Your Swansea City headlines for Monday, April 4.
'Not quite happened' - Lincoln boss on Cullen
Michael Appleton admits Liam Cullen has taken time to adapt to life on loan at Lincoln City.
The striker joined the Imps during the January transfer window but has rarely operated in his preferred number nine role while he has also started several games on the bench. He led the line for the League One outfit last time out as they claimed a 2-1 win at Charlton Athletic.
And Appleton admits he was pleased with the Welshman's efforts at the weekend. “It [the formation] is [his preference] but you’ve got to have the personnel to do it. Liam only came in in January and it’s not quite happened for him,” Appleton told LincolnshireLive.
“He could have scored goals in his first three games, it didn’t quite happen. When you take these loans, it can take time to work out, but I thought he played well today. He led the line really well.”
Fellow loanee Morgan Whittaker netted Lincoln's first goal against Charlton before being sent off early on in the second-half. Cullen has scored one goal in 14 appearances for Appleton's side.
Pundit confident of Swans' 22/23 chances
Clinton Morrison says Swansea will be "strong" next season following their derby triumph over Cardiff.
The Swans have shown plenty of encouraging signs during the course of Russell Martin's tenure to date, although Saturday's demolition job of the Bluebirds served as a major highlight of the campaign. And ahead of what promises to be a huge summer for the club, Morrison heaped praise on derby hero Michael Obafemi while giving his verdict on their chances next term.
"Obafemi's been outstanding. Eight goals in his last 11 games," the former striker said on EFL on Quest. "Now you're starting to see he's a threat, he causes problems.
"That's the double, it's never been done. Credit to Russell Martin, you can see now he's starting to get them playing, and I think next season Swansea will be strong."
Do you think Swansea can challenge for promotion next season? Have your say in the comments section below.
Obafemi's derby delight
Michael Obafemi took his goal tally to nine for the season after netting a brace against Cardiff.
Against the Bluebirds, the striker scored his seventh and eighth goals in 11 appearances having only fired home once in his first 14 outings for the Swans. And Obafemi says the 4-0 thrashing of Steve Morison's side was the biggest game of his career to date.
“It’s an incredible feeling. In the build up we talked about making history and the mood in the camp all week was amazing. We knew we could do it,” he told the club's official website.
“I was happy to score two goals and, for me, I felt this was the biggest game of my career. The fans were amazing, we know what the game means to them, and I wanted to show them what sort of player I am, and I hope I did that.
“We have written our names into the history books and it is a fantastic feeling that we just want to soak up.”
U23s blow lead
Swansea City's Under-23s blew a two-goal lead as they drew 2-2 with Sheffield Wednesday's young guns at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Kris O'Leary's side started well and took the lead in the Professional Development League contest through defender Joe Thomas' first goal of the campaign. Tivonge Rushesha struck a sweet second from around 25 yards out as the hosts looked on course for victory.
But the young Owls got back into the contest through Liam Waldock in the second-half before Ben Erickson was forced off with an injury which meant the Swans had to play the final stages with just 10 players having used all of their substitutions.
And Bailey Cadamarteri struck late on to earn the visitors - who had Paulo Aguas sent off in injury-time - a share of the spoils.
Swansea City U23s: Nico Hansen, Tivonge Rushesha (C) Joe Thomas, Azeem Abdulai, Kai Ludvigsen (Ben Erickson 75), Jack Stafford, Joel Cotterill, Sam Leverett, Trialist (Kyrell Wilson 75), Yan Dhanda, Lincoln Mcfayden (Jacob Jones 66).
