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BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Swansea boss wants more signings after bright Yalcouye debut
Swansea City head coach Alan Sheehan still wants to make more signings before the transfer window closes, as the club closes in on a ninth summer Swans are close to completing the permanent signing of Marko Stamenic from Nottingham with 14 players leaving since last season, Swansea need to strengthen their squad further, particularly in picked up their first win of the Championship season against Sheffield United on Saturday, but were wasteful in front of scored only 51 goals in 46 league games last season, the Swans' priority is to sign a new striker."We need a couple more [players] in, obviously. Everybody knows that," said Sheehan."But when you're trying to focus on the team and pick a team for this, you're not sure if something will be done, or whether it's two weeks away or a one week away."Hopefully we can continue to get a few little bits done." Swansea's eighth signing of the summer, Malick Yalcouye, made his debut in the starting line-up against Sheffield 19-year-old only joined on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday, but slotted seamlessly into the Swans' midfield three with an industrious performance."I think he did well. He's been with the team a couple of days. He's got great energy," said Sheehan."He's got to get integrated into the Championship. He showed some real quality at times and calmness within our structure and he worked really hard for the team, so it's great to have that competition for the team, and I don't think you can pick out any individual today that didn't come out of it positively."
Wales Online
4 hours ago
- Wales Online
Alan Sheehan's one criticism from sensational Sheffield United win as new signing edges closer
Alan Sheehan's one criticism from sensational Sheffield United win as new signing edges closer The Swans boss was delighted by the Sheffield United on Saturday - but still had one complaint from the performance. Alan Sheehan was delighted by his side's performance (Image: Athena) Alan Sheehan has lavished praise on his Swansea City side following their superb win over Sheffield United on Saturday, but says their lack of cutting edge in the final third remains a concern. Swansea produced arguably one of their best performances of the Sheehan era by seeing off the Blades in a 1-0 win, with Ronald netting the decisive goal midway through the second half. But City might well have felt they deserved a few more. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here. Ronald himself missed a great chance in the first half, after Josh Tymon had fired wide inside the opening minute, while Melker Widell perhaps should have hit the target late on, dragging a shot wide. But there were otherwise plenty of positive facets to this performance, against a side many had previously tipped to be there or thereabouts in the race for promotion this season. "I am really pleased," Sheehan said afterwards. Article continues below "I think the only critical thing you can say is that again is we're not more clinical in putting the game to bed. This is a team that was one game away from being in the Premier League. "To go toe-to-toe with them and come out on top deservedly, the only thing I can be critical of is that we didn't have a few more." A new striker remains near the top of Swansea's transfer wishlist, and it's hoped there could be some movement on that front early next week. "We need a couple more in, obviously," Sheehan added. "Everybody knows that. But when you're trying to focus on the team and pick a team for this, you're not sure if something will be done, or whether it's two weeks away or one week away. "Hopefully we can continue to get a few little bits done." One player that looks set to come through the door is Kiwi midfielder Marko Stamenic, who is poised to sign from Nottingham Forest on a permanent deal. He was in the stands for Saturday's win, and is likely to be unveiled as a Swansea player within the next 48 hours. "Marko will be in," Sheehan continued. "Marko's a player we've been after for a while. He'll bring some physicality, athleticism, and he's another international coming into the building. "He showed a real willingness, and he's a real good character, which is so important because we want to bring in players and we sometimes want them in sooner. "But getting the right people for what we're trying to do was so important for the football club. We can't just sign anybody. It's got to be the right ones that fit into our group and how we want to play. "So to bring Marko in is a really good signing. Sign up to the Swansea City WhatsApp service to get breaking news and top stories sent to your phone. "You need to be as strong as you can in the middle. It gives us options, whether we play three or four in there sometimes, which is something to potentially look at for us. "But today the midfield performance was excellent. I was very happy as we won the middle of the pitch. We won the midfield battle. "So, very happy." Sheehan handed a debut to his latest summer arrival Malick Yalcouye, who arrived on a season-long loan from Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday. Article continues below "I think he did well," Sheehan said. "He's been with the team a couple of days. He's got great energy. He's got to get integrated into the Championship. "He showed some real quality at times and calmness within our structure and he worked really hard for the team, so it's great to have that competition for the team, and I don't think you can pick out any individual today that didn't come out of it positively."
Wales Online
4 hours ago
- Wales Online
Brian Barry-Murphy tells fans they will fall in love with 'elite' Cardiff City kid as fan reaction says everything
Brian Barry-Murphy tells fans they will fall in love with 'elite' Cardiff City kid as fan reaction says everything The Bluebirds head coach spoke after his team's dominant win over Rotherham United Brian Barry-Murphy, Cardiff City head coach (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd) Brian Barry-Murphy said the moment Rubin Colwill tapped home a third goal in the convincing win over Rotherham United was the realisation that all his and the players' work at Cardiff City this summer paid dividends. The Bluebirds cruised home against the Millers with a 3-0 win thanks to goals from Yousef Salech, Cian Ashford and Colwill. The final goal came through high pressing, forcing Rotherham into a mistake, which then allowed Salech to feed Colwill for the easiest of finishes. It is further proof, Barry-Murphy said, of the progress being shown under the head coach, who sees his side sit second in the League One table after two wins and a draw in their opening three matches. "I was really pleased the moment Rubin scored," Barry-Murphy said after the match. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community. "We've seen him score some spectacular goals, but to score from so close to the goal was really important for us because it was a real team effort. "We are playing high pressure and we forced them into a mistake really close to goal. So to have Rubin there to finish was probably the moment you saw me so agitated. Article continues below "There are going to be parts of the season where things are going to be different. There were parts of today which were really good. We focused on pressing from the front as well as dealing with as few attacks as possible. "When the balls came into the box, there were moments where Dylan (Lawlor) and Will (Fish) had to defend the box against Jordan Hugill, a vastly- experienced striker at this level, being backed up by the two full backs." Some supporters have had their grumblings over the City defence in the opening weeks. Despite conceding only one goal in their first two league matches, Bluebirds fans haven't been wholly convinced. But a positive display and a clean sheet will go some way to allaying those fears. Barry-Murphy opted for changes again in the back line, with Lawlor and Fish the centre-back partnership, meaning Calum Chambers dropped to the bench. Dakarai Mafico was also drafted in to make his City debut at left back. Explaining those selection calls, Barry-Murphy said: "Calum didn't play in the first game, Will didn't play in the second game and Dylan didn't play in the third game. I am just picking what I feel is the best partnership for the game. "Dak has made his debut after Joel Bagan was in A&E on Thursday night with some chest pains. It's not as bad as it sounds, but he didn't really train yesterday. "We needed someone else to play left back and Dakarai has been outstanding in pre-season for us." Mafico had to be taken off after 35 minutes. He endured a tough time, having been booked before making another challenge which dropped him in hot water, forcing City to make the change. But Barry-Murphy waxed lyrical about the 18-year-old, branding him "elite" in his usual midfield role. "I just didn't want him to have his debut where he was possibly going to receive a red card," he said. "I thought his first yellow was harsh, but they had a particularly dangerous attacker on that side and to expose him would be a problem for us, because we were so dominant in the game, I didn't want to risk it. "He is an exceptional player, but he's never played left back before I came to the club. He is an elite No.6, when you see him play there, it will be clear to you how good he is. "He was the one we had all through pre-season, so he had to play." What was also incredibly pleasing was the fans' reaction after Mafico's substitution. The Canton Stand burst into rapturous applause, demanding the teenager give them an ayatollah. Substitute Callum Robinson and even Barry-Murphy himself embraced the youngster as he made his way to the bench. "It was really important," he said of the fans' reaction to Mafico's early substitution. "Not everyone might be aware he is a natural midfield player and he's put himself in a position where he hasn't had loads of experience in the academy. "He shows courage in everything he does. He is an incredible talent and one the supporters are going to fall in love with once they see him play more. "There is good support in the dressing room from the senior players who will really support him and make him realise what it means to make your debut in a game like this. Then tomorrow, when we are back in training, we can really push him to fulfil his potential." The comfortable victory leaves City in second place after just three games played. City fans were singing, largely ironically, one suspects, 'Straight back up, straight back up, Cardiff City'. The Bluebirds boss said the fans can dream away. 'The supporters are allowed to do whatever they want," Barry-Murphy said of those chants. 'The energy since I came to the club has been incredible. 'We played the cup during the week, Swindon scored a goal and the reaction from our supporters was something the players commented on. Article continues below 'It gave us a lot of energy to go on and win the game. 'They can do whatever they want and dream whatever they want to dream because they deserve it, but our focus is solely on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.' Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.
