please log in to view this image Swansea v Birmingham please log in to view this image Competition - Sky Bet Championship Venue - Swansea.com Stadium Date - 5 August 2023 Kick off - 3:00pm Following an eventful Summer which has seen new investment and a new American Chairman of the Swans, the departure of Swans’ Manager Russell Martin (together with the majority of his back room staff) who were ‘headhunted’ by Southampton and replaced by Michael Duff, as well as several players departing, plus a number of new arrivals, the first Championship game of the season has finally arrived - albeit with the transfer window still open until 11pm on Friday 1st September. As such, further departures and arrivals cannot be ruled out before we play Bristol City on 2nd September. The opponents on Saturday are Birmingham and they have had an equally eventful Summer, with new owners and a new Chairman in American Tom Wagner. Under Wagner’s leadership, Knighthead, through its affiliate Shelby Companies Limited (SCL), completed the transaction with the majority owners of Birmingham City Football Club (“Birmingham City”), including Birmingham Sports Holdings Limited, to acquire full ownership and control of St. Andrew’s and 45.64% ownership of Birmingham City Limited. SCL is now responsible for the day-to-day running of Birmingham City and will provide the necessary funding to rebuild and set a new trajectory for the Club. So a potentially exciting time for both teams …. James Linington will be the man in the middle on Saturday - a ref well known to the Jack Army! The Isle of Wight official took charge of his first EFL match in 2008 – a League One encounter between Yeovil Town and Crewe Alexandra – and has since been promoted to Select Group 2, working mostly in the Championship. Linington has also been fourth official for a number of Premier League encounters. He first oversaw a Swansea match in 2009 – a second-round League Cup defeat to Scunthorpe United in which he sent off Garry Monk, Gorka Pintado and Angel Rangel – and has blown the whistle on a further 13 matches involving the Swans. He was most recently in charge for a 2-1 defeat to Reading in December 2022. On that occasion, he handed out five yellow cards in total with Harry Darling, Ben Cabango and Ollie Cooper booked for the Swans. Last season, he took charge of 32 matches – mostly in the Championship – handing out 115 yellow cards and four reds. On Saturday, Linington will be assisted by Andrew Fox and Greg Read. James Bell will be the fourth official. The Swans have played Birmingham on 43 previous occasions, winning 10, losing 21 and drawing 12. In the corresponding fixture last season, the sides played out an exciting 3-4 win for Brum - I’m still struggling to understand how we lost that game…. First games of the season can be notoriously difficult to predict: who’d have thought that we’d have beaten Man United at Old Trafford in Louis van Gaal’s first game in charge, or that we’d have been stuffed 0-3 at home by Blackburn 12 months ago? Despite that difficulty, I’m hoping that the Swans can kick-start Duff’s reign with a 2-1 victory
Well this one I have down on my prediction league, so being in ever optimistic mood for the season, let’s go 2-0 Swans. Excellent write up again Taff.
Just sent this to my cousin - he said he’d take that now as it means the Welsh Cockneys are going down …
Great start to the season Taff, thanks very much. If we can put away our chances on Saturday then it's a 2-1 win for the Swans.
I sense an average start to the season as the team get used to 'playing on the front foot' - an alien concept over recent seasons. Once we're on the front foot we could do really well. 1-1
Having watched my first match Swans’ match in May 1966, sounds like a ‘normal’ season for the Jack Army
Firstly, a big thanks to Taff and Aswan for doing all the work around here! Secondly, it could take a few games to get going but I'm hoping we're defensively better this season (couldn't be much worse!), so I'm hoping for the win which would give us no end of confidence. Thirdly, that ref loves a card I see you've relented on your previously new found positivity. Admittedly it was only one or two posts but still
Have to say, despite my initial optimism with Duffs appointment. Still think we will concede to many goals, going for 2-2.
It only took watching highlights of a couple of those pre season games for the reality to hit home. I hope we get it together before the weekend though. I’m in the Philippines at the moment so will try to find some kind of stream on Saturday night.
NFL legend Tom Brady has become a minority shareholder in Championship side Birmingham City and will assume the role of chairman of the club's advisory board.
I was lucky enough to travel extensively (and regularly) with my job: Canada, USA, Malaysia, Singapore, India, virtually every Western European country
