Swansea City travel north tomorrow to prepare for their next championship game against Middlesbrough at the Riverside stadium on Saturday ( Kick off 3pm) Swans boss Russell Martin knows he must deliver at least an encouraging performance after yet another disappointing display in the 2-0 home loss last time out at home to Luton Town.
Jamie Paterson is being referred to as a possible for the game with the swans squad pretty limited now Joel Latibeaudiere is out injured until early next year. Even the most staunchest of Martin supporters are questioning his position with two very hard away games coming up. The Boro game will be seen as hard enough but then a Wednesday evening meeting at Stoke next week will be equally as hard. Both haven’t been the happiest of hunting grounds for Swansea in recent times.
Striker Rodrigo Muniz has joined Middlesbrough on loan from Fulham for the season, a player who will no doubt cause the swans problems. Chris Wilder has a decent transfer kitty and he is aiming to bring in three more before September 1st. On Muniz Wilder said "You can say all you want, and I can say all I want about the squad not being set yet, which it isn’t as we still look to bring three players in after Muniz, but I’m not built like that.” Speaking after his signing, Wilder said: "He’s a player the club have history with and tried to sign him last year. "He’s a really talented player”
A further signal of the intent in north Yorkshire this season at the Riverside is the signing of Matt Clarke from Brighton which is expected to be confirmed this morning. He has cost Boro well over two million pounds. Clarke will almost certainly make his debut against the swans on Saturday in defence. He could have signed for Stoke City earlier in the week but the Potters have been operating within a reasonably strict budget once again this summer as they look to comply with the EFL’s profitability and sustainability rules.
We will bring you Russell Martin’s latest thoughts on this game as we get it.