Here's your round-up of all the latest Swansea City headlines for Thursday, November 3.
Michu hails 'extraordinary' Laudrup
Former Swansea City striker Michu has credited ex-boss Michael Laudrup as a key factor behind his legendary first season in the Premier League.
Michu netted 22 goals during his opening campaign with the Swans, including a brace and an assist against QPR on the opening day.
“I landed on my feet,” he told the Daily Telegraph. “That made my confidence sky-high."
The Spaniard, now sporting director at Spanish second tier outfit Burgos added that manager Laudrup “was extraordinary” in helping his rise, which was cut short due to a persistent ankle injury.
“I have chronic pain that I have to live with,” he added. “There is no more treatment. I’ve had several operations, I don’t want to take any more pills and I don’t want to take much more medication.”
Allen: Play-off final changed my life
Joe Allen says clinching promotion to the Premier League with Swansea City in the play-off final at Wembley in 2011 remains the stand-out game of his career.
In a round of quick-fire questions with former team-mate Owain Tudur Jones for S4C, Allen was asked to name the most memorable game of his career.
"The play-off final for Swansea, I think," he replied.
"It was so important. As a young player, it changed my life that one."
Allen also revealed he was wracked with the nerves the night before that famous victory.
"I was sharing a room with Leon Britton. He was sleeping, but I could hardly sleep," he added.
Whittaker flying for the Pilgrims
Morgan Whittaker says the influence of Plymouth Argyle boss Steven Schumacher has been pivotal in his rich run of form in League One.
The Swansea City loanee has seven goals for the campaign in 17 appearances for the Pilgrims, but in reality it's more than just his goals that is catching the eye. At 21 years of age, he is now getting regular game-time under his belt and flourishing in a system which appears to be built around him. Russell Martin's decision to send him out on loan is being justified, and then some.
In truth, if he had stayed with the Championship club this term, he would have been forced to accept a bit-part role in the league and the odd start in the cups.
For someone at his stage of his career, that wouldn't have been helpful at all. He told Sky Sports why he decided to take the step down to the third tier and his answer is enlightening.
Get your brilliant 48-page Wales at the World Cup preview special
"I had a chat with Steven Schumacher [manager] and Neil Dewsnip [Plymouth's director of football], who I knew from the England set-up, at the end of last season and what they were saying was right for me, so I knew this was the next step I needed to take in my career," Whittaker said.
"Scoring a hat-trick against them in the Carabao Cup last year was a good audition!
"He [Schumacher] is someone that understands me and knows how I want to play. We both know the things I need to work on and it's just that understanding that is key.
"I could go on loan to a Championship team and just be sat on the bench. Having this experience in League One is massive, just getting out there playing and experiencing different kinds of games. I experienced Wycombe a few weeks ago, which is a completely different game to what I'm used to.
"Knowing you have that trust from the manager gives you a lot of confidence knowing you are not just there to make up numbers. Having that backing goes a long way."
Pawson to take control of Wigan clash
Craig Pawson is set to take charge of Swansea City's clash with Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
It will be the ninth time the man from south Yorkshire has travelled to SA1 and his 13th time in charge of a Swans game.
He will be assisted by Marc Perry and Scott Ledger. The fourth official will be Keith Stroud.
READ MORE:
