The flavour of the win against Bristol City has slightly deteriorated and there’s a number of reasons why. One has to be that bizarre comment by Swans head coach, Luke Williams which we will clear up later.

Sheffield Wednesday come to Swansea with a very average last six record. Of course the Swans are even worse, but the Owls have battled away in many of their games this season. Their December run extremely impressive. The current form table is below.

The league table counts for nothing until the end of this weeks Championship fixtures, so we will review that on Wednesday evening after the game. The Swans are some thirteen points away from what is described as safety. That’s not always the case with teams going down before this season on fifty points plus. Peterborough United in 2013 as an example went down with fifty four points. That was just fourteen points away from a play off place with Leicester City in sixth.

The Swans played their second midweek away game in Sheffield over just twenty days in October. First United then Wednesday with an away trip to Blackburn added in for good measure. That’s not the whole story, the game at Hillsborough ended 0-0 and the Swans could have taken the points easily. The post saving the home side. Ex Swansea player, Jamal Lowe (below) clearly diving in the area for a penalty was thankfully spotted by the officials. His reaction priceless, as if he genuinely believed that fresh air can win you a penalty.

Danny Röhl Is the current Owls manager and has been since October 2023 when at the time he became the youngest ever English Football League manager. We have to add that ex Swans boss Carlos Carvalhal has also been an Owls manager. Other notables are Terry Yorath and Tony Pulis who departed the club after ten games and one win. Wednesday have had some notable players in their history. Chris Waddle who won sixty two caps for England as an example. Current Swansea head of recruitment, Martin Hodge played for the Owls. He set an appearance record for the club of two hundred and sixty games. He cites his most disappointing career moment as being placed on stand by to replace Gary Bailey for the ‘Mexico 86 ‘World Cup. He was advised at the last moment that Bailey was fit.

See, what would you do without the Indy ?

This season the Owls haven’t won more than two games in a row, a feat they have managed twice. Josh Windas has bagged ten goals and the ever youthful Barry Bannan can turn games in an instant though he is out for this game. This will be Bannan’s first game out since October 2023, although reference has been made to a game missed this season. Incredible really. Defenders Akin Famewo and Dominic Iorfa won’t return until March. Another huge blow for Rõhl is the latest injury to Di'Shon Bernard which he has described as a ‘big one’ He most certainly is out.

Nathaniel Chalobah and Tom Fellows are on stand by for Bannan’s position, Chalobah, the much travelled ex Chelsea and Napoli player who has premier league experience with Watford, Fulham and Burnley should be involved as will Stuart Armstrong.

⚽️ Indy comment

As stated the flavour of the win against Bristol City has slightly deteriorated and there’s a number of reasons why. One has to be that bizarre post match comment by Swans head coach, Luke Williams which we will now clear up here.

Luke stated post match that he ‘hoped’ his players had the faith in him that he had in them. ‘Hoped’ ? With all that has gone on over the past six weeks it seemed to clarify the insecurity he is feeling currently. Not sure why he said it, maybe now that it’s out in the open that Matt Grimes was taking certain issues straight to the Chairman, Andrew Coleman over the past few months has shocked him ?

More on that here —> ⚽️ Grimes

But seeking the attention of his players on Sky Sports TV after such a decent win on Sunday was another mistimed and thoughtless thing to say. Much the same as his agent was in his bed at Christmas, albeit the news broke on the attentions of West Bromwich Albion for real at New Year. It took him until January 4th to come up with that line. To be honest this is playing exceptionally poor mind games which is constantly splitting the supporters of Swansea City - and has to stop. He digs holes for himself almost every time he makes comment. The latest we find motivated by utilising the media to say things that he should already know, and in any event is private to him and his squad.

As we have said before there’s liking a man, and there’s not liking his work. That’s different, but we see this disorientation every day and this exceptional Swans support don’t need it. That’s that on Luke for now.

Lowe Photograph Swansea Independent : Luke Williams Open Source

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