Swans head coach, Vitor Matos has another chance to get that elusive away win on Monday evening when he takes his Swansea side to Oxford United for a 7:45pm kick off. Tickets for Swans fans have sold out even though a decent support travelled to Coventry City yesterday, they were charged £45 a ticket.

So far Vitor has experienced three away defeats, Oxford have fared far better. However at home they need to pick up a lot more.

The main thing we are experiencing isn’t any difference to that we saw with Alan Sheehan. Most defeats by the odd goal, and indeed most wins. That was the issue just before Sheehan’s collapse towards the end of his tenure. Of course Vitor had no way of putting the ball in the back of the Coventry net, when Liam Cullen missed a gift of an opportunity towards the end of that game it told the story of the season. However, they were by far not the only chances. Vipotnik had a very decent chance, Sky Blues keeper Carl Rushworth spilled a cross from Ronald but it fell kindly. Then there were some very poor finishing with balls being blasted over the bar. Ethan Galbraith didn’t have the best of games but really now he shouldn’t be at right back. If he is included at Oxford that really has to be the last away game he spends in that position.

We have been told there is a right back waiting to join, and the loan market has been explored to replace the potential return of Manuel Benson to Burnley. Having said that would Burnley want him back with him in such poor form - and if he does return he won’t be playing in the Premier League. Dilemma right there.

The recent departure of Gary Rowett hasn’t affected the U’s, in fact their win over Southampton on Boxing Day (2-1) displayed a determined team and a special winner from Stanley Mills to boot. Craig Short is in temporary charge and made immediate decisions on his first starting line up. He made several changes from the defeat at Charlton before Christmas, bringing back Jack Currie, Luke Harris, Stanley Mills and Przemyslaw Placheta, as well as Tyler Goodrham. Goodrham scored the first goal of the game for Oxford so it looks like a refreshed and more confident side.

This won’t be an easy game of course, in fact if the Swans get anything with their lack off goals this season they should be happy. Every game this season the Swans have been presented with opportunities to win the points, and every game those chances haven't been taken. There has to be a return on the amount of crosses the Swans fail to put in. Many are blocked. Josh Tymon is the top crosser at the club and he’s some way down the league rankings when it comes to players. The team itself is well into the bottom half.

Everyone who watches the Swans knows about the poor season they have had in certain areas of the pitch to date, but they also will tell you how frustratingly close this side are to being something. As each opportunity is passed up, and that includes on Boxing Day where at least a point potentially more was on offer. It doesn’t help the players on the pitch and they are the very people who can fix this. There is now a need though for Matos to play his best side, he didn’t do that on Boxing Day. There is no need for excuses with fixture congestion, there isn’t any. Melker Widell and Malick Yalcouyé need to play on Monday, and again at home to West Bromwich Albion. Malick Yalcouyé will be recalled and that’s on the cards we assure you, that is if his club haven't got plans already for him in January. It wouldn’t surprise us and it most certainly doesn’t surprise certain people we speak to believe it’s more likely than not. Benson is one thing, Yalcouyé going back to Brighton would be poor management for his non inclusion.

It has been commented that the team on Saturday was selected with Oxford in mind. With the Swans league position considered this isn’t a time to do this. Best eleven starts. Vitor doesn’t need to overthink this, he needs that away win and the confidence that will bring to the team shouldn’t be overestimated. We will be in Swansea tomorrow night to meet up with those who continually strive to make this a better website. Lunch at the Ship Inn will be the starter and then into Swansea for a few well earned beers for the team as the main course.

Come on the Swans !

Artwork by Swansea Independent