Good afternoon everyone and welcome to the Swansea.com Stadium as we take on Oxford United.
We come into this game after what has been an extremely busy period that has seen a lot of change, but ultimately, we feel we are putting the foundations in place to ensure the club moves forward.
We are continuing to go through the process of bringing in Vitor’s coaching staff. I understand this has attracted a lot of interest but the reality is that the process we are going through is not something we are directly in control of and we have a legal team assisting us as we go through it.
Ultimately, no-one can work for the football club without the correct clearances and documentation, and there are procedures that need to be completed before that can happen.
This was known ahead of Vitor’s appointment and we have all entered this period with our eyes wide open, hence why we have drawn on the support of some key club figures to assist on the grass whilst the process is ongoing.
We hope we will be in a position to confirm incoming appointments soon, but we and Vitor are extremely grateful for the support Joe Allen and Leon Britton have provided during this transitional period.
Clearly, we are currently in the middle of a tough run of results, however, everyone internally is focused on pulling together to turn things around. The feeling around Fairwood has remained positive and the players have all been working incredibly hard to start building things back up.
As Vitor himself has said, the only way we will turn this around as a club is through everyone pulling together and we all have our part to play.
I know the difference your vocal support makes to the players, and the impact it can have on opposition and I know you will be right behind our team as we start another busy run of games leading into the festive period.
We have made a concerted effort to drive the attendances for these upcoming fixtures, which we hope will not only provide a great matchday experience, but tickets are also priced affordably so as many of you can attend as possible.
With that in mind, I hope you enjoy the chance to visit our family friendly Christmas fan park ahead of kick-off today. There is plenty there for everyone to enjoy, including a chance for younger supporters to meet Santa Cyril.
Entry to the fan park will be free with a match ticket or season ticket, and tickets for this fixture are priced at £23.50 for adult tickets and just £6 for under-14s. Families can also purchase an adult and child ticket in the South Stand to receive a family discount, with the combined ticket price just £20.
Tickets are limited but still available and we would love to see as many of you as possible at the stadium to support Vitor and the players as they look to get us back to winning ways after a difficult run of results.
Thanks again for all of your continued support and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the stadium for the game.
Tom Gorringe
CEO, Swansea City
Good afternoon everyone and welcome to the Swansea.com Stadium as we take on Oxford United in the Championship.
It is good to be back in our own stadium, and it has also been positive to be able to have this full week to work with the players on the training pitch.
The players have responded well with the right attitude following the frustration we all felt after the game against West Brom.
They want to show a reaction and they are pushing to try and ensure we take the step forward that we need to do, and to show the resilience to respond when we have tough moments in games.
No-one wants to be in the situation we are in, but we are also in a position where it is in our hands to change that situation.
This game and our game on Tuesday are against teams who are near us in the table, so there is no time for us to cry about anything. No-one will feel sorry for us, it is down to us to find togetherness as a club and for everyone to have each other’s back.
That, for me, has always been the best way to deal with these situations. It is what we need; the players, the fans, the club, everyone to be as one.
These relationships are so important and can help us make that step forward.
As players and coaches we know that this step forward has to come our side, and we are all trying to improve because we know we need to.
If we can show you something on the pitch that makes you feel like we are one with you, then I know everyone will be onboard.
We all need each other and we need to do this together.
Enjoy the game,
Vítor Matos,
First Team Head Coach
Prynhawn da, croeso to today’s game and compliments of the season to you all!
We have a massive few weeks ahead of us over the festive period starting with this game against today’s visitors Oxford United this afternoon, and I think I’m right in saying most of us will have picking up as close to maximum points as possible on our Christmas wish list!
As I’ve said before, I’m extremely proud to part of the Swans Trust heritage group, and we recently unveiled the latest two of the first phase of street art cabinet boxes, which include those of The Allchurch brothers Ivor and Len (on Cwm Level Road), The Alice Street boys (on Alice Street), Trevor Ford (on Townhill Road), Cliff Jones and Terry Medwin (on Western Street), Mel Nurse (on Burrows Road), and Harry Griffiths (on Glamorgan Street, near our spiritual home – The Vetch - where Harry tragically passed away.
The next batch will include Herbie Williams, The Charles family (John, Mel & Jeremy), Robbie James, and Leighton James. The idea behind this initiative was to recognise those individuals who achieved so much in the sport we love but also to hopefully inspire the younger generation to take up football and strive to be the next star from that community or be the first from another.
Although we are in the early stages, we are in discussion with the Railway Inn to have player murals on the pine ends of their venue and also with the Football Association of Wales to recognise the Wales internationals from Swansea as part of the national team’s 150-year anniversary celebrations next year.
On Thursday we held a quiz night at the Penderyn Distillery across the way from the stadium. The event was to raise money & awareness for Faith in Families our nominated charity Faith in Families - Charity Swansea - Brecon.
I’d like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Trust Board to thank the venue (and highly recommended booking a tour, or indeed calling in on matchday when it is open from three hours before kick-off). Additional thanks goes to Trust ambassador Dave Brayley for hosting and presenting the quiz, and Siany for her support on the night. It was Siany who initially brought the charity to our attention and we’ve been proud to support them this season – donations can be made at the Trust kiosk on matchdays in return for these programme notes and a team sheet.
I’d like to give a special mention to Karen from Faith in Families who gave a resounding speech bringing to the forefront the charity’s need for support. For more information please see link and check our socials for the total monies raised.
We really need to get behind the boys today, there’s still plenty of games and points to be won, morale is very important, and support and chanting shouldn’t only be when we’re winning, by the way!
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year!
STID.
Tony
Broadcaster, comedian, actor and Swansea City fan Elis James is the guest for the first episode of the relaunched official club podcast 'Way Down by the Sea'.
Swansea City, in partnership with Dhillon's Brewery, is delighted to announce the full launch of the 'Drop It Like It's Hops' beer to celebrate our co-owner Snoop Dogg, with supporters able to sample the new brew at the Swansea.com Stadium starting with Saturday's game against Oxford United.
Drop it like it's Hops - along with 'The Golden Boy, which honours Swans and Wales legend Ivor Allchurch - are now available on draught in the Mel Nurse Bar and selected East Stand concourses.
To celebrate the launch of the two beers at the Swansea.com Stadium, the new lagers will be discounted for this Saturday's fixture against Oxford United. The promotion includes a pint of 'Drop It Like It's Hops' being priced at £4 and a pint of 'The Golden Boy' being available for £3.70.
As part of a ongoing feature in our digital matchday programme for the 2025-26 campaign, we are calling on all Swans fans to share their memories and experiences of supporting the club this season by submitting your stories and pictures. We will publish a selection over the course of the season, and you can share your stories with us through the link below.
Swansea City fans planning to make the trip to Coventry City for our Boxing Day fixture can take advantage of free coach travel, courtesy of club owners Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen who will personally cover the cost of the transport.
Brett, Jason and the rest of the board are hugely appreciative of the efforts the Jack Army go to in supporting our team home and away, and have seen first hand the hundreds of miles, early starts and late nights supporters put in following the Swans.
With Boxing Day being such a special part of the sporting calendar, and acknowledging and sharing in supporter frustrations at ticket prices for this fixtures, they want to help as many Swans fans as possible attend the game at the CBS Arena.
We therefore hope that providing free travel will make the trip more affordable for all of our supporters at what is already an expensive time of year.
We also hope that this gesture will lessen the number of people who will miss out on watching the Swans on this popular day of the festive football calendar.
Free coach travel will be made available to claim at the same time as tickets for this fixture go on sale. Further details will be confirmed in due course.
The start of the 2025-26 season marked 20 years since Swansea City moved into our Swansea.com Stadium home.
To mark the anniversary, club historian Gwyn Rees is profiling members of the first Swans squad to grace the stadium during the 2005-06 campaign. This time, he looks at the career of Lee Trundle, a born entertainer and a player of such natural talent that his deeds in a white shirt made him a national celebrity at a time when the club was in the lower reaches of the football pyramid.
When Lee Trundle signed for Swansea City on a free transfer from Wrexham in July 2003, no one could have predicted the immense impact he would have on the football club.
The Liverpool-born forward’s goalscoring record alone would stand comparison with any past player, but with his ability to produce moments of eye-catching, breathtaking skill during games, and his regular appearances on Sky television’s Soccer AM, ensured Trundle caught the imagination like few Swansea players have.
Trundle was something of a latecomer into professional football, learning his craft at places like Chorley, Stalybridge Celtic and Rhyl amongst others, before Wrexham manager Brian Flynn paid £60,000 to take him to the North Wales outfit.
Two seasons at the club saw the player adapt well to full-time professional football, scoring 30 goals, and winning two Welsh Premier Cup winners’ medals.
However, when a new contract at the Racecourse was offered to Trundle, he declined, following his old manager Flynn to the Vetch Field.
He was an instant hit in south Wales, scoring on his debut on the opening day of the season against Bury, and following it up a week later with his first hat-trick away at Cheltenham Town.
But this was just a taste of what was to come for the Swansea faithful, with outlandish skill, trickery and plenty of goals becoming the norm.
When some opposition managers and players accused him of showing disrespect with his trickery, it only made the fans love him all the more. In the four full seasons he was at the club, he scored 20-plus goals in each and every campaign. Allied to the goals he laid on for team-mates it did not take long for other clubs to identify Trundle as a transfer target.
The final season at the Vetch Field saw the team promoted out of the old Division Two, and to cap off a memorable season Wrexham were defeated 2-1 in the Welsh Premier Cup final in the last ever game played at the old ground.
The first season at the Swansea.com Stadium saw the team and Trundle continue where they had left off.
The Swans were never out of the top-six places in the third tier, and Trundle continued to score on a regular basis, and terrorise defenders in this higher division.
The Welsh Premier Cup was retained by defeating Wrexham away, and just four days later at the Millennium Stadium the Swans beat Carlisle United 2-1 to lift the Football League Trophy, with Trundle scoring a sensational volleyed goal after just three minutes.
Disappointingly seven weeks later, at the same venue, the Swans lost in cruel fashion to Barnsley on penalties after the League One play-off final had finished 2-2 after extra-time.
Trundle’s appetite for goals showed no sign of abating, but the failure to make the play-offs the following campaign led him to ponder his future and his ambition to play at a higher level.
With just weeks left to the beginning of the 2007-08 season, and with much speculation surrounding the player, the worst fears of many Swansea fans were realised when Championship side Bristol City parted with £1,000,000 to take Trundle to Ashton Gate.
The forward would score a tremendous goal against Crystal Palace to help the Robins reach the play-off final in 2008, where they lost out to Hull, but he found it hard to settle in new surroundings.
By August 2009, Trundle rejoined the Swans on loan and had a good season, but a permanent move was not forthcoming.
He went on to join Preston and has since played in the Welsh leagues for the likes of Llanelli Town and current club Ammanford.
His love and appetite for the game remains undiminished and he is a popular figure in his current role as a club ambassador.
Established in 1893, Oxford United were originally set up as an amateur club called Headington, a village team affectionately known as ‘the boys from over the hill'.
Post-war, The U’s added the name United to their name and in 1959, planning to appeal the club to the city, their name was changed to Oxford United and they were elected to the Football League for the first time.
Their only major honor came in 1986 in the form of the League Cup when, under the leadership of Maurice Evans, they beat Queens Park Rangers 3-0 at Wembley Stadium with former Swan Jeremy Charles among the scorers.
The 1980s also saw their highest-ever league placing. After back-to-back promotions from Division Two and Division Three, they spent three seasons in the top-flight, where they placed 18th twice before relegation.
The U’s have spent much of their recent history in the lower leagues and faced a spell out of the Football League following relegation at the end of the 2005-2006 season. Four years in the Conference followed before Chris Wilder guided Oxford back to the Football League with a 3-1 play-off final win over York in 2010.
Promotion to League One followed in 2016, and they are now spending their second season back in the second flight of English football after beating Bolton in the 2023-24 play-off final.
KASSAM STADIUM
Built: 1997
Location: Grenoble Road, Littlemore, Oxford, OX4 4XP
Capacity: 12,500
Ex-Birmingham City, Derby County and Everton defender Gary Rowett has been at the helm as head coach since December 2024, having taken over following Des Buckingham’s departure.
As a player Rowett was a reliable performer in all the teams he played for, amassing 381 league appearances and scoring 21 goals over a 16-year career.
Rowett moved into management with his final club Burton Albion in 2012. After initially assisting Paul Peschisolido in 2009, he took over the reins and led the club to fourth place in League Two and a place in the play-offs, backing it up the following season with another top six-finish.
Moves to the Championship to manage former clubs Birmingham and Derby County followed, with his fine work at St Andrew’s going unrewarded by the club hierarchy.
He endured a difficult spell at Stoke City, before taking up the reins at Millwall and doing a fine job at The Den, having them in play-off contention over successive seasons.
He left the Lions in October 2023, and spent the final months of the 2023-24 campaign unsuccessfully trying to keep Birmingham City in the second tier following Wayne Rooney’s departure and Tony Mowbray’s need to step down due to ill health.
Rowett had a strong start to his time at the Kassam Stadium winning his first three games in charge, resulting in the 51-year-old winning EFL Championship Manager of the Month for January 2025, and he went on to lead them to second-tier safety.
Cameron Brannagan was appointed Oxford’s captain this summer following the departure of Elliott Moore.
A product of the Liverpool academy, Brannagan made nine senior appearances for the Reds - including three in the Premier League between 2014 and 2018. He also spent time on loan with Fleetwood Town before making a permanent move to Oxford in 2018.
Since arriving at the Kassam Stadium, the midfielder has made more than 290 league appearances and scored 57 goals. Three of those have come this season, the latest being the opener in a 2-2 draw with Millwall in November.
Brannagan was also on target when Oxford knocked the Swans out of the Carabao Cup on penalties in 2022, while his stunning strike against Cardiff City last season played a key part in their eventual survival.
Defender Michal Helik has been ever-present for Gary Rowett’s side this season, featuring in all 18 league games so far.
The defender began his career with his hometown club, Ruch Chorzów, making 46 Ekstraklasa appearances and scoring once.
He moved to Cracovia in 2017, spending three seasons there before making his first switch to England with Barnsley. Helik enjoyed a standout debut campaign under Valérien Ismaël, helping the Tykes reach the Championship play-offs, where they were beaten in the semi-finals by Steve Cooper’s Swansea City.
After Barnsley’s relegation to League One in 2022, Helik joined Huddersfield Town, making 94 league appearances across both the Championship and League One. He completed a move to Oxford in January of this year.
The 30-year-old has also represented Poland at international level. He received his first call-up from former Swans boss Paulo Sousa for the Euro 2020 squad, and later made his senior debut in a 3-3 draw with Hungary during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Former Swan Przemysław Płacheta was the matchwinner in Oxford United’s victory over Ipswich Town last Friday, netting his third league goal of the season and fourth overall.
Płacheta began his career in his native Poland before spending time in Germany with RB Leipzig and Sonnenhof Großaspach. He later returned to Poland, featuring for Pogon Siedlce, Podbeskidzie, and Śląsk Wrocław.
A standout final season with Śląsk - scoring eight goals in 35 appearances - earned him a move to Championship side Norwich City. In his debut campaign at Carrow Road, he made 28 appearances as the Canaries secured promotion to the Premier League, and he went on to make his top-flight debut against Leeds United the following season.
Płacheta spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Birmingham City, but a stress fracture to his left tibia limited him to just five appearances before returning to Norwich to continue his rehabilitation.
He went on to join Swansea City on January transfer deadline day in the 2023-24 season, making 10 appearances in SA1 before a hamstring injury ruled him out of the run-in and he departed when his short-term deal came to an end in the summer of 2024, going on to sign for Oxford.
Brian De Keersmaecker sits at the top of Oxford United’s assist chart this season, having created four goals for his teammates, including the decisive pass for Przemysław Płacheta’s winner against Ipswich last week.
The midfielder made a dream start to senior football, scoring on his professional debut for Belgian side Beerschot VA in a Europa League play-off victory against K.A.S. Eupen.
He later spent a loan spell with Dutch second-tier side FC Eindhoven, before signing for the club permanently the following season on a two-year deal.
De Keersmaecker earned a move to Heracles Almelo thereafter, making 64 appearances across two seasons, and he made the switch to English football in July when he joined Oxford United.
As temperatures dropped below zero during the recent home game against Derby, my eyes kept straying to the new gaffer on the touchline.
Vitor Matos’ previous club, CS Maritimo - situated on the sunshine island of Madeira - must have seemed a million miles away.
The Portuguese has spent all of his adult life in football, where moving clubs at short notice is par for the course.
However, swapping temperatures in the mid-to-late teens centigrade on an island situated 500km off the coast of Morocco, for mid-winter in south Wales, must come as a shock to the system.
As supporters, we expect them to hit the ground running as soon as they walk in through the door at our clubs.
Those working in professional football accept their job can mean switching cities, countries or even continents at the drop of a managerial axe.
But I can’t imagine that makes the transition from one club to another any easier – especially when the move is at particularly short notice.
A sudden drop in temperatures is probably the least of Matos’ challenges as he acclimatises to life in Swansea, Wales and the Championship.
The 37-year-old has, after all, worked in the UK before at Liverpool and has some experience of the south Wales climate having completed his UEFA Pro Licence with the Football Association of Wales.
But watching him bark out orders to the players, his breath clearly visible in the cold night air, provided a visible reminder of the task facing managers when they switch teams at relatively short notice.
Just the week before, Matos was still in charge at Maritimo in Portugal’s Liga 2.
By the Saturday he was watching his new team lose 3-0 at Bristol City.
Monday saw him unveiled to the press as Swans manager and the following evening he was in the not so hot seat in charge of the team for the first time against Derby County.
They say that life comes at you fast.
And Matos didn’t just have to contend with his own personal change in circumstance, he had to manage a group of players who have also just gone through a period of uncertainty and change.
I can’t even begin to imagine how I would cope with my own circumstances changing so drastically in such a short space of time.
After moving home, country and job all within the space of a week, I’d want a few days off and a lie down in a dark room.
When I go abroad, it takes me a good couple of days to get used to the time difference – and that’s just after a hop across the Channel!
After changing jobs, it’s taken me weeks to remember everyone’s name, let alone assessing whether they should be a starting centre half and if they’re best deployed in a flat-back four or not.
Remembering where the toilets are and memorising access codes and passwords are my main objectives during the first few days of a new job.
Leading a group of players I’d never met into an important football match in front of an expectant home crowd eagerly awaiting the ‘new manager bounce’ to kick in would not be top of my to-do list.
But these are the realities of those who earn their living in professional sport.
I have no idea what Matos’ family situation is, but they also have to be considered when players, coaches and managers change their jobs.
So far, our new head coach is giving the impression of taking all of this upheaval in his stride.
A career which has already seen him study and work in his native Portugal, the Netherlands, England, China and Austria may help with the geographical logistics.
And the man-management side of the job is something Matos appears to relish. When he was appointed at Maritimo, he said: “One of the biggest parts of the job is managing 25 different characters and personalities but I’m ready for that.
“I don’t see it as a pressure to deliver. It’s an opportunity to build something special and, for as long as I’m in this job, I will try to be enjoying it at the same time.”
I hope Matos enjoys his time here. Because if he’s enjoying himself, there’s a fair chance us fans are going to be enjoying ourselves too.
But for now, let’s give him a chance to get his feet properly under the table.
When we demand instant results from players and coaches who join a club at short notice, halfway through a season, it’s worth remembering they’re not just highly paid, professional individuals.
They are also human beings, facing all the day-to-day mundane problems we do – especially when we’re getting used to an unfamiliar environment.
According to various studies, it takes us mere mortals between three months and a year to get completely settled in a job.
Meanwhile, the average reign of a football manager in the Championship is often measured in months rather than years.
When you consider those timelines, football bosses really don’t have the luxury of easing themselves in slowly when they take on a new job.
I’m sure Matos will have been grateful to have enjoyed the relative luxury of having a whole week with his players between the West Brom defeat and today’s fixture.
I’m not looking for sympathy on behalf of football managers. They are exceptionally well rewarded and go into the job knowing the risks.
But it’s still worth remembering it’s not just a dramatic drop in temperature Vitor Matos has had to acclimatise himself to over the past couple of weeks.
Hopefully, it won’t be too long before he starts warming to the task of leading the Swans back up the Championship table.
C’mon you Swans!
Enter the Swans Christmas Cracker Prize Draw and support the Swans Foundation
Swansea City AFC Foundation has launched the Swans Christmas Cracker prize draw to help raise funds for the Street Child World Cup.
Ten street-connected young people from the local community will be given the opportunity to represent Wales and the Swans Foundation in Mexico next year at the Street Child World Cup.
Supporters can help the Foundation to make these young people’s dreams come true by entering the latest prize draw, the Swans Christmas Cracker.
Three prizes will be won by three different winners including a mascot experience (including the full Swans home kit and four tickets to a match), a signed Swansea City shirt and a merchandise bundle worth over £50.
The prize draw closes on Thursday December 18 and the lucky winners will be contacted, via email, before Christmas.
Supporters can increase their chances of winning by purchasing multiple tickets and all proceeds will go towards the Foundation’s efforts to get to Mexico in 2026.
First football shirt you owned?
Northern Ireland
Best player you've played with?
Angel Gomes
What's your go-to cheat meal?
Chinese food
Who's the joker in the dressing room?
Vigs
If you weren't a footballer, what would you be?
Not sure🤔
Who's your top artist on Spotify right now?
Zach Bryan
Can you name Welsh word?
Cymru
Toughest opponent you've faced?
Jack Grealish
Favourite holiday destination?
Dubai
Who's your hometown club?
Ballyclare Comrades
Favourite football memory?
International Debut
Zeidane Inoussa smiles when the subject of how he was named comes up.
While the spelling might not be the same as the brilliant former France midfielder, Zinedine Zidane was the inspiration when his parents came to name Swansea’s speedy winger.
Growing up in a family that loved sport – a number of Inoussa’s siblings are involved in a number of different activities – perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that the winger came to have the same moniker as a football icon.
And the 23-year-old jokes that having a name like his meant pursuing a career in football was a must.
“I think with my name being what it is, I guess the idea was that I was always going to play football, and I’m certainly glad to have my name and to have made that choice,” he says with a grin.
“My mother works in a hospital and dad works in the transport sector, they have regular jobs and we are always a sporting family.
“I play football, but my siblings play sports too. My sister plays basketball, my older brother played football and my other sister did athletics so everyone has always been into their sports.
“I wasn’t great at any other sports when I was a kid although now I am older I’ve become really good at basketball. I always followed LeBron James so I would watch the Lakers, but I also really like the 76ers.
“I started playing football when I was six, playing for my school team. I started out as a winger but there was a period where I was playing right-back. I wasn’t very good there though and they moved me back to the wing and that’s where I’ve been ever since.
“I got picked up by the Brommapojkarna academy and I stayed with the club until I was 17, so it was a long time.
“I loved growing up there but the thing I always remember is the snow and cold it is in the wingers. I really don’t think people realise just how cold it gets over there!”
After 11 years on the books of Brommapojkarna, Inoussa made the move to French club Caen in 2019, and would make his senior first-team debut for them in the second tier the following year.
That period in Inoussa’s career also included the opportunity to face star-studded Paris St Germain in the French Cup, with Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Julian Draxler all featuring and Moise Kean scoring the only goal of the contest.
That experience was a highlight, but Inoussa admits the move away from home at such a young age was a real challenge, albeit one he is grateful for having been through on reflection.
“It was difficult. In fact I think it was the most difficult thing I’ve done in my career, especially because of the language barrier,” he says.
“It was a different type of football. It was intense and hard, I wasn’t use to it and I was very young.
“I learnt a lot from that period, and I’m very happy I went through with it. It is a beautiful club, and the people in the club really wanted to help me.
“I had to work hard there, you’ve got to keep on your toes as you’re not always going to play so that’s one of the lessons I took from out there.
“There was also the experience of playing against PSG. I think Neymar was captain for that game. I played against players you usually only see on TV all the time, and players you idolise.
“It was a really good experience. I got the taste of how it is to play at that level, and it gave me extra motivation and fire to work hard.”
Loan spells in Spain with Real Murcia and Valencia followed before Inoussa made the decision to return to Sweden and Brommapojkarna in 2023.
A switch to BK Hacken followed in 2024, and Inoussa would produce the best football of his fledgling career there.
There were 12 goals and nine assists in all competitions, and he featured in all six of their games in the European Conference League play-off rounds.
“They were a very offensive team and had great history with wingers before. They’re known for that style of football,” says Inoussa.
“That step was very good for me at the time, and obviously, I know the language and place, so it was much easier to adapt. I was able to just hit the ground running.
“Everything clicked in the beginning. I arrived with a bit of pressure but they helped me to focus on the pitch and it really paid off, my confidence grew and we played some really good football.”
His performances meant there were a number of clubs interested in Inoussa’s services, but he admits from the first time he spoke with anyone connected to Swansea there was something about coming to south Wales that strongly appealed.
And while the Sweden Under-21 international is honest in acknowledging he has yet to fully hit his stride in Swansea colours, he is determined to find his best form and help Vitor Matos’ side turn around a difficult run of results as they approach the hectic festive period.
“It was the way Swansea approached me and my agent, the plan that they showed me and what they wanted to achieve as a club. It just gave me a good feeling and a knowledge that they really wanted me,” says Inoussa.
“It is a new league for me, and obviously I had an injury which meant I had to manage my workload and the club were so good with me in working through that.
“It’s an intense league, a very physical league and that is something I had to adapt to. Obviously, we have not been as good as we have wanted it to be.
“We have the group, and the staff to turn this around and achieve good things. I’m very confident in this group, and I am confident that I am learning with every game and every week.
“We have a very passionate coach, he shows a lot of emotions. He wants to play with intensity on the ball and a high press, and he wants us to express ourselves on the pitch.
“We’re not high in the table right now, but with the eight games in the Christmas period things can change very quickly.
“That will be new for me. I’ve never really played over the Christmas period, I’ve never played on Boxing Day or New Year’s Day.
“This will be a very important time. That’s the thing with this league, you can turn it around. A lot can happen in two weeks when you get games grouped together.
“I feel like we have a very positive group, we have a good mixture of guys who want to help each other. Everyone takes care of each other.
“We have a good foundation to build on to try turn things around, and personally I want to get to 100 per cent and get better every day, and every game.
“I have to be calm, and accept that it takes time, and the fans have shown a lot of patience with me. My aim is just to improve every single day but I am sure the best is yet to come from me.”
Swansea City Under-18s secured a second south Wales derby win in the space of a week with an impressive 3-0 victory over Cardiff City at the Joma High Performance Centre.
Goals from Kaven Bloniarczyk, Callum Jones and Kai Rhodes secured back-to-back derby victories for the Swans, following last week’s 4–1 success in the PDL Cup.
It was a scrappy opening period with neither side able to settle in possession, but the Swans made the breakthrough when Bloniarczyk reacted sharply to fire home from close range.
The Swans came out stronger after the break and added two further goals, while also securing another clean sheet - their second in as many home games.
The first chance of the opening half fell to the visitors, who won the ball high up the pitch and worked it to Tiger Tobin, but his powerful effort from 20 yards flew over the bar.
Cardiff continued their positive start to the match with another good opportunity, this time falling to Keano Conaty, who saw his first-time volley from inside the area rise too high and clear the bar.
It would be the Swans who opened the scoring in the 24th minute. Jones advanced down the left and lifted a lobbed ball to the back post, where Bloniarczyk met it and smashed home from close range past Sam Jones.
Jones continued to cause problems down the left, just as he did against the Bluebirds in Leckwith last week, and he nearly added a second when he cut inside and curled a superb effort toward the top corner, only for Jones to tip it over.
The winger went close again just before the break, racing onto a long ball and driving to the edge of the area before unleashing a powerful strike toward the bottom-right corner, but Jones once again produced a strong save to parry it away.
Cardiff started the second half well and went close to equalising when Tom Wright produced a smart save to deny Jack Sykes. From the resulting corner, Thomas Prickett struck the post as the visitors continued to threaten.
At the other end, Bloniarczyk was inches away from adding his second of the game, racing onto a loose ball inside the area and sending a first-time strike narrowly wide of the left-hand post.
Bloniarczyk nearly turned provider minutes later, threading an exquisite pinpoint pass through the Cardiff defence to Bobby Lewis. The forward raced through on goal but dragged his effort well wide of the target.
The Swans did double their lead on the hour mark after a superb ball from goalkeeper Wright released Brogan Popham down the left. Some slick link-up play between Popham and Bloniarczyk created space for Lewis, whose initial strike was saved, but Jones reacted quickest to head home at the far post.
Bloniarczyk was called into action at the other end minutes later, showing his defensive quality as Cardiff midfielder Paul Moreno weaved past several white shirts before firing a low strike goalward. where the Swans defender was well-placed to clear the effort off the line.
Substitute Rhodes made an immediate impact down the right and almost added a third Swansea goal with 10 minutes remaining. Driving directly into the box, the winger drilled a low effort across goal, but it flashed narrowly wide of the far post.
Rhodes did get his goal five minutes later. Played through by Bloniarczyk, the winger cut inside, leaving Cardiff defender Harri Davies on the turf, before calmly slotting past Jones to seal more derby delight for the young Swans.
Swansea City Under-18s: Tom Wright, Kaven Bloniarczyk, Caio Ifans (Kai Rhodes 67), Milo Robinson, Brogan Popham, Ben Phillips (Archie Quick 75), Billy Clarke, Bobo Evans (Solomon Baker 82), Harvey Gray (Lukas Murphy 67), Bobby Lewis, Callum Jones (Alex Godfrey 82).
Ten-man Swansea City Under-21s suffered their first home defeat of the season, falling 3-0 to Brentford in the Professional Development League at the Joma High Performance Centre.
A brace from Bees midfielder Luka Bentt and a goal from Chanse Headman gave the visitors the spoils.
The Swans were left to rue missed chances during a first half where they had the better of the chances, before a red card for Sebastian Dabrowski proved pivotal after an evenly contested opening hour.
The first chance fell to Brentford after 10 minutes, with Gbenankpon Boni advancing down the left before cutting the ball back to Bentt. The midfielder got away a first-time shot from 12 yards, but his effort flew well over the bar.
Up the other end, the Swans carved out a chance of their own when a ball into the box was initially headed clear by the Brentford defence, but the clearance fell to Caleb Demery, whose half-volley from just outside the area flashed wide of the left-hand post.
Brentford looked to impose a high press, but the Swans dealt with it well and repeatedly found space in behind. One neat passage of link-up play between Tom Woodward and Bates created another opening, with the latter curling an effort from 20 yards that deflected wide off a Brentford defender.
The Swans continued to look the more positive side going forward, with Zac Jeanes winning the ball well on the right before switching play with a superb cross-field pass to Demery, whose effort was well blocked by Headman.
The Swans then had defending of their own to do after their strong start, with Paris Maghoma showing quick feet to weave past several challenges, but Iestyn Jones recovered well to slide in and block his effort, turning it behind for a corner.
The best chance of the half fell to the visitors shortly before the interval. The Swans looked to break quickly, but a loose pass allowed the Bees to regain possession, with Bentt finding space on the edge of the area before firing a powerful effort towards the bottom corner. Evan Anderson was equal to it, however, getting down smartly to parry the strike behind.
The Swans were back on the front foot early in the second half when excellent pressure from Woodward saw him dispossess Myles Peart-Harris on the halfway line, sparking a two-on-one break with Bates to his right. Woodward slid the pass across, but Brentford goalkeeper Julián Eyestone stood tall, narrowed the angle, and pulled off a strong save.
They would soon rue that missed chance, as Brentford took the lead in the 59th minute. Isaac Holland picked up the ball on the left and played it into Bentt who aimed for the bottom corner and found the mark, beating Anderson to open the scoring.
Things went from bad to worse for the Swans moments later, as they were reduced to 10 when Dabrowski was shown a red card for pulling down Boni as the Brentford man ran through, an incident the referee deemed to be the denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity.
The numerical advantage soon told as Brentford doubled their lead with 20 minutes remaining. A cross to the far post from Luca Picotto was squared by substitute Oliver Shield to Bentt, who calmly slotted past Anderson from close range to make it 2-0.
The visitors came close to a third shortly after, when former Swan Peart-Harris drove into the area and pulled the ball back from the byline to Bentt. However, Callum Deacon recovered well, and a sliding defensive challenge saw the midfielder clear the ball for a corner.
The resulting set-piece proved costly for the Swans, as Iwan Morgan delivered an in-swinging ball to Headman, who powered a header past Anderson to add a third goal for the visitors.
Anderson kept the deficit to three in the closing stages, denying Bentt a hat-trick as the midfielder’s effort from inside the area was straight at the goalkeeper, who made a comfortable save.
Swansea City Under 21s: Evan Anderson, Zach Jeanes (Callum Jones 79), Seb Dabrowski, Dan Watts (Harlan Perry 79), Iestyn Jones, Blair Mckenzie (Carter Heywood 79), Josh Pescatore, Tom Woodward, Morgan Bates, Yori Griffith, Caleb Demery (Callum Deacon 65).
Unused substitutes: Tom Wright.
Brentford Under 21s: Julian Eyestoe, Maxwell Mcknight (Matas Klimas 79), Luca Picotto, Andre Grey, Chanse Headman, Isaac Holland (Oliver Shield 64), Luka Bentt, Gbenankpon Boni, Kyrie Pierre (Caelan Avenell 64), Myles Peart-Harris, Paris Maghoma (Iwan Morgan 64).
Unused substitutes: Theo Mawene.
Two late second-half goals saw Swansea City Women fall to their first away defeat since September as they suffered a 4-2 to Wrexham at the Rock.
The Swans led on two occasions, with Chloe Chivers opening the scoring in the first half before a Katie Barker penalty brought Wrexham level heading into the break.
Aimee Deacon then restored the Swans’ lead with her eighth league goal of the season, but Wrexham again responded from the spot as Barker netted her second of the match.
Wrexham finished the stronger side, scoring twice in the closing stages through Lilli Mai Jones and Rosie Hughes to secure victory on their return to the Rock.
The Swans started positively, carving out the first opportunity from a set piece. Chivers’ 30-yard free-kick looked destined for the bottom corner, but Liz Craven got down well to parry it behind for a corner.
Both teams looked for the opening goal early on, as Barker found Mariam Mahmood, who twisted away from her marker before firing a strong effort that failed to trouble Amelia Forkings in the Swansea goal.
The Swans took the lead just before the half-hour mark following a swift counter-attack. Stacey John threaded a defence-splitting pass through the middle, allowing Chivers to beat the offside trap, round Craven, and finish into an empty net.
The lead lasted only nine minutes, as Barker levelled from the penalty spot after the referee ruled that John had pulled Mahmood down inside the area.
The Swans made the perfect start to the second half, regaining the lead within minutes when Emily Thomas delivered a superb cross from the right, and Deacon met it with a firm header which flew past Craven.
Wrexham looked to respond quickly, with a good chance falling to Baker after a long ball found Ava Suckley, who headed it down into her path. However, Baker’s first-time volley flew well over the bar.
Wrexham equalised for the second time on the hour mark. A long ball down the right found Mahmood, who advanced into the area before being brought down by Lucy Finch. Barker stepped up once again and placed her penalty into the bottom-left corner, with Forkings guessing correctly but unable to keep it out.
The hosts almost took the lead immediately after their equaliser, with an over-the-top ball sending Barker through on goal. However, Forkings stood tall and produced an excellent close-range save to deny the forward.
The momentum was with the hosts heading into the final third of the match, as Faye Hillier-Knox delivered a cross-cum-shot into the box that clipped the crossbar - much to the relief of the Swans.
The hosts made their pressure count, taking the lead for the first time after a Hannah Snape corner was delivered to the back post. Jodie Bartle met it with a header across the face of goal, and Jones reacted quickest to nod the ball past Forkings.
Wrexham continued to look the more threatening side in the closing stages despite holding the lead, and Forkings, who had produced several outstanding saves throughout the match, denied substitute Hughes after she found space in the area, getting down well to keep her out.
But Hughes eventually found her goal in added time, showcasing quick footwork to weave through multiple Swans defenders before rounding Forkings and finishing into an empty net to seal Wrexham’s fourth.
Wrexham AFC Women: Liz Craven, Phoebe Davies, Jodie Bartle, Natalie Clark, Mariam Mahmood, Josie Smith, Ava Suckley (Rosie Hughes 86), Katie Barker, Faye Hillier-Knox (Carra Jones 86), Hannah Snape, Lili Mae Jones.
Unused substitutes: Chloe Ankers, Erin Lovett, Abbie Iddenden, Keren Allen, Leah Burke.
Swansea City Women: Amelia Forkings, Lucy Finch, Maddy Murray, Steph Turner, Sammy Wynne, Aimee Deacon, Chloe Chivers, Stacey John, Ellie Lake, Emily Thomas, Jessica Williams.
Unused substitutes: Lauren Davies, Emily Richards, Maisie Miller, Caitlin Seaborne, Eilish Mitchell, Caitlin Williams.
What an incredible sight to see the pictures of Kevin Sinfield at the Swansea.com Stadium on Wednesday.
I’ve been following the BBC Breakfast coverage of his 7 in 7: Together challenge, and when I heard he was starting one of the seven in Swansea I wondered how I could get there. Work commitments prevented it, but seeing the pictures on television and across social media left me feeling contemplative.
Sinfield is a hero. I know that’s a term we bandy about these days without due consideration for its true meaning, but he absolutely is. He has raised more than £10m for research into motor neurone disease, a brutally cruel progressive neurological illness which attacks the nerves controlling voluntary muscle movement in the body.
His great friend and former rugby league teammate, the late Rob Burrow, is the inspiration for his tireless fundraising, and his visit to Swansea was a particularly poignant one because the family of a young Welsh lad who had recently died of the disease wanted to meet him.
Kyle Sieniawski was just 14 when he died last month and Sinfield met the family at Gorseinon Rugby Club. Melanie, Mark and their 18-year-old son Liam had little support in the time Kyle was living with the disease and Sinfield dedicated his run in Swansea to Kyle, promising that he wouldn’t be forgotten.
Two years ago, when the challenge took place in Cardiff, Sinfield met former footballer Jason Bowen, who played for us for five years from 1990. He announced he had been diagnosed with MND a couple of years ago.
The MND Association figures show that approximately 250 people in Wales are living with the disease “at any one time”. There is no cure and while some of the early symptoms of it can be treated, life expectancy is short and quality of life is poor for most. That is the harsh reality for those living with it and those who care for and about them.
The media team at the club publicised Sinfield’s challenge and ran stories on the club website and coverage across the social media platforms. It was sobering.
We all know that from a football perspective there is a lot to be concerned about as we head into the Christmas period, with a huge game today and another one on Tuesday, also at home. Then, on the Friday before Christmas, we welcome Wrexham for the first south v north league contest in more than two decades.
As football fans we are obsessive, aren’t we? I often talk about the rollercoaster life we live as a result of our commitment to the game and our club; and often we lose perspective. I did last weekend. Two up and a defeat on the final whistle. I was SO miserable on Saturday evening and I have to confess that misery hung over me for days.
But perspective is such a leveller and seeing those incredible people at our stadium, watching young Kyle’s family talk about him so eloquently – it just made me annoyed with myself for losing sight of the bigger picture.
I’m not sharing these thoughts to downplay our situation as a club or our disappointment as fans that we are in 21st place in the table, when many of us hoped that by this point we would be pushing for those top spots. I’m sharing them to remind myself that sometimes I need to see things differently.
The reality is that nine points separate us and Wrexham in 10th. We all know how tight things are in the Championship and the club has made managerial changes which will hopefully reignite our season and get us back on track.
Perspective. It matters.
The link to the donation page for Kevin Sinfield’s challenge for MND is HERE.
JULIE KISSICK
Bereavement
We are sad to announce that Gareth Robert Evans passed away in June aged 35. A huge Swansea city fan, he was an incredible man who will be so sorely missed by his family, friends and other loved ones. All those who knew Gareth, know how much this club meant to him. The Jack Army have lost the most amazing and loyal fan. Rest in peace Gareth. We will love and miss you everyday. We will remember him forever.
We are all Jacks is Swansea City’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion both within the club and throughout the local community.
Working with international and local charities, as well as supporter groups, Swansea City strives to ensure that a visit to the Swansea.com Stadium is a welcoming experience for everyone regardless of sex, sexuality, gender identity, religion, race, disability, or age.
The club takes a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment, victimisation, bullying and abuse.
REPORT IT – IN THE STADIUM
Supporters are encouraged to report instances of abusive and discriminatory language within the stadium by using the anonymous text and Whatsapp number (07886 276015) providing details of the incident and your location in the stadium.
Messages will be charged at the standard rate for your network provider.
The details from the message will be received at the match control room, where any necessary investigation and/or action will be taken.
The club will also record the mobile number of the individual reporting an incident to aid with any inquiries.
Supporters can also use support@swanseacity.com to report instances of discrimination.
An audio commentary service is available for blind and partially sighted fans – provided by Radio City, the Swansea University Health Board Hospital Radio Service.
Radio City has a long association with the football club dating back to the days when the club was known as Swansea Town.
Since moving to the Swansea.com Stadium, the broadcaster has provided a live descriptive commentary service for free at all Swansea home matches, meaning that blind and partially-sighted supporters in both the home and away ends can follow the action.
In order to book a headset for the match, supporters can contact the accessibility team in advance by emailing accessibility@swanseacity.com, or contacting the ticket office from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm by calling 01792 616629 and selecting option one.
Supporters can also book headsets in person in advance at the ticket office, or on the day by speaking to a Disability Liaison Steward on the day.
To learn more about Radio City, visit www.radiocity1386am.co.uk.
The inclusion room at the Swansea.com Stadium is open every matchday for supporters who may require a quiet space during games.
Supporters will be able to attend live matches at the Swansea.com Stadium with the comfort of knowing there is a designated area should they need it. The room is available to any supporter that may require a quiet space.
The space will be monitored by a designated disability liaison steward and provides a safe space with a disabled toilet, a projector to watch the live game, and dignity packs for those who need it.
While some supporters who require a time away from the crowds may prefer to use this room as a quiet space, it will also be possible to watch the match live on a screen projected onto the wall meaning supporters who require the space for any reason don’t have to miss a moment of the match action.
The room is located in the West Stand and, while supporters who feel they may benefit from the use of the space will be recommended to sit in that stand, it will be accessible for anyone in any part of the stadium.
Any supporter who feels overwhelmed by the matchday environment for any reason can gain access to the room by making themselves known to a steward or disability liaison steward.
PLAYER SPONSORS
Shwmae Junior Jacks,
Welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium!
We couldn’t be happier to see you again after an exciting international break! We had a great time watching some of our Swans (past and present) in action! Hopefully tonight will be just as thrilling – we think it will be!
Today's Take Five quiz is about the visitors, Derby County with a little bit of football general knowledge too! Click the button below to test your general knowledge!
Our score prediction is 2-1 to the Swans and we think Vipotnik and Franco will score!
What do you think the score will be?
Uppa Swans,
Cyril and Cybil
Head Coach Vitor Matos
1 Andy Fisher
2 Josh Key
4 Jay Fulton
5 Ben Cabango (c)
6 Marko Stamenić
7 Melker Widell
8 Malick Yalcouye
9 Žan Vipotnik
10 Jisung Eom
14 Josh Tymon
15 Cameron Burgess
16 Ishé Samuels-Smith
17 Gonçalo Franco
20 Liam Cullen
21 Manuel Benson
22 Lawrence Vigouroux
23 Ricardo Santos
24 Bobby Wales
26 Kaelan Casey
27 Zeidane Inoussa
29 Paul Farman
30 Ethan Galbraith
33 Adam Idah
35 Ronald
40 NUMBER RETIRED IN MEMORY OF BESIAN IDRIZAJ
41 Sam Parker
46 Arthur Parker
47 Sebastian Dabrowski
54 Iestyn Jones
Head Coach Gary Rowett
1 Jamie Cumming
2 Sam Long
3 Ciaron Brown
4 Will Vaulks
6 Michal Helik
7 Przemyslaw Placheta
8 Cameron Brannagan (c)
9 Mark Harris
10 Matt Phillips
11 Ole Romeny
12 Luke Harris
13 Simon Eastwood
14 Brian De Keersmaecker
15 Brodie Spencer
16 Nik Prelec
17 Stanley Mills
18 Louie Sibley
19 Tyler Goodrham
20 Tom Bradshaw
21 Matthew Ingram
22 Greg Leigh
23 Siriki Dembele
24 Hidde Willem Ter Avest
26 Jack Currie
27 William Lankshear
29 Ben Davies
31 Jacob Knightbridge
36 Joshua Johnson
39 Gatlin O’Donkor
50 Filip Krastev
Referee - Anthony Backhouse
Assistant Referee 1 - James Wilson
Assistant Referee 2 - Andrew Fox
Fourth Official - Elliott Swallow
STAFF LIST
Honorary Club President - Alan Curtis MBE
Directors
Andy Coleman, Brett Cravatt, Jason Cohen, George Popstefanov, Chris Sznewajs, Tyler Morse, Nigel Morris, Todd Marcelle, Keith English, Martin Morgan, Paul Meller.
Chief Executive Officer: Tom Gorringe
Associate Directors: Diane Hughes
Minority Owners: Luka Modrić and Snoop Dogg
FIRST-TEAM STAFF
Head Coach - Vitor Matos
Head of Goalkeeping – Martyn Margetson
First Team Coach - Kris O'Leary
Interim First Team Coach - Leon Britton
Head of Medical - Dr Jez McCluskey
Staff: Ailsa Jones, Matt Murray, Thomas Gittoes, Michael Eames, Shaun Baggridge, Jake Dayus, Patrick Orme, Lewis Binns, Chris Watkins, Jack Oliver, Harri Mathias, James Cole.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Chief Executive Officer: Tom Gorringe
Head of Operations and Facilities: Andrew Davies
Head of Football Operations and Administration: Ben Greenwood
Head of Commercial: George Alston
Head of Media and Communications: Andrew Gwilym
Head of Safeguarding: Rebeca Storer
HR Manager: Nicola Butt
Head of Facilities: Gordon David
Head of Supporter Services: Hayley Ford
Head of IT: Jonathan Jones
Head of Swansea City AFC Foundation: Paul France
CLUB STAFF
Football Operations & Administration Manager: Rebecca Gigg
Head of Partnerships: Lee Merrells
Head of Hospitality: Catherine Thomas
Head of Ticketing: Mari Tucker
Grounds Manager: Evan Davies
Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle
PROGRAMME PRODUCTION
Contributors: Andrew Gwilym, Rachael Tucker, Cerith White, Jack Otter, Sophie Davis, Mackenzie Squires, Sammy Wynne, Hayley Ford, Owen Morgan, Julie Kissick, Gwyn Rees, James Dow.
Designers: Callum Rothwell, Jac Elsey.