsh Government advice, Swansea City is hopeful of welcoming back its season ticket holders and seasonal hospitality guests from the start of the 2021-22 season. First Minister Mark Drakeford is due to update the public later this week regarding the potential easing of Covid-19 restrictions in Wales. Swansea City has worked in conjunction with its Safety Advisory Group (SAG), on a slightly reduced capacity allowance for our first two home fixtures, against Sheffield United (August 14) and Stoke City (August 17), on the basis the Welsh Government will move to alert level zero. As a result, the overall capacity for the two fixtures has been set at 16,000. This allocation includes a percentage of away tickets which will be allocated to the visiting clubs. We are hopeful that all restrictions will then be lifted and we will be able to return to full capacity for our home game against Hull City on Saturday, September 11. We are pleased to confirm this means all season ticket holders and seasonal hospitality guests can attend the Sheffield United and Stoke City fixtures. No ballot of entry will be required, as the total number of season tickets and seasonal hospitality guests is approximately 14,000. Once the respective allocation of tickets for the visiting clubs are factored In, we anticipate having a limited number of general admission tickets to make available to non season-ticket holders. Please note that, whenever tickets are issued on general sale, Jack Army members will receive priority to purchase. For clarity season ticket cards will be activated for these fixtures and those who have requested a new card will be in receipt of them by Tuesday, August 10.
It appears that Adam Armstrong is unlikely to play against us Saturday as being linked to signing for Southampton to replace Danny Ings