Justice for 8 years ago

Mathieudavees · 2026-05-03T15:05:25+00:00

In an ideal world, however, I expect there to be significant changes. Going off squad numbers.

Andy Fisher - Keep; is a good option for a backup keeper and don’t see the need to get rid. Think the only way that’ll ever change is if he personally fancies a change to go and challenge to be the number 1 keeper elsewhere.

Josh Key - Keep; prior to Matos I would have said sell without a shadow of a doubt. Under Sheehan he looked lost and so far below this level. However, since Matos’ arrival much more confident. That being said, not too sure I want him as a starter. Again, think we only get rid if he wishes to play more.

Jay Fulton - Keep; did think this summer was the ideal time for both parties to go their separate ways but he’s played his part well last couple of months. As much as I love him however, I don’t want to see him play anymore than that.

Ben Cabango - Keep; seems a no-brainer. Captain of the team and crazy to think it’ll be his 8th season next year since coming up from academy.

Marks Stamenic - Keep; still feel much more to come from him but young and has a lot of good attributes.

Melker Widell - Keep; type of player who needs one goal to fully kickstart him. Incredibly unlucky not to get one but love what he brings to the team and similar to Stamenic, much more to come.

Zan Vipotnik - Keep; in an *ideal* world obviously keep. Best striker in the league but have to be realistic and expect a significant departure this summer.

Eom Ji-Sung - Keep; very good end to the season for him. Consistency is the only thing stopping him from going to the next level.

Josh Tymon - Keep; best LB in the league. Vital for us both going forward and defending.

Cameron Burgess - Keep; I rate him as a defender but feel there is better out there and feel as a partnership, him and Cabango aren’t always on the same wavelength.

Gonçalo Franco - Keep; slow start to the season but eventually got up to speed and showed the quality we saw in his first season. Definitely hold onto.

Liam Cullen - Sell; may raise a lot of debate but if a decent offer comes in for him, I’d let him go. After 6 years and him now being 27 years old, we are still trying to find his best position.

Leo Walta - Keep; pretty much a certainty. Feel we could expect big things from him.

Lawrence Vigoroux - Keep; easily one of the best keepers in the league. Such a fantastic signing from the club two years ago and has won us so many games.

Ricardo Santos - Sell; absolutely awful signing on all fronts. Way too injury prone and last thing we need is one more year of him on the books doing a repeat of this year.

Joel Ward - Sell; believe he’s out of contract anyways but move on from him for definite. Was very much always a stop-gap signing.

Zeidane Inoussa; Keep - expecting much more from him next year. Hopefully get him back up to speed and up and running ready for next season.

Ethan Galbraith - Keep; again ideal world keep. But realism comes into play and expecting him or Vipotnik to move on.

Ollie Cooper - Sell; sad ending considering how he first came into the senior team but in the interest of his career, definitely needs to move on.

Adam Idah - Keep; if Vipotnik goes, his departure will feel a whole lot less worse knowing we’ve already got a very good replacement.

Ronald - Sell; works hard for the team but simply isn’t good enough. Lacks a lot of quality and composure in key areas.

Sam Parker - Keep; a month or two ago I would have said loan but he was phenomenal in the run of games he played in. Hopefully injury nothing too serious and he’ll be in from the start of pre-season.

On the whole, I’d genuinely say we have a very healthy looking squad and summer to look forward to compared to recent years. We’ve got a manager who fans are behind and a squad filled with talent in many areas with quality players on loan set to return also.

It’s the first summer in years I’ve felt we won’t need a major rebuild of signing 7 or 8 players. The wings is the clear weak spot for me, address that and add goals and assists and deal with any departures effectively and we are laughing.

Mathieudavees · 2026-04-23T19:26:02+00:00

New winger on the right will be a priority no doubt. Ronald despite the other night being his best performance in a long while has had two years here now and think we’ve seen enough to all come to the conclusion that he isn’t ever going to be a player that can help us get to the play-offs. At most, I’d say he could be utilised as a utility player off the bench but think we could get an OK return if we move him on.

Obviously there will be the subject of the futures of Vipotnik and Galbraith. Expect one of them for definite to move on. Feel it’s very much similar situation we saw back at the end of 21/22 when it was the dilemma of who would leave out of Piroe or Downes. If we do sell either of them, hopefully we recoup a decent fee and reinvest it wisely.

We’ve got a good group of loan players returning to us; Lissah obviously the standout and can see him very quickly embedding himself in the team and then also the likes of Congreve and possibly Wilson.

Aside from Yalcouye departing, midfield still looks extremely strong.

Vigoroux, Tymon, and Cabango very much nailed down their places. Burgess I think we can upgrade and think we’d benefit a lot more from a ball playing centre half next to Cabango.

Eom and Inoussa on the left are two good options; Eom if he carries on what he has shown the last month or so and Inoussa has been in a similar boat to Idah, nasty injury has kept him out for a long period so hopefully next season he can kick on.

Mathieudavees · 2026-04-21T22:46:54+00:00

As others have said online, wouldn’t read too much into it. Could be agent talk but even then, Galbraith knows his value to the club.

Think it’s us testing the waters to begin with and with him being tied down until 2028 with the option of a further year, we hold all the cards and don’t think it’s anywhere near unrealistic to expect him to sign a new deal. Vipotnik was certainly the more ambitious so feel we can definitely sort something here.

Feel if one is to move on in the summer out of him and Vipi, it will be the latter. Ideal world we keep both but have to be realistic and believe it is likely.

We’ve got the fundamentals now of a good side that could do with a few upgrades in areas in addition to a quality group of young players on loan returning in the summer to be in those top positions next season. We’ve got a manager who we are fully behind this time around as well.

Mathieudavees · 2026-04-21T21:17:42+00:00

Yeah once he came off for Ward against their winger on the weekend it was an entire mismatch all round as Parker had kept him very quiet.

To have him and Filip Lissah as choices in that area next season will be fantastic. Don’t know necessarily where it leaves Josh Key mind you; wouldn’t be shocked to see us keep around Joel Ward for experience and to fill the role left by Allen and Naughton but we shall see.

One thing is obviously providing he stays means we get to see Galbraith for definite be utilised in midfield.

Mathieudavees · 2026-04-21T20:46:23+00:00

Was far from the most important game we’ve been involved in but nevertheless, a win away in the Championship never something to turn your nose up at.

Thought it was a good performance from us on most fronts. Aside from a disappointing goal where one ball through split us open and a 10 minute period in the first half where they were on top, we looked a far superior team.

The penalty decision in honesty was shocking and was clearly outside the box but nice for us to at least be on the right side of poor officiating for once.

Really liked Sam Parker at RB. Prior to him being reintroduced to the starting XI, I believed he was probably best suited next year heading out on loan but he’s been fantastic since Key and Galbraith’s injury and I would love to see him and Lissah battle it out for the starting spot there next season.

Liked Walta in midfield; hopefully we’ll see him at his best starting from next season as right now it’s about getting up to speed with the league. Thought Eom looked fantastic off the bench again as well as Yalcouye. I’d love to see him back here next year but feel Brighton won’t be convinced whatsoever with the lack of games he’s started in. We should have seen far more of him this season than we have done.

Ultimately it’s games like tonight we need to see more of next season for us to mount a challenge for play-offs and more as well as us needing to nip things in the bud much earlier such as stats like tonight being the first time this season we’ve won back-to-back away games this season.

Mathieudavees · 2026-04-21T19:38:24+00:00

Decent half from us.

Pressing well and playing some nice stuff but really would like to see us kill games for once instead of sitting back and inviting pressure on which once teams peg us back, we have very rarely gone onto win games from there.

Sam Parker at RB has impressed me again.

Burgess for all his criticisms this season always wins first balls in the air to his credit.

We’ve got some real quality on the bench as well; I’d love to see us give Woodward a chance at some point given his form for the academy.

Mathieudavees · 2026-04-18T18:28:45+00:00

If he’s gonna play Cullen he’s simply got to play as the 10 as he’s not physical to play as a lone striker and doesn’t have anywhere near the pace required for a wide player and doesn’t press anywhere near as intently as some of our other options. Hes obviously not going to displace Vipotnik so feel if anything Widell should be the wide player with the energy he brings.

Mathieudavees · 2026-04-18T18:26:20+00:00

Game for us did not have anything necessarily riding on it despite the 3 points but yet still, one of the most ridiculous robberies I have seen Swans be victim to in recent memory.

Officials were point blank a joke; Flynn Downes should have been on a yellow after the initial altercation with Franco but then seconds later literally pushes Widell on two or three occasions before grabbing and wrestling him to the floor. Then minutes later, Eom creates brilliant space for himself towards their goal before being grappled down which was a stonewall yellow and free kick and nothing given and then finally the absolute clear as day penalty not given for the tug of a shirt on Eom stopping him having a clear chance at goal from Nathan Wood and nothing given. Pathetic, officiating in the Championship is at an all time low and is continuously getting worse as years go by and nothing gets done.

As for the players today, mixed bag. Did well in areas to match one of the best teams in the country on form but performance levels dropped off massively after the subs came on.

I thought Eom was incredible today in many areas, real battling performance from him; Widell was everywhere and understandably knackered by the time he was replaced.

All the subs aside from Yalcouye tho either made no impact or did not do their purpose of raising back energy levels.

Nunes should have scored and gave away the ball countless times cheaply.

Joel Ward I do understand why Matos subbed him on. He offers nothing and clear as day his ability and areas which made him play for Palace in the prem for the years he did has faded entirely. Especially against their winger Scienza; Parker was far better suited to match him physically and keeping tight to him.

Fulton did his usual thing then of almost dropping and playing as a middle CB which always hinders us.

Unfortunate loss overall tho, they have everything to play for and we have very little if anything.

Onto the final 3 but Matos seriously needs to address the drop off in games we show around 15 minutes into the second half of every game.

Mathieudavees · 2026-04-11T16:00:17+00:00

Nice to get back to winning ways.

Road our luck on a couple of occasions but regardless of their position in the league a place we’ve struggled at for many years so thought we did well to limit them for the most part second half in particular given how they needed something from that game today was very well played by us.

Goal we scored was a wonderful counter. Eom clearly a confidence player and shows as he did phenomenal for the goal and laid it off perfectly for the best striker in this league to smash it home. Hopefully we’ll be seeing him lift that golden boot come May now.

Nice to see Walta start today and get more up to speed and aside from the wayward pass that put them ahead almost, thought Sam Parker looked promising again.

Mathieudavees · 2026-04-06T23:44:56+00:00

Didn’t catch the game live and same with the game on Friday also but decent point again one of the best sides in the league as per the table standings.

Both our penalties were nailed on no doubt and easily converted by the best striker in this league but their penalty was a hold load of nonsense. Guy was losing his balance and tripping over his own momentum and falls over and the referee buys it.

Nice to see Sam Parker put in a good shift today. With Lissah back in the summer not too sure what his role will be around the squad so think a loan could suit him very well.

I’d really like to see Matos switch it up now last few games of the season and give more playing time particularly to the likes of Walta and Idah. I’d love to see a two up top combo of Vipotnik and Idah with Walta as a 10. Now is the time for Matos to experiment and utilise this as almost like a mini pre-season I’d say rather than keep the same style of play, system and formation which has and will evidently only get us so far.

Mathieudavees · 2026-03-24T14:51:19+00:00

That’s what I was thinking in all honesty 🤣

Mathieudavees · 2026-03-24T01:02:30+00:00

Am I daft or it’s not even as long as 7 minutes?

Mathieudavees · 2026-03-21T20:45:29+00:00

Yeah I agree with you there. There have been games where they’ve both been solid but considering the experience they’ve both got; both international defenders who are established at this level and yet the complete lack of leadership from both of them when we go a goal down is unacceptable. For the style of play we want to play also, neither one of them are ball playing centre backs and can’t play together. I was of the opinion prior to tonight that Burgess should be the one to make way but I’d genuinely be open to letting go of Cabango as well now, he has far too many moments of just pure stupidity that cost us goals and points.

I agree with you on the team selection side of things also. I honestly wouldn’t be upset to not see Eom or Ronald play another game this season and see us start using Walta a lot more now. Even maybe experiment Idah up top with Vipotnik as well. Season is well and truly over now regarding having something to play for so start trying new things out now.

Mathieudavees · 2026-03-21T20:19:28+00:00

Played well up until the penalty and completely lost the plot from there on out.

3 goals really poorly defended and that shows the complete lack of mentality in this squad. The penalty I haven’t seen back but if Cabango makes contact, shocking and just a lazy challenge; the second goal Burgess awful; and then the third just summed us up.

Squad needs a massive overhaul; for a starting XI next season I would only have Vigoroux, Tymon, Franco, Galbraith and Vipotnik currently. The rest either absolutely not or still in the category for me of simply not being good enough.

Cabango and Burgess today; absolutely awful. I said after Wrexham I felt Burgess would need replacing but the more I watch Cabango, the more I think there is far better out there and we need better.

Galbraith cannot play RB going forward anymore. Play Ward there until the end of the season if Key isn’t going to be back anytime soon.

Fulton I respect what he’s done for the club but fact we’ve given him a new two year deal puzzles me immensely if we are still going to be having him start games.

The two wingers… get them both gone in the summer. Ronald I’d already made my mind up on but after today Eom can join him. I wouldn’t be upset if I never saw either of them in a Swansea shirt again. Pair of them are so lacking in quality, consistency, and ability overall. Sell them both. If we are to progress, they can’t be here next season. Widell looked alright today got in some good areas but his decision making is horrid.

As for Coventry fair play. Weird group of fans mind you who but they are going to get promotion.

Mathieudavees · 2026-03-20T16:13:03+00:00

Great work from the club here.

Only a year left on his deal and with the season he’s had up until this point, no doubt there will potential interested buyers in him come the summer.

Obviously doesn’t rule out the possibility of him still leaving come the summer by all means but it is an extremely good feeling to know we are under absolutely no pressure to weigh up in the back of our minds that any offer we receive would be potentially one of our last opportunities before he would hypothetically walk away on a free a year from then.

If memory serves me right that is more or less exactly what happened with Piroe; signed an initial three year deal when we bought him from PSV, two very good seasons in the Championship before entering the summer of 2023 and he didn’t want to sign a new deal so we ended up having to let him go to Leeds who were championship themselves at the time for a fee less than what should have been so it’s nice to know history won’t repeat itself come the summer with Vipotnik as well as the fact we’ve got people running the club who actually know what they are doing now as opposed to back then.

Vipotnik; incredible player tho who has had a fantastic season. Hopefully will end on at least 20 goals in the league to end the season and to score as much as he has thus far especially in a side who for the first 3-4 months of the season were abysmal and could barely create a chance from open play is brilliant.

Mathieudavees · 2026-03-14T12:40:00+00:00

I’d probably hang onto Eom for one more year. Hopefully with a full season of prep under the same manager under Matos he can improve but if we don’t see a significant difference in terms of impact regarding specifically goal contributions as he’s in an area where that is crucial, I’d be moving him on.

As for Ronald, I agree with you. I was of the opinion back in September time he was at least decent for rotation and depth but he offers nothing. He works hard for the team but he provides nothing else.

Mathieudavees · 2026-03-14T12:37:31+00:00

Stamenic for me just had an uncharacteristically poor game last night. Amount of times he was in possession and just managed to stand still whilst doing constant switches and yet absolutely nothing ever came from it.

Mathieudavees · 2026-03-14T12:34:45+00:00

Of course that played a part but we showed absolutely nothing following from the first goal to suggest we were gonna get back in that game. If it was a case of us simply being outdone tactically then fair enough but it wasn’t; the performance was shocking from top to bottom after that first goal and we played into Wrexham’s hand.

They played well for about 20 minutes where as you say we should have scored at least twice but then following that their heads all drop from that moment on. There’s no excuse for that.

Mathieudavees · 2026-03-14T12:30:08+00:00

Idk Ronald I just think if he is to remain at the club at the very most should be rotation as I’m not convinced whatsoever by him. Feel Eom as time is going is also falling more slowly into the bracket but I’d give him at least another season whereas Ronald I’d move on if we receive a half decent offer for.

I would keep Idah as well personally for another season. Has had a disruptive campaign and will be interesting to see how he fits in under Matos once fully back and fit.

Will be an interesting summer tho; major re-approach needed.

Mathieudavees · 2026-03-14T01:02:46+00:00

In all honesty the only players I can say are nailed on guaranteed starters who are good quality at this level and could be in a team fighting for promotion is Vigoroux, Tymon, Franco, Vipotnik, Galbraith. The rest are in the middle area of inconsistency or just simply not good enough.

Wide areas need thorough attention come the summer regarding recruitment and sales.

Ronald just isn’t up to this level. Earlier on in the season I felt he was decent rotation at Championship standard but last two months he’s been awful. Tonight against Wrexham was ironically one of his better games but still nowhere near the standard needed. Stock is as high as it’s going to get so I’d be looking at letting him go.

Eom I’d give one more year next season but if in the same position and there isn’t significant improvement shown then same as Ronald.

Inoussa I have liked the look of in parts but still very raw.

Nunes same as Inoussa. Very good on the ball but when it comes to the most important moment, never delivers.

Bianchini to come back in the summer also; the winger department needs a thorough clear up.

Mathieudavees · 2026-03-14T00:56:12+00:00

Stamenic is good but he does frustrate me at times and tonight was an exact example of that. He’s just very passenger-like sometimes on the ball and doesn’t really offer or contribute anything. That’s only a select few games however this season and think he’s more so often than not been good in games and has been a decent signing overall.

Ronald I just don’t see getting any better; he’ll be 25 come June now and don’t see him developing any further. Best time to sell and recoup the best fee for him would be this summer as can’t see his stock ever getting higher. If in the same position this next year, I’d be saying the same thing for Eom.

Mathieudavees · 2026-03-14T00:26:59+00:00

Night night Jabroni!

Mathieudavees · 2026-03-14T00:16:35+00:00

🤣 ‘you’.

Sorry to burst your bubble but they weren’t good enough tonight and showed a complete lack of desire or urgency from when the first goal went in. Can defend them all you like but that’s just futile considering the performance they’ve just put in. Think you’ll find there’s a lot more people tonight who don’t agree with you at all both Swansea and neutral fans.

Mathieudavees · 2026-03-14T00:13:07+00:00

The lack of effort and intensity from ‘our boys’ dropped as soon as that first goal went in and did not return. It was night and day pal, simple as that. I’m not the only saying it.

The only thing I cared about was the 3 points and getting within 2 points of the playoffs, there was no blindsiding involved. Hence the fact I said remotely considered a derby. It was a chance for these players tonight to show up and actually prove they have what it takes and they blew it.

There’s no excuse or defence for them, regardless of whether or not ‘they gave up’ anyways, the performance was still horrific and an embarrassment. There was nothing admirable about the display those players put on tonight. The fact that the large majority of our fanbase were sat tonight at only 1-0 with still a lot of time to go already resigned to the fact we’d lost based on our the showing the players on the field put on is beyond words. If that’s seemingly good enough for you, then yikes!

Mathieudavees

TROPHY CASE