Stoke City v Swansea City Competition - Sky Bet Championship Date - 31 August 2022 Kick off - 7:45pm Venue - bet365 Stadium Following yet another disappointing performance in the 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough, next up for Russell Martin’s faltering Swans is a tricky looking visit to play Stoke City. Last Saturday, first half goals from Riley McGree and Matt Crooks secured a first win of the season for Middlesbrough at home against the Swans who drop into the relegation zone. The Swans struggled to get out of the blocks - indeed there was only one team in it for the opening 45 minutes. Boro deservedly took the lead after Jonny Howson intercepted a poor sideways pass from Congreve. The former Leeds United midfielder played through McGree, who calmly beat Fisher to the delight of the Riverside faithful. Middlesbrough continued to dominate, and doubled their lead after half an hour when Matt Crooks got in front of his man to tap in Ryan Giles' low cross from close range. The Swans were handed a lifeline when Darragh Lenihan was penalised by Bobby Marley for handball in the box and Joel Piroe slotted home to set up a grandstand finish. But Ben Cabango, who was already on a yellow card, was given his marching orders with two minutes remaining after shoving Isaiah Jones to the floor in a rash moment. Victory saw Middlesbrough move up to 18th in the Championship, as they jump to six points from their opening six games. Swansea’s poor form continues, their 10 goals conceded is the highest in the Championship, and they drop down to 22nd. Worryingly, the Swans have now won only once in 12 Championship matches - the 9 points won out of a possible 36, is not only relegation form, it’s bottom of the table form! Whilst the Swans were losing to Boro, following the sacking of Michael O’Neill, Stoke caretaker boss Dean Holden made widespread changes following ditching the Potters' three-man defence to go 4-3-3, as well as making five changes. Goalkeeper Jack Bonham came in for Joe Bursiik, while Morgan Fox, Aden Flint, Sam Clucas and Dwight Gayle were all recalled in place of veteran defender Phil Jagielka, and loan men Gavin Kilkenny, Will Smallbone and Tariqe Fosu-Henry. It all clicked into place for the Potters as they sent Jon Dahl Tomasson's Rovers to a third straight defeat - in what was the 100th meeting between two founder members of the Football League, back in 1888. Stoke had lost three away league games in a row, going back to last season, as well as losing on penalties in their last trip to Lancashire in the EFL Cup first round at Morecambe. In an energetic first-half display there were also clear-cut chances for on-loan Liam Delap, Flint, and last season's top scorer Jacob Brown. Impressively, when Blackburn improved after the restart, the managerless Potters showed heart and desire to protect their precarious lead - and record only their fourth win on the road in 2022. The win moved Stoke up to 17th in the table, 2 points and 5 places above the Swans. The Swans have played Stoke on 78 previous occasions winning 25, losing 32, with 21 drawn. In the corresponding fixture last season, Stoke ran out easy 3-0 winners: Turning to Wednesday evening, given the combination of the new Manager bounce, plus the fact that Stoke is not a happy hunting ground for the Swans, I can see nothing other than a comfortable home win - possibly by more than last year’s 3-0 defeat….. If we do lose in Stoke, and then fall behind at home to QPR on Saturday, the atmosphere could turn ugly - ‘Sacked in the Morning’, ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ etc could well fill the air …..
Wolves boss, Bruno Lage, confirmed that young midfielder Luke Cundle is likely to join Swansea on loan, while the futures of a number of fringe players will also be decided.
Thanks Taff. Well my theory that we will perform better away from home than at home was severely dented on Saturday. I am however going to stick with it and I think we will come away from Stoke with a point. So it's 1-1 for me.
Someone should tell Russ that: The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Taff, your summary of the game is at odds with RM's! He should put his guide dog on at Stoke, they'll never get the ball back then I can see Stoke relishing this one... 3 - 1
Swansea City has completed the signing of midfielder Luke Cundle on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, subject to international clearance. The 20-year-old will spend the remainder of the 2022-23 season with the Swans, and will wear the number 18 shirt after becoming the club’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window. Cundle follows Nathan Wood, Harry Darling, Matty Sorinola and Joe Allen through the arrivals’ door in SA1, and he is in contention to make his debut in Wednesday night’s Championship clash with Stoke City. Cundle came through the academy ranks at Molineux, and was named their academy player of the season for the 2021-22 campaign. He made his senior debut in a League Cup tie against Reading in 2019, and he made four Premier League appearances last season. Those outings included a start in a 2-0 win over Tottenham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and a number of Championship clubs were interested in securing his services on loan.
Surprised by the timing but clearly things aren't good there. Goals for 2 goals against 16 Also Dundee Utd have sacked their head coach following their 9-0 defeat at the weekend
Swansea City has completed the loan signing of Armstrong Oko-Flex from West Ham United, subject to international clearance. The 20-year-old winger will spent the remainder of the 2022-23 season with the Swans, and has linked up with Russell Martin’s squad in time to be in contention for Wednesday’s Championship game against Stoke. The England and Republic of Ireland age-grade international becomes Swansea City’s sixth signing of the summer transfer window following the arrivals of Nathan Wood, Harry Darling, Matty Sorinola, Joe Allen and Luke Cundle. Dublin-born Oko-Flex – who will wear the number 21 shirt for the Swans - started his youth career in his homeland, before moving to Arsenal after being spotted by Liam Brady.
I suspect that his interview after the Liverpool defeat on MOTD played a huge part in his dismissal …..
