Your Swansea City headlines for Monday, April 25.
Laird better for Cherries loan
Ethan Laird believes he is a better person as a result of his difficult loan spell with Bournemouth.
The defender joined Swansea on a season-long loan deal from Manchester United last summer and impressed during the opening half of the 2021/22 campaign. However, his time in south Wales was cut short as he joined the Cherries on loan for the remain of the current campaign.
Injuries played a significant role in ensuring Laird's start to life with Scott Parker's side was difficult, with the 20-year-old featuring just five times for the club. However, three of those appearances have come in recent weeks as Bournemouth continue their pursuit for automatic promotion.
But the Englishman says he will be better off in the long term for the trials and tribulations of the current campaign.
“I definitely feel like I’m a better person because of this loan," he told the Bournemouth website. “You come from a bubble playing for Manchester United, I went to Swansea and already knew the gaffer so it’s good to be in a new environment and working with a new manager.
“Obviously it’s hard when you come to a new place and it doesn’t go the way you want it, it’s about staying with the task, staying persistent and taking your chance when you get it and I’ve had my chance and I seem to be keeping my spot at the moment.
“I came here to learn, even if the journey is short and long, my feelings to it don’t change. I’m learning how to deal with new things that I haven’t experienced before. I’m really enjoying it all now.”
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TV blackout future to be explored
English Football League clubs will be given the chance to offer their views on the 3pm blackout rule this summer.
At present, fans in the United Kingdom are unable to watch live action between 2:45pm and 5:15pm on Saturdays due to a long-standing rule that was introduced to protect match attendances. However, since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, rules have frequently been relaxed due to the fact fans were unable to attend behind-closed-doors matches.
The EFL are set to discuss the rule at their AGM in June, and it has been confirmed that clubs will be able to voice their thoughts on the 3pm blackout law, according to our colleagues at the Mirror.
Defender agrees with Downes
Joel Latibeaudiere is confident that Swansea can challenge for the top honours in the Championship next term.
Ahead of the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough, Flynn Downes stated the Swans should target winning the league title next term. You can read more on that here. It comes as the Swans look to end the 2021/22 season as strongly as possible, with Russell Martin's men currently on an eight-game unbeaten run.
And Latibeaudiere agrees with Downes that the Swans can have lofty ambitions next season.
"That'll definitely be our ambition," said the former Man City defender. "The way this team is, we always want more and more. Let's focus on finishing this season on a high and we can see where we are."
And when asked if challenging for the league title is a realistic aim, the defender responded: "100 per cent. We want to focus on what we're doing now, finish on a high and then have the time that we missed out on this year. Once we have that I really think it is achievable."
Can Swansea challenge for the Championship title next season? Have your say in the comments section below.
Christie's hope after recent run
Cyrus Christie believes Swansea fans can be full of confidence ahead of their second season under Russell Martin following their progress under the head coach this term.
Swansea have enjoyed plenty of ups and downs since the former MK Dons boss moved to south Wales in August last year but have managed to produce impressive performances on a more consistent basis of late. The Swans are unbeaten in eight games going into Tuesday night's clash with promotion hopefuls Bournemouth.
And Fulham loanee Christie believes the Swans are reaping the rewards for trusting in Russell Martin's methods.
“I think everybody has bought into it, everyone knows what we are doing,” he told the club website. “The way we play takes a lot of courage and like I said, everybody has bought into it and is adapting. It has taken time.
"Eight games unbeaten is fantastic, no matter what point of the season it is. You can see that it is clicking, and I am sure all the fans are buying into it as well and they know that next season can be a very good one for Swansea.”
