Swansea City

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Vitor Matos pointed out after defeat at Coventry City that no points are handed out for "moral wins".

But it could also have been suggested that some defeats are more painful than others.

Head coach Matos is right, of course. With their league position perilous, Swansea City cannot come away from a loss with any satisfaction.

But a narrow reverse at the home of the runaway Championship leaders is easier to take than most, particularly given that Swansea did enough to get something from the game.

Matos' side had more possession than Coventry and, significantly, a higher xG - 1.22 compared to 1.02 - than their hosts.

The statistics also highlight the fact that the vast majority of Coventry's threat came from set-pieces, which makes sense given that the only goal came from one of Milan van Ewijk's long throws.

It could be argued that in open play, Swansea outplayed the Championship's standout team this season.

Matos' players must view that as an encouraging sign as they look to pull clear of relegation danger.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

"We need to keep believing that the better we play, the more close we are to winning; the better we press, the more close we are to winning; the better we have the ball, the more close we are to winning," Matos said after Ephron Mason-Clark's goal secured Coventry's victory.

"We got the performance, now we need to fight for the result."

Coventry was a fourth defeat in Matos' seven games as Swansea head coach, with three of the losses coming away from home.

Swansea are yet to avoid defeat on the road under Matos, having most recently secured an away point during the final days of Alan Sheehan's reign, courtesy of the 1-1 draw at Charlton Athletic on 1 November.

The Swans could really do with changing that record on the final away day of 2025, at Oxford United this Monday night.

Despite their defeat, Matos' players should travel to with some belief in the wake of their trip to Coventry.

Coventry take a six-point lead at the top of the table into this meeting and also have the best home record in the division having taken 26 points from their 10 games at The CBS Arena.

Swansea head to the Midlands having lost their past four away matches.

• Coventry are winless in their past nine home league games against Swansea (D5 L4) since a 3-1 victory in the top-flight in October 1981.

• Swansea lost 2-0 against Coventry in their last league meeting in February, ending an 18-game unbeaten run against the Sky Blues (W8 D10).

• Coventry are unbeaten in their past eight home league games played on Boxing Day (W7 D1), since a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in 2007.

• Swansea have won just one of their past eight away league games played on Boxing Day (D2 L5), losing 5-0 at Southampton in their most recent on the road in 2023.

• Coventry have won their past seven home league matches and have not had a longer home winning run since between October 1959 and February 1960 (9 in a row).

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

After Swansea's dramatic 2-1 win over Welsh rivals Wrexham in the Championship, BBC Sport asked fans if the Swans have turned a corner under new boss Vitor Matos.

Here are some of the responses we received:

Dan: Wouldn't say 'turned a corner' as even though overall performances have improved, and you can see clearly how Matos wants us to play, we are severely lacking quality from our wingers. So our attacking play is still incoherent, inconsistent and poor.

Keith: We need to strengthen in January, our final third performances are dire, should have enough to stay up and build for next season.

Richard: How can you say that the Swans have turned a corner when it took two lucky goals to beat Wrexham? We will see if they are improving after they play Coventry which will be a really tough test.

Mitchell: Honestly, atmosphere was electric and thoroughly loved it, really pleased to have picked up another three huge points BUT nothing will beat the south Wales derby.

Clare: Brilliant result. Three consecutive wins now at home. The only way is up. Vitor Matos has had a good start winning three out of four and a feel good factor around the club again. It's a long time since we have beaten Wrexham so let's savour it and continue to improve. In Matos we trust!

Nick: Long way to go, though I remain hopeful as always. Too many failed attempts from outside the box on Friday night and we're lacking penetration within the penalty area. But three points is three points and when you're nervously looking at the relegation places below, the win is far more important than bragging rights. Oh yes, and I just hope Ronald learns to stay on his feet.

Image source, Getty Images

Vitor Matos says he is happy to have Joe Allen, Leon Britton and Kristian O'Leary on his staff for the long term because the three former Swansea City players "personify the values of the club".

Swansea legends Allen and Britton joined the backroom team on a short-term basis following Matos' appointment as head coach last month.

The two ex-midfielders had been expected to step aside once Matos' staff from former club Maritimo were cleared to join him in Wales.

However, Allen and Britton are now staying on despite the appointments of Portuguese trio Diogo Medeiros, Toze Mendes and Goncalo Ricca, plus Aston Villa's head of coaching Ryan Maye.

Swansea stalwart O'Leary is also continuing in his first-team coaching role as expected.

"They (Allen and Britton) will have specific roles because I think they add a lot of value in terms of knowledge, in terms of experience and in terms of understanding the values," Matos said.

Image source, Getty Images

"I think the boys value a lot what they have to offer to them and that was my feeling when I arrived, so I want them to stay."

When asked what roles Allen and Britton will now fill, Matos said: "They will be related with individual coaching, so there will be first-team coaches that are responsible for taking care of specific individual positions, feedback, training, analysis, meetings, these kinds of things."

He added: "It is important that we stay with Joey, Leon and Kris on the backroom staff.

"I think they personify the values of the club and the way the club is for everyone. I'm really happy that they can stay with us in different roles in the staff and that will just make us stronger."

Image source, BBC Sport

Swansea City earned Championship bragging rights with Friday night's last-gasp win over Welsh rivals Wrexham.

Adam Idah's goal, seizing on an error by Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, clinched a 2-1 win in the first league meeting between the two Welsh clubs for 22 years.

While that victory undoubtedly feels good, how did it compare as a derby compared to the tussles with south Wales rivals Cardiff City?

And was the three points - a haul that sees Swansea now seven points clear of the relegation places - of far more importance than any bragging rights?

Have the team turned a corner under new boss Vitor Matos, is he ticking all the right boxes?

The Swans' next face a daunting trip to Championship leaders Coventry City on 26 December (15:00 GMT), then go to relegation-threatened Oxford United the following Monday (19:45 GMT) with a chance to put more distance between themselves and the bottom three.

Have your say here

Image source, Huw Evans Agency

Vitor Matos says Adam Idah "needs love" if he is to thrive at Swansea City and hopes the striker's late goal against Wrexham will prove to be a key moment in his spell at the Championship club.

Idah was in the right place to tap in a 90th-minute winner as Swansea claimed dramatic victory in their first league meeting with Wrexham in 22 years.

The goal came courtesy of an inexplicable double error from Wrexham keeper Arthur Okonkwo, whose fumble allowed Idah to prod home from a yard out.

It was just the third goal in 20 Swansea appearances – seven of which have been starts - for Idah following his £6m move from Celtic.

The 24-year-old celebrated by fist pumping in front of the home fans long after the final whistle, and Matos believes the goal could be pivotal.

"He's a really good kid who needs love and who needs to feel the backing of everyone," the Swansea head coach said.

"He knows that he has that inside of the club. He needs to create this connection with the fans.

"I think [the Wrexham game] was important and we're really happy to see what he brings in the future."

Swansea came from behind to beat the Red Dragons after an early own goal from Cameron Burgess.

Zan Vipotnik's deflected shot brought the Swans level 20 minutes from time before Idah took advantage of Okonkwo's howler.

"The team was high up the pitch. Sometimes that kind of situation happens," Matos added.

"It's more important that you are in the right position to take the reward and Adam did that.

"It was an important goal for Adam as well I think, to give him confidence coming off the bench and making an impact, so [I am] really happy for him and really happy for us."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Head coach Vitor Matos is relishing Swansea City's "special" run of three successive home wins in the Championship.

Friday night's 2-1 victory over Wrexham was Matos' third from six games since taking charge in November, all of which have come at the Swansea.com Stadium.

The Swans climbed up to 17th in the Championship table by beating Wrexham, moving seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Swansea are on the road for their next two league fixtures, at leaders Coventry City on 26 December before a trip to struggling Oxford United three days later.

"Of course in the Championship, you need to get points in every place, that's the most important thing," said Matos.

"But when we started creating this feeling, this connection with the fans that everyone starts feeling, it represents the city and the people.

"Three points are three points. I think it's special when you can do it at home with the fans. I think it's important that you do it the way you want to play.

"At the moment every point helps, so that's the important thing."

Image source, Getty Images

Vitor Matos says Swansea City have transfer "profiles" in mind with the January transfer window less than a fortnight away.

Head coach Matos has reiterated that his primary focus is on a packed festive fixture list, with Friday's meeting with Wrexham starting a run of five Championship games in 16 days.

But as he approaches a month in charge at Swansea, Matos has acknowledged for the first time that the club are eyeing potential business next month.

"I think as a club like Swansea, we always need to look in the market at how we can make our squad stronger," Matos said.

"There are profiles. But it's important that when we decide to go for someone, it's someone that adds value to the squad.

"That needs to be the focus, not signing just because of numbers. It needs to be someone we believe we will add quality and that's what everyone is focused on."

Swansea overhauled their squad in the summer, bringing in 13 new faces – including four loan signings – as a number of players departed.

The summer window was widely regarded as Swansea's most successful in a number of years but, after a solid start to the season, a slump in form has left the club glancing nervously towards the relegation places.

Swansea's poor run has forced the club to consider their transfer options once more, with Matos acknowledging there "a lot of people working on that".

But he added: "At the moment that's not the priority. We need to be focused on the games we have to come."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Head coach Vitor Matos has backed out-of-favour defender Josh Key to return to the form he showed earlier in his Swansea City career.

Key, 26, has not started the last two Championship fixtures against Portsmouth and Stoke City having missed the early December win over Oxford United due to illness.

His absence has meant Ethan Galbraith moving from midfield to right-back.

"He was a starting eleven player and he has that inside of him, still, unfortunately he got ill before the game [against Oxford] and we needed to adjust with [Galbraith] there," Matos said.

"That was the decision, it gave the team a different kind of shape and a different kind of dynamic on the right that was really good.

"He knows more than anyone what he needs to improve and what he needs to come back but he's a wonderful kid, a really good professional and I think he will come to the performance that we are all used to seeing from him."