Swansea City take on Blackburn Rovers at the Swansea.com this afternoon (3pm) the first of thirteen fixtures which will dictate which competition the Swans play in next season. The Championship or League One.

Alan Sheehan now leads the charge appointed as interim manager with a bare coaching staff which includes Kristian O’Leary, Martyn Margetson and Anthony Wright. Head coach Luke Williams has left with Ryan Harley and George Lawtey. All three dismissed officially on Tuesday but with an unhappy board of directors now looking for results it was pretty much rubber stamped after last weekends miserable showing at Stoke City. That’s three salaries off the wage bill but a big compensation pay out. Whichever way that has been agreed going forwards.

Sheehan always looks slightly uncomfortable, much the same as he did last time around after Michael Duff was sacked. It’s a credit that he is willing to take on the role for the second time, a lot of coaches would clearly say ‘No’. Today will see changes.

His last Swansea record would take the club to near safety this season.

The Swans with Oxford United head the pack of sides looking to pull out of any immediate relegation fears. Both are close to the real fight on thirty eight and thirty seven points (Swans) respectively. There is no need now to look above or below - but at themselves, this Swansea side has to step up. The opposition this afternoon are in fifth place in the play offs with a determination to win and consolidate that position. For Rovers it is just that, they are eleven points behind Sunderland who are in fourth place. Behind them are Bristol City in sixth with a chasing pack very close by.

Rovers are on fifty one points, surprisingly they can now say they are safe from relegation, that’s how crazy the Championship is. The Swans being fourteen points behind today’s opponents. Both teams have interim managers and you can read more about all that and injuries below. This has been updated.

⚽️ Pre match latest

The measure of today will be seen in the fans reaction to Luke Williams being moved on. There needs to be more intensity from the stands, far more from the players and a united front to get the twelve points or so required for safety - and yet another summer rebuild at the club.

⚽️ Gwyn Stato
Official Stats
Gavin Ward
Refereed 11 times
Swansea City won 6 Drawn 3 Lost 2
For 12 Against 9
Yellow cards: Swansea City 15 Opponents 20
Red cards: Swansea City 0 Opponents 2

GAVIN WARD (Referee): Has been Referee 11 times & 4th official 5 times at the Stadium
JAMES WILSON (Assistant): Has been an Assistant 4 times at the Stadium
ROBERT HYDE (Assistant) : Has been an Assistant 5 times at the Stadium
TOM NIELD (4th official): Has Referee twice & been 4th official once at the Stadium

TEAMS will follow.

Photograph with permission Dimitris Legakis

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