Swansea City head in to their penultimate home game of the season determined to carry on their recent eight game unbeaten run at home to Bournemouth tomorrow night. Russell Martin has disclosed he expects a full squad to choose from as the visitors go hunting for the points to take them back to the premier league.
Bournemouth do have two games in hand on third placed Huddersfield and also have a two point advantage, however three draws ( not a problem ) a loss and a win make up their last five games so a ‘tad jittery’ could best describe the cherries supporters. It could well be the 3-0 away win for Bournemouth over Huddersfield in March will determine matters come the end of the season in two weeks time. The swans also have three draws of late (problem for some) but are on an impressive eight game unbeaten run.
Bournemouth have assembled an extremely strong squad with Dominic Solanke looking to finish on thirty goals this season, he is currently on twenty seven. He is by far and away the cherries biggest threat in front of goal as the swans found out in the fixture at the vitality stadium in November. The 4-0 defeat shocked many as the swans were making good progress in the league and seemingly looking up and not down. Dominic Solanke scored twice and the swans looked ragged at the end of that game.
Dominic Solanke scores against the swans in November
Jamal Lowe left the swans in August for Bournemouth and has featured in twenty three games this season, he has scored five goals. It’s an odd end to the season for Swansea City. Away from the vociferous minority who see nothing good in the team this season the vast majority of neutrals are claiming the swans to be the real deal for next season. Crowds are good, the away support has been magnificent this season and players like Michael Obafemi and Joel Piroe have shone.
But there still seems to be room for far more in some quarters.
Jamie Paterson will feature in the squad tomorrow night as confirmed by Russell Martin, "He'll be involved. Flynn we managed really well, and the sports science team so he could be involved properly rather than in bits and pieces here and there. We really missed him on Monday against Reading when he came off the pitch." Paterson always seems to okay far better when he starts a game as opposed to coming on as a replacement so swans fans will want to see him take part from the off. On Bournemouth Martin said, "They're athletic, powerful, can win in different ways and have a real strength at the top end of the pitch and have conceded the fewest goals as well. It'll be tough, but it's a great challenge and one to really look forward to. All we can ask for the guys is to run as hard as they can for each other and to be really brave with the football. If we do that we have a chance."
Michael Obafemi has been the revelation of this year for Swansea City, now on eleven goals he has finally settled in Swansea and is learning his craft under Russell Martin. For the first time in his career he is smiling properly, loving life and scoring goals. Long May that continue.
As the game gets closer we will carry reports and news on Swansea City and their opponents.
The game kicks off at 7.45pm at the Swansea.com stadium tomorrow night ( Tues 26th )