The Swans, despite the good news on Ben Cabango’s new contract on Christmas Eve (You would have read it first here on the Indy the day before) are in need of a big boost from the first of two fixtures over the coming four days. Primarily we are again on a quest to see a competent and strong Swansea City over ninety minutes.
That’s the issue for head coach, Luke Williams today.
With a one maybe two expected changes, likely to be on the bench we can only hope the Swans have taken on board how unacceptable last Saturday’s performance was at Hull. Luke Williams hasn’t the biggest of squads to select from, and that will most certainly change next month for sure. There are weaknesses which a number of managers have spotted in numerous games this season. Whether that’s sitting on back and seeing what the Swans have in their armoury as we saw from Sunderland, you can add Millwall to that as well. Then there’s a high press with loads of energy as we saw from Hull last Saturday. Either way the home side have to come up with solutions to what is becoming a problem that is opening up questions on the ability of quite a number of players.
This game is too early for Joe Allen from what we hear. After a pretty energising training session at Fairwood yesterday afternoon we are looking for one on the pitch today. That would give every Swansea fan a huge boost going into another home game this coming Sunday v Luton Town (3pm)
QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes has divulged Captain, Steve Cook will be out for the foreseeable future, the thirty three year old has been a real asset to the R’s this season. The latest on him from the club is, "A scan confirms a Plantar Fascia injury. In positive news, it doesn't require surgery. At this stage, it is difficult to provide an accurate timescale in terms of recovery. Cookie will undergo a period of rest and be reassessed in the next 10 days."
Žan Celar Is also out for the R’s. However, Brest loanee, Karamoko Dembele has been a revelation this season, albeit completing just ten games he will concentrate the minds of both of the Swans defenders on the left and right side of the pitch. Still only twenty one, this is a key season for him. Earmarked early on in his career whilst at Celtic as ‘one to look out for’ he is most certainly rebuilding his reputation in west London. Defender, Kenneth Paal has had a few injuries this season, and back up for him is lacking. Jack Colback has been absent but for us the real danger man is Ilias Chair who seems to always relish playing the Swans. One other name to look out for is twenty one year old, Liam Morrison, the age grade players are being blooded and earning plaudits, the R’s are not afraid to blood their younger players - sometimes out of necessity.
Luke Williams may change that today for the Swans. He’s taken his time to see the light that’s for sure if that occurs. He can’t simply persist with players who are simply not good enough. News on Ollie Cooper is good, although he is out for maybe three to four more weeks he is progressing slowly, as is Josh Ginnelly. Getting stronger by the day is what we are hearing. Sadly Sam Parker has some way to go, which is now concerning for a bright and promising player who was making good ground in the first team squad until his injury. The Swans are eight points off Middlesbrough in sixth place and seven clear of lowly Cardiff.
⚽️ QPR are on a roll at the moment as the most improved team in the Championship in the latest form guide.
⚽️ The current table looks like this.
⚽️ Transfer news : We know of two players who are on the ‘approach list’ Gautier Ott has been revisited, his move broke down in the summer, but his chances of a work permit are not great. That wasn’t the entire story behind his move collapsing in the summer though. Check out our message board for any updates. We were happy to disclose Ben Cabango signing a new contract a day before it was announced officially, purely down to the fact it was already signed and sealed. And that leads us on to player two, we have made inquiries and have been asked not to report on a versatile winger who could be joining the Swans in the first week or so of the window opening. We won’t disclose any sources as we have said so many times before, but they are keen to keep this under wraps for a number of reasons. As are the Swans.
Luke Williams has made it clear that fit again goalkeeper, Andy Fisher isn’t in his immediate plans, that tells us he is good for a loan for the rest of the season. Current back up, Jon McLaughlin is to have talks with the Swans this week. We can only expect that to mean a contract extension is on the cards. As we have already stated, coach, Martyn Margetson is a big fan of the Scotsman.
We have had a decent track record this year on what have been some big news stories, so when we get a shout it will be on here for sure. The thing is it isn’t about being first, that can sometimes happen, but it is about being right, and that’s our primary objective.
We hope as many of you turn out today as is possible for what will be an attacking game we are sure. Kick off is 3pm at the Swansea.Com. We will return later with team news.
⚽️ Championship fixtures today