Swansea City (A) | Match Preview
The Game
Swansea City v Argyle. Swansea.com Stadium. Saturday, 3 February. 3pm. Sky Bet Championship.
The Opposition
Swansea come into this game on 33 points from 29 games, which puts them in 17th place. The Swans are two positions below Argyle, on the the same points; the Greens have played a game fewer.
Swansea come into this game on the back of three straight defeats, but that probably does not tell the full story. Those losses have come at home to Southampton, whose unbeaten run stretches back to September; against Premier League Bournemouth, in the Emirates FA Cup; and, on Tuesday night, away to league leaders Leicester City.
The Gaffer
Luke Williams took over as Swansea manager on 5 January, returning to a club where he had previously been assistant manager.
Williams never had a professional career as a player, but took up coaching early, coaching in the academies of various clubs, most notably Brighton and Hove Albion, where he rose to the level of under-23s manager.
Williams became the assistant manager of Swindon Town, and eventually the manager of the Robins, but would leave following their relegation to League Two. After a period with Bristol City's under-23s, Williams became Russell Martin's assistant at Milton Keynes Dons, following him to Swansea.
In June 2022, Williams was appointed manager of Notts County, in the Vanarama National League, and was a revelation. County finished second, eventually going up via the play-offs, and scoring 117 goals.
Back in the EFL, Williams had elevated County to fifth place when opting to return to South Wales, replacing Michael Duff as Swansea manager.
The Squad
Swansea have signed three players in the transfer window, all attacking players, two of them arriving on Deadline Day.
Polish international Przemysław Płacheta was the last through the door, signing on a permanent deal from Norwich City, where he had spent the previous four seasons, also spending time on loan at Birmingham City. Placheta has played 16 times for Norwich in the Championship this season, three of those being starts.
The Swans have also added Charles Sagoe jr to their ranks. The 19-year-old winger is on loan from Arsenal.
Swansea have also signed Brazilian wideman Ronald, from Gremio Anapolis. The 22-year-old made his debut on Tuesday when Swansea played Leicester City.
Earlier This Season
The sides met in October, at Home Park, with Argyle taking the lead through Luke Cundle, and retaining it until half-time. However, the Swans came back after the break, and scored via Jerry Yates, Olly Cooper and Josh Key, to win 3-1.
A Strip for the Trip
Argyle will be wearing their green home kit for this game.
Tickets
Tickets for this game are sold out for Argyle supporters.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s pre-match show, with Charlie Price and Marc Edworthy, will begin at 2pm, and is available to watch for free on YouTube. Commentary will be provided from the Swansea.com Stadium by Rob McNichol and Ryan Brunt. International supporters can buy a match pass to watch the game, here.
