Welcome to our match day morning on the Indy and today we look forward to this afternoons fixture at the swansea.com between Swansea City and Stoke City. It’s very much a mid table clash but there has always been a contrast in styles when these two sides meet, no matter the season.
Stoke City have sold 1,180 tickets for this game and as ever the club pay for their fans coach travel by supplying free coaches to meet demand. That’s excellent and means an away ticket comes with the guarantee of a free coach ticket - No matter what. Stoke City have been doing this for thirteen years consecutively. And that applies to their women’s team for bigger fixtures.
And here’s another bonus fact, the Potters have frozen their season ticket prices for the nineteenth season in a row. That’s superb.
Clashes between the two clubs over the years have been hot tempered at times, claims of malpractice or more exacting words like ‘cheating’ have arisen. Match day tactics have stemmed from blatant fouling or even attempts to injure players purposely. In 2014 when managing Swansea City Garry Monk following a 2-1 defeat at the Britannia Stadium, Monk heavily criticised referee Michael Oliver for awarding a penalty to Stoke, calling it a "disgrace" and a "blatant dive" by Victor Moses, suggesting he should be heavily punished. Only a Stoke fan would argue. It was shocking cheating.
In 2013 Jon Walters commented on the behaviour of Chico Flores stating "Someone to fall over clutching their face when he hasn’t been touched, trying to con the referee, should be banned,” This during a 3-3 draw at the then Liberty Stadium which was officiated by referee, Bobby Madley who saw a hand ball when the ball was nowhere near any Swans player. Mystery surrounds that decision as at no point in that move was any infringement noticed.
Good old Bobby.
The next season Chico Flores goaded Stoke City fans at the Britannia scoring in a 1-1 draw. Ashley Williams had the ‘always involved near trouble’ Jon Walters by the throat and Ryan Shawcross kicked Nathan Dyer at every opportunity. Yes, he who purposely broke the leg of Aaron Ramsey in two places. This was under Tony Pulis who on numerous occasions was accused of behaviour which was dangerous when at Stoke City. Dave Kitson who witnessed this first hand at the Potters believes his attitude especially against Arsenal, because Pulis hated Arsene Wenger and stated "The message all week was 'lads, be aggressive in the tackle. I didn't want to play like this, and I didn't want to be a part of it." Dave Kitson believes his managers instructions led to the horrendous injury on Ramsey and he was appalled at Pulis’ tactics. They suited Walters, Shawcross and Charlie Adam though.
Remember when on loan goalkeeper Carl Rushworth (below) literally dropped the ball on the back of Niall Ennis as he prepared to take a kick from his hand in April 2024 ? The ball dropped on to the back of Ennis, he responded by turning and putting the loose ball into the net. A clear goal but according to referee, Keith Stroud it wasn’t. Another bizarre incident and there are so many when these teams meet.The Swans went on to win that game 3-0.
This was the standard of tactic employed by Stoke City and not just under Pulis. We’ve seen controversy in every game when these two teams meet. In the reverse fixture this season Josh Tymon was kicked continually and the Swans had a penalty claim turned down in December. There will always be talking points when the Swans meet the Potters and no doubt today will throw up more.
In eight fixtures thirty three yellow cards were issued in the Premier League. Only one sending off and that was Marc Wilson for Stoke.
⚽️Latest team news and injuries
Lewis Baker, Bosun Lawal and Robert Bozenik are out for Stoke, Junior Tchamadeu, Sam Gallagher, Gavin Bazunu and Divin Mubama could feature but they all face late fitness tests, if indeed head coach, Mark Robins selects them. On that he has said, "They are not all integrated with the group. They're back but back to a degree - they're not back back. When you're out for a while, you have to do a little bit more work. That's where we're at”
The Swans have Adam Idah making excellent progress and Zeidane Inoussa ‘as far as we know’ won’t be in the running, excuse the pun. Josh has trained well and is now at peak fitness high throws in the question will Josh Key return to his right back role and possibly Ethan Galbraith returns to midfield ? It does make the Swans far stronger with Malick Yalcouyé, Melker Widell, Gonçalo Franco, Marko Stamenić, Leo Walta and Jay Fulton all available. On the flanks Gustavo Nunes, Ronald and Eom are fit and we know Josh Tymon is itching to play. Zān Vipotnik is fully fit and the centre back pairing of Captain Ben Cabango and Cameron Burgess should form the main anchors in defence. Lawrence Vigouroux is a cert to start in goal.
TEAM NEWS SWANS
Lawrence Vigouroux; Josh Key, Ben Cabango (captain), Cameron Burgess, Josh Tymon; Marko Stamenic, Goncalo Franco, Ethan Galbraith; Ronald, Jisung Eom, Zan Vipotnik.
Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Jay Fulton, Melker Widell, Malick Yalcouye, Gustavo Nunes, Liam Cullen, Leo Walta, Joel Ward, Ollie Cooper.
⚽️ Go to this page and find out more
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Big game features on the Indy.
Right on the ball with Rhys Clayton below..
Read our Josh Tymon feature below as the Indy builds up to the big game this week.