These are your Swansea City headlines on Sunday, September 25
'Strange' Obafemi decision criticised
Ireland legend Liam Brady has questioned Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny's decision to substitute Swansea striker Michael Obafemi during their 2-1 defeat to Scotland on Saturday night.
The forward hasn't had much game-time of late following a much-publicised transfer saga on deadline day, which saw head coach Russell Martin take him out of the firing line for a few games. He's now back in the club and country fold, and started for the Irish against the Scots before being subbed on the hour mark, a decision Brady branded "strange".
"I don't think it helped taking Obafemi off," Brady said on RTÉ following the match.
"That was a strange call, for me, from Stephen Kenny. If I had one criticism of what went on tonight, it was him taking off Obafemi.
"He was causing Scotland all sorts of problems. It was him that showed tremendous pace to outstrip the Scottish defence when he laid the ball on for (Troy) Parrot.
"So, I didn't quite get that one. I know he hasn't been playing week-in-week-out..."
"Unless it was a tiredness issue," host Peter Collins said. "Yeah, but he didn't look tired," Brady responded.
"He was flying. He was causing Scotland all sorts of problems. I didn't quite get that one. When he went off, it didn't help us."
More to come from Cundle
Martin says there is more to come from loan man Liam Cundle and praised the transfer relationship they have with his parent club Wolves.
Cundle grabbed his first goal for Swansea in the 3-0 win over Hull City before the international break and Martin feels this is just the start for him and fellow loanees Fin Stevens and Armstrong Oko-Flex.
He also stressed how keen Wolves were to send Cundle to south Wales due to the way Swansea play their football.
“Luke showed real energy and determination. You could sense his eagerness and his desire to show people how good he is,” said Martin.
“That was one of the reasons he scored the goal, that willingness to work.
“He is still getting used to what we do because it is different for the young lads who have come in; it’s the same for Fin and Armstrong.
“Luke has been around the Premier League but has not played a huge number of games, and he has had to be patient.
“He showed he is a player to be excited about, he is technically gifted, and intelligent. We are grateful that we have good relationships with the people at Wolves, myself and Josh (Marsh, head of football operations) and that they agreed to send him here because of how we play.
“They feel it will suit him, and he and Ollie Cooper were excellent. I am sure there is more to come.”
Whittaker grabs winner amid drama
Swansea loanee Morgan Whittaker grabbed the winner for Plymouth in their 2-1 victory over league leaders Ipswich Town on Sunday.
The former Derby man exchanged passes with Joe Edwards and lashed home a terrific strike into the top corner to put the Pilgrims in front after Bali Mumba had got them back on level terms against the Tractor Boys.
And there was drama right at the death, as away keeper Christian Walton - a Plymouth fan - came up at a corner to head onto the bar after a great save from home stooper Mike Cooper.
Whittaker said after the match: "I think that just shows our team. We've done it against Portsmouth, that just shows our togetherness as a group and what we can do in this league. I had a couple (of chances) before and I hit it early, I saw a defender and luckily it went in."
Ladies beaten in derby
Swansea Ladies suffered their first defeat of the Genero Adran Premier season, going down 2-0 to rivals Cardiff City on Sunday.
A first-half brace from Phoebie Poole was enough to see all three points head back to the capital. The result will be frustrating for the Swans, who were dominant in the opening exchanges but couldn't make their superiority count on the scoreboard.
The hosts grew into the game and Poole struck twice before the half-time whistle and also hit the woodwork.
Swansea would twice do the same in the second half but they couldn't break down the home side's defence and went down to their first defeat of the season.
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