Swansea v Birmingham

[jackaway]

Swansea v Birmingham Sat 5 Aug 15:00
Here we go, another Championship season starts this Saturday.
This one could be the toughest yet, with so many top clubs competing.
Last season ended in style with a flourish of points after suffering that long run without a win. So close, three points short of a play-off spot, fans rueing the owners decision not to strengthen the team in January.
Well big things have happened since then with Russell Martin and his coaching team being poached by Southampton.
Michael Duff replaced him, and new investors came on board, a new Chairman was appointed and a flurry of activity in the player transfer market took place.

Out -
Michael Obafemi, Ryan Manning, Joel Laitbeaudiere, Morgan Whittaker, Kyle Joseph and loanees Andreas Sondergaard, Luke Cundle, Fin Stevens

In -
Josh Ginnelly, Jerry Yates, Josh Key, Mykola Kuharevich, Carl Rushworth, Harrison Ashby

That elusive left-back position hasn’t been fulfilled yet after Ryan Manning went to Southampton for more money. Lee Buchanan was lined up to replace him but Birmingham gazumped us for his signature and the search resumes with a month left of the transfer window.
Our opponents Birmingham have also been busy, with new owners and a big overhaul of players, 12 out and 9 in so far.
Last Saturday they lost 3-2 at Peterborough in their final pre-season game. They’ve sold out their ticket allocation and will bring almost 2k fans with them to Swansea, so it should be a good atmosphere.
Early matches of a new season are so hard to predict. With both teams introducing so many new players it’s anyone’s guess who’ll come out on top.

[Estoban]

Now comes the hard part, gelling the new players into the squad.
Talking of squad the new numbers are out

1 Andy Fisher
2 Josh Key
4 Jay Fulton
5 Ben Cabango
6 Harry Darling
7 Joe Allen
8 Matt Grimes
9 Jerry Yates
10 Olivier Ntcham
11 Josh Ginnelly
12 Jamie Paterson
13 Steven Benda
15 Nathanael Ogbeta
16 Brandon Cooper
17 Joël Piroe
19 Mykola Kuharevich
20 Liam Cullen
22 Carl Rushworth
23 Nathan Wood
25 Lewis Webb
26 Kyle Naughton
28 Liam Walsh
30 Harrison Ashby
31 Ollie Cooper
36 Ben Lloyd
45 Cameron Congreve
46 Ben Hughes
47 Azeem Abdulai
48 Joel Cotterill

[Estoban]

Of course that list can change before the transfer window closes, more incomings, more outgoings. We’re still short of a left-back for a start.
Tomorrow I would expect all the new signings to be involved, especially now that any five from nine players (seven last season) on the subs bench can come on.

[jackaway]

Today’s line-up

Swansea City: Carl Rushworth; Harry Darling, Ben Cabango, Nathan Wood; Harrison Ashby, Jay Fulton, Matt Grimes (captain), Jamie Paterson, Josh Key; Joel Piroe, Jerry Yates.

Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Joe Allen, Josh Ginnelly, Brandon Cooper, Mykola Kuharevich, Liam Cullen, Kyle Naughton, Ollie Cooper, Azeem Abdulai.

[jackaway]

Swans 1 - Birmingham 1
Yates 76’ - Dembele 45’
1 yellow - 4 yellow
Some over exuberant play by Brum spoiled the game a bit coupled with no protection from another poor referee.
Blues looked the better side in parts especially first half but we came into it more in the last quarter.
Mistake between Rushworth and Cabango gifted Brum their goal, but Rushworth made up for it with some good saves.
Draw a fair result in my opinion

[jackaway]

Extended highlights courtesy of Swans Official -

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=f0-5Cgy7BtE

[jackaway]

Four of the six new signings played. Key and Rushworth (except for the throw out that led to the goal) stood out. Yates worked hard and got the goal (great through ball by Grimes to Cullen, low cross ball to Yates to fire home). Ashby looked a bit rusty, early days yet though.