Latest news with #LiamCullen
BBC News
10 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Another long hard season ahead for the Swans?
BBC Sport Wales asked Swansea City fans for their views after the opening day defeat at Middlesbrough in the Championship. Here's what they said:Gary: "It's been obvious since [Joel] Piroe left that Swansea need a striker, [Liam] Cullen can score goals in the Championship and in internationals but he is not a striker, the Swans need a 20 goals a season, proven striker, but they do not grow on trees and the Swans are not willing to splash the cash, so it'll probably be an unknown like Piroe or give one of the youngsters a go."Gareth: "This Swansea team, with Alan Sheehan, can beat anyone on their day. Swansea are getting stronger again now and that counts for a lot."Alan: "Poor start but only to be expected when you sell off all the talent once again."Max: "Terrible. Needs to change soon, otherwise a long season in a relegation battle. Squad seems one or two short, as some players are prone to injury. Sheffield United next, a tough game, but a real chance for the crowd to get behind the players at home."Ian: "Same story every year, hardly any shots on goal. Manager bemoaning lack of creativity when he is the man supposed to sort that out. I can see the script continuing all year."Richard: "The new players need time to settle in. Swansea knew that they needed a quality striker at the end of last season, but is it going to be the same old story. We tried but just couldn't get a deal over the line. I feel so sorry for all the loyal fans. Another long hard season ahead."Ron: "It looks like we need a centre forward".
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Sheehan rues lack of threat after opening-day defeat
Alan Sheehan rued Swansea City's lack of attacking threat as they were beaten at Middlesbrough on the opening day of the Championship lost a game of a few chances courtesy of a set-piece goal from Boro centre-back Dael Fry early in the second team created little, with their best sights of goal coming before the break when Liam Cullen's header from a tight angle was saved by home keeper Sol Brynn and Ronald flashed wide from Swansea head coach acknowledged that his had side struggled in the final third, particularly after the home side went in front."We really lacked an attacking threat after they scored," said Sheehan, who is keen to strengthen his forward options in what remains of the transfer window."When we went behind, we took a while to recover, to get into our flow again."We tried to change the impetus, we made a few changes, but we didn't create enough."Swansea gave full debuts to Cameron Burgess and Ethan Galbraith, while fellow summer signings Zeidane Inoussa, Melker Widell and Kaelan Casey came off the bench to make their first appearances for the replaced club skipper Ben Cabango, who played 75 minutes despite missing much of pre-season with a calf injury."Ben played as long as he could which was excellent for us - this is his mini-pre-season now," Sheehan said."He is a warrior for us. He leads the backline, him and Cameron. I thought the defence looked very solid."
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Swansea City 2025/26 predictions: Our writers pick their star man, top scorer and ones to watch
Swansea City 2025/26 predictions: Our writers pick their star man, top scorer and ones to watch Swansea City head into the new season with a decent level of excitement and optimism but challenges remain Swansea City manager Alan Sheehan (Image: Getty Images) Another season is nearly upon us, and Swansea City fans will be brimming with hope and expectation around their side's upcoming Championship campaign. This is the first time Alan Sheehan has gone into a new season as fully-fledged head coach in his own right, and he will be keen on improving on the 11th-placed finish mustered up last term. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here. That campaign was largely defined by what was a hugely impressive run of form under the Irishman, who masterminded 23 points from 12 games to steer City away from a choppy start under predecessor Luke Williams. A good start this time around will be crucial if he wants to improve on that standing. But where are his side actually likely to finish? Who will be the main man, and who will be the one to fire in the goals? Here's what our panel of experts reckon Tom Coleman - Swansea City writer Star player: Goncalo Franco Article continues below The Portuguese midfielder arguably has the potential to be one of the best in the division, having enjoyed a really strong opening season in the Championship, and he's likely to be the main man for his side this term. The 24-year-old brings bite and energy in the middle of the park, and relishes a battle. He's also often at the root of Swansea's most promising attacking moves, but could perhaps add a few more goals and assists to his game. A classy operator that could well end up playing Premier League football one day. Top scorer: Liam Cullen Herein lies one of the concerns for Swansea. They don't really have too many out-and-out goalscorers in this squad, and I really hope they address that before the close of the window. Otherwise, it could end up being a long and difficult season. Zan Vipotnik hasn't quite hit the heights expected of him since his arrival last summer, and he has to be eyeing up a big impact this term. Perhaps the Slovenian will come good and net a hatful of goals this term. But as things stand, Liam Cullen seems the safer bet. One to watch: Ethan Galbraith The Manchester United product attracted plenty of admirers during a really impressive spell with Leyton Orient, including a decent outing against Man City in the FA Cup last season. I can't wait to see how he handles the step up to the Championship, as he's shown some really promising signs in pre-season. In possession, the midfielder exudes a level of calm Swansea have arguably been missing since Matt Grimes left the club. It's perhaps a bit reductive to tout him as the long-term successor to the former captain, but there are some similarities in terms of profile. He protects the ball really well, and can clearly pick out a quality pass from deep. My only concern is whether he can handle physicality of the Championship as he's not the biggest of players. But the technical skillset is definitely there. If he can deliver, he could prove to be the man that makes them tick next term. Where will the Swans finish? Swansea finished 11th last time out largely due to their impressive run of form under Sheehan towards the end of the campaign. Anything above that would be considered a success, I think. I wouldn't be surprised if they're briefly part of the top six conversation at some point, but I fear the lack of depth in the squad, if unaddressed, will start to show when the season really kicks into gear. I'll go for 9th. Mathew Davies - Sport content editor Star player: Goncalo Franco The Portuguese just looked a cut above the rest last season and has garnered an almost cult-like status after just one campaign in south Wales. If Franco plays well, Swansea usually do too, which is a good indicator of how important he has become to this side. The only issue Swansea have is whether they can keep hold of him beyond this season. Another top term at this level and Premier League sides will no doubt have their eyes on him. Top scorer: Zan Vipotnik Swansea's search for a new number nine is well documented, with Oli McBurnie linked for some time before his Hull City move was confirmed, while Richard Kone and Jusef Erabi have also been mentioned. But until another goalscorer can be secured it will be Vipotnik who should be leading the line and therefore in pole position to bag the top scorer gong. I really like Liam Cullen's tenacity and link-up play but feel his position is better suited to a support role. Hopefully the Slovenian will be fit for the opener on Teesside. One to watch: Melker Widell There is plenty of intrigue around the Swedish international, who Swansea signed last winter to fend off other suitors. He remained at former club AaB on loan and has now headed to SA1 to form what could be an exciting midfield partnership with Franco. Swansea have a huge Lewis O'Brien-shaped hole to fill this season. Widell could - and should - be the man to fill it. Supporters will be excited to see what he can do at this level and I will be watching on too. Where will the Swans finish? It is difficult to predict where Swansea will finish right now simply because there are still three weeks to go until the window closes. Bag themselves a reliable goalscorer who can contribute 15 goals across the Championship season and their prospects are suddenly that much brighter. A couple of full-backs would be nice, too, as would a pacey winger. But let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet. With the squad as it is, I predict a 10th-placed finish. John Jones - Sports writer Star player: Goncalo Franco The Portuguese star emerged as a leading light for Swansea last season in what was an impressive debut campaign, and there is a lot of expectation on him to be the main man for Sheehan's side again this time around. But I fully expect the 24-year-old 'action man' to rise to the challenge and bring the same energy and aggression that delighted fans last season to the new campaign and he will be central to how the Swans perform. However, as Mat noted, another season like the last for Franco could well see Premier League teams come in for him before too long. Top scorer: New striker Where the goals are going to come from is a big concern for the Swans ahead of the new season, and I'm not overly convinced by the likes of Zan Vipotnik and Liam Cullen. The Slovenian star could well come good after an underwhelming start to his Swans career, while Cullen could end up making me eat my words, but I think Sheehan needs an out-and-out goalscorer in his squad if they are to better last season. Who comes in remains to be seen, but getting a new number nine in the building simply has to happen before the window slams shut. One to watch: Zeidane Inoussa Swansea wasted little time in getting their summer transfer business under way, with Inoussa signing back in May after a conversation with new club co-owner Luka Modric. Those at the club certainly believe him to be an exciting capture and it is hoped that the Sweden U21 international will make the "significant" sum the Swans paid to secure his services look worth every penny. If he can find his feet quickly in the Championship, the 23-year-old should be able to bring pace to the Swans' attack and provide some cutting edge in the final edge. Where will the Swans finish? Article continues below A strong end to the transfer window - and the acquisition of a top goalscorer - will have a huge bearing on how this season pans out for the Swans. With the squad as it is at the moment, I expect them to at least match last season's 11th place finish, but some more smart signings could see them move up the table and start to put pressure on the top six. For now though, I'm going with 9th.
BBC News
02-08-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Swansea lose final friendly to Lorient
Swansea City were beaten 3-1 by French side Lorient in their final friendly ahead of the Championship Sheehan's side were downed at Stadium and were without the injured Ben Cabango, Filip Lissah, Ricardo Santos and Zan Vipotnik in their last tune-up for next Saturday's trip to Middlesbrough (15:00 BST).The Ligue 1 side were in charge from the off and finally got their noses in front through Pablo Pagis' calm finish in the 23rd minute after Cameron Burgess had given the ball Widell should have swiftly levelled but scuffed his shot from close range and it was 2-0 on the half hour when Pagis scored from Gedeon Kalulu's pass, with Josh Key potentially having the final touch with an attempted third came from the spot through Mohamed Bamba in the 42nd minute after Igor Silva was brought down by teenager Arthur should have made it 3-1 after 53 minutes but was denied in a one-on-one with goalkeeper Benjamin Leroy, then Lawrence Vigouroux did likewise at the other end against Cullen got Swansea off the mark with a penalty in the 64th minute after Ronald had been fouled and then the Wales forward had a header chalked off for offside.
Irish Independent
30-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Baltinglass public realm works could last up to a year
Wicklow County Council was initially awarded €3.5 million in 2019 under the Rural Development Fund, however a delay in starting the works meant the cost of the original estimate had risen considerably. The project will allow for improvements to accessibility, enhancements to the public realm and upgrades to the town park. Works will include the re-allocation of road space, the laying of new high-quality paving and kerbs along the footpaths, enhanced lighting tree planting and landscaping alongside associated drainage works, installation of ducting and the undergrounding of overhead cables. Administrator Liam Cullen informed the June meeting of Baltinglass Municipal District of a report compiled by town regeneration officer Stephen Clarke, which outlined that tender documents have been issued to the Department of Rural and Community Development. It's expected a decision will be made by the middle of July. Once a contractor is appointed, the works will take up to a year to be completed.
