Luke Williams admits his wounded Swansea City squad are only too aware of the significance of Saturday’s derby clash with Cardiff City. The Swans sit 15th in the Championship following a drab 1-0 defeat to Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Sunday – a result that leaves the Swans just five points above the relegation zone.

In the battle between master and apprentice, new Swansea City head coach Luke Williams – Russell Martin’s former assistant at the Swans – knows he still has some lessons to learn. Jamie Paterson scored for the Swans against Southampton and also struck the post but the home side still lost 3-1 to a dominant Saints.

Russell Martin gave further proof he is a manager heading for higher things with a convincing and record-breaking victory at his former club, Swansea City. But the former Swans head coach says Southampton’s new unbeaten club record will not carry as much importance if the Saints do not return to the Premier League. Southampton broke a 103-year-old club record on Saturday by extending their unbeaten run to 21 games with a 3-1 victory at Martin’s old club.

Luke Williams used to spend 10 hours a day in the company of Southampton boss Russell Martin and he hopes he can read his friend’s mind when Martin takes his Saints side to old club Swansea City on Saturday. Williams worked with Martin as assistant coach at Swansea before heading to Notts County, and now finds him in the opposite dugout after taking over the managerial reins at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Luke Williams has claimed the opportunity to return to Swansea City was “irresistible”. The club’s new head coach has also vowed to deliver a team to excite supporters after being appointed in succession to Michael Duff.

Luke Williams could be in place as Swansea City’s new head coach in time for Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Morecambe. The Notts County boss has agreed to the move and talks between the clubs over compensation are expected to conclude quickly.

Russell Martin has said he is not surprised to see Swansea City struggling – but insisted he takes no pleasure from their decline. The former Swans head coach watched his current Southampton team hammer his old club 5-0 in a game that encapsulated why the former Scotland defender left one club to join the other.

Russell Martin insists he has no regrets about his post-match celebrations that riled some Cardiff City fans. Martin stuck four fingers in the air in the direction of travelling Bluebirds supporters after his Southampton team had beaten Cardiff 2-0 at St. Mary’s.

Callum Robinson insists he took no offence, but plenty of advice, after being criticised by his Cardiff City manager, Erol Bulut. Republic of Ireland striker Robinson was told by Bulut he needed to work harder defensively after he was left out of the starting line-up earlier in the season.

Michael Duff has urged his Swansea City players to seize opportunity as the only way to respond to a devastating triple injury blow. The Swans head coach has thrown down the gauntlet to his whole squad after the loss of Josh Ginnelly, Joe Allen, and Nathan Wood.

Michael Duff has suggested he may have only three games left to save his job after Swansea City completed their worst start to a season for 32 years. The Swans head coach is still searching for his first league win as manager seven matches into the season after his team were held to a 1-1 draw at Queens Park Rangers.

Michael Duff has tipped Nathan Wood for a future with England after Swansea City fought off fierce transfer interest from Southampton for the defender. Wood joined the Swans from Middlesbrough for £400,000 in the summer of 2022 and impressed throughout last season under Russell Martin – who was keen to take the 21-year-old from Wales to St Mary’s Stadium.