Swansea City v Middlesbrough – 20-21 – Issue 20

Cadwch yn ddiogel Jacks

Issue 20 - Digital Copy

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Swansea City v Middlesbrough Saturday, March 6 - Kick-off 3pm

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CONTENTS Page 6 - Season Tickets on General Sale

Page 16 - Meet the Opposition

Page 21 - Match Reports

Page 28 - Q&A with Joel Latibeaudiere

Page 39 - Kristian O’Leary returns

Polite Warning: The British courts have now imposed a standard minimum three-year ban from all football grounds for football-related arrests – both inside and outside the ground. CCTV is currently in operation inside and outside the stadium, while police are also using handheld video cameras.

Offences include: obscene or racist chanting or gesturing; consuming alcohol in seated areas; continual standing in seated areas; aggressive behaviour; going onto the pitch; throwing of items; drunk and disorderly behaviour or under the influence of drugs. Please note there is also a no-smoking policy within the stadium. If broken, you could be ejected. Sales of goods inside and outside the stadium is prohibited unless via official registered sellers. The club badge is a registered trademark and unauthorised use of it will not be permitted. High-quality cameras are not permitted inside the stadium.

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YMUNWCH Â NI WRTH I NI DDATHLU

DIWRNOD RHYNGWLADOL Y MERCHED 2021.

Rhwng Mawrth 7 a 12 mae gennym amrywiaeth o sgyrsiau a thrafodaethau panel, sgyrsiau agored rhyngweithiol, cyfleoedd mentora a gweithdai ymgysylltiol gyda’r nod o ddathlu cyflawniadau cymdeithasol, economaidd a diwylliannol menywod yng nghymuned ehangach Prifysgol Abertawe.

Bydd y gyfres hon o ddigwyddiadau’n codi arian at Ysgoloriaeth Eira Francis Davies a ddyfernir i un fyfyrwraig neilltuol sy’n wladolyn ac yn breswylydd o wlad gymwys sy’n datblygu i astudio ar raglen gradd Meistr ôl-raddedig a addysgir yng Nghyfadran y Gwyddorau Dynol ac Iechyd Prifysgol Abertawe.

DYSGWCH FWY

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>

JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2021.

Between 7th & 12th March we have an array of talks and panel discussions, interactive open conversations, mentoring opportunities and engaging workshops with the aim of celebrating the social, economic and cultural achievements of women within the wider Swansea University community.

During this campaign, we will be raising money for The Eira Francis Davies Scholarship which is awarded to one outstanding female from a developing country to pursue a postgraduate taught Master’s programme within Swansea University’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

DISCOVER MORE

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WATCH ALL THE

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES VISIT SWANSEACITY.COM

Chief Executive Julian Winter Board Of Directors Directors: Romie Chaudhari, Bobby Hernreich, Huw Jenkins, Jason Levien, Stuart McDonald, Martin Morgan, Gareth Davies, Julian Winter, Jake Silverstein, Sam Porter Honorary Club President: Alan Curtis; Associate Directors: David Morgan, Cath Dyer Team Management Head Coach: Steve Cooper Assistant Coach: Mike Marsh Behind the Team Goalkeeping Coach: Martyn Margetson Head of Medicine: Dr Jez McCluskey Head of Performance Analysis: Steve Rands Head of Recruitment: Andy Scott Academy Director: Mark Allen Staff: David Tivey, Ritson Lloyd, Alan Tate, Ailsa Jones, Matthew Murray, Adele Callaghan, Daniel Morris, Lee Watkins, Chris Watkins, Tom Jenkinson, Daniel Nisbett, Michael Eames, Shaun Baggridge, Huw Lake, Ashley Gill, Steffan Popham

Senior Management Group Andrew Davies (Head of Operations, Facilities & Development); Gareth Davies (CFO); Rebecca Edwards-Symmons (Head of Commercial) Club Staff Club Secretary: Ben Greenwood Assistant Football Secretary: Rebecca Gigg Head of Retail: Andrea Morris Head of Hospitality & Customer Services: Catherine Thomas Legal Counsel, Head of Safeguarding: Rebeca Storer HR Manager: Nicola Butt Senior Commercial Sponsorship Manager: Lee Merrells Commercial Marketing Manager: Katie Hughes Head of Media & Communications: Ben Donovan Media Manager: Chris Wilson-Barney Ticket Office Manager: Luke Hughes Operations & Events Manager: Matthew Daniel Facilities Manager: Gordon David Grounds Manager: Anthony Harry Disability Access Officer: Mark Phillips Community Trust Manager: Helen Elton Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle

Programme Production Contributors: Alex Bennett, Julie Kissick, Owain Llyr, Ben Donovan, Chris Wilson-Barney, Andrew Gwilym, Jonathan Davies, Sophie Davis, Adam Evans, Gwyn Rees, Ben Jones, Dylan James, Luke Evans, Rachael Tucker Designers: Callum Rothwell, Jordan Morcom Photography: Athena Picture Agency, Natalie Davis, PA, REX Print: DWJ Group Ltd Swansea City AFC Liberty Stadium, Landore, Swansea, SA10 2FA CP-D Dinas Abertawe Stadiwm Liberty, Landore, Abertawe, SA1 2FA Telephone/Ffôn: 01792 616400 Web/Gwe: swanseacity.com Email/E-bost: info@swanseacity.com

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S

wansea City is pleased to announce that 2021-22 season tickets are now on general sale.

New season tickets are available t o p u r c h a s e a s we l l a s t h e following groups of supporters who will have one month from March 1 if they would like to keep their existing seat: 2019-20 season ticket holders who did not renew for the 2020-21 season.

2020-21 fans who paid the 20% deposit option to reserve their existing seat.

2020-21 season ticket holders who have opted for the monthly refund for fixtures which are played behind closed doors.

The club is delighted to reveal a huge price decrease for season

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tickets for the 2021-22 season, with up to 39% reductions.

Following huge efforts behind the scenes to formulate the below pricing in conjunction with majority shareholder Jason Levien and director Jake Silverstein, the club has also been in constant dialogue with the board of the Supporters’ Trust to agree the communications and implementation strategy for this huge ticketing initiative.

The club has already seen 6,915 existing season ticket holders renew their season tickets for the 2021-22 season. We thank you, Jack Army, for your support.

With games continuing to be played behind closed doors this season, the club is continually grateful for your fantastic support in these difficult times.

Rebecca Edwards-Symmons, Head of Commercial, added: “We want the Liberty Stadium full when we are allowed to welcome you back safely. We also want to make the experience affordable for all families within our fanbase.

This is about us understanding that these recent times have been worrying for you and showing you that we understand.

“When children are growing up, they choose what football club to support and this is why we have reduced our price for under18s across the board to ensure that they choose Swansea City.

We want our children and our children’s children to be part of the Jack Army and it was vital that we future proofed our fan base at this critical time.”

The prices are confirmed as below:

SOUTH STAND Adults - £249*

Please note, supporters in the groups mentioned above will have one month from today (March 1) to renew, should they want to keep their existing seats.

Senior (65+) - £179* Students - £179* Under-18s - £79* Under-12s - £49*

NORTH / EAST / WEST STANDS

The total cost of an adult renewal in the East Stand, inclusive of the £3.50 booking fee**, will be £302.50. The credit amount of £294.91 will be applied at the checkout stage, meaning a total balance to pay by card of £7.59.

Adults - £299* Senior (65+) - £179* Students - £179* Under-18s - £79* Under-12s - £49*

Please note: Supporters who have requested the 2020-21 monthly refund option will continue to receive credits for future fixtures on a month-by-month basis, following the same process which has been in place as of the beginning of the 2020-21 season.

*Subject to a £3.50 booking fee per season ticket.** **Please note the £3.50 booking fee is not chargeable by the club, but is a fee charged

by Ticketmaster.

To r e i t e r a t e t h i s i m p o r t a n t detail, during the month of March the following supporter groups will have the opportunity to renew for the 2021-22 season and keep their existing seats:

There is a full guide on how to redeem credits by CLICKING HERE.

HOW TO PURCHASE The easiest way to purchase a season ticket for the 2021-22 season is online at www.eticketing.c o.uk / swanstickets/.

2019-20 season ticket holders who did not renew for the 2020-21 season.

2020-21 fans who paid the 20% deposit option to reserve their existing seat.

2020-21 season ticket holders who have opted for the monthly refund for fixtures which are played behind closed doors.

For example, as of March 1, 2021 an adult season ticket holder who has requested a monthly refund for the 2020-21 season and are yet to withdraw any funds to their bank account, will have received an amount of £294.91 in their ticketing credit account for home fixtures played behind closed doors up to and including the Swansea City AFC v Bristol City fixture played last Saturday (27 February).

INFORMATION ON REFUND CREDITS From March 1 onwards, any refund credits which have accrued in supporters’ accounts may be used towards season ticket purchases.

Fans are reminded that although the Ticket Office remains closed for all in-person visits, you are able to purchase a season ticket over the phone. Please call 01792 616400 and select option 1 to speak to a member of the team.

The lines are open between 10am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

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Chief Executive’s Notes

JULIAN WINTER G

ood afternoon and welcome back to the Liberty Stadium for today’s Championship game against Middlesbrough.

I’d like to start my notes by thanking all those supporters who have already renewed their season tickets for next season, a s we l l a s t h o s e w h o h a ve purchased one for the first time.

We are of course in unprecedented times with matches being played behind closed doors, and we all long for the day when supporters are allowed back inside stadiums.

Football is nothing without supporters, and this football club is nothing without the fantastic support of the Jack Army. The economic effects of this pandemic should not be underestimated, so thank you for showing your support for Swansea City.

The fans are the heartbeat of this club and tomorrow (March 7) will mark a year to the day since supporters were last inside the Liberty for the 0-0 draw against West Bromwich Albion.

The current campaign has been like no other in terms of the schedule and the fact that the matches have mostly been played without spectators. But I can assure you that everything we do is with the supporters in mind and I know that Steve, his staff and the players, all feel your presence despite the physical absence within stadiums.

We come into this game on the back of a fantastic win against Stoke on Wednesday. I thought the players showed great resilience and character to come back from going a goal down early on and come away with the three points.

Over the last week the club has been proud to support Level Playing Field’s ‘Weeks of Action’ campaign.

L evel P laying F ield aims to showcase the good work being done by clubs and organisations to improve accessibility and inclusion across all sports.

To support the campaign, we have been helping our supporters learn about LPF and understanding what they do, what their aims are to improve

accessibility and inclusion, and how they can assist disabled fans.

We also recently announced a slight restructure in the academy coaching structure, with Kris O’Leary returning to lead the under23s alongside Anthony Wright.

Jon Grey – who was working with the under-23s – will now focus on his role as head of academy coaching. I’d also like to welcome Byron Anthony and Neil Roberts to the club. Byron will be lead coach of the under18s while Neil is overseeing UK recruitment at ages 16 to 21.

Finally, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the management, players, staff and directors from Middlesbrough who have made the long trip to Wales for today’s game.

A s always, we hope you are watching on from home and from further afield, and you’re proud of what the club is doing this season both on and off the pitch.

Enjoy the game.

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Head Coach’s Notes

STEVE COOPER G

ood afternoon everyone as we look ahead to our fixture against Middlesbrough.

I must start my notes by talking about you – the Jack Army.

Tomorrow marks exactly one year since we last played in front of you – a draw with West Brom at the Liberty Stadium.

Our lives have changed in so many ways since then, and many of you have lost loved ones or have gone through tough times.

At the start of the pandemic, we quickly realised that as a football club we had an even greater role to play with our fans and in the community. We got involved in the community, spoke to fans and tried to help in whichever ways we could.

For some, not being able to watch us play has left a big void. It’s something that can affect mental health too - the camaraderie, togetherness, emotions and buzz of match day are hard to replace.

The squad and staff speak about the fans before each game, because not only do we realise how much you miss being at the game to support the team, but we really

miss hearing you at matches too.

There’s nothing quite like seeing you in your numbers at the Liberty, or walking out from the tunnel at away grounds and hearing you outsinging the home fans.

I was asked a lot about the penalty in the post-match press conference, but for me, I really focus on the way we passed the ball upfield and got our wide centre-backs into the box to get us into the position to score a late winner.

I’m sure you’ve enjoyed watching the games on SwansTV Live with the likes of Wyndham Evans, Lee Trundle, Kris O’Leary, Leon Britton and Alan Curtis MBE providing co-commentary.

Scoring a late goal is obviously an amazing feeling, particularly for you watching at home, but it just underlines that the lads fight until the end to get the result you deserve.

But we’re looking forward to the day when we can finally welcome you back home to the Liberty to watch us in action again. Hopefully that will happen soon, but, as ever, everyone’s safety is the priority.

The busy nature of the Championship, added with the congested fixture list imposed by Covid-19, means there was again little rest in between matches. But that’s what we are used to now, and I must say the attitude within the squad has been very positive. You won’t find anyone complaining in this group.

Today we are back at the Liberty after a comeback win at Stoke City on Wednesday night.

We went into that game on the back of a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Bristol City here, and I was delighted with the way the squad responded against Stoke.

Despite falling behind, I felt we showed good character and deservedly left with all three points thanks to Connor Roberts’ excellent finish from Ryan Manning’s cross along with Andre Ayew’s penalty.

This afternoon we face a Middlesbrough side that will be buoyed by a midweek win at Coventry. But, as ever, we place the main focus on ourselves and what we can bring to the game.

Enjoy the game.

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MATT GRIMES Captain’s Notes

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ood afternoon and welcome to everyone joining us from around the world for this afternoon’s Championship fixture against Middlesbrough at the Liberty.

It was disappointing to fall to our first home league defeat sinc e O c tober last time out on home soil. We had sloppy moment s which B ristol City c apit alised on and I felt we were naïve and poor at times.

Other than that, I thought we played well with the ball, we limited them to very few chances and they’re probably the worst goals we’ve conceded this season.

We were in complete control in the first half and could have been two or three up at half-time, but we didn’t take our chances. On

another day, we’d play like we did in the first half and win the game, but that’s just football sometimes.

It’s testament to the character and mentality of the team that we always bounce back from a defeat, and we managed to do so away at Stoke City on Wednesday evening.

It proved a huge last-gasp victory and ensured we returned to winning ways at the first opportunity.

We conceded early on but kept our heads up, just put it behind us straight away and - by playing our way - equalised with a brilliant goal from Connor.

This afternoon we face a Middlesbrough side who have lost just one out of their last five matches, and will be looking to extend their unbeaten run.

The away game at the Riverside proved a difficult test so we know the threats they possess.

We will be approaching the match as we do every game, and will ensure we are as prepared as possible and have the right mindset.

Enjoy the game today!

We showed our intent of getting t h e w i n n e r a n d n e ve r g a ve up, and were able to seal the victory with a stoppage-time penalty from Andre.

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Ministry

Group

Ministry

Graphics

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o coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8, 2021 we thought that it would be a great opportunity for our female board members Cath Dyer and Sian Davies to introduce themselves to you. Cath writes: “I have been a Swans supporter since 1981 and joined the trust in 2011. I was made to feel welcome immediately, despite being the only woman in the group. Since joining, I helped trust member and club disability officer at the time, Ian James, launch the Disabled Supporters Association (DSA) in 2013, of which I am now secretary.

“I have helped at numerous fans’ forums, locally and in Haverfordwest and Lampeter, and met many trust members, and was also involved with organising our trust bowling nights.

“I have been actively involved, through the trust, in the Swans’ awards night - my first being in 2012 while I was on the travel plan committee in 2017, and also helped with the wall of fame, looking after our guests afterwards.

“I also undertake Welsh and English interviews on radio and TV on behalf of the trust and attend the press conferences. As the current associate director, I attend club board meetings with the supporters director.

Being so involved, I meet and speak with many of the friendly staff at the stadium. I am married with three adult children - two of whom are disabled - and am passionate about equality, inclusion and treating everyone with respect. We are having a great season this year, although we are unable to be in the Liberty, but we are so proud of Steve Cooper and the boys.”

Sian writes: “I’ve supported the Swans since I was a child. In order to give something back to the club I love, I stood for election to the trust board and was lucky enough to be elected; this is my second term as a board member. My responsibilities include looking after the membership database and chairing the membership and fundraising group.

On matchdays (remember those?), I was always at the trust pod outside the Liberty chatting with trust members and fans, in English and Welsh.

“With a background in further education, I’ve been involved, alongside a fellow board member, in developing a Welsh Baccalaureate project specifically for the trust. So far we’ve worked with about 700 1516 year-old pupils from local schools, introducing them to the trust and the club, although Covid has unfortunately put a temporary stop to the project.

“Currently I’m one of the board members working with the club on the new catering arrangements at the Liberty – there are big changes and very exciting times ahead, including a Vetch Field pasty!

“Although we are on the trust board, our general membership is sadly very low on female members, so come on ladies, get your voice heard, join the trust via www.swanstrust.co.uk/join-the-trust/.

“We’d also like to engage more with our female members, so if you have any ideas as to how we can do this please contact us at www.swanstrust.co.uk/ contact-us/ - it would be great to hear from you.”

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MIDDLESBROUGH

FACT FILE THE GAFFER

OWNER

NICKNAME

Steve Gibson

The Boro

@Boro

@theboroofficial

Riverside Stadium

1995

TWITTER INSTAGRAM STADIUM OPENED

JONNY HOWSON NEIL WARNOCK

CLUB DETAILS SOCIAL MEDIA FACILITIES

The highly experienced Warnock stepped in as manager in the summer of 2020, replacing Jonathan Woodgate, with Boro becoming the 17th club of the Yorkshireman’s remarkable 40-year managerial career.

He enjoyed an eight-year spell at boyhood club Sheffield United, guiding the Blades back to the Premier League in 2006.

He has also had success with the likes of QPR and Cardiff on his way to a record eight successful promotion campaigns.

CLUB CAPTAIN

The experienced midfielder recently took over the armband from striker Britt Assombalonga and led Boro to a midweek victory at Coventry. The 32-year-old has made more than 500 league appearances across a career taking in lengthy spells with Leeds United, Norwich City and now Boro.

Howson made the move to Teesside in 2017, and has played in a number of positions – including centre-back – during his stint at the Riverside, underlining his versatility and nous.

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FOUNDED 1876

FACEBOOK @MFCofficial

CAPACITY 34,742

STADIUM MEET THE OPPOSITION Middlesbrough were one of the Premier League’s founding members but, along with Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, they were the first to be relegated from it following the conclusion of the 1992–93 season.

The Teessiders have been relegated from the top-flight on three occasions since then, most recently in 2017. Boro reached the FA Cup final 1997 and won the League Cup in 2004. They also reached the 2006 UEFA Cup final, which saw them lose to tournament specialists Sevilla.

MIDDLESBROUGH’S FORM Boro’s form has been up and down, and lacks the consistency Neil Warnock will have been looking for. They have lost five of their last 10 games, winning just three of them.

However, there have been signs of a pick-up in recent weeks with wins over Huddersfield and Reading, before securing a draw against in-form Cardiff at the Riverside and another victory at Coventry.

THE KEY MEN Duncan Watmore has been superb since joining as a free agent in November, and his six goals have already seen Middlesbrough tie him to a longer-term contract.

Britt Assombalonga has chipped in with five of his own, while midfielders George Saville and Marcus Tavernier have shown the guile to create opportunities as well as find the net themselves.

Dael Fry is an impressive performer at the back, with the likes of Paddy McNair and Marcus Bettinelli bringing no shortage of experience.

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MARCUS TAVERNIER

ONES TO WATCH

Ta v e r n i e r j o i n e d t h e Middlesbrough academy at U14 level and has gone on to represent the club 84 times.

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Netted his first Championship goal against North-East rivals Sunderland, and his pace and movement have made him a potent threat for the Teessiders.

He is the younger brother of Rangers captain James Tavernier, who is on the brink of tasting Scottish Premier League success at Ibrox.

POSITION

DF

NATION

AGE

23 MF

Fry made his first-team debut for Middlesbrough in August 2015 at the young age of 17, and was man of the match in a goalless draw against Preston.

He went on loan to Rotherham during the 2016-17 season and has become an integral part of the side since their return to the Championship.

Marries physicality with an impressive turn of pace, and is improving all the time.

DAEL FRY

POSITION

NATION

AGE

21

DUNCAN WATMORE Watmore, the son of former FA chief exec utive Ian, made 71 appearances for Sunderland between 201 3 and 2020, scoring five goals.

Left without a club, he was snapped up by Middlesbrough on a short-term deal in November and made an immediate impact at the Riverside.

His goals saw him rewarded with a longer-term deal in January, and he was named Championship Player of the Month for December.

POSITION

MF

NATION

AGE

POSITION

27 FW

A Chelsea academy product, Saville did not make a firstteam appearance at Stamford Bridge, but had loan spells with Millwall, Brentford and Wolves.

NATION

AGE

POSITION

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NATION

AGE

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The Northern Ireland international joined the Lions in a full-time switch in 2017, before moving to Teesside in 2019.

Former Arsenal youngster Akpom has represented England at every level from under-16 to under-21, and is also eligible to represent Nigeria. After four league appearances for Arsenal – and countless loan spells – he made the move to Greece with PAOK Salonika in 2018. Helped them win a first Super League title in 34 years, and netted a cup final winner against AEK Athens before returning to England with Middlesbrough at the start of this season.

GEORGE SAVILLE

CHUBA AKPOM

He moved to Molineux permanently in 2014, but was then handed further loan spells at Bristol City and Millwall.

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SWANSEA CITY 1 BRISTOL CITY 3 MATCH DETAILS DATE: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27 VENUE: LIBERTY STADIUM REFEREE: KEITH STROUD

MATCH REPORT S

w a n s e a C i t y s u ff e r e d t h e i r f i r s t h o m e Championship defeat since October as Bristol City claimed the spoils at the Liberty Stadium.

The Swans were beaten in the league on home soil for the first time in 14 attempts as the Robins came from behind to claim victory in SA1.

Steve Cooper ’s side had dominated large periods of the first half and edged their noses in front 10 minutes after the break through Andre Ayew’s penalty.

But the visitors - overseen by new boss Nigel P earson for the first time - responded with Nakhi Wells equalising, before former Swans loanee K asey Palmer scored straight from a corner to complete the turnaround.

A nd Swansea’s misery was c ompounded in stoppage time, when substitute Antoine Semenyo charged down Freddie Woodman’s attempted clearance and slotted into the empty net.

LINEUPS Swans: Freddie Woodman; Joel Latibeaudiere (Morgan Whittaker, 82), Ben Cabango, Marc Guehi; Connor Roberts, Yan Dhanda (Jay Fulton, 78), Matt Grimes (captain), Conor Hourihane (Paul Arriola, 80), Jake Bidwell; Jamal Lowe, Andre Ayew.

Subs not used: Ben Hamer, Ryan Manning, Korey Smith, Kyle Naughton, Ollie Cooper, Brandon Cooper.

Bristol City: Dan Bentley; Jack Hunt, Zak Vyner, Adrian Mariappa, Tomas Kalas (captain), Ryley Towler (Steven Sessegnon, 45+1); Kasey Palmer (Antoine Semenyo, 89), Tyreeq Bakinson, Adam Nagy (Han-Noah Massengo, 90+5); Nakhi Wells, Famara Diedhiou.

Subs not used: Max O’Leary, Taylor Moore, Sam Pearson, Sam Bell, Alex Scott.

QUOTE OF THE GAME “IN THE FIRST HALF THE GAME SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE AND DUSTED AND WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN TWO OR THREE GOALS UP, AT LEAST.” STEVE COOPER 21

STOKE CITY 1 SWANSEA CITY 2

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MATCH DETAILS DATE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3 VENUE: BET365 STADIUM REFEREE: DAVID WEBB

MATCH REPORT A

ndre Ayew held his nerve to convert a lastgasp penalty and give Swansea City a first win at Stoke City since 2001.

Ending that long wait for victory in the P otteries looked unlikely when Nick P owell gave Stoke an early lead, but the Swans responded as Connor Roberts equalised with his fourth goal of the season.

And Ayew scored the winner with almost the last kick of the game after Kyle Naughton had been fouled by Jack Clarke.

The visitors had wanted a strong start after defeat to Bristol City, but they trailed in just the sixth minute when Powell finished after Marc Guehi’s pass had been cut out.

Swansea were not long in responding, Ryan Manning producing a magnificent cross that Roberts turned in as he arrived late at the far post.

B o t h s i d e s h a d c h a n c e s t o f i n d a w i n n e r.

To m m y S m i t h a n d S t e v e n F l e t c h e r h i t t h e woodwork for Stoke, while Angus Gunn denied Roberts and Manning.

But it was the Swans who got the rewards for continuing to push late on as Ayew ’s 11th goal of the campaign moved them within a point of the top two.

LINEUPS Stoke City: Angus Gunn, Harry Souttar, Danny Batth (Jack Clarke 46), James Chester; Tommy Smith, Joe Allen, John Obi Mikel (captain), Rhys Norrington-Davies; Jacob Brown, Steven Fletcher, Nick Powell (Jordan Thompson 86).

Subs not used: Adam Davies, Sam Vokes, Tashan Oakley-Boothe, Jordan Cousins, Josh Tymon, Will Forrester, Christian Norton.

Swans: Freddie Woodman; Kyle Naughton, Ben Cabango, Marc Guehi; Connor Roberts, Korey Smith, Jay Fulton, Matt Grimes (captain), Ryan Manning; Andre Ayew, Jamal Lowe (Conor Hourihane 70).

Subs not used: Ben Hamer, Morgan Whittaker, Paul Arriola, Yan Dhanda, Joel Latibeaudiere, Jake Bidwell, Ollie Cooper, Kieron Freeman.

QUOTE OF THE GAME “YOU ALWAYS HOPE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY COMES TO WIN THE GAME, YOU NEVER GIVE UP AND YOU KEEP ON GOING.” STEVE COOPER

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2018 GlobalData UK Market Analyzer (released Aug 2019)

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STILETTOS & STUDS

BY JULIE KISSICK

E

very club has characters associated with it and over the years we’ve been blessed with more than a few gems at Vetch Field and subsequently at the Liberty Stadium.

SwansTV viewer s are often able to share a match with one of them, the ever-entertaining Wyndham Evans.

Not known for his impartial views, Wyndham is one of those former players whose love for the club is apparent every time he speaks.

How much better would life look if we all had Wyndham’s rose-coloured specs I wonder?

A s a k i d , I l o v e d w a t c h i n g E d d i e M a y p l a y.

He was a colossus of a man and my late m um’ s favouri t e.

He always gave everything on the pitch and like many of his ilk, he was remembered fondly long after he hung up his boots; a bit like club ambassador Lee Trundle.

He had me in stitches on Monday when he posted the outtakes of his attempts to wish us all a ‘Happy St David’s Day’ in Welsh.

It was hilarious, and I mean laugh-out-loud, shed a tear hilarious. L ike a pro, he asked whoever had the paper with the Welsh words on to “just show me it and then I’ll do it”. Of course, for the man with the Liverpudlian lilt, it was never going to be that simple.

Someone tried to say something to him before his next attempt at wrapping his tongue around “Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus.”

He replied: “Just let me do it while I’ve got it in me ‘ed now.”

And after he’d completed his task he declared: “I’ll be doing the news next.”

I’m not sure Jonathan Hill or Nick Servini need fear for their jobs just yet, but we all know what they say about practice!

Football needs big characters and today we welcome a side managed by one of the biggest – and oldest - in the game, Neil Warnock.

The Middlesbrough gaffer is perhaps most famous in these parts for managing Cardiff City, but after more than half a century in the game, the 72-yearold made history in November by winning a record 11th manager of the month award.

With his team not far from the play-off places and, at the time of writing, just one place below his former side, he shows no signs of slowing down, despite the relentlessness of the Championship.

He told the media earlier in the week that the unpredictability of the league was something he still enjoyed.

He said: “I think that’s what makes the Championship such a good league, you don’t know what’s around the corner. It’s another different challenge every few days.”

And it’s overcoming those challenges, staying focused and finding a way back to winning ways after the disappointment of defeat, that separates the sides doing well from those who aren’t.

I’m not underestimating the mental toughness required to do that, but in sport we see it time and time again.

After the disappointment of a couple of poor results, our players and the coaching staff will need all of their character to pull themselves up, dust themselves down and go again.

They need to channel their inner Trunds, believe everything is possible and never let anything dull their determination.

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ERTHYGLAU CYMRAEG

BY OWAIN LLYR, BBC WALES

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ae yna bron i bedair blynedd wedi mynd heibio ers i Connor Roberts ymuno gyda Middlesbrough ar fenthyg. Roedd Abertawe yn chwarae yn Uwch Gynghrair Lloegr ar y pryd, ac yn awyddus i’r cefnwr de 21 oed gael blas ar chwarae’n rheoliadd. Felly dyma ei yrru ar fenthyg i’r Bencampwriaeth am dymor.

Ond chwe mis yn ddiweddarach dim ond un gêm gynghrair oedd Roberts wedi ei chwarae i ‘Boro, felly dyma Abertawe yn ei alw yn ôl.

Lai na mis yn ddiweddarach fe chwaraeodd ei gêm gyntaf yn Uwch Gynghrair Lloegr i’r Elyrch, cyn cael ei alw i garfan Cymru am y tro cyntaf ar gyfer gemau cyntaf Ryan Giggs wrth y llyw yng Nghwpan China. Mae hi’n anodd gwybod pam na chafodd Roberts fwy o gyfle i greu argraff yn ei gyfnod byr gyda ‘Boro, ond mae’n ymddangos bod y bennod yna o’i yrfa wedi ei wneud yn fwy penderfynol i lwyddo fel pêl-droediwr.

Mae ei gyfraniad i Abertawe y tymor yma wedi bod yn un holl bwysig. Mae ganddo stamina rhagorol,

a dydi o ddim yn stopio rhedeg i fyny ac i lawr yr asgell dda yna am 90 munud. Roedd hynny i’w weld yn y gêm yn erbyn Nottingham Forest yn ddiweddar pan sgoriodd o’r gôl fuddugol yn y munudau olaf wrth neidio yn uwch na dau o chwaraewyr Forest i benio’r bêl i gefn y rhwyd. Mae o wedi bod yn un o’r chwaraewyr mwyaf cyson yn y Bencampwriaeth y tymor yma, ac mae o hefyd wedi chwarae’n wych dros Gymru. Mi fydd ganddo ran allweddol i’w chwarae yn y gemau sydd gan Abertawe yn weddill y tymor yma, a hefyd dros Gymru yn rowndiau rhagbrofol Cwpan Y Byd ac yn yr Ewros.

O ran y gêm heddiw, does yna mo’r ffasiwn beth â gêm hawdd yn erbyn tîm sy’n cael ei reoli gan Neil Warnock.

Mi fyddan nhw yn brwydro am bopeth, yn enwedig gan eu bod hwythau hefyd yn gobeithio am ddyrchafiad.

Mae canlyniadau’r Elyrch yn Stadiwm Liberty wedi bod yn arbennig hyd yn hyn y tymor yma, a dyna oedd yn gwneud y golled yn erbyn Bristol City ddydd Sadwrn diwethaf yn un mor siomedig. Byddai’n braf gweld rhediad da arall, gan gychwyn efo canlyniad positif yn erbyn Middlesbrough. Gobeithio’r gorau felly.

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Q&A WITH JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE Age: 21 Position: Centre Back Nationality: English Clubs: Manchester City, 0 Apps FC Twente (Loan), 5 Apps, 1 Goal Swansea City, 7 Apps

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D ES P I T E T U R N I N G 2 1 A FEW MONTHS AGO, JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE HAS CRAMMED A LOT INTO HIS RELATIVELY YOUNG CAREER. EURO FINAL HEARTACHE, CAPTAINING HIS COUNTRY TO THE WORLD CUP, A MAJOR INJURY SETBACK, LEARNING UNDER PEP GUARDIOLA AT MANCHESTER CITY, PLAYING ABROAD AND SETTLING IN WALES. HERE, THE CENTRE-BACK REFLECTS ON A BUSY CAREER TO DATE, HIS JAMAICAN ROOTS AND WHAT HE HOPES TO ACHIEVE IN SA1.

Joel, you are in your fifth month as a Swansea City player. How do you look back on your short time here?

I’ve really enjoyed every moment of being here.

The club, the fans, the team have all taken in me as one of their own.

Outside of football too, it’s been great to get to know Swansea and have a look around. It’s obviously a different situation in the world right now, so I’ve not got to see everything the city has to offer, but on and off the pitch I think it’s gone well for me so far.

Patience has been a key word in your time here – you had to wait two months until you made your debut against Luton.

Yeah, that’s spot on. I’ve come to a club which has the best defensive record in the whole of the EFL, so I understand it’s going to be difficult to break into the team and play every game. So I knew I’d have to be patient, and I had faith in the gaffer. I made my debut because of a few injuries, but it was amazing to finally get onto the pitch and make my first appearance for the club. The longer you wait, the sweeter the feeling.

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You were met with a round of applause from your team-mates in the changing room after the final whistle. How did that make you feel?

I was one of the last back in the changing room, and when I walked in they give me a big applause and that made me feel 10 feet tall. It showed me that this club really is together, and we just don’t say it’s a family club for nothing. They didn’t have to do that at all – I’d only played eight minutes or so – but the gesture said everything I needed to know about this squad of players and this club. I had a text from Matt Grimes the next day congratulating me, and that meant a lot too.

You have spent the vast majority of your football career at Manchester City. Have there been many big changes or surprises since coming here?

To be honest, there aren’t any massive changes. Apart from playing a lot more games here, it’s pretty much the same. Training is tough and it’s tight knit group, and that’s what I experienced at City. The philosophies are very similar – build it up throughout the thirds, and play our way. The big difference is the opposition. In the Championship, there are a lot more long balls, battles and a desire to get the ball into the box as quickly as possible. Here, like City, we want the ball at our feet and drag the opposition around. Sometimes you may make a mistake, but the gaffer wants you to stick to the philosophy and be confident in yourself.

As football goes, you didn’t have to wait long before you played against your old club in the FA Cup. Despite the result, it must have been great playing against your former team-mates?

It was great to play against them. I was really up for the game – they are the best team in the world right now, and it was a great experience. Our goal is to get promoted, it’s a little taster of what could be ahead for us. I’d spent seven years at City and trained with a lot of the players I faced, and learned a lot from them too, so it was a good opportunity for me in facing them in a competitive game.

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Being at Manchester City provided you with the ultimate football education, working under some fantastic coaches and alongside world class players. How important a chapter has that been in your development?

Working with Pep Guardiola was a great learning experience. Seeing his philosophy, style and things he wanted to do, it was a real eye opener. When you have an opportunity to play under managers like that, you have to soak up everything that is said and use it to become a better player and person. Not everyone gets the opportunity to work with someone as talented as Pep, so I saw it as an opportunity to learn as much as I could.

I got to work with some amazing players and coaches during my time at City, and I’m grateful for that chance.

While at City, you enjoyed major success at international level. First up, we’ll look at the Euro Under-17 Championships. You reached the final against Spain, who scored an equaliser deep into extra-time. England lost out on penalties. You took one of the penalties but didn’t score. Looking back, how do you reflect on that – was it a moment that helped build strength in character?

I missed all of the games up until the final as I had been injured, but I flew out for the final. We had done really well to get to the final and I wanted to do anything I could to help.

Stepping up to take the penalty, I was always confident. But it was important that I put myself forward. I skied it out of the stadium and at the time, missing that penalty was the worst moment of my career. But, looking back, I think to experience that setback at an early age was a good learning curve.

You have to deal with setbacks in football – you’re not going to win every game and win every trophy – so we were dealt a harsh lesson in that final. It made us stronger players, stronger people, and we were then fuelled to go and win the next tournament.

You did just that in the World Cup final a few months later.

You avenge that defeat by beating Spain 5-2 in the final, and you are captain. Not many people get to answer this question, but what does it feel like lifting the World Cup? Captaining my country at a World Cup was an incredible moment. Pure pride. The players and staff were so determined to overcome the loss to Spain at the last tournament, and we knew we had the talent to win it. The feeling at the final whistle is something I can’t do justice in words. The joy, the relief – knowing we had won the World Cup for our country, it’s just

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the best feeling. I remember I was the last one walking past the squad to lift the trophy – that is a moment in time I’d love to bottle up and live each day!

As captain, you made a rousing motivational speech during half-time of that game along with Marc Guehi, where you were 2-1 down. What did you say?

Myself and Marc were both like captains on the pitch. He was captain for the Euros, and I was captain for the World Cup. But we both enjoyed being leaders and it was something we both felt we could bring to the team. At half-time in the final, we were still very positive despite trailing because we had fallen behind to two fluke goals.

So myself and Marc spoke to the players and it had the desired effect as we went out flying for the second half and went on to hammer them 5-2.

Is that leadership something that you’ve always possessed, or has it developed?

I think I have a good ability to read players. For example, with Marc I can say ‘come on, you’re better than that’, and it will have a good effect.

But with someone like Callum Hudson-Odoi, I’d encourage him as much as possible because that would get the best out of him. If I’d used the same approach for him as I did for Marc, then that wouldn’t have had the desired effect. I am very vocal on the pitch and organising the team.

Not long after the final, you suffer an ACL injury. It’s a big blow as you’re on a massive high at that time. How did you cope with it, and what did you learn from that?

That was a big blow. I went to block a shot in training and the ground gave way. I was sidelined for quite a while and I hadn’t dealt with a big injury before. It took a week to get my head around that I’d be out for the season. I spoke to Joleon Lescott a lot – he was like my mentor at City, and he’d come back from two major knee injuries by the time he was 21. He was a big help to me. There were some tough times, especially when you’re stuck in the gym and the lads are going out training. But the lads were great with me, so too were my family, because they also lifted me up if I was down. Again though, looking back, it was such a big learning curve for me. In football, you’ll deal with highs and lows, and I feel dealing with some setbacks like the missed penalty in the final and this injury – it makes you mentally stronger.

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Another part of your development at City was spending time on loan with FC Twente in Holland. How did you find adapting to life on and off the field abroad?

Moving to a foreign country and living on my own, playing European football for the first time and seeing how different leagues operate – it was a great experience. I was in digs at City when I went to Holland, so it was a big change. Just the normal day-to-day things like sorting your washing, doing the grocery shop – these were good things for me to do. I took a lot from that spell, even though it was cut short due to the pandemic. I scored my first pro goal too – the fans out there were crazy, so it was a special moment.

Was it a big decision leaving a club that you’d spent seven years at? Or was Swansea the perfect option for you?

As there were a few familiar faces here, it certainly made it easier. I spoke to a lot of players who had been here the season before, and they only had good things to say about the club. Having the gaffer, Mike Marsh and David Tivey here was obviously helpful and made a big factor in my decision, but I would have been open to the move anyway. Swansea is a team known for playing football, and I was well aware of the club’s recent history, so I knew it would be a good fit.

Having settled into the squad, what are your aims for this season on a personal level?

Personally, I want to get some more games and minutes under my belt. I’m learning every week and I feel like I am contributing well in training and giving a good account of myself in the games. We’ve got a strong defence here, so it’s difficult to break into the team, but that’s a challenge I like and hopefully I can do enough to make more starts before the end of the season.

Your surname sends some commentators into a tongue twister! Where does it originate from?

level, but I am in the senior part of my career now so this is something I’m thinking about.

What about life off the pitch? The world is obviously dealing with the Covid pandemic at the moment, but what do you like to do in your spare time?

I’ve recently got a Doberman, so myself and my girlfriend like to take the dog out for walks. I recently went to Caswell Bay for the first time, and it was really nice. The lads tell me I need to head to Three Cliffs Bay and Rhosilli too, so we’ll get the dog there too. I live in Killay - there are a few woods nearby, so we like trekking around there a lot. When the lockdown eases, I’ll be hitting the golf courses too.

A little ‘birdie’ tells me you’re a decent golfer.

Ha, well I’m not too bad to be fair. I started golf at the age of 10, and it really opened my mind up to approaching different sports and the techniques involved. I think it’s a great way of getting out, staying fit and clearing your mind. For me, getting out onto a golf course and playing 18 holes is a fantastic way of moving on from the last game and refreshing your mind. I got my handicap down to eight, so I was doing really well until lockdown kicked in. I’ve played a round in Neath with a few of the lads here, and I know there are lots of great courses in the area so I’m really looking forward to getting out on them.

Finally, you’re in the strange situation of joining the club in October but are yet to play in front of the fans.

What message have you got for the Jack Army?

I can’t wait to play in front of the fans at the Liberty. I already know how much the club means to the fans, so that’s something I look forward to. When I’m out for a walk, a few cars go past beeping the horn and they shout ‘Uppa Swans’. I’ve felt the strong connection between the club and fans via my social media accounts too, and playing in front of them at a packed Liberty will be special.

My dad is Jamaican, so there must be some French links in there somewhere. He moved to Doncaster as a child. My grandad was a miner, and he brought the family to England to find work. I’ve not been to Jamaica yet, but I can’t wait to see it. My mum is Scottish – she’s from Lanark. They met when my mum was working in England – she was training to be a midwife.

So you are eligible for three different countries at international level?

Yes, it means I could play for England, Scotland and Jamaica! Of course, I’ve played for England at youth

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JACK THE LAD

t David’s Day, Wales beating England in the rugby and Gareth Bale’s return to form have me coming over all patriotic and thinking about the upcoming international break as Wales launch their bid to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. I know I may have already alienated a large chunk of readers in that first paragraph by mentioning the international break, rugby and a Cardiff-born footballer all in one sentence, but stay with me!

I love Wales and I love sport, so I want to see every single Welsh international team do well.

The last Commonwealth Games saw me stay up until the wee small hours cheering on a Welsh bowls pair on their way to a gold medal!

You’re unlikely to catch me spending 10 minutes watching bowls on a sunny afternoon in my local park, let alone stay up watching it until 3am!

But a Welsh pair on their way to international gold? Pour me another strong cup of coffee!

A s a result of my love of all things Welsh and sporting, I’m one of a rare breed in my native Amman Valley . . . I love both rugby and football. I’ve been called an “egg-chaser” and a “wendyballer” in equal measure.

So be it. I’m guilty of both, so I thoroughly enjoyed watching Wales beat England last Saturday, especially as it helped to raise

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my spirits following the Swans’ defeat by Bristol City.

But as much as I want to see the Ospreys and the Welsh rugby team do well, I’m even more passionate to see the Swans and the Wales national football team succeed.

To me, they are not exclusive of each other.

I know some Swans fans see the international break as an unwanted disruption to the club season, but a successful Swans team usually means a strong Wales team.

Just think how many Swansea-born or current players were in Wales’ squads for the 1958 World Cup and the 2016 Euros - the nation’s most successful campaigns.

And a strong Wales team doing well on the world stage is equally good for the Swans.

Later this month Wales will kick off their latest attempt to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1958 with qualifiers against Belgium and the Czech Republic, along with a friendly against Mexico.

Imagine the massive boost qualific ation would provide to Welsh football in general if Wales made it to Qatar and were anywhere near as successful as they were at the Euros in 2016?

Interest in football would surge again with the result of even more people playing and watching the

sport all around Wales, which can only be good news for the Swans in the long term.

The more homegrown players the club can nurture the better - whether they go on to play for Wales or another country.

I don’t know about you, but there are few things I enjoy more in football than seeing a young Swans player go on to earn international honours - particularly for Wales.

There really is something special about seeing a Swans player in a Wales shirt. The other day someone posted a photo of Robbie James to mark the anniversary of his all too early death.

Robbie was wearing the iconic Admiral shirt of the 1970s with the yellow and green tramlines. It looked like it had been made for him. He was just as at home in that Welsh shirt as he did in the white of the Swans.

Even if you don’t enjoy international football, there is of course also a financial benefit from our homegrown players earning international recognition. It puts them in the shop window.

No fan wants to think of their club as a selling club, but the inescapable truth is that every club in world football - apart from possibly a handful of the mega rich - are selling clubs. Just about every player has a price that a club can’t afford to turn down.

The Swans are no different .

If anything, our very survival depends on the money we get for players - especially those who are homegrown.

A player’s value goes up once they have gained international honours.

And if the international team they play for is successful, the player will attract even more attention.

Like any other Swans fan, I would love all our home-grown players to stay with us throughout their careers.

I absolutely hated seeing Swans players like Joe Allen and Ben Davies being sold to other Premier League clubs while we were still in the top flight.

But it’s an unfortunate financial reality of football that we are going to lose our local heroes if other clubs are willing to pay big money for them - no matter how much we may dislike it.

This, of course, has its financial compensations. Just think how much money the Swans have made out of selling their homegrown players over the years . . . and I’m not just talking about the modern era.

I bet everyone thought Ivor Allchurch would be a one-club man back in the 1950s as one big money approach after another was turned down. But after more than 11 years with the club and more than 300 appearances, an offer eventually arrived that couldn’t be batted away, especially as he had provided magnificent service for the club and was approaching his 30s.

The Golden Boy of Welsh football was eventually lured away to First Division Newcastle United for a fee of £28,000 - big money in those days.

Earlier that year, Cliff Jones had moved to Spurs for £35,000 - a British record for a winger and in 1959 Mel Charles went to Arsenal for £42,750 and two players. The fee was a record for a transfer between two British clubs.

It’s no coincidence that Allchurch, Jones and Charles were all members of the Wales squad that reached the quarterfinals of the 1958 World Cup. In the late 70s and 80s the sale of homegrown internationals like Alan Curtis, Jeremy Charles and Robbie James brought much-needed funds

into the club, while those players also contributed to one of the club’s most successful eras on the pitch.

And I won’t even begin to start adding up the fees the likes of international stars Joe Allen, Ben Davies, Dan James and Joe Rodon have brought in over the past decade, which also saw great success on the pitch.

Imagine the Swans’ current finances without that income.

So it’s financially in our interests for our players to earn international honours - particularly if they earn their first cap while they are here.

Of course, it’s not all about money, just think of the pleasure we’ve had from watching the Allchurches, the Charleses, the Jameses, Curtis, Allen, Davies, Rodon et al playing in the white of the Swans and the red of Wales.

And who’s to say the likes of Davies, Allen, James and Rodon won’t be tempted back to the Liberty before the end of their careers, like so many other homegrown players who were tempted away have done in the past.

After all, Once a Jack, Always a Jack . . . especially the Welsh ones!

C’mon you Swans!

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SWANS ACADEMY

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G

ood afternoon everyone. After a couple of disappointing results and performances, our under-18s returned to winning ways against QPR.

Kris will be key to players successfully preparing for the transition into first-team football and I look forward to working with him.

Despite going into half-time 1-0 down, the team put in a good first-half performance and an even better display after the break. And they showed good character as well-taken goals from Adrian Akande and Rio Campbell, in addition to a penalty by Joel Cotterill, saw us deservedly win 3-1.

Byron joins the club as under-18s lead coach.

Similar to Kris, Byron is a pro licence holder and, combined with his playing background, will be able to bring a wealth of experience to the table particularly valuable to a group who are transitioning from schoolboys to scholars and undertaking full-time football for the first time.

On Tuesday, our under-23s continued their run with a well-deserved away win at Millwall.

Full credit must be given to the lads as they made an early start from the Liberty to make a 2pm kick-off in London. We started well and on the front foot. Daniel Williams enjoyed a lot of early success and was rewarded with a well-taken half volley to give us the lead. Millwall responded well and the lads matched them for effort and defended well to see out the first half.

The second half was more of the same with good defending and a few chances, while it was great to see Jordi Govea return to action after a long lay-off with injury. It was even more pleasing when he struck home our second goal to seal the win.

As announced recently, I’m delighted to welcome Kristian O’Leary, Byron Anthony and Neil Roberts into the academy fold as part of a restructure.

Neil is the final part of the new trio who joins as head of national recruitment, focussing on the ages between 16 and 21. Neil is a former player and Welsh international, and brings a wealth of experience gained through his playing career and time spent at Manchester City to the crucial recruitment area, and will combine with Jack Chapman, who will focus on the recruitment of nine to 15 age groups.

I am very excited by this combination and confident that we will continue to enhance this area.

In the coming months we hope to add to the medical, sports science and analysis teams at the academy, and I look forward to updating everyone when this happens.

In the meantime, good luck to the lads today.

Kris, with his Swans connections, will not only provide excellent knowledge and understanding of the club, but, just as important, critical experience at the top end of the academy coaching chain having coached at this level and higher throughout his career.

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KRISTIAN O’LEARY MAKES A RETURN TO THE SWANS

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wansea City recently unveiled a restructuring of the club’s coaching setup at academy level.

The club is delighted to see Kristian O’Leary return to the club as lead coach of the under-23s, where he will be assisted by Anthony Wright.

O’Leary played over 300 games for the club over a 15-year spell, winning three promotions during his time at both the Vetch Field and Liberty Stadium.

The former midfielder has previously coached in the club’s academy as well as in the first-team setup, while he has most recently been manager of Cymru Premier side Carmarthen Town.

Jon Grey – who had been leading the under-23 squad following the departures of Cameron Toshack and Gary Richards – will now be able to fully focus on his role of head of academy coaching.

The 36-year-old, who played over 200 games in the Football League, has previously coached in the academy at Newport before going on to be academy manager at Rodney Parade.

In a further addition to the academy structure, former Wales international Neil Roberts has taken up a position overseeing national recruitment for ages 16 to 21.

Swansea City ’s academy director Mark Allen said: “I’m delighted to welcome Kris, Byron and Neil to the academy, with all three bringing valuable experienc e to an already t alented group of staff.

“Allowing Jon Grey to now fully focus on the head of academy coaching role is vital to the future development of the coaching curriculum, and I’m also pleased for Anthony Wright who will be assisting Kris in the under-23s.”

Meanwhile, former Bristol Rovers and Newport County defender Byron Anthony has arrived at the club to be lead coach of the under-18s.

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SWANS LADIES DISCOVER TWO UPCOMING FIXTURES

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wansea City Ladies have discovered their first two Welsh Premier Women’s League opponents ahead of the planned resumption of the season.

The champions – who along with their fellow top-flight clubs saw their ‘Elite’ status re-instated last week - will restart their campaign on home turf as they welcome Aberystwyth Town to Llandarcy on Sunday, March 14.

The following weekend they then travel to face newlypromoted side Cascade YC on Sunday, March 21.

Ian Owen’s side had made an extremely promising start to the league campaign before the season was put on hold as a result of Wales being put under tierfour lockdown restrictions.

The Ladies are currently sat in second place with a maximum 12 points from four matches with only Cardiff Met ahead of them. However, the Archers have played an additional match.

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A CENTURY OF LEAGUE FOOTBALL Historian Gwyn Rees looks at the club’s campaigns throughout its 100-year involvement in the Football League divisions and Premier League.

2000-2001 FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO (FINISHED 23RD)

The club owners, now called Ninth Floor, released a statement saying that the club was once again up for sale, and that the half year pre-tax loss was in the region of £800,000.

The City council noted the problems and, not willing to get drawn into a mess not of their own making, decided to put the proposed development at the Morfa site on hold.

On the pitch, the results didn’t improve, even with the management bringing in two more overseas players in Matthias Verschave and Nicolas Fabiano.

Both players were clearly talented, but the hurly burly of lower league football - with its pace and aggression - saw most of the games seemingly pass them by.

The end of a dismal season inevitably saw the club return to the basement division, and even an appearance at home to Wrexham in the FAW Premier Cup final – which ended in a 2-0 defeat saw just over 2,500 supporters turn up to watch.

During the summer break the anticipation of playing in a higher division was overtaken by reports coming out of the club that the boardroom was a divided place. This manifested itself in early September with the resignation of vice-chairman Steve Hamer, but the signs were there for all to see when no players were brought into the club to strengthen the squad despite the step up in quality of opposition.

2001-2002 FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION THREE (FINISHED 5TH)

The opening fixtures brought mixed results, but the problem of scoring goals remained.

The manager was able to bring in French midfielder David Romo, and Venezuelan striker Giovanni Savarese. On their debuts, at home to high flying Stoke City, Savarese impressed everyone by scoring two goals in a much-needed win for the club.

Unfortunately, this was the only win in 13 league games for the side, and the team was firmly rooted to the bottom of the league, with the uncertainty behind the scenes not helping matters.

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At the summer break the depression at the club deepened, with the loss making Ninth Floor PLC selling their stake in the club to former commercial director Mike Lewis for a pound. However, Lewis was left in the unenviable position of being saddled with a debt of £801,000 repayable to Ninth Floor.

Lewis had taken over an impossible situation, and by October the club had been taken over by Londoner Tony Petty, a businessman with financial interests in Australia.

His ownership got off to an inauspicious start when – a day after a home loss to Rochdale in early October - the chairman/managing director called every player into his office and told them that they would have to take massive pay cuts immediately, or else he would tear up the contracts they had with the club.

This was illegal, and Nick Cusack - chairman of the players’ section of the PFA - along with the newlyformed Swansea City Supporters Trust, Mel Nurse and others, would be responsible for ultimately ejecting Petty from the club after a few months of crisis upon crisis at the Vetch Field.

While all this turmoil was going on off the pitch, with non-payment of wages and the threat of a compulsory winding up order hanging over the club, the new manager Colin Addison and the players battled hard on the pitch to stay away from the bottom of the division and relegation into the National Conference.

Under trying circumstances, a lot of credit must be given to the players and management at this time of uncertainty, with public demonstrations going on all around them and temperatures understandably running high with the club’s future at stake.

From the middle of February, the club had a new board, made up of local people who were determined that the future of Swansea City would be in their own hands, and that the club would live within its own financial means and aim to be sustainable for the long term.

With this the management team of Addison and his assistant Peter Nicholas were told that their contracts - which were up in the summer - would not be renewed, and so both men understandably decided to leave the club with immediate effect.

The board turned to senior pros Cusack and Roger Freestone to step into the void until the season’s end; with the team doing enough to avoid falling out of the Football League.

Off the field, March of 2002 saw Swansea City placed into a Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) after most of the club’s creditors agreed to write off much of its debts. It effectively secured the club’s future.

2002-2003 FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION THREE (FINISHED 20TH)

Ahead of the new season Cusack was named as the new full-time manager, with club great Alan Curtis his assistant.

With no money to spend on new faces, Cusack arranged an open day for any players to attend and show the management what they could do. In the end eight new faces joined the club, with local boy James Thomas the most high profile.

An opening day draw against a much-fancied Rushden and Diamonds, and a brave showing in the League Cup against Wolverhampton Wanderers gave hope for the future, but the harsh realities of the league soon surfaced.

Defeat away at Boston United at the end of September saw Swansea bottom of the Football League for the first time in the club’s history. Manager Cusack was sacked, with the experienced former Wales International Brian Flynn taking over.

Immediately the new manager entered the loan market, bringing in the likes of Alan Tate, Leon Britton and Roberto Martinez, players who would later become icons at the club.

But, in the present, the team still continued to struggle at the wrong end of the table, and remained in the relegation positions into the final months of the season.

With just three games of the season left, the team lost at home to Exeter City, a side who were fighting along with the Swans to remain in the Football League, but then - in a tense game away at Rochdale - the Swans came away with all three points thanks to a Marc Richards goal, to set up a nerve-wracking final game of the season at home to Hull City.

During a week where the tension in the city was palpable, the day of the game saw the heavens open, and the game kicked off to a pandemonium of noise.

Thomas converted a penalty after just seven minutes to send the home fans wild with celebration, but after 25 minutes the crowd was silent as the away side led 2-1.

A fortuitous penalty just before half-time was once again converted by Thomas, and the Swans surged to a vital victory when goals from Lenny Johnrose and a third from Thomas ensured the club retained Football League status.

43

HELPING FAMILIES ENJOY FOOTBALL AT HOME The ‘homemade waste pipe goal’. Waste pipes, push-fit knuckle bends and some barrier fencing. It doesn’t seem like much, but sometimes it’s all you need to transform your garden into a proper footy pitch.

OFFICIAL TRADE & HARDWARE RETAIL PARTNER

44

SWANS SUPPORT LEVEL PLAYING FIELD’S CAMPAIGN

S

wansea City is proud to be supporting L eve l P l ay i n g F i e l d ’ s ‘ We e k s of A c t i o n’ c a m p ai g n .

Disability charity Level Playing Field are celebrating their 17th ‘Weeks of Action’ campaign from Saturday, January 27 to Sunday March 14, which aims to showcase the good work being done by clubs and organisations to improve accessibility and inclusion across all sports.

As with fans, Level Playing Field will be absent from the terraces this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which means they will be making their campaign virtual for the first time ever!

To support the campaign, Swansea City is getting involved by helping its disabled supporters learn about Level Playing Field and understand what they do, what their aims are to improve accessibility and inclusion, and how they can assist disabled fans.

WHO ARE LEVEL PLAYING FIELD? Level Playing Field are a sports charity that act as a campaigning and advisory organisation for disabled sports fans.

ACTIVE LEVEL PLAYING FIELD INITIATIVES Level Playing Field run a range of initiatives for disabled sports fans, especially specific to the current climate of living through a global pandemic.

To find out more about the above, c ont ac t liam@levelplayingfield.org.uk.

LEVEL PLAYING FIELD’S WORK Level Playing Field work behind the scenes with clubs to help improve accessibility at sports venues to ensure disabled supporters can experience the best possible match day. Common areas of improvement are sensory rooms, accessible toilets, audio commentary, and accessible clubs shops and food concession stands that include drop-down counters.

Areas of improvement can be highlight by clubs through Level Playing Field services such as access audits, club staff training and expert advice and guidance.

If you would like to keep updated with Level Playing Field’s work, follow them on social media.

The charity supports disabled sports fans through the following channels:

MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMME A s a user-led organisation, Level Playing Field’s members are always at the hear t of what they do. Their shared passion for sport and equality really drives them to influence long term change and improve the spectator experience for all disabled fans.

The Level Playing Field ‘Fan’ membership is free to join, and you can sign up by contacting ben@levelplayingfield.org.uk.

45

46

47

For the latest news and to share your match day experiences, follow…

EFL

theEFL

EFL

MATCHDAY MASCOTS LOUIE HAYTON AGE 7 FROM ABERDARE

REES ALLDRICK

AGE 4 FROM SWANSEA

Become an extraordinary leader ionleadership.co.uk

49

MAIN PARTNERS

CLUB PARTNERS

WESTACRES

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS

50

PLAYER SPONSORS 20-21 FREDDIE WOODMAN

STEVEN BENDA

BEN HAMER

RYAN BENNETT

BEN CABANGO

MARC GUEHI

JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE

KYLE NAUGHTON

CONNOR ROBERTS

JAKE BIDWELL

RYAN MANNING

KIERON FREEMAN

WESTACRES

KOREY SMITH

MATT GRIMES

MORGAN WHITTAKER

JAY FULTON

WAYNE ROUTLEDGE

CALL 01792 616 624 OR

JAMAL LOWE

YAN DHANDA

PAUL ARRIOLA

CONOR HOURIHANE

ANDRÉ AYEW

LIAM CULLEN

EMAIL L.MERRELLS@SWANSEACITY.COM FOR AVAILABILITY 51

SEASON 2020-21 FIXTURE

52

Match Statistics

Key

Goal =

Sub = 2 (number denotes player replaced)

Captain =

DATE

TEAM

Newport County (CC R2) A L 2-0

Sat, Sep 5, 3pm

Woodman

Routledge 3

Naughton

Rodon

Fulton

Bidwell 1

Grimes

Preston North End A W 0-1

Sat, Sep 12, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Rodon

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes

Birmingham City H D 0-0

Sat, Sep 19, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Rodon

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes

Waycombe Wanderers A W 0-2

Sat, Sep 26, 12.30pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Rodon

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes

Millwall H W 2-1

Sat, Oct 3, 3pm

Benda

Roberts

Cabango

Rodon

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes

Huddersfield Town H L 1-2

Sat, Oct 17, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Naughton 3

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes

Coventry City A D 1-1

Tue, Oct 20, 7.45pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Bennett

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes

Bristol City A D 1-1

Sat, Oct 24, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Bennett

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes

Stoke City H W 2-0

Tue, Oct 27, 7.45pm

Woodman

Roberts

Naughton

Bennett 3

Guehi

Manning 1

Grimes

Blackburn Rovers H W 2-0

Sat, Oct 31, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Naughton

Guehi

Bidwell

Smith

Brentford A D 1-1

Tue, Nov 3, 7pm

Woodman

Roberts

Naughton

Bennett

Guehi

Bidwell

Smith

Norwich City A L 1-0

Sat, Nov 7, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts

Naughton

Rotherham United H W 1-0

Sat, Nov 21, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Sheffield Wednesday H D 1-1

Wed, Nov 25, 7.45pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Bennett

Naughton 2

Bidwell 4

Grimes

Nottingham Forest A W 0-1

Sun, Nov 29, 12pm

Woodman

Roberts

Naughton

Bennett

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes Smith 5

1

Bennett

Guehi

Bidwell

Smith

Bennett

Naughton

Bidwell

Grimes

Middlesbrough A L 2-1

Wed, Dec 2, 7pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango 2

Bennett

Guehi

Manning

Luton Town H W 2-0

Sat, Dec 5, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts

Naughton

Cabango

Guehi 3

Bidwell

Grimes

A.F.C. Bournemouth H D 0-0

Tue, Dec 8, 7.45pm

Woodman

Roberts

Latibeaudiere

Cabango

Naughton

Bidwell

Grimes

Cardiff City A W 0-2

Sat, Dec 12, 12.30pm

Woodman

Roberts

Naughton

Bennett

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes

Derby County A L 2-0

Wed, Dec 16, 5.30pm

Woodman

Roberts

Naughton 2

Bennett

Guehi

Bidwell 3

Grimes

Barnsley H W 2-0

Sat, Dec 19, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Bennett

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes

Queens Park Rangers A W 0-2

Sat, Dec 26, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Bennett

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes

Reading H D 0-0

Wed, Dec 30, 8pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Bennett

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes

Watford H W 2-1

Sat, Jan 2, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts

Guehi

Cabango

Bidwell

Manning 1

Grimes

Stevenage A (FA R3) W 0-2

Sat, Jan 9, 3pm

Woodman

Garrick 4

Naughton

Cabango

Evans

Barnsley A W 0-2

Sat, Jan 16, 7.45pm

Woodman

Roberts

Naughton

Cabango

Nottingham Forest H (FA R4) W 5-1

Sat, Jan 23, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts 5

Latibeaudiere

Brentford H D 1-1

Weds, Jan 27, 7pm

Woodman

Roberts

Naughton

Rotherham United A W 1-3

Sat, Jan 30, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts

Norwich City H W 2-0

Fri, Feb 5, 8.15pm

Woodman

Manchester City H (FA R5) L 1-3

Wed, Feb 10, 5.30pm

Woodman

Sheffield Wednesday A

Sat, Feb 13, 3pm

Nottingham Forest H W 1-0

Wed, Feb 17, 7pm

Woodman

Roberts

Naughton 1

Bennett

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes

Huddersfield Town A L 4-1

Sat, Feb 20, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts

Naughton 3

Bennett 1

Guehi

Bidwell 5

Grimes

Coventry City H W 1-0

Wed, Feb 24, 7pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Naughton 3

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes

Bristol City H L 1-3

Sat, Feb 27, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts

Latibeaudiere 3

Cabango

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes

Stoke City A W 1-2

Wed, Mar 3, 8.15pm

Woodman

Roberts

Naughton

Cabango

Guehi

Manning

Grimes

Middlesbrough H

Sat, Mar 6, 3pm

Blackburn Rovers A

Tue, March 9, 6pm

Luton Town A

Sat, Mar 13, 12.15pm

A.F.C. Bournemouth A

Tues, Mar 16, 7.45pm

Cardiff City H

Sat, Mar 20, 5.30pm

Birmingham City A

Fri, Apr 2, 3pm

Preston North End H

Mon, Apr 5, 3pm

Millwall A

Sat, Apr 10, 3pm

Wycombe Wanderers H

Sat, Apr 17, 3pm

Queens Park Rangers H

Tues, Apr 20, 7.45pm

Reading A

Sat, Apr 24, 3pm

Derby County H

Sat, May 1, 3pm

Watford A

Sat, May 8, 3pm

1

3

Manning

Byers

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes

Bennett

Guehi 4

Manning

Hourihane 3

Cabango

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes

Cabango

Bennett

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes

Roberts

Naughton

Bennett

Guehi

Bidwell

Grimes

Roberts 3

Latibeaudiere

Cabango

Guehi

Manning 4

Grimes

Booked =

Sent off =

Carabao Cup = CC

FA Cup = FA

Correct as of March 4, 2021

SUBSTITUTES Smith 2

Gibbs-White

Smith

Gibbs-White

Smith

Gibbs-White

Lowe 1

Smith

Gibbs-White 1

Lowe

Smith

Gibbs-White 2

Smith Smith

1

Lowe

Ayew

Benda, Rushesha, Evans, Williams, Dhanda 2, Peterson 3, Asoro 1

Lowe 2

Ayew

Benda, Naughton, Fulton 1, Dhanda, Routledge 2, Peterson, Cullen

Ayew

Benda, Naughton, Fulton, Dhanda, Routledge, Peterson, Cullen 1

Ayew

Benda, Naughton, Fulton 1, Dhanda, Routledge, Peterson, Cullen 2

Lowe 1

Ayew

Webb, Naughton, Fulton 2, Routledge, Garrick, Cullen, Gyokeres 1

Gyokeres 1

Lowe 2

Ayew

Benda, Evans, Fulton, Dhanda, Palmer 1, Garrick 3, Cullen 2

Gyokeres 1

Lowe 2

Ayew

Benda, Manning, Fulton 1, Dhanda, Palmer, Garrick, Cullen 2

Smith

Fulton

Lowe

Ayew

Benda, Naughton, Manning, Dhanda, Routledge, Cullen, Gyokeres 1

Fulton

Dhanda 2

Lowe

Ayew

Benda, Cabango 3, Bidwell 1, Smith, Palmer 2

Fulton

Dhanda

Lowe

Ayew

Benda, Bennett, Manning, Grimes, Routledge, Palmer 2, Gyokeres 1

Dhanda 2

Lowe 3

Ayew

Benda, Latibeaudiere, Manning, Grimes 1, Routledge, Palmer 2, Gyokeres 3

Palmer 3

Lowe

Ayew

Benda, Latibeaudiere, Manning, Grimes 1, Dhanda 3, Routledge, Gyokeres 2

Fulton

Dhanda 2

Lowe 3

Cullen 1

Benda, Latibeaudiere, Manning, Rushesha, Williams, Smith 3, Cooper, Routledge 1, Palmer 2

Smith

Dhanda

Lowe 3

Cullen 1

Benda, Latibeaudiere, Manning 4, Rushesha, Fulton, Cooper, Routledge 3, Palmer 2, Ayew 1

Smith

Fulton

Lowe 1

Ayew

Benda, Cabango, Manning, Dhanda, Routledge 1, Palmer, Garrick, Cullen, Gyokeres

Palmer 4

Lowe 3

Ayew

Benda, Naughton, Bidwell, Grimes 1 , Dhanda 4

Dhanda 2

Cullen 2

Ayew

Fulton 1 Fulton

Fulton

2

1

Smith Smith

Dhanda 2

Lowe 1

Smith

Fulton

Lowe

Smith 5

Fulton 1

Fulton

Dhanda

Fulton

Dhanda

Fulton Fulton Fulton 1

Routledge

Fulton

Smith

Dhanda

Grimes

Fulton

2

1

4

Ayew

, Cullen, Gyokeres

, Routledge 2, Garrick 5, Cullen, Gyokeres 3

Benda, Latibeaudiere 3, Manning, Fulton, Routledge, Palmer 2, Garrick, Lowe 1, Gyokeres 4 Benda, Evans, Manning, Fulton, Routledge, Palmer 2, Garrick, Cullen, Gyokeres 1

Ayew

Benda, Latibeaudiere, Cabango, Manning, Routledge 1, Palmer, Dhanda, Cullen, Gyokeres

Lowe 4

Ayew

Benda, Latibeaudiere, Cabango, Manning 3, Garrick 4, Palmer 3, Dhanda 1, Cullen 5, Gyokeres

Lowe

Ayew

Benda, Latibeaudiere, Manning, Smith, Routledge, Palmer, Cooper, Cullen, Gyokeres

Lowe

Ayew

Benda, Latibeaudiere, Manning, Smith 1, Routledge, Palmer, Garrick, Cullen, Gyokeres

Smith 2

Lowe 3

Ayew

Benda, Latibeaudiere 1, Manning, Routledge, Palmer 2, Dhanda, Cooper, Garrick, Gyokeres 3

Smith

Lowe

Ayew

Benda, Evans, Routledge, Palmer, Dhanda, Gibbs-White 1, Cooper, Garrick, Gyokeres

Dhanda

Gyokeres

Webb, Guehi, Bidwell 3, Grimes, Smith 1, Williams, Cooper 4, Cullen 2, Lowe

1

2

1

Lowe

Ayew

Hamer, Latibeaudiere, Manning, Routledge, Byers, Dhanda, Cooper, Garrick, Cullen

Routledge 1

Cullen

Webb, Cabango, Naughton, Bidwell 4, Fulton 2, Cooper 3

Hourihane

Lowe 1

Ayew

Hamer, Bennett, Latibeaudiere, Manning 1, Williams, Dhanda, Cooper, Garrick, Morris

Dhanda 1

Hourihane

Lowe 2

Ayew

Hamer, Latibeaudiere, Evans, Manning, Williams, Fulton 1

Fulton

Hourihane

Lowe 1

Ayew

Hamer, Latibeaudiere, Cabango, Manning, Freeman, Dhanda, Cooper, Morris 1, Whittaker.

Fulton

Dhanda

5

Lowe 1

Morris 2

Webb, Naughton, Freeman 3, Bennett, Bidwell 4, Hourihane 5, Arriola 1, Whittaker 2

Fulton

Hourihane 3

Lowe 2

Ayew

Hamer, Cabango, Latibeaudiere, Manning, Smith 3, Dhanda, Arriola 2, Morris 1, Whittaker.

Fulton 4

Hourihane

Lowe 1

Ayew

Hamer, Cabango 1, Latibeaudiere, Manning 5, Smith, Dhanda 4, Arriola, Morris 2, Whittaker 3.

Dhanda 1

Hourihane 2

Lowe

Ayew

Hamer, Latibeaudiere 3, Manning, Freeman, Smith 1, Fulton 2, Arriola, Cooper, Whittaker.

Dhanda 1

Hourihane 2

Lowe

Ayew

Hamer, Naughton, B. Cooper, Manning, Smith, Fulton 1, Arriola 2, O. Cooper, Whittaker 3.

Fulton

Smith

Lowe 1

Ayew

Hamer, Latibeaudiere, Bidwell, Freeman, Hourihane 1, Dhanda, Arriola, Cooper, Whittaker.

2

, Garrick 5, Ayew, Lowe 1

, Cooper, Garrick, Morris 2

53

CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE 20-21 POS TEAM

P

*Sheffield Wednesday deducted 6 points.

W D L

F

A

GD PTS

1

Norwich City

34

22

7

5

48

25

23

73

2

Brentford

34

18

9

7

61

36

25

63

3

Watford

34

18

9

7

45

24

21

63

4

Swansea City

32

18

8

6

41

23

18

62

5

Reading

34

17

6

11

46

37

9

57

6

Bournemouth

34

15

10

9

49

33

16

55

7

Barnsley

33

16

6

11

41

37

4

54

8

Cardiff City

34

15

8

11

53

35

18

53

9

Middlesbrough

34

14

8

12

40

36

4

50

10

Millwall

34

10

16

8

34

31

3

46

11

Stoke City

34

11

12

11

39

39

0

45

12

Bristol City

34

14

3

17

36

46

-10

45

13

Luton Town

33

12

8

13

28

37

-9

44

14

Preston North End

34

13

4

17

38

44

-6

43

15

Blackburn Rovers

33

11

7

15

46

39

7

40

16

Nottingham Forest

34

10

10

14

28

33

-5

40

17

Queens Park Rangers

32

10

10

12

32

39

-7

40

18

Derby County

33

10

8

15

25

37

-12

38

19

Huddersfield Town

34

10

7

17

39

51

-12

37

20

Coventry City

34

8

11

15

31

46

-15

35

21

Birmingham City

34

8

11

15

26

42

-16

35

22

Rotherham United

32

9

5

18

35

43

-8

32

23

Sheffield Wednesday *

33

9

7

17

24

40

-16

28

24

Wycombe Wanderers

33

5

8

20

23

55

-32

23

UPCOMING FIXTURES BLACKBURN ROVERS (A) Tuesday, Mar 9, 6pm

LUTON TOWN (A)

Saturday, Mar 13, 12.15pm

AFC BOURNEMOUTH (A)

Tuesday, Mar 16, 7.45pm

CARDIFF CITY (H)

Saturday, Mar 20, 5.30pm

BIRMINGHAM CITY (A) Friday, Apr 2, 3pm

Correct as of March 4, 2021

NEXT UP AT HOME - CARDIFF CITY

C

a r d i ff f i n d t h e m s e l ve s i n t h e i r s e c o n d season back in the Championship following relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2018-19 season.

That was their second Premier League campaign, having also suffered the drop on their previous top-flight st ay during the 2013-14 season.

29

In total, the Bluebirds have spent 15 of the l a s t 1 8 s e a s o n s i n t h e s e c o n d t i e r, w h i l e r e a c h i n g t h e FA C u p f i n a l i n 2 0 0 8 a n d t h e L eague Cup final in 2012.

SWANS 54

22 CARDIFF CITY

*Past meetings don’t include Welsh Cup fixtures.

18 DRAWS 69 PAST MEETINGS*

55

SQUAD LIST V

HEAD COACH: STEVE COOPER Freddie Woodman Ryan Bennett Ryan Manning Marc Guéhi Jay Fulton Korey Smith Matt Grimes Jamal Lowe André Ayew Jordan Morris Steven Benda Conor Hourihane Wayne Routledge Morgan Whittaker Ben Hamer Paul Arriola Liam Cullen Yan Dhanda Joel Latibeaudiere Connor Roberts Jake Bidwell Kyle Naughton Tivonge Rushesha Ollie Cooper Kieron Freeman Brandon Cooper Daniel Williams Lewis Webb Ben Cabango

1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 30 31 34 36 37 42 44

MANAGER: NEIL WARNOCK 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 27 29 31 33 34

Marcus Bettinelli Anfernee Dijksteel Marvin Johnson Grant Hall Sam Morsy Dael Fry Marcus Tavernier Britt Assombalonga Chuba Akpom Ashley Fletcher Marcus Browne Jordan Archer Yannick Bolasie Jonny Howson Paddy McNair Duncan Watmore Nathaniel Mendez-Laing Darnell Fisher Neeskens Kebano George Saville Marc Bola Djed Spence Sol Brynn Hayden Coulson Hayden Hackney

MATCH OFFICIALS REFEREE: GAVIN WARD ASSISTANT REFEREES: ADAM CRYSELL AND MATTHEW JONES FOURTH OFFICIAL: TREVOR KETTLE