Phil Sumbler
The Swans against Hull City for me always conjurs up memories of that day back in May 2003 when the Tigers were beaten at the Vetch to secure the three points that we needed to retain our football league status.
And whilst today’s league game does not take on the same level of importance as that fixture it it a game that the Swans need to win as they go in search of a first league maximum for Luke Williams who has seen a return of just one point from twelve since arriving in SA1.
And with two of the division’s top four due in South West Wales next week it really is a game that the Swans have to target to get a return from despite Hull themselves being currently in sixth place in the league.
When you have been beaten three times in a row (four if you count the FA Cup defeat) the last thing you probably want is a trip to a promotion chasing side but that is the nature of it and the Swans somehow have to try and start taking points from fixtures like this or they will be drawn into a fight that many doubt we have the desire to get out of.
That pressure though does not appear to be showing on Luke Williams who talked in advance of the game “We knew there would be tough fixtures coming when I joined, we have struggled to get points in that period, we know that.
“But we are optimistic about the future rather than worried about anything else.
“We are focused on producing good games of football, we don’t need to have a crystal ball, it’s about working hard week-in and week-out, improving the margins and going out on the pitch and making a better performance.”
Hull go into the game off the back of two straight league games and are looking to secure a third successive maximum for the first time since Liam Rosenior took over as manager in November 2022.
As per Luke Williams in the week all three of our transfer deadline signings are available should Williams decide to involve them but there is still no return for Harry Darling or Harrison Ashby who remain on the injured list with some more longer term casualties.
The home side welcome back three players, including former Swan Cyrus Christie, and know that they are likely to need a win to retain their place in the top six such is the competitive nature as ever at the top end of the division.
If the Swans are worried about form today then they should remember that Hull have lost six of their last eleven games so although we go into the game in the top six they can be beaten and that will be a message that Williams will be getting across to his team ahead of the game.
Luke will also be more than aware that confidence can turn very quickly in football and any form of positive result for the Swans today will lift them ahead of the midweek visit of Leeds and Ipswich’s arrival next weekend. As much as the form book suggests there will be nothing from the three games there is also no reason why the Swans could not see more points in their total tally by the end of next weekend.
But let’s start today with three points on the road and then see if we can turn around the home form from there. One step at a time!
JackArmy.net Prediction: Hull City 1-2 Swansea City
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