Blue Monday is supposedly the saddest day of the year, but not if you are a Swansea City fan. For them it’s not just the third Monday each January – when Christmas bills hit the doormat and the weather is still grim – that brings on the gloom.
Swansea City captain Matt Grimes is reportedly due to have a medical at Coventry City on Thursday, with a view to completing a move suggested to be worth £3m to £4m. The switch will be a huge blow to Swans supporters and further evidence the January transfer window is like kryptonite to the club every year – draining their strength and self-belief.
Luke Williams has claimed Swansea City’s fans are starting to feel sick of the sight of him. The Swans head coach cut a dejected figure after his side’s disastrous 5-1 defeat at Norwich City, a result that extended their miserable run of form and left their travelling supporters deeply frustrated.
Cardiff City will look to Yousef Salech to help drag the club further away from the relegation zone this weekend. The striker scored a last minute equaliser on his debut in midweek – a goal that not only rescued a point for the Bluebirds, but suggested there will be more to come.
Luke Williams insists Swansea City have recovered their pride after their derby day disaster, even though another defeat has left them as close to the relegation places as they are to the play-offs. The Swans lost 2-1 at home to Sheffield United, who moved back to the top of the Championship, but gave a display in marked contrast to their weak showing at Cardiff City last weekend. But they also gave away a soft equaliser after half-time and then had Harry Darling sent off for a reckless challenge near the halfway line.
Former Swansea City star Jonjo Shelvey has returned to the UK to sign for Championship promotion-chasers Burnley. The former Newcastle United and England midfielder has agreed a short-term deal running until the end of the season.
Callum Robinson proved once again he is the main matchwinner for Cardiff City as he returned to net two goals for the Bluebirds in their 3-0 triumph over Swansea City in the South Wales derby. Robinson missed his club’s last three games through suspension following a red card against Coventry City, but he announced his return to the team with two brilliant left-footed strikes. Added to Dimitrios Goutas’ header, it was enough to give Cardiff an emphatic victory and riposte to those who felt this fixture has meant more to their rivals in recent years.
Calum Chambers is loving turning back the clock and reinventing himself as a midfield player. The former Arsenal and England centre back star has rekindled his dream to make the grade as a midfielder at Cardiff City this season and is still frustrated he didn’t get a crack at his favoured role at The Emirates after returning from a successful loan season at Fulham. He has been moved up the pitch by Bluebirds boss Omer Riza since Christmas and since then his relegation-threatened side haven’t lost.
Omer Riza was not in charge of Cardiff City for the last South Wales derby, but he insists he knows all about the rivalry with Swansea City. Riza actually held the Bluebirds’ post-match press conference back in August after the 1-1 draw at the Swansea.com Stadium. But that was only because the then assistant manager’s own boss, Erol Bulut, was sent off after a push-and-shove contest with some of the Swans’ players over a ball that had gone out of play.
Luke Williams admitted Swansea City were deservedly dumped out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle after a one-sided defeat at Southampton. The Swans lost 3-0 and offered little in the way of resistance against a team struggling to win a game in the Premier League.
You need to have shown admirable patience if you’re interested in Swansea City’s FA Cup progress this season. The Swans do not begin their Cup campaign until late Sunday afternoon at 4.30pm – the penultimate fixture of the third round – when they visit Southampton.
Former Swansea City head coach Graham Potter is poised to be named as the new manager of West Ham. The Hammers are close to appointing Potter, with Julen Lopetegui set to be informed of his sacking on Wednesday morning.