Swansea City

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Alan Sheehan says there are "no bad eggs" in Swansea City's new-look dressing room and is excited by the "wonderful mix" of players he has to work with this season.

Sheehan has overseen another summer of major change at the Championship club, with 15 senior players departing either on loan or a permanent basis since the end of last season and nine new faces coming the other way.

More transfer business will happen, but Sheehan says there is already a "different environment" within his squad.

"There's been a lot of change," added the Swansea head coach.

"You look into the dressing room and it's very different, a different culture and a new team with new faces.

"We have a wonderful mix of characters in there. Some of the old and the new ones coming in. We have players from different countries - there is a good feel to it and they all push each other really hard."

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Striker Zan Vipotnik, midfielder Ollie Cooper and wide players Cameron Congreve and Josh Ginnelly could yet leave during this transfer window, while Sheehan is still in the market for further new recruits.

Swansea's top priority is to sign a centre-forward, while they are also looking at left-sided defenders and wide players.

After seeing his team claim a first league win of the season against Sheffield United last weekend, Sheehan believes his players are beginning to gel.

"We are starting to see relationships grow on and off the pitch, which is great to see, but I am just happy with the characters we have in there," he said.

"We have had no bad eggs, which is the term in football.

"There's no place for bad eggs in what we want to do so that's pleasing. I have a lot of affection and care for all the players in the dressing room."

Image source, BBC Sport

After a mixed start to their Championship season, Swansea City will look to make it two wins on the bounce after beating Sheffield United 1-0 last time out.

Watford are in similar form and will hope to get their first away league win this season when they visit the Swans on Saturday (12:30 BST).

• Swansea City have lost just one of their nine home league games against Watford in the second tier (W6 D2), winning this exact fixture 1-0 last season.

• Watford have only lost one of their last four league games against Swansea City (W2 D1), and could win successive league games against them for the first time since September 2017.

• Swansea City have won six of their last eight home league games (D1 L1). Since Alan Sheehan's first league game in charge of the Swans (22nd February), no current Championship side has accrued more points than them (27).

• Watford have lost each of their previous six away league games, last losing more in succession outside the top-flight in December 1993 (7).

• Only West Bromwich Albion's Isaac Price (3) has scored more Championship goals so far this season than Watford's Luca Kjerrumgaard (2) after his brace against QPR last time out.

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Alan Sheehan says Swansea City will only sign a striker in this transfer window if they can find a player with enough quality to strengthen their forward line.

Swansea have spent much of the close season pursuing attacking targets but are yet to land a senior centre-forward.

The Championship club failed in an attempt to bring Oli McBurnie back to Wales, while they were also thought to be interested in Basel's Spanish striker Kevin Carlos before he moved to Nice earlier this week.

Richard Kone, Willem Geubbels and Jusef Erabi are others who have been considered by Swansea but have either gone elsewhere or have been scratched off the list of potential targets.

The Swans have brought in Bobby Wales from Kilmarnock, but the promising teenager is seen as a player with potential rather than someone who is likely to hold down a regular first-team spot straight away.

Liam Cullen has started Swansea's first two league games of the season, and Sheehan has stressed that he is a big admirer of the Wales international as his team prepare for Saturday's home meeting with Watford (12:30 BST).

"When we talk about potential players coming in, the first person I think of is the nine that is playing in Liam Cullen, an absolute tireless worker for the team, somebody who's on my team sheet more than he's not," the Swansea head coach said.

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"He's a Welsh international - Craig Bellamy plays him as well and there's a reason for that.

"So when we talk about bringing players in and for competition, they have to be better than what we have."

Sheehan had been hopeful that a deal for a new frontman was close last weekend but now acknowledges that he was "probably a bit off on that one".

"I don't think one is imminent, but it's obviously one the club are looking at," he added.

The likelihood is that if Swansea do secure a forward before the window closes on 1 September, the player would arrive from a European league.

There has been some interest in Zan Vipotnik this summer, though the Swans could not consider letting the Slovenia international leave unless they have a player coming the other way.

"Let's get the right one and if he's not available, we stick with what we have and then we strengthen again [in future windows]," Sheehan added.

"[We will] not just bring in players that will appease people for two or three months and then six to nine months down the line, think that actually it wasn't the right one.

"That's a big shout out to Culls really because he's doing such a wonderful job for the team, and he will score goals. I know that.

"In terms of his work ethic, how much he loves the football club, how he shows up, how he is with the detail every day - we're incredibly grateful to have people like him here."

Championship clubs Derby County and Swansea City are chasing the loan signing of Liverpool winger Kaide Gordon. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

The 20-year-old has had previous loan spells in the Championship with Norwich City and Portsmouth and started his career at Derby before moving to Anfield in 2021.

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.

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We asked for your thoughts after Swansea City beat Sheffield United 1-0 at the Swansea.com Stadium to give Alan Sheehan's side their first points in the Championship this season.

Here are some of your comments:

Alan: "A good win but we need more signings. Certain players in that team need replacing. A striker is a must. Cullen is simply not good enough. Why didn't they play Bobby Wales from the beginning ?

Neil: "Excellent against Sheff Utd. New players looked settled which is pleasing. A striker is still needed to bolster up front."

Michael: "If we take anything from the Watford game, it's a solid start. A lot of players have come in that need time to gel and will improve. I think we've recruited well but still a bit thin in some areas. The Middlesbrough and Sheffield Utd game really do highlight the need for a quality striker as I don't think Cullen or Vipotnik are the answer. Bobby Wales has a promising future ahead but he isn't the finished article yet."

Ron: "We need to get the centre forwards scoring. If not then replace them with incoming talent."

Erfan: "A good start to the season but I think we still need to solidify our attacking options. Missed out on McBurnie but maybe Snoop and the boys can entice Vardy down."

Gary: "We just need a striker, an actual bona fide, out-and-out striker. Not Cullen - he was all at sea against Sheff Utd - and Bobby Wales should have been given at least 20 mins. I cannot believe the manager can't see it, it's been obvious for the last two seasons."

Robert: "Same old format. We have a high percentage of procession and find it difficult to score. A good manager should be able to select a team and have the ability to change things if they are not producing the results. Winning by a single goal has been our downfall in so many games. If we are serious about being back in the Premiership we need to improve in recent performances."

Joel: " Sheehan is building solid foundations and a team with grit. I think it's better to do that than to expect to score loads of goals straight away, but concede loads at the same time. Let them get their rhythm first. But another striker and back-up left back are needed."

Brian: "We are solid at the back and good going forward but we are desperate for an out and out striker. We should have got something out of the Middlesbrough game, and the amount of chances we had against Sheffield Utd it should have been 4-0 - we can't waste chances like this in the Championship."

Richard: "Far too early to assess the Swans. I'm just praying that they bring in a decent striker,as it's clear that they are going to struggle to score if they don't. I will keep everything crossed."

Molly Stephens
Final Score and 5 Live Sport reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Swansea City's season is up and running with a win that was thoroughly deserved after countless chances for the hosts.

What was clear is that Sheffield United's brief was "defend" and Swansea City's was "attack".

This was made clear by a huge contrast in the opportunities in front of goal - Ruben Selles' side did not manage a single shot on target in the whole game.

Swansea goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux didn't have a save to make. No, the table doesn't matter right now, but it's hard to believe the Blades, who are rock bottom, were playing in the play-off final a matter of months ago.

Their opponents that day, Sunderland, have recorded their first win in their first game back in the top-flight.

Meanwhile Sheffield United lacked any sort of threat in front of goal.

The players looked completely dejected at full time, and that was only exacerbated when you see the faces of the clearly frustrated fans, who travelled 239 miles to watch their team come nowhere near a point in the 27 degree heat in South Wales.

Swansea, meanwhile, were dominant from the get-go.

Alan Sheehan's side thoroughly deserved the win. Chances in double figures, but, perhaps you'll then wonder, why not more than one goal?

Well it's the age old issue. They lack an out-and-out striker. Now that is no disrespect to Wales international Liam Cullen who played up front for the Swans against the Blades, but he is playing out of position trying to lead the attack as a nine, and is better with someone alongside him.

It's clear an additional striker is needed. Just the 16 days until Deadline Day.

But take nothing away from a game full of chances and a fanbase buoyed by an encouraging attacking performance.

Image source, BBC Sport

Swansea City have bounced back from their opening day defeat against Middlesbrough with back-to-back wins.

The first came in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, as Swansea proved too strong for 10-man Crawley Town - setting up a second round match with Plymouth.

Then, more impressively, Swansea kept a clean sheet at home in a 1-0 win over Sheffield United.

New signings Bobby Wales and Ethan Galbraith both found the net in midweek against Crawley, while Ronald was on target in both wins.

Summer signings Cameron Burgess and Malick Yalcouye have impressed, while Zeidane Inoussa and Melker Widell have both made impacts off the bench.

So after one win and one defeat in the league, and success in the Carabao Cup, how do you rate the start to Swansea's season?

Have your say here!

Sheffield United will search for their first win of the season when they head to Swansea City on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The Blades have already faced tough losses against Bristol City and Birmingham City in their Championship and Carabao Cup opening games to give new boss Ruben Selles a difficult start to life as United's boss.

Hosts Swansea also struggled in their league opener, losing 1-0 to Middlesbrough in a disappointing away match, but found a comfortable 3-1 win over a 10-man Crawley in their midweek cup game.

• Swansea City have lost each of their last five league games against Sheffield United, scoring just one goal and conceding 11 in that time.

• Sheffield United have won each of their last 11 league games against sides from Wales; it's the joint-longest ever winning run a side has had in the Football League vs teams from the country alongside Colchester United between 1985 and 1987.

• After losing 1-0 to Middlesbrough last weekend, Swansea will be looking to avoid losing each of their opening two games of a league campaign for the first time since 2013-14.

• With their 4-1 defeat to Bristol City on Saturday, Sheffield United conceded 4+ goals in their opening match of a league season for just the second time this century after losing 4-0 to Gillingham in August 2015.

• On MD1, Sheffield United recorded more touches in the opposition's box than any other side (50), their most in a league game since April 2023 against Preston North End (52)

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Alan Sheehan wants more of the same at the Swansea.com Stadium as his Swansea City side prepare for their first home game of the new Championship season.

Swansea host Sheffield United on Saturday (15:00 BST) having lost on the opening day at Middlesbrough last weekend.

The Welsh side claimed a first victory of 2025-26 as Crawley Town visited in the Carabao Cup in midweek – and Sheehan says that must be the first of many home wins if his team are to have a successful season.

"Home form is very important," said the Swansea head coach.

"Away you have to be difficult to beat, be competitive and pick up points.

"Some games will be different from others as we know – it's the Championship. But within that, the home form in front of your own fans, you want to be able to go and put in wonderful performances and send people home happy."

Swansea were formidable on their own patch after Sheehan took the reins in February, winning five and losing only one of their last seven home games in 2024-25.

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Sheehan also claimed two wins from three home fixtures in his spell as caretaker boss during the 2023-24 season, giving him an overall record of 22 points from 10 league fixtures in Swansea's own backyard.

"Our fans were wonderful towards the end of last season when we built wonderful momentum," he added.

"We have got to get there again. When you are winning there is a wonderful feel to that. You get that extra couple of per cent when the fans are behind you.

"The players respond to it - they love it. Obviously we want to create that again."

Swansea will again be without Ricardo Santos against the Blades, with the centre-back expected back in September after suffering a leg injury in pre-season.

But Kaelan Casey is available after coming off against Crawley with cramp, while club skipper Ben Cabango (pictured above) has responded well after returning from injury in the Boro defeat.

Image source, FAW

Swansea City Women have re-signed club stalwart Ellie Lake and brought in midfielder Eilish Mitchell, goalkeeper Amelia Forkings and centre-back Caitlin Seaborne.

Defender Lake, 26, returns to Swansea having spent seven seasons at the club before playing for Gwalia United in 2024-25.

Seaborne, who had a stint with American club Jacksonville Armada this summer, helped Pontypridd win promotion from the Adran South last season alongside ex-Wales Under-19 international Forkings.

Mitchell spent last season with Swansea University having previously been on the books at Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion.

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Ethan Galbraith says he already feels at home at Swansea City having made a bright start to life at the Championship club following his summer move from Leyton Orient.

Swansea paid about £1.5m to land Northern Ireland midfielder Galbraith having first tried to sign him during the January transfer window.

Galbraith has made an instant impression at his new club, having played a starring role in Tuesday's Carabao Cup win over Crawley Town and been one of Alan Sheehan's better performers at Middlesbrough last weekend.

And the 24-year-old believes the decision to move to Wales is already paying off.

"I am loving it - the lads have really helped me settle in," Galbraith said.

"I think there was talk [of a move] in January. It didn't happen but they came back in the summer so for me [for Swansea] to show the interest again, it was a no-brainer."

Former Manchester United youngster Galbraith had loan spells with Doncaster and Salford before joining Orient in 2023.

He scored 11 goals in 96 games for the London club, with May's League One play-off final defeat to Charlton proving to be his final appearance for the O's.

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"Credit to Orient - it's an unbelievable club. They looked after me and it was a great two years," Galbraith added.

"But now I am a Swansea player and I am looking forward to what's to come. I felt it was the right time to test myself [in the Championship]."

The versatile Galbraith, who scored his first Swansea goal in the Crawley win, has already been deployed as a deep-lying midfielder and in a more advanced central role in his brief Swansea career.

He says he is happiest in the centre of the pitch, though he is also an option at right-back having played there at times for Orient.

Galbraith can expect to retain his midfield place as Swansea target a first league win of the new season when Sheffield United – who were thrashed at home by Bristol City in their league opener - visit on Saturday.

"The result we had last weekend and the result they had, both teams will be trying to bounce back," Galbraith said.

"It will be a great game and hopefully we can come out on the right side of it."

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Swansea City will host Plymouth Argyle in the second round of the Carabao Cup, with the tie to be played in the week beginning Monday, 25 August.

Swansea overcame League Two Crawley Town in round one on Tuesday, while Plymouth – who were relegated from the Championship last season – beat second-tier side Queens Park Rangers.

The draw means attacking midfielder Jamie Paterson, who signed for Plymouth in the summer, could return to the Swansea.com Stadium, as could former Swans loanee Matty Sorinola.

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Alan Sheehan is backing Ethan Galbraith to shine in the Championship after the midfielder's bright start to life at Swansea City.

Galbraith marked his home debut with a fine late goal as Swansea beat League Two Crawley Town in the Carabao Cup first round on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old, a summer signing from League One side Leyton Orient, had also impressed during pre-season and was one of Swansea's better performers in their opening-day Championship defeat by Middlesbrough.

Northern Ireland international Galbraith has played at the base of midfield and in a more advanced role in his brief Swansea career, while he also spent time at right-back during his spell with Orient.

Head coach Sheehan described Galbraith's display against Crawley as "excellent".

"He is a player we are integrating," he added.

"He has good technical ability. We just need to get that level of consistency and he can be a very good player for us."

Galbraith's stoppage-time volley sealed Swansea's first win of the new season, with Ronald and Bobby Wales also finding the target in a 3-1 victory.

After a toothless display at Middlesbrough, the Swans created a host of chances against Crawley and should have won more comfortably.

"It's important to win, no matter what competition it is," added Sheehan.

"Obviously the league is the most important thing. We would have liked a point [at Middlesbrough] – I think it was a 0-0 game.

"But we debriefed it. We wanted to create more chances, attack faster, link up in the wide areas and the central areas and mix up our play better because we were a small bit one-dimensional in the second half.

"I think it was really good response by the players."