Phil Sumbler
When Swansea City beat Cardiff City at the Swansea.com stadium back in October it was a sixth league win in seven and a run of form that was making a statement of intent for the team this season.
Since that win more than seven weeks ago, the Swans have stumbled through a period of form that has seen them pick up just four points from the six games since in a period that has spanned the four week World Cup break.
Last weekend’s defeat to Norwich was the third time in six games that we have failed to register a goal and it all adds to a run of form that we need to end on saturday when we head into the Midlands to take on Coventry City.
On the other side of the park Saturday will be a Coventry side who lost their first game in five after four straight wins before the championship took its enforced break. Three of those wins came at the CBS arena and they go into this game on the back of that run of home form, each of which was achieved with a clean sheet in the bag as well.
It’s a strange season once again for the footballing world which has seen three previous seasons impacted by Covid restrictions and this one seeing a month out of action due to the current World Cup in Qatar.
Last week’s return came for the Swans after a two game mini tour of Scotland in what was effectively a second pre-season and but midfielder Jay Fulton believes things can come good for the Swans “In the changing room now, we’ve got so many players at the top end of the pitch that are confident and can go out and create and score goals,” he told the official site.
“We have to keep working hard and improving, and make sure we make the most of our opportunities.”
Swans fans thinking of making any of the journey via train are advised to check in advance due to the rail strikes currently in action with the Coventry official site showing that “There will be a limited service to/from Coventry station, and no service to/from Coventry Arena station. Fans are advised to use alternative transport as the national advice is to only travel if necessary.”
Russell Martin looks like he will have the choice of bringing in a fit Joe Allen to make a rare Swans start as he contemplates whether to make any changes from the side that started last weekend. In addition the seeming enforced absence of Michael Obafemi will see Joel Piroe retain his spot up front and the manager will no doubt still be hoping that Piroe can regain the form of last season which has been sadly lacking this time around. Asked about the fitness of Obafemi, Martin said “We need to be careful with him. He came back from Ireland injured. Given what happened with Joe Allen and everything before, we just have to make sure we’re doing everything properly. It’s not a huge one, hopefully he’ll be back with us soon.”
Jamie Paterson was born on Coventry and scored against them home and away last season, a statistic that will not be lost on fans of either clubs and he is another on – similar to Piroe – who we need to see a performance rom to remind us of the fine performances of last season, prticularly the pre-Christmas ones.
Saturday’s game marks us reaching the halfway point of our season so whilst it is very much too early to claim the need for a must win game there is a strong desire that we secure that first win in seven particularly with clashes against Reading and Watford to come in the days after Christmas, two fixtures which end our 2022 programme.
The game at the CBS arena kicks off at 3pm Saturday.
