
Swansea's play-off chances? Slim to say the least
Swansea City will take on Millwall this weekend knowing victory may give them a very slim play-off chance heading into the final day of the season – but only if Coventry City lose to Luton Town in their early kick-off on Saturday.Alan Sheehan's side are in sparkling form, having won five successive games to move to within six points of the top six.Swansea must keep that winning run going against Millwall and Oxford United seven days later to have any hope of finishing in the play-offs – but even then they would be relying on a number of results going their way plus a major goal difference swing.The unlikely play-off talk will be over if sixth-placed Coventry get anything from their trip to Kenilworth Road (12:30 BST).Should a Coventry side featuring ex-Swans skipper Matt Grimes (below, alongside Frank Lampard) lose, Sheehan's men – who are currently 11th - would move to within three points of sixth with a win over the Lions, who are eighth.But Swansea would also need seventh-placed Middlesbrough to be beaten at home by out-of-form Norwich City.
Should all those results happen, Swansea could sneak into sixth place on the final day if they beat Oxford and Middlesbrough win at Coventry – but only if, in the process, the Swans somehow turnaround Boro's advantage in the goal difference column.As it stands, Swansea are on minus four while Michael Carrick's team have a goal difference of plus 10.On top of all that, the Swans would need ninth-placed Blackburn Rovers to lose at least one of their games – Rovers host Watford before going to Sheffield United – and West Bromwich Albion, who are 10th, to drop points in one of their fixtures – at Cardiff City and at home to Luton – to be absolutely sure of finishing above those two sides.All in all, therefore, there will surely be nobody tipping Swansea to reach the play-offs.But it says something about the run the Swans have been on that they are even in the conversation, having been glancing nervously towards the other end of the table not so long ago.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Livingston boss David Martindale targets 10 new signings as summer rebuild continues
The Livingston gaffer says 'three or four' are in the bag already Livingston boss David Martindale is looking to bring in 10 new players this summer as he adds firepower to his side ahead of their Premiership return. And Martindale anticipates five of those being announced by the end of this week. That's on top of former St Johnstone winger Graham Carey and ex-Ayr United star Connor McLellan, who were announced in the last week. Carey scored a screamer for St Johnstone to knock Livingston out of the Scottish Cup quarter-finals in March. And while Martindale is disappointed to lose captain Jamie Brandon – who is expected to sign for Kilmarnock – he says 'that's football' and will move on. Martindale said: 'We're looking to recruit between eight and 10. At this point there are another three or four that will be announced as the week goes on. 'There will be a minimum of three that will be announced on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and then another two hopefully done by Friday. 'We're not a million miles away from where we need to be and it has been busy. 'But that's good. I enjoy bringing new players in the changing room, it freshens things up and reinvigorates you, energises you. 'We've kept the core of the group that were successful last season.' Martindale says Carey and McLellan will bring experience to his dressing room and said: 'They were two boys I would probably have tried to sign, no matter what league I was in. 'Graham brings some fantastic quality, he's a good age, and he's got some unbelievable goals in his locker. 'He was always one of those names, even the previous season, who affected the game against us, Graham always played a part in the game. 'I was actually happy to see his name was on the bench in the Scottish Cup game, and it went against us because he came on and scored, but he was always a player I was well aware of. 'I was delighted that he was on the bench for the opposition, because he's got those moments in games. 'I tried to get Connor previously, I tried to sign him when he left Aberdeen, and he went down the road [to Plymouth Argyle] and came back up with Ayr United. 'I thought he was one of Ayr United's best players last season, and he was probably played slightly out of position. 'He had a really good year, Scott Brown managed to get the best out of him, and I'm excited by the two signings. 'They offer a bit of experience, too. Connor's a really good age, I think there's more to come from him, but he's played a lot of football at a good level. 'Graham has played a lot of football at a good level, and will bring a lot of experience into the changing room. 'He's highly thought of, Stevie May and Ryan McGowan played with him the previous season, so he's' a really good character in the changing room. 'He trains well, he puts demands on younger players, he's in really good condition, so there's a lot to like. 'We're going to need players who can come up in big goals and big moments in games, because the Premiership is a lot harder to score goals in, and you need a wee bit more quality at the top end of the park.' On Brandon, Martindale said: 'I'm disappointed not to keep Jamie, but that's football. 'Boys get better offers elsewhere and, for me, at Jamie's age, he's got a young family and he's done incredibly well for me, and for the club. 'He's done well, and we've done well for Jamie, but he can go and get substantially more money at another club so I'm happy to shake his hand, thank him for everything he's done and wish him well for the future.'


Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Man Utd AGREE new deal with Tom Heaton that will keep veteran goalkeeper at the club into his 40s
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TOM HEATON has verbally agreed a new one-year playing deal at Manchester United. Ruben Amorim's Red Devils confirmed on Monday they were in contract talks with the 39-year-old goalkeeper. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Tom Heaton is set to stay at Manchester United Credit: Alamy But Heaton is set to stay at Old Trafford with fresh terms to be finalised in the coming days. Veteran stopper Heaton was set to be out of contract at the end of June. But the three-cap England international, who is in his second spell at the club having rejoined in 2021, is ready to sign a new deal at United which will take him into his forties. He spent five years at the club between 2005 and 2010 but never made an appearance in the Premier League. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL MIC SWAP Carrick takes up new offer alongside Man Utd icon O'Shea just days after Boro axe Heaton had loan spells at Swindon, Antwerp, Cardiff City, QPR, Rochdale and Wycombe. Despite returning to Old Trafford he has still not played a single minute for the club in the Prem. A coaching role had been touted for the ex-Aston Villa and Burnley keeper but that is believed to be an option in the long-term future rather than now. As a result, Heaton will remain part of the club's squad for the new season with the first team returning to action for a friendly against Leeds in Stockholm on July 19. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS He did make appearances for the club in the post-season tour of Asia. However, he did have a horror blunder in the match against Hong Kong. Bruno Fernandes reveals role his wife played in £200m Al-Hilal transfer snub even though Man Utd were ready to cash in Man United released players Here are the nine players that have been released by Manchester United... Christian Eriksen Jonny Evans Hubert Graczyk Jack Kingdon Victor Lindelof Sam Murray Tom Myles James Nolan Tom Wooster United released nine players including Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen. Evans and Eriksen could both be heading to the Championship having been linked with moves to Wrexham.


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Bryan Mbeumo delivered Man Utd transfer message with Tottenham preference clear
Bryan Mbeumo isn't short of options this summer as Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United chase his signature, with an ex-United player now weighing in on what the forward should do Bryan Mbeumo has been urged to pick a move to Tottenham over Manchester United as the battle for his signature heats up. United are hoping to make the in-demand Brentford forward their next summer signing in a deal worth £60million after already capturing Matheus Cunha from Wolves. However, Tottenham are understood to be attempting to lure Mbeumo to north London instead. Brentford boss Thomas Frank is expected to be appointed to replace Ange Postecoglou at Spurs next week. And it's understood that the Dane is eager to take Mbeumo with him, despite United holding extensive talks with the 25-year-old over a switch to Old Trafford. The Cameroon international now has a big decision to make, with the Red Devils ready to offer him a more lucrative deal, but Spurs holding the advantage of Champions League football and the potential of continuing to work with Frank. A former United goalkeeper has now weighed in on what Mbeumo's next move should be, and has surprisingly encouraged him to pick Tottenham. Ben Foster, who played for United between 2005 and 2010, believes Spurs have more potential for success under Frank next season and will help him to develop as a player. "I would say that if you want to be part of something that's going to make you a better footballer and work hard and be part of a team, then go to Spurs with Thomas Frank," the ex- Wrexham shot-stopper said on his Fozcast podcast. "If you are happy picking up your wages knowing that there's going to be an awful lot more pressure, a lot more eyes on you, a lot more judgement and failure is just part of what they do, then you'd go to Manchester United." Mbeumo has caught the eye of a number of Premier League teams after bagging 20 league goals over the past season. His seven assists were also important in helping Brentford finish in the top half, and a previous bid to sign him by Newcastle was rejected back in January. United have so far made two bids for Mbeumo, who is said to be open to a move, despite the club's poor start to life under Ruben Amorim. But a deal has yet to be struck with Brentford, potentially allowing Spurs to steal a march on their rivals. Foster has backed Mbeumo to have a big impact regardless of where he plays next season. The former England international made his prediction after praising his attitude. "I'm not questioning Bryan Mbeumo about his ability, about his mentality or about what he's like as a person," Foster said. "There's nothing to show me that I should have any worries about it. Whoever he goes and plays for, I think he would improve them and he gets into the starting line-up. "He's got a proven record of being fit and scoring goals. He could get into pretty much all of the 20 Premier League teams and I think he starts, that's how good I think Bryan Mbeumo is." Mbeumo has a year left on his contract at Brentford with the option of an extra year. United's offer is said to be worth around £150,000-a-week for the player, rising to £200,000-a-week with add-ons, while Spurs are prepared to give him a basic package of around £130,000-a-week.