Swansea City team struck with aeroplane trouble as autopilot failed
The Swans were forced to find alternative travel arrangements on Saturday night
Luke Williams has backed his Swansea City team to end their recent goal drought and shake off what has been an
eventful recent travel schedule. The Swans have travelled a lot in the past week or so, and Tuesday night’s match
against Sheffield Wednesday comes after Saturday’s trip to Blackburn Rovers. It’s understood that the squad
considered staying up north at first, but decided to head back to south Wales in between the two games, a decision
that may have come under scrutiny after events at Manchester Airport following Saturday’s loss at Ewood Park.
The team were due to return to Swansea later that evening, but problems with their plane meant they had to
scramble for an alternative solution.
Boss Luke Williams stated, “We got back at around half past two or three o’clock on the Sunday morning because the
plane was unable to take off,” prior to Saturday’s visit from Millwall.
“The autopilot failed. We then drove around Manchester Airport for a lovely loop before returning to our starting
point.
“I thought Manchester Airport had two control towers at one point, but I was mistaken. We disembarked and
removed all of the bags from the aircraft since it was the same one.
“After that, we requested that the coach driver turn around, refuel, and return to the airport to collect us.
“So instead of arriving in Swansea at 9pm, we arrived back at 2.30am, and so imagine, we’re on the bus Friday, we’re on the bus Saturday. We’re on the bus Sunday morning, we’re on the bus Monday again, we’re on the bus Tuesday
“We’re on the bus Wednesday morning. We arrived back at four o’clock on Wednesday morning.
“So I’m tired. But I’m very happy because we have a home game and I’m very excited about it.”
Swansea are unbeaten at home this season, and have one of the best defences in the league, with just Sheffield
United and Burnley boasting better records, so far.
However, a winless run of five games and their worst goal drought since April 2021 has tempered the mood in SA1
ahead of this weekend’s clash.
“The game works around your own box, the opposition box and in between is the flow of the game, how you use the
middle of the pitch to create and deny,” said the Swans boss.
“From what I can see we defend our 18-yard box incredibly well, we have the most talented defensive coach in
Martyn Margetson, he is incredible and does amazing work.
“And that is dear to me because I want our team to be tough and to show the people who support us home and away
that they are going to give everything and run the hard yards.
“There’s an action right at the end of the Sheffield Wednesday game. It’s a corner for us, it comes to the edge of the
box and we have a blocked shot. Sheffield Wednesday break, and I’ve watched it so many times, our entire outfield
run past the opposition.
“In football it is easier to run towards the opposition goal, but our guys ran backwards towards their own goal like
you’ve never seen. That made me so proud.
“In our own box we have defended brilliantly so far, I think in between the two boxes we flow through the pitch to try
and create box entries and to use that possession to stem the flow of opposition attacks.
“We need to get better in the opposition box, but I tell the guys that every day, and now I’m telling everyone that I
support them.”
They will discover that anticipation, feel a little more liberated and self-assured, and begin to score, and I am thrilled
and confident about that because a squad that can score goals and defend will be able to move freely on the pitch. I
am aware of what occurs when such a team is assembled.
Prior to the match at Swansea.com Stadium, Williams has no new worries, but Kristian Pedersen is getting closer to
being fully recovered.
“Although Kristian Pedersen is back on the pitch and almost ready to resume full training with the rest of the team,
we are just as we were.
Andy Fisher and Josh Ginnelly continue to be long-term absences, while Sam Parker has recovered from his recent
sickness but is still not well enough to participate.
Read more news on https://sportupdates.co.uk/
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