Stoke v Swansea Competition - Sky Bet Championship Venue - Bet365 Stadium Date - 15 February 2025 Kick off -3pm Following yet another disappointing home performance and defeat, this time, to Sheffield Wednesday, next up for Luke Williams’ sinking Swansea squad is what is increasingly looking like a relegation ‘6 pointer’, an away match at Stoke. The sides were relegated together from the PL together - could history be about to repeat itself, albeit this time from the Championship? On Wednesday evening, The Owls boosted their Championship play-off hopes as Michael Smith's goal secured a hard-fought victory at the Swansea.com Stadium. Substitute Smith produced a cool first-time finish as Wednesday took full advantage after Harry Darling's misplaced pass was picked off by Josh Windass. Smith's eighth goal of the season - and his third in his Wednesday's past four games - was enough to settle a game of few clear-cut chances. The Swans kept plugging away but were largely toothless in attack, albeit that Jay Fulton thought that he had equalised with almost the last kick of the night only for the offside flag to rightly save the Owls. Away league victory number seven of the season sees Dany Rohl's Wednesday move to within two points of the top six having won for just the second time in their past seven league games. But this was another dispiriting night for the Swans, who failed to build on their weekend win at Bristol City as they suffered a third successive home defeat. It is now six losses in the past eight league games for Luke Williams' team, who are eight points above the relegation places in 17th. How much longer are the Swans’ owners going to refrain from pulling the trigger …. or can’t they because the finances are so bad? The same evening, Anis Mehmeti grabbed both goals to hand Bristol City victory against Stoke City and maintain their push for the play-offs. The Albanian scored the home side's opener in the 11th minute following a well-worked move, before adding another during the second half with a powerful angled shot. Stoke went close when Nathan Lowe's speculative cross hit the bar, but the hosts always looked in control of the game. The victory leaves Bristol City on 45 points, just two points outside the top six, while Stoke City continue to look over their shoulder in 19th spot, 2 places and 5pts below the Swans. The teams have played each other on 83 occasions, with the Swans winning 26, losing 33 and drawing 24. In the corresponding match last season the sides played out a 1-1 draw, with Harry Darling netting an 89th minute equaliser: Personally, I’d take a point now but I have a feeling that Mark Robins will tactically outthink Luke Williams and we will come away pointless courtesy of a 0-2 defeat. Hope I’m wrong
Thank you Taff for all your match threads. It must feel like a bit of a chore at the moment. I'll hope for the best and prepare for the worst!
Saw a post yesterday that said that Mark Robins has managed teams against the Swans more than any other Manager. He has managed against us on 13 occasions and never won …… you just know what’s going to happen today with his new club
So Darling dropped after his match losing error against the Owls. Eom retained despite his poor form Great to see Franco selected
At this point I think Vip is a square peg in a round hole. Luke won't orchestrate the team play to accommodate his style of play. Can see him moving on soon.
