The Swans loyal support will applaud Alan Sheehan today before he moves back in to his coaching role at the club. He will continue with Kristian O’Leary and Martyn Margetson as a part of the coaching cadre’ They will be joined by George Lawtey, whilst Ryan Harley will take up the role of assistant manager to Luke Williams.
That sounds very much like a full and competent coaching staff as Luke Williams starts his first full day with a match to navigate. It was interesting to note that Fridays announcement of Luke coming to Swansea City was actually recorded at 7pm on Thursday evening. The clues are there. The announcement came around 2pm yesterday, maybe his watch is broken ? That tells us that Notts County were happy to have their manager interviewed by the Swans. Well, we can only hope as at that time on Thursday the news was matters were close to getting resolved, but not fully.
Today is a great opportunity for seventeen year old Sam Parker who impressed against Coventry City just before the new year, and this is just the type of game to see him make his home debut. Our information is he will be involved. It’s a great opportunity for Yannick Bolasie to stretch his legs as well. And possibly Jerry Yates could earn some confidence in front of goal ? The issue with tampering with the team too much is that FA Cup upsets do happen, and they happen to Swans as well. With a fourth round tie against Liverpool awaiting the winners of the third round tie between Havant & Waterlooville and the Swans in 2008, the non league side triumphed in a replay 4-2.
Remember the name Rocky Baptiste ?
⚽️ Havant and Waterlooville: Scriven, Gregory, Warner, Smith (Jordan 46), Poate, Potter, Oatway (Wilkinson 43), Collins, Harkin, Baptiste, Pacquette (Slabber 77).
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Taggart.
Booked: Potter, Collins, Warner.
Goals: Monk 4 og, Collins 25, Baptiste 37, Jordan 65.
⚽️ Swansea City : De Vries, Rangel, Lawrence, Monk, Painter (Duffy 77), Anderson (Butler 51), Pratley, Britton, Robinson, Scotland, Bauza.
Subs Not Used: Knight, Austin, O'Leary.
Booked: Pratley, Butler. Goals: Bauza 39, Scotland 48. Att: 4,400
Referee: Andy D'Urso (Essex).
Back in 1999 the Swans triumphed after a replay at The Vetch Field, 1-0 over West Ham. Martin Thomas firing the Swans in to the fourth round. QPR thrashed the Swans 5-1 in the third round in 2020, but we can come back on that with an 8-1 win against Notts County in 2018, The Guardian’s Stuart James reported on that one.
Yes, it is a good game to see and test the Swans squad, but there is cash on offer and quite a bit to win this tie. And that has to be the end game. Give Luke & Co a big clap, thank Alan Sheehan for his ability to steady the ship, and get through a tricky tie without injuries.
You can catch up with how you can watch the game right here.
Team news later.