Tonight signals a three game run of last things to do this season. Tonight is the last 7:45pm kick off, Saturday is the last 3pm kick off at Norwich and the following Saturday is the last 12:30pm kick off against Charlton. Then the season ends.

Swans fans want to see their own players utilised for the remaining three games. Leo Walta especially is one who they want to see for themselves under rigid Championship conditions tonight. We do know there are changes to the weekend and he should be one of the players to feature. One thing head coach, Vitor Matos has to do is to stop conceding as many goals as the Swans have recently. The last six matches has seen the Swans defence breached on twelve occasions. That’s two goals per game. Over those last six fixtures the Swans sit in twentieth place in the form table. However, make it over eight matches and they are tenth.

Some will say that the defence needs tightening, it can be error ridden at times with a caution going forwards in certain halves of games that will frustrate the most hardiest fan. It has been evidenced over these six matches. When assessed certain people see it as a criticism rather than an observation as to what is going on before our own eyes. Without doubt Matos has brought a more exciting style of play to the club but seems to be harming the good work that has been done with split personality strategies for each half of games. It can become very defensive and the players look confused and slow as to what is required of them. It also signifies a lack of strength in depth.

So, is it defending that is the issue to conceding so many goals or is it the tactic behind it ?

The Swans look certain to make changes, some will say that players need to be rested, all we know is that there’s three games to go and nine points to play for which could easily see the Swans breach the sixty point mark. A target for the head coach. But he has things to address. Matos, "We have really pushed ourselves, we have faced some very good teams in this last run of games, everyone is fighting and you can see that from our performances. This is positive for us, to show that mentality, so the challenge is for us to continue to show this approach. There are a lot of things that we need to learn, and I think these recent games have shown us clearly what those things are, whether they are tactical, or about maturity. We know where we need to improve”

The aforementioned Leo Walta should be ready, he has travelled, he had a slight knock last week.

Queens Park Rangers have Koki Saito out, thirty five yer old defender, Steve Cook (below) has announced his retirement but we understand the hoops are keen to retain him. Some will recall it was Cook who orchestrated the sending off of Malick Yalcouyé in the reverse fixture at the Swansea.com. Then Swans head coach, Alan Sheehan stated after that game, “I haven’t seen the incident totally, but I don’t think he’s head butted, but I think both players at different instances have stuck their heads together and probably whoever has that momentum. But the reaction of jumping back. That’s an experienced player or doing what has to be done, really, and we’ve suffered from that tonight”

Zān Vipotnik is keen to start and add to his goal tally this season, as it stands we expect a change though. The biggest decision is Eom on the wing, he has intensified his efforts on the wings for the Swans and has been magnificent of late. He is a threat, however we hear that Matos is keen to see what Ronald can contribute as the season ends. How do we read that ? Ronald has had a very difficult season, he has gone backwards irrespective of his assists and defensive work. However, he has influenced one of the four matches he has played in against tonight’s hosts.

There’s a strong belief that the Swans will accept bids for him this summer.

The form guide below is there for all to see, it’s a reflection of the last six matches and also reflects how tough this game will be tonight in West London. But don’t take it personally, it is a true reflection of the Swans as it stands.

Team news later.

Catch up on our recent reports.

⚽️ Swans clean up

⚽️ QPR pre match 1

⚽️ Trundle wins on points

It has saved lives.

All photographs Swansea Independent