Phil Sumbler
Luke Williams is expected this evening to make changes in his selection as he gives some of the newer summer signings a chance to shine as the Swans entertain Wycombe at the Swansea.com Stadium this evening in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
Just two weeks after we progressed with a comfortable home win over Gillingham, we are back in action tonight for a fourth successive time at home and looking to finish that period with an unbeaten home record still intact. Progression tonight will move the Swans into the last 32 of the tournament and into the stage in the competition with the teams that qualified for European competition added to those who progress through the second round.
And Williams has confirmed that he will be looking to rotate his squad as he faces up to another three game week and the penultimate game before we break for the first international break of the season.
“We will make some changes tonight,” said Williams via his programme notes for the fixture. “As we are in the middle of another three-game week, but they will not be extensive as we look to build consistency of performances while making sure players get the minutes they need while we are still early in the season.
“We face a different challenge tonight, but one we certainly need to be ready and focused for.
“Wycombe have made an encouraging start to their season, and it’s important we are prepared to play with intensity and energy, and be every bit as professional as we were against Gillingham in the last round.”
Those changes are expected to give Swans debuts to both Nelson Abbey and Florian Bianchini whilst Zan Vipotnik is expected to start up front with Sunday’s goalscorer, Liam Cullen, dropping to the bench to allow for that change to happen.
Bianchini’s appearance could see Eom move into a more central role behind Vipotnik whilst for Abbey it has been suggested by several people that it will be at the expense of Cabango and we could even see Kristian Pedersen line up alongside him with Harry Darling also earmarked for a rest ahead of the weekend. Nathan Tjoe-A-On is also expected to be in the starting line up for the game.
Although Williams looks set to make these changes he is still keen on cup progress and will keep his bench strong with options should he need to make changes to see progression which he wants to achieve inside ninety minutes and not rely on the potential lottery of a penalty shoot out.
Wycombe arrive in SA1 with somewhat of an injury crisis with seven players missing from their weekend clash with Rotherham – absentees included first-choice goalkeeper Nathan Bishop, centre back Ryan Tafazolli, utility player David Wheeler, midfielder Luke Leahy, and strikers Sam Vokes, Bez Lubala and Brandon Hanlan.
Captain Jack Grimmer also went off injured in the win over the Millers, and Bloomfield believes the right-back has sustain a ‘muscle injury’.
“It’s not ideal,” said manager Matt Bloomfield before adding about his transfer business “We’re down to the bare bones but we’re pleased with the business we have done.”
Wycombe have so far introduced three news faces in the squad, including Cameron Humphreys, Aaron Morley and Gideon Kouda who signed from Ipswich Town, Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United respectively.
On the subject of the transfer window, Andy Coleman confirmed that the club are still “working to ensure that we have news to bring you before the deadline this friday” (Transfer latest news here)
The game at the Swansea.com Stadium kicks off at 7.45pm and is also being screened by Sky Sports as part of the new TV deal.
You can keep up to date with the views of the fans in our matchday thread which for this game can be found here.
