The Swansea Run-In: Why There’s No Need To Worry

The Swans will return to action next week after rather meekly going out of the FA Cup last week, but we really shouldn’t be afraid about the rest of the season.

The loss was a disappointment after getting so far in the competition, mainly because the up turn in form in the Premier League has been a real boost.

That’ll be the full focus from now until May and with eight games left and just three points above the drop zone there’s plenty to do.

First up for the Swans is a visit to Old Trafford in what of course will be a tough task.

The Spurs game was just the third defeat under Carvalhal however and they’ve proved they can get results. United’s abject performances against Sevilla and struggles against Brighton will encourage Carvalhal who has led his side to fifth in the form table from the day he took over.

The performance levels have matched the results and the Jacks are now at a point where they really do fear nobody.

Which is just as well, because Manchester City and Chelsea are also involved in the Swansea run in.

They earned vital points against other big sides including a fantastic result against Arsenal and a well earned point against Leicester, so it wouldn’t be against the grain for them to at least push Mourinho and Conte’s men.

However, it’s elsewhere where Swansea can push themselves further away from the pack. West Brom is the first game in April, a must win against a side who are already gone, while Everton at home on April 14 is a game which should be earmarked as a win.

That would give them some leeway in back to back games against City and Chelsea, before a final two games against clubs in and around them.

Bournemouth is the penultimate game at the Vitality Stadium. Both will hopefully be comfortably safe by this point but Stoke on the last day has the potential to be a huge one for the Potters.

Stoke are currently three points adrift of safety, but have a new manager at the helm and will be hoping that can bring a change in fortune.

If Swansea can carry on their decent run, that game will be irrelevant and to be honest, we really don’t think there will be any need to worry.

Is Alfie Mawson The Man To Solve England’s Defensive Woes?

To say Alfie Mawson has been the standout player for the Swans this season would be an understatement. He’s proved a shining light and has been a key man in the Swansea revival since Carlos Carvalhal took over as boss back in December.

With the season almost up, he’s legitimately being talked about for a place in the England squad, ahead of the likes of Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling. But is he the man to sit in the very heart of England’s squad?

Well, Swans fans certainly think so, even if it is strengthening the chances of Gareth Southgate’s men.

He’s in the squad for the upcoming friendlies with Holland and Italy, and will almost certainly get his chance alongside Burnley’s James Tarkowski.

Carvalhal is certainly tipping his man with the 24-year-old the “perfect” fit according to recent reports.

He’s put in some stellar performances this season, so much so he’s being eyed up by Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs. It’s thought that Southgate will play with a back three this summer and Mawson would be an ideal fit having become comfortable with that formation throughout the domestic season.

To do that, concentration and communication with your partners is key and Mawson has had little trouble with that at any point. He’s been calm, calculated and proven he has all the attributes to really excel in an England back three.

Carvalhal said of his centre half, “He has the concentration, he is very good one to one, he is very strong, good in the air, he has the agility to play on the sides.”

His professionalism will be massive for England and as a player who just gets on with the job, he could be a real blessing for Southgate. That sort of temperament is what’s needed in football and England could well be brimming with strong, quality football if the manager is bold enough to select Mawson and Tarkowski.

He’s said he’ll only pick players who are playing regularly and are in form. While that can certainly be said of Mawson, it can’t of Gary Cahill or John Stones who have found themselves getting further and further down the pecking order at Chelsea and Manchester City.

He’s the form man Mawson, and having done things the hard way, he thoroughly deserves his place. It’s almost like another Jamie Vardy story. A progression beginning with non-league Maidenhead United. With that you get a man who’s dedicated, works hard, and one that really does put everything on the line. It’s a perfect fit.

The Greatest Swansea Players Of All Time: We Have Our Say

With the international break looming and no games to look forward to for two weeks, we got thinking about the greats to have put on the white shirt over the years.

There have been plenty throughout Swansea’s rise to the Premier League and since their arrival in the top flight, there have been a number of exciting footballers at the Liberty.

Alfie Masson is perhaps the latest to really impress in a Swans shirt and could earn his first England cap in Friday’s game against the Netherlands.

But which players have already made their mark on the club? We run down our favourite Jacks over the years…

Leon Britton

While not a one club man, Leon Britton is Mr Swansea having played for the club at every level from League Two upwards.

He’s been at the club since 2002 with only a brief spell at Sheffield United (2010/11) breaking up his 452 appearances.

Now 35, he’ll go down as an all-time great for the club and was instrumental in the midfield during their promotion to the Premier League.

Lee Trundle

Lee Trundle brought some real class during a desperate period for the club. He was brought to Swansea back in 2003 by Brian Flynn and instantly endeared himself to the fans.

Known for his trickery, he scored 91 goals for Swansea and was a key man in their promotion to League One. He never played above the Championship throughout his career despite continually being linked to Premier League sides. A true cult hero among Swans fans.

Alan Curtis

A Swansea City without Alan Curtis isn’t worth thinking about. He played 437 times for the club and is the current Loan Player Manager having been in the staff at the club since 2004.

He scored one of the club’s most iconic goals, scoring their first goal in top flight football against Leeds.

He’s been with the club through both th good times and bad and will force be lauded as a true City great.

Gylfi Sigurdsson

While Gylfi Sigurdsson didn’t play for the Swans for too long, he made just 131 appearances in all, he did help cement the Swans as a Premier League club.

He brought class, creativity and goals to the club and is perhaps the closest the club have ever really got to world class.

It’s a shame a team couldn’t have been built around the Icelandic for years to come but we can’t help but acknowledge what a fantastic player he really was.

Ashley Williams

Ashley Williams was a real leader during his eight years with the Swans. He played 351 times across League One, the Championship and the Premier League, barely missing a game along the way.

His performances for the Swans brought him the captaincy for both club and country and he’s since gone on to earn 76 caps.

Another who perhaps should have stayed to further his legacy, but he was a player who really did help cement Swansea’s Premier League status.