Tomorrow we see Southampton visit the Swansea.com, a team which has an incredible run of form behind them. The last time they lost away was on Sunday January 4th this year, a 4-0 defeat at Middlesbrough. Before that Oxford United defeated them 2-1 on Boxing Day. Is there hope ?

Russell Martin, despite the way he left Southampton was involved in the signings of Flynn Downes and Ryan Manning, Nathan Wood also joined the Saints. Downes was signed by the Swans when Martin came to the club as a part of his own contract. That signing earned the Swans multi millions when he left for West Ham.

Downes and Manning have been a significant part of the incredible form of Southampton, of course there are others, Ross Stewart looks lively and to be honest their attacking flair on their left can overwhelm anyone. The Swans have to be aware of this threat especially with Sam Parker now getting a look in. We saw a depleted defensive right when Joel Ward was targeted by two attackers at Sheffield United for Gustavo Homer’s goal. Sam also had a tough time against Middlesbrough with Liam Cullen ineffective ahead of him as cover, that isn’t his role. This is crucial for tomorrow’s game at the Swansea.com.

There will be a big emphasis on securing the flanks which has been the Swans Achilles heel this season, but also there has to be a solid strategy in attack. The Swans have the players but there has been little ‘entire game’ performances. Eom has extreme talent but not all the time, Melker Widell who we believe will be a huge player next season the same. Ronald has hit a big solid wall this season, despite some reflecting on his defensive work his role in attack has fallen to an extremely low level. Some will state that his involvement is like playing with nine outfield players. The Swans need to have a proper conversation about him this summer.

Ethan Galbraith is out but he would relish this opportunity tomorrow. Ishé Samuels-Smith is out for the rest of the season albeit he probably wouldn’t have featured anyway from previous experience. He will return to Chelsea.

Of course the Swans danger man is Zān Vipotnik, a player who has already been dealt with some bizarre headlines already this year. Mostly lies. The Championship top goalscorer needs opportunities. Josh Tymon is a man who provides many and has done so this season, with Eom they are a real threat. Centrally with Widell and Gonçalo Franco with either Marko Stamenić or Leo Walta (Jay Fulton shouldn’t be ignored) there is a threat there, but only when their defensive duty is addressed. That falls upon the central pairing of Cameron Burgess and Ben Cabango. It’s late in the season and one which both have had some hair raising moments but there is a chink of light in their partnership - which will almost certainly be utilised a lot next season.

With the Saints focussed on the automatic positions and the Swans reliant upon their professionalism to win a football match there is much to focus on, and it’s quite exciting to see how they perform in front of a big crowd.

⚽️ Danger man extraordinaria!
Cyle Larin, on loan from RCD Mallorca, he has scored six goals in fifteen games. Canadian no international.

⚽️ Vitor Matos pre match

⚽️ Eckert pre match

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Photograph : Reuters