Swansea City travel to Blackburn Rovers for a Tuesday tie at Ewood Park (7:45pm) in the Championship later today. The Swans sit in thirteenth in the table with Blackburn Rovers below them in twentieth.
The Swans have nine points after some disappointing home results in the form of draws, so it isn’t losses we are speaking about here. It’s more about those fine margins which head coach, Alan Sheehan states are not helping his sides progress. He believes his side is getting better as they get to know each other. Gonçalo Franco was replaced by Malick Yalcouýe the on loan Brighton midfielder on Saturday and proved to be an effective choice. The issue with Malick and Franco is potentially their strength on the ball, we have seen that this season which is also a weakness which Millwall tried to expose on the weekend. Sheehan stating on his decision, "It was very difficult. Very difficult. I think Franco has started every league game for me so far. He's a wonderful player, somebody that I love and just for this game we wanted different relationships and felt that we had to negate their direct play and set pieces. Their niggly fouling and persistent pulling and tugging of shirts going completely unpunished by referee Dean Whitestone. So much so two good penalty shouts were completely ignored.
The Swans have their normal post match treatment this week but nothing that will affect Sheehan’s travelling Swans. Millwall scored from a set piece in the final seconds of injury time in the first half, and despite news outlets reporting three games in a row it is actually four.
Blackburn Rovers were well beaten on Saturday by three goals to nil at Charlton Athletic. Manager, Valérien Ismaël isn’t so much under pressure, he is not dissimilar to Alan Sheehan, things are not going as he would wish. Despite leading on possession his side only managed two shots on target in their game. Referee, Anthony Backhouse was the focus of Ismaël’s attention for missing decisions that should have meant his side were rewarded for their efforts. "I think it's terrible the referee didn't see that [handball by Lloyd Jones], because it can be a game-changer. What's embarrassing is that our captain is allowed to speak to the referee and he has winked at him and laughed at him. This is unacceptable. He made a mistake, but at least treat our player properly and not laugh at our players."
All managers have their issues, some need to look closer at themselves with the potential use of a mirror which is reccomended. The much talked about replay after leading against Ipswich Town with some ten minutes to go is still on his mind after the replay decision last week. He has called the decision disgraceful has also been on his mind. Rovers will be like a wounded tiger we think come tomorrow evening. They have two wins to their name this season, under a manager in Ismaël, who also won the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen as a player - and was Crystal Palace’s £2.75m record signing in 1998, he has the experience at his finger tips to turn his club around.
Alongside long term injured Hayden Carter, Moussa Baradji and Jake Garrett remain on the sidelines. Sidnei Tavares is fit and Axel Henriksson has returned to training. Adam Forshaw, who hasn't played yet this season, is training with the team but will feature for the Under-21s this week.
From the last six fixtures both sides have won three. Last season the Swans lost at Ewood 1-0 but returned the favour with a 3-0 drubbing in February. (above) The last goal the Swans scored in Blackburn was in October 2023, Liam Cullen (below) scoring the winner.
It’s a match day tomorrow and we will be in it from the off.