S25/26 | The Official Match Thread | Stoke City 2 Swansea City 1 | Att: 23,089 | 13/12/25 | The EFL Championship | The Bet365 Stadium

[LeonWasTheDogs]

Gutted to lose, but still positives to take from that. We look a lot more dangerous going forward. Seemed like the slightly better side in the first half but lost it. Were the worse side in the second half but it was level. Fine margins. One thing we need is a replacement for key, we look so much better with Galbraith playing there but he’s a bit wasted not being able to control the midfield. Widell and Innousa need to start next game as well.

Very fine margins. We had the chances to go into the break ahead. On another day there’s also a chance Pearson has to walk before he scores their first (but arguable)

 

[Cooperman]

Is it just me or have every top 6 side we’ve played been garbage? And we’ve been worse on most occasions but I didn’t think we were today. Key has lost us that game. Still making some poor decisions in the final third but believe it will come. If that’s the level of the top 6 we should be nowhere near the bottom. Also no idea how the ref got 40 seconds additional to the 7 after the time wasting and stoppage in added time.

It’s not a strong league, for sure. However our inability to beat teams above us in the league table is more than a tad worrying.

 

[Swans Jack]

Frustrating is my overriding emotion.

Both goals could have been avoided, not the strike for Stoke's 1st but the sloppy defending leading up to it.

If Key wasn't on the pitch Thomas does not score simple as that, he did nothing whilst Galbraith was at RB.

I believe Matos is searching for his best team and I get starting Cullen after his goal midweek (although I wouldn't have personally) but he had very little impact.

Widdell & Inoussa have to be starting games as does for me Yolcouye.

As for Key, he is worst player in this squad (probably the Championship) by miles and should not ever see a match day squad ever again at Swansea. Today he did nothing positive at all, he is just shite.

Let's hope he has a re-occurence of his illness on Friday.

If we do nothing else in January we need a RB.

Brilliant Review. Cullen to be fair did so some nice passes, but Widell needs to start. I think we look like we lost steam a bit. Moment of lapse and gave it away. As you said Thomas was doing nothing until Key came on and suddenly it was different game. I hear there is a new flu varient going around it's called get your keys your out.

 

[SwanseaBoy123]

Good performance today that was certainly more encouraging.

Key Ronald and Burgess HAVE to be replaced its sadly as simple as that.

 

[Copamundial]

How the fug did the referee not see Pearson’s stamp on Ronald’s foot, I don’t think I’ve seen a ref so influenced by the home crowd for a long time, how old was he?? looked about sixteen and reffed the game like it as well.

 

[bakajack]

If Matos has anything about him as a Manager he should now realise that Eom Ronald Cullen and Key are not starters.

We looked far better with Inoussa Widdel and Yalcouye on the pitch

As for Key... he is should be rested for his own mental health if nothing else. He was appalling from when he came on until the final whistle.

I thought Yalcouye was pretty poor
Too much time looking down at the ball and not with his head up, holding the ball for too long or picking the wrong passes. Could be a confidence thing though

 

[Swanjaxs]

In fairness, the upturn in form this past couple of weeks under Matos is evident for all to see, just a couple of weak links to iron out in the January transfer window.

 

[Swans Jack]

Whatever it was with Key it was worse performance I've seen in a while. But just go back and look at games under Sheehan or Williams. The amount of times Key allows players to get away is alarming. I don't like to witch hunt players but no way should he be near the squad.

 

[Swans Jack]

In fairness, the upturn in form this past couple of weeks under Matos is evident for all to see, just a couple of weak links to iron out in the January transfer window.

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That's why I'm not overreacting too much with the whole performance. Just Key...

 

[bakajack]

In fairness, the upturn in form this past couple of weeks under Matos is evident for all to see, just a couple of weak links to iron out in the January transfer window.

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We were absolutely in it and deserved at least a draw
I said before the game I would have accepted a positive performance even if we lost and I stand by that

I try to avoid making a player a scapegoat but Key's performance truly was dire, fresh legs on the pitch and Sorba Thomas who had been playing for 60+ minutes already had him on toast from the first second. Can't even take a consolation in saying that his offensive contributions made up for his defensive shortcomings because he was equally shocking in attack too

I would genuinely like to see Parker taking his place, he has genuine pace and if we work on it the partnership with him and Inoussa who is equally quick might earn us real dividends.

 

[Swansea93]

Plus Matos has done this without his own coaches in place, more than enough progress to see so far imo.

 

[Swans Jack]

Plus Matos has done this without his own coaches in place, more than enough progress to see so far imo.

Wise Man

 

[Lifelong]

I was encouraged by the late effort to grab the equaliser,which we almost achieved.

 

[Menston4128]

Brilliant Review. Cullen to be fair did so some nice passes, but Widell needs to start. I think we look like we lost steam a bit. Moment of lapse and gave it away. As you said Thomas was doing nothing until Key came on and suddenly it was different game. I hear there is a new flu varient going around it's called get your keys your out.

Cullen did play some nice passes earlier on, one to Vipotnik was a beauty but there wasn't enough from him for my liking. He needs to be an impact sub at most.

 

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

Is it just me or have every top 6 side we’ve played been garbage? And we’ve been worse on most occasions but I didn’t think we were today. Key has lost us that game. Still making some poor decisions in the final third but believe it will come. If that’s the level of the top 6 we should be nowhere near the bottom. Also no idea how the ref got 40 seconds additional to the 7 after the time wasting and stoppage in added time.

There’s very little to choose between the whole league this year (apart from Sheffield Wednesday).

If we play with the intent we did for most of today’s game on a consistent basis then there’s still no reason we can’t finish between 10th & 14th - we’re going to need at least one good run of 5/6 games to do that though, otherwise we’ll be looking over our shoulders through til May.