Match Day Thread Swansea City v Stoke City

Swansea City v Stoke City

Competition - Sky Bet Championship
Venue - Swansea.com Stadium
Date - 17 August 2021
Kick off - 7.45pm

Following their scoreless draw at home to Sheffield United, next up for Russell Martin’s Swansea squad is a home match against Stoke City.

On Saturday evening, against Sheffield United, the Swans dominated possession throughout, but the Blades had the better efforts as both sides picked up their first points of the season.

There was an excellent atmosphere at the recently renamed Swansea.com Stadium, with the Jack Army responding vociferously as Martin's team dominated possession, particularly in the first period.

Yet for all their control of the ball, Swansea created only one opening of note in the first half when Joel Latibeaudiere's shot was blocked by the sliding Jack Robinson and Liam Cullen's slip ended any hope of converting the rebound.

Swansea's desire to play out from the back almost cost them early on when McGoldrick challenged goalkeeper Steven Benda and watched as the ball rolled wide of the post.

McGoldrick then drew a decent save from Benda before Oliver Norwood's free-kick presented the unmarked Sharp with a golden opportunity, only for the United skipper to head straight at Swansea's young number one.

The pattern continued after the break, with Swansea - who were watched by American director Jake Silverstein for the first time since he bought into the club 12 months ago - seeing plenty of the ball.

Also reportedly looking on was Ethan Laird who is expected to join the Swans on loan from Man United in the coming days.

Earlier that afternoon, Birmingham and Stoke maintained their unbeaten starts to the season as they played out a goalless draw at St Andrew's.

Steven Fletcher forced an early save from Blues goalkeeper Matija Sarkic, but the hosts responded well and created the better chances.

Skipper Harlee Dean headed just past the post from Marc Roberts' long throw, and Scott Hogan fired inches wide after pouncing on Leo Ostigard's weak header.

Gary Gardner poked the ball into the net late on after Dean flicked on another Roberts long throw, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

The Swans have played the Potters on 76 previous occasions, winning 21, drawing 25 but losing 30.

In the corresponding fixture last season, the Swans ran out 2-0 victors thanks to a sublime effort from Jay Fulton and a brave finish from Kasey Palmer

Turning to Tuesday evening, Jay Fulton will be available for selection following his red card in the Championship Play Off Final although I wouldn’t be surprised to see Russell Martin retain the midfield trio that started against the Blades.

Given that the Swans are very much a ‘work in progress’ at the moment under Martin, and recognising that the Potters are one of the teams that I expect will be challenging strongly for promotion this season, this is another difficult match for the Swans.

As such, I think that the Jack Army will have to wait a little longer for a first home win under Martin: I’m going for a 1-1 draw

 

Thanks Taff. I can see Stoke parking the bus on Tuesday, so this has another 0-0 written all over it. Having said that I am going for 1-0 and if we score early on then 2-0

 

Thanks Taff. As we lacked much goal action from us on Saturday being a positive type we will have a good few shots on target on Tuesday and win the game...

 

I see this as the game we will win in August.

 

Thanks again for the write up Taff.
I would like to think we can win this one but,they will defend deep and hit us.
1-0 Stoke.

 

Just don’t know what to think. We certainly have the potential to win this game and comfortably, but we need to create a little more and maybe once in a while have a shot. Going for a 3 1 win. This is the day when we start creating and taking chances

 

Laird to make his debut?

 

Swans win 2-1

 

I doubt it Taff

 

Maybe?

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/spo...ws/swansea-stoke-transfer-ethan-laird-5793260

Swansea have confirmed he was registered in time to be in the squad for tomorrow night's match at the Liberty Stadium.

 

I think on the bench at best

 

Due to Stoke City returning a percentage of tickets from their allocation 800 tickets have become available for Tuesday

 

We will struggle to sell the extras it’s a midweek game three days after the last home game

 

0-3. Clucas, Allen & Surridge.

I'll go for 1-1.

 

Have to confess I didn't realise Steven Benda was German. How did he get to join Swansea in the first place given he has had no first team experience?

(He obviously had potential, just wondering why an 18 year old German goalie would move to South Wales.)

 

Rissoles ?

 

Maybe he came over early to put his towel down for a good spot on Caswell beach

 

Ex-Swans goalie Gerhard Tremmel recommended Benda whilst working in a scouting role for us in Germany.

 

Well the Germans weren't adverse to coming to Swansea in 1941

 

Ooh...