Your Swansea City headlines for Friday, March 18.
Christie's future hint
Cyrus Christie admits he's enjoying life at Swansea following a tough period with Fulham. The Republic of Ireland international made just one appearance for the Cottagers under Marco Silva before joining the Swans on loan in January. Christie has excelled since moving to south Wales, although his contract with parent club Fulham expires in the summer.
READ MORE: Russell Martin identifies what Swansea City really need in transfer window
Russell Martin has previously stated his desire to see Christie remain at Swansea beyond the summer. And Christie admits he feels at home with the Swans following a tough period with Fulham.
"Who knows what will happen? It’s always nice if there are lots of people wanting you," said Christie. "I just have to see how things go. I am thoroughly enjoying my time here and Swansea for me is a great option.
"I have fitted in so well and sometimes you just have to look for happiness rather than look for where other things can take you. You have to see what is best for you and your family. Now, I have a little one it’s just me making a decision for myself, I have to make a decision for other people.
"I have felt at home here from day one. It’s massive when you play somewhere that the manager likes you, the fans like you, and I’d like to think the players have taken to me as well. I think I have fitted in comfortably. I am enjoying life. It’s kind of made me start enjoying football again – at times it has been tough over the last couple of seasons. I will see what happens at the end of the season. I am sure there will be conversations and we will see what comes.
“People will put their budgets in place. I can’t really do anything until people put offers in front of me. All I can do is concentrate on what I am doing on the pitch."
Bowyer praise for Martin and strikers as he scouts Swans
Lee Bowyer heaped praise on Russell Martin for the work the 36-year-old has undertaken at Swansea City so far.
The Swans are five places and six points better off than the Blues ahead of the meeting between the sides in south Wales this weekend.
And having watched Swansea's 3-2 win over Peterborough United, the Birmingham boss admits his players need to keep a close eye on Michael Obafemi and Joel Piroe on Saturday.
"Russell, I think he has done a good job there, he has stuck with his principles the way they had their MK Dons side playing," said Bowyer.
"They play from the back, they join their goalkeeper in part of their defence and they go long on the odd occasion but it’s mainly playing out from the back and possession-based. That won’t change.
"They are a good side, I went to the game last night [Peterborough United], difficult conditions, pitch not very good, wind, rain but they still tried to do the right thing and play out form the back. It is going to be tough, they have got good people in the final third.
"[Michael] Obafemi who scored against us at home, he looked lively again last night and then [Joel] Piroe the other striker is a great finisher.
"We are going to have to be at it we ain’t going to be able to carry anybody. But when we win the ball I think that there are opportunities we can maybe hurt them, take care of the first second pass and then we will have opportunities."
Piroe reveals target
Joel Piroe is targeting the 20-goal mark this season, the Dutchman has revealed.
The forward notched his 17th strike of the campaign on Wednesday night to earn Swansea a dramatic 3-2 win over Peterborough United. “I’m very happy with the 17 goals this season, I just want it to carry on and reach the 20-goal mark," Piroe told the club website.
“It was great to score in front of the away fans. When you look at the weather and the travel and everything the fans did to get there, it was very nice to be able celebrate with them.”
Victory over Peterborough means Swansea are 15th in the table with 47 points ahead of their clash with Birmingham City on Saturday.
And while the Swans left it late to earn all three points against the Posh, Piroe admits his side need to take plenty of positive from what was a dominant first-half showing at the Weston Homes Stadium. “Like the gaffer always says, we have a 90-minute game plan. It doesn’t matter if it’s scored in the first minute or the last minute, a winning goal wins the game," added the striker.
“We just have to carry on. If we look at the first-half, that’s how we need to be the whole game.”
Manning earns Irish call-up
Ryan Manning has been included in the Republic of Ireland squad for their friendly matches against Belgium and Lithuania. The 25-year-old is currently serving a four-game suspension as a result of the red card he was issued in Swansea's 5-1 loss to Fulham.
He has already missed the Swans' matches against Blackpool and Peterborough United while he is required to sit out the games with Birmingham City and Cardiff City. And he will be handed the chance to get minutes under his belt during the international break, with Stephen Kenny's side facing Belgium on Saturday, March 26 and Lithuania on Tuesday, March 29.
There's no place for Michael Obafemi or Cyrus Christie in the Irish squad.
