THE OPPOSITION
Swansea City's seven-year stay in the Premier League came to an end in May and early signs are that it might not be an instant return with Graham Potter's side unable to put together a concerted run of form this term, heading into tomorrow's game on the back of three straight league defeats.
In the Sky Bet Championship, The Swans have won seven, drawn five, and lost eight games this term, currently sitting 13th, with their four-game unbeaten spell to begin the campaign the longest they have gone without defeat under Potter.
Swansea's ten away games have produced just 15 goals with only Rotherham United scoring fewer goals away from home than the Welsh side but, on the flip side, only Middlesbrough have conceded fewer than The Swans on their travels.
Offset by Alfie Mawson's big-money move to Fulham, Potter looked to add youth and flair to the squad in the summer, bringing in Yan Dhanda from Liverpool, Sunderland's Joel Asoro, Bersant Celina from Manchester City, and Nottingham Forest attacker Barrie Mackay.
TEAM NEWS
Thomas Frank was dealt a cruel blow late on Monday night with Emiliano Marcondes picking up an injury which The Bees boss fears may keep him sidelined for an extended period. Other than Emiliano, and the young pair of Marcus Forss and Mads Bech Sorensen, Thomas has a fully fit squad to choose from with Nico Yennaris and Julian Jeanvier back in contention following injury.
Swansea will too be without a key component of their attack with Daniel James sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Tom Carroll will also be absent as he struggles to overcome a groin issue but Wilfred Bony is available for selection.
THE MANAGER
Graham Potter's path to the top job at Swansea City is not one which many managers have followed.
Solihull-born Potter spent a decade in the lower leagues of English football, starting off at home-town Birmingham City before spells with Stoke City, Southampton, where he made eight Premier League appearances, West Bromwich Albion, York City, Boston United, and Macclesfield Town.
After making nearly 400 appearances, he retired in 2005 and, shortly after, graduated from the Open University with a degree in Social Sciences. Potter then spent five years working in University football, latterly combining his time as assistant coach at Leeds Metropolitan University with a masters in Leadership and Emotional Intelligence.
In December 2010, he took charge of Östersund, then a fourth-division side in Sweden. He earned back-to-back league titles during his first two-years in charge before taking Östersund to the top flight in 2015. In April 2017, he guided OFK to the Swedish Cup and, later that year, made history with his side becoming the first Swedish club to progress beyond the Europa League group stage. Potter joined Swansea in June after nearly eight years in Sweden.
At Östersund, he encouraged his players and staff to engage in community activities, such as performing in theatre and music productions designed to take them out of their comfort zone.
LAST-TIME AROUND
A classic meeting between us and The Swans from 1999 as Ron Noades' side sets up a final day title shootout at Cambridge United with a 4-1 victory at Griffin Park.
PRE-MATCH FEATURES
🗣 Thomas: "We have stopped the bleeding, now we need to progress again"
🗣 Daniel Bentley looks ahead to tomorrow's encounter
🔶🔴 Andy Woolmer will take charge of Saturday's game
🆚 Andrew Gwilym of The South Wales Evening Post on what to expect from The Swans
TICKETS AND TRAVEL
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MATCH COVERAGE
Matchday Live will be brought to you from Griffin Park with live iFollow commentary and analysis from the New Road Stand. Mark Burridge is your host from 2.30pm.
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