If Swans head coach, Alan Sheehan had a quandary on Saturday over his choices then he surely hasn’t got one for tomorrow night when the Swans take on Crawley in the the first round of the League Cup ? There has to be a form of awareness now that your best side needs to be able to gel, so pick it. Winning is contagious, not an experiment in full competitive games.

Of course Eom and Ben Cabango shouldn’t be risked as they were on Saturday at Middlesbrough, but maybe give Jay Fulton a rest and play your fit centre backs such as Cameron Burgess and Kaelan Casey ? He needs the two Josh’s either side of his chosen centre back pairing, and get them more up to speed. Despite his efforts Ethan Galbraith lost energy in the second half at the Riverside, with Gonçalo Franco, Melker Widell and Zeidane Inoussa clearly needing more time to settle into playing in this Swansea system. Sheehan will probably start Zân Vipotnik, although he was awful on Saturday - and he really does need to see how Kyrell Wilson and Bobby Wales can do under the lights in the League Cup.

There needs to be more positivity about the head coach this week with two games coming up. Both should be earmarked for wins, with a positive mindset this really has to be at least at the forefront of his mind. Crawley should be despatched easily, it’s possible they won’t be, and Sheffield United at home is surely the type of game this side should be right on the button for ? Be like that and you win.The long balls that went nowhere on Saturday were a sign that Sheehan wants to win games by any means necessary, but clearly his players haven’t got the foresight to play that game. It failed time and time again. But the real thing we all want to see surely is effort, at least some spark that gives the impression this mundane style so similar to Luke Williams isn’t the format for this season. Sharpness and commitment will bring its own rewards.

It needs to be seen tomorrow night. No excuses.

Crawley Town have met the Swans once before in the League Cup, that was in September 2012 as the Swans progressed to the final beating the current holders, Liverpool and the European Champions, Chelsea over two legs in the semi final. Bradford City were no match in the final losing 5-0. The Swans won 2-3 in 2012, that’s below. Possibly a game the Red Devils could have won. The Swans though sneaking through. The winning goal scored by Garry Monk in the 92nd minute.

A look at the team first that third round game will bring back some memories.

⚽️ Swansea City: Gerhard Tremmel, Dwight Tiendalli, Ben Davies, Garry Monk (capt), Ki, Leon Britton, Mark Gower, Michu, Jazz Richards, Wayne Routledge, Luke Moore. Subs: Dai Cornell, Alan Tate, Darnel Situ, Lee Lucas, Daniel Alfei, Rory Donnelly, Danny Graham.

A big Swans support for a League Cup tie was in attendance, sold out and that wouldn’t be surprising as the club were in the Premier League. The manager then was one Michael Laudrup.

Under the reign of Steve Cooper the Swans again visited Crawley, this time for a pre season fixture which ended up 2-3 as well. George Byers, Captain Nathan Dyer (below) and Oli McBurnie scoring for the Swans.

⚽️ Crawley Town, The Red Devils manager has overcome much in his life, having an illustrious lower and non league career he lost his wife to cancer when she was 44. His brother also died in a motorcycle accident on his way back from watching Scott play in 1995. This is Scott’s second stint at Crawley having been sacked by MK Dons back in March. Only three weeks later he was appointed at Crawley again. His father was Keith Lindsey who played for Gillingham, as did Scott. After Lindsey joined Crawley he led them to five wins and a draw against Birmingham City, despite that they were relegated to League Two. Their first game of this season was lost at Grimsby 3-0, and on Saturday they were defeated at home 1-2 by Newport County.

An early break from the league may well be just the tonic they need as they currently sit joint bottom of the League Two table with Barnet and no points. The game kicks off tomorrow evening at 7pm. Under 14 is £1, 14-23 £8, Adult £10, Over 65 £8. The West Stand looks to be the only area open.

More on this game to follow.

Artwork by Swansea Independent, Dyer photograph, Dimitris Legakis

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