Swans hit top spot as a club but Millwall loss needs reviewing
Sunday, 27th Apr 2025 10:22 by Liam Walters & Keith Haynes

In amongst our search for the appropriate news yesterday it was almost as if the Swans game at Millwall passed us by. That wasn’t the case but information overload has led to a more considered report of this game.

In amongst the news of Wrexham being promoted to the Championship and Cardiff being relegated to the third tier of English football we had what looked like a sedate game at the New Den. To an extent it was and when you review the game as a whole it was pretty poor finishing that lost the Swans this contest. There is nothing more frustrating than seeing golden chances to score being thrown away by Zân Vipotnik and Liam Cullen. The former has an incredible ability to miss absolute sitters in matches and this again was displayed yesterday. Millwall did what they had to do in the first half and the Swans threw away chance after chance in the second.

The Jack Army travelled in very decent numbers, that upper stand (below) holds 2,900 in its entirety so a very decent turn out for what was a nothing game. Their voices booming over south London, the travelling support were more frustrated than unhappy with this loss.

The very late withdrawal of central defender Harry Darling was in a way another example of what the Swans could look like next season. That’s if final talks are not successful the week after the last game of the season. (Oxford home next Saturday : 12.30pm) They are becoming extremely crucial now, but no more so than an attempt to snatch Lewis O’Brien from the claws of Nottingham Forest. That will cost money as he enters the final year of his contract at his parent club. He is much sought after and the terms he wants to play for the Swans are exceptionally high. Those talks though will happen as well.

We have been told that deals for both Darling and O’Brien have been investigated throughly.

As mentioned the spine of the team needs completing with someone who at least knows how to score goals. The Swans have Liam Cullen, Zân Vipotnik, Jerry Yates and Mykola Kukharevych on their books. Yates will go to Derby we believe but only if they stay up. Vipotnik is somehow drawing the attention of other clubs, but it seems he is targeting next season at Swansea. Hopefully if he does he actually hits that target because it has to be said his finishing is shocking at this moment in time. If there is a time to sell Cullen it will be this summer, if anyone shows interest then the Swans should take it. The money from sales will be placed in some way into the Swans coffers for summer transfer help. However, the figures must never be seen as whole payments. All transfers at Swansea and elsewhere are spread over the period of the players contract. Normally three years, and will include all associated fees. So, say a million was paid for Cullen (an example) the Swans would get around £350,000 or so for the first year, and some of that would go into the transfer coffers. And that applies to every sale.

However, it is more than evident a goalscorer is needed after the theatrics of yesterday. Had the Swans scored three it wouldn’t have been a surprise in the second half. Good supply from Eom and hard running from the aforementioned O’Brien led the charge. It wasn’t Gonçalo Franco’s best game either. He was subbed off and he remains a rough diamond still. The only thing we will say is congratulations Franco for not getting a red this season. The way he plays and unsettles opposition players that’s pretty much a win win in itself. His thirty nine games to date have brought a couple of goals and assists and an ever improving Franco. Yesterday, as will happen with him as he matures he just didn’t cut it. You have to be honest when assessing development.

Ronald was as ever trying his absolute best to open up the Millwall defence. His final ball still remains an issue after eighteen months , his skills base when taking players on also frustrating but he is a threat. Just the one goal for him though this season but a decent return on assists. (7) But that didn’t work yesterday. As per Franco, Ronald could be at the club until 2028. What did please a lot was Joe Allen’s contribution to the game, a player we genuinely believe will get another one year deal this summer. His contribution to the Swans overall has been superb. His touch still exquisite and he is a dangerous midfielder to any opposition. Twenty four appearances this season and some very valuable contributions have proven a lot of his doubters wrong.

Eom is another valuable player who the Swans need firing on every cylinder next season, his improvement under Alan Sheehan has been very evident, Even though we know more attacking threat is needed, especially out wide he has had a very good season despite his bad injury. What we saw yesterday was evidence of what we have and what we need as a club. There are some big holes to fill and more evidence of what is required. That’s very much in progress with a restructure at the club we really should be getting excited about. The key to this structure is the will to do well and work to a premium level. There is also another added ingredient - Expertise. Cardiff City as an example do not have that and have never really have. The Swans structure now across the board is positive and can only do good for the future. The Bluebirds drop to League One (third division basically) will see better options for young players to come to Swansea, who for the best part of many supporters lives have been the most successful Welsh side. You could say ever. In any event whatever the other teams in Wales do they won’t reach the heights of Swansea City this century in the foreseeable.

The game yesterday may have fans split on what we need at the club this summer. A summer that will be pivotal for the club. What we know is everyone is focussed on the future, the staff may have a few more addictions to come, but the club are now setting themselves up for success. The defence seems pretty sorted as a first eleven and the arrival of Hannes Delcroix (from the same hard work that brought us Lewis O’Brien) could be a player the Swans would sign. In fact he is much respected at the club, and Sheehan we know would have him in a heartbeat. He filled in well yesterday when he had to change his game plan after Darling’s late injury.