Luke Williams is perfectly set to bring another three points from the end of season games as the Swans face their penultimate home game of the season against Rotherham United. (3pm) Nathan Wood is out, apparently an injury keeps him out of contention. From that we very much expect a similar team to the one we saw for the 3-0 home win against Stoke City on Wednesday evening.
With Nathan out it seems pretty obvious that Ben Cabango will step up again with Harry Darling in a form of central pairing this afternoon. For Matt Grimes and Jay Fulton to compliment each other they need to show the same discipline and awareness they did on Wednesday, many feel they don’t work well together but on Wednesday they seemed a perfect match. Jamie Paterson as well, on that form he is one of the first picks. There is little else to be concerned about, it seems pointless to us that we play any of the loanee’s bar Carl Rushworth. What would that achieve ? The biggest bet has to be Charlie Patino (below) getting a last ten minutes appearance.
When questioned on Mykola Kuharevych (k) Luke stated he only wants players (in general) who turn up for meetings, support the team when they are on the bench and that all really seems to be another trickle of water to add to the information we have gleaned this week. He also stated, "I don’t want to put players in for … just because. That depends on how present they are, in meetings, otherwise we are dishing out incredibly valuable minutes to people for fun”
As we said there’s more to this than meets the eye, and most certainly what is being disclosed.
Joe Allen’s contract was well swerved by the head coach, and the person asking that contractual question didn’t come back with another more probing one. We know Joe is aware of what’s on offer, and we know Luke Williams wants him to stay at the club. However, there seems to be some issues with his injuries which means he doesn’t get the same contract as last time around. And rightly so. Liam Cullen is also aware of what is on offer, in both cases they haven’t agreed anything as yet. But they know exactly where they stand.
As Luke stayed yesterday, "We have to have balance in the squad, and for that you need a mix of senior players, a core group of players that are probably approaching their peak, and young players with a point to prove that are ambitious, but maybe can't play all the minutes. You have to balance the squad” That was with reference to the summer window and preparations for the 2024/25 season, however, that fits in with what we are hearing from within the club. There have been two contracts offered to date, so Liam Walsh, Przemyslaw Placheta, Kyle Naughton, Liam Walsh and Jamie Paterson are all keen to hear what the Swans can offer them as well. Placheta is out of contract as the Swans took over his contract in January from Norwich, however you would like think it’s a lot less than the £21,000 a week the Canaries were paying him. Placheta will hope his gamble to come to Swansea pays off, the jury is out, but he knows what the Swans can offer. Like Jamal Lowe who did the same coming in from Bournemouth both players now have their agents looking elsewhere. What we do hear is they do know the ceiling the club will go to if they want to stay at Swansea.
That’s now up to them.
If Sheffield Wednesday & Birmingham fail to win today the Swans (if they win) will be mathematically safe from relegation.
There is a lot of talking to come, rumours of course and lots more. However, today is another day to get behind the Swans, and let’s hope a few more turn up to cheer on the team. It has to be said though those that did on Wednesday really did do the Jack Army proud.