Matchday. Swansea v Barnsley - plus fans reactions, vids and pics of Lincolns superb victory....

r00fie1

r00fie1

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Its matchday.
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Swans v Tykes.

Divers v Tryers (y)

Preview:

Holding a narrow 1-0 advantage following a hard-fought first leg, Swansea City must now seal the deal back in Wales where the Welshman hold a 12-game H2H unbeaten record against their opponents since March 1976 (W10, D2).

More recently however, the ‘Swans’ drifted to a 1-0 win in last season’s playoff match at the Liberty Stadium, where this season they’ve also claimed seven of their 12 home league wins by one goal margins.

However, whilst the ‘Swans’ have netted seven first-half league openers here thus far, they’ve conceded five second-half opening home league goals and are vulnerable.

Highlighting that point, Swansea have conceded at least one second-half goal in each of their last four matches here and have lost three of their last five home fixtures 1-0.

Entering this match on a three-game winless run, Barnsley haven’t actually achieved a win at any venue in 90 minutes against Swansea since 1983 (D7, L10 following). Having now failed to score in four straight H2Hs (D1, L3), the 'Tykes' will need to better their average of 1.26 goals per league game they've scored this season and most likely register a 15th league shutout.

Fiercely competitive opponents on the road, the Yorkshireman haven't lost any of their 11 league awaydays when scoring the first goal (W9, D2) or, indeed, any league game this season (W19, D5). Given that seven of those away openers came within 30 minutes, another fast start here by Barnsley would set this tie up beautifully.

Players to watch: André Ayew has 17 Championship goals this season with 12 of those serving as Swansea’s first match goal, including in the first leg of this playoff. Cauley Woodrow, meanwhile, has 12 league goals this term but hunts his first goal and win in five H2Hs.

Hot stat: Only Watford conceded fewer first-half league goals at home than Swansea’s four this Championship season.

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www.walesonline.co.uk

Swansea City v Barnsley kick-off time, TV channel and early team news

The Swans enter their Championship play-off semi-final second leg contest with the Tykes: here's the kick-off time, how to live stream the match, referee details and latest team news
www.walesonline.co.uk www.walesonline.co.uk

What have the managers said?​


Swansea head coach Steve Cooper: "The first thing when the final whistle went on Monday was knowing we now have opportunity to do the same in our own stadium, in front of our own fans.

"It’s something to look forward to, we’ve missed having supporters in stadiums, particularly our own.

"Having some supporters back is long overdue, it’s an important game and it is something to look forward to and cherish.

"We have to be motivated and ready to play in front of them, it’s just not been the same without them.

"The atmosphere on Monday made everyone realise that is how thing are supposed to be, and it will be even better and more appreciated when we get full crowds back.

"But we have to focus on giving the supporters something to cheer and get behind. We will also be thinking about those who won’t be able to get in too, because in normal circumstances there would not be an empty seat in the place.

"So as players, coaches and staff, we have to represent this community and show our unity and what Swansea City is all about.

"If we do that it should make for a positive performance and result, but only we can do that. It is in our control to do that."


Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael: "We need to start the game on Saturday like we did the second half at Oakwell.

"That control, that intensity, it is what we need from the first whistle. Swansea didn’t play their best game, but they were focused and disciplined and did the simple things properly.

"I think we are well prepared, we know what we need to do and this is the play-offs - anything can happen.

"They’re very strong, very stable.

"They are one of the strongest teams in the Championship. But if we score we hope to make them nervous. This is our purpose.

"Swansea will this time have their fans with them. But it’s not always an advantage. It is an emotional feeling. We have to focus on the game-plan and try to score as quick as possible, and then let’s see."
 
Well done Lincoln (y):love:
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Never mind lads....
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The Imps are on the journey from rags to posh rags to who knows where next?
The Black Cats are stumbling into obscurity like Bradford and Portsmouth......
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All the biggest news:
www.echo-news.co.uk

Ex Southend United striker sends Lincoln to Wembley at expense of Sunderland

FORMER Southend United striker Tom Hopper headed Lincoln City into the League One play-off final at Wembley as they survived a blitz at Sunderland…
www.echo-news.co.uk www.echo-news.co.uk

Ex Southend United striker sends Lincoln to Wembley at expense of Sunderland​


Off to Wembley - Tom Hopper (right) headed Lincoln City into the League One play-off final

Off to Wembley - Tom Hopper (right) headed Lincoln City into the League One play-off final

FORMER Southend United striker Tom Hopper headed Lincoln City into the League One play-off final at Wembley as they survived a blitz at Sunderland to keep their dreams alive.

The visitors did not lay a glove on the Black Cats in the first half and saw their 2-0 first-leg advantage wiped out by goals from Ross Stewart and Charlie Wyke in front of a raucous home crowd of 9,971.

However in a much-improved second-half display, striker Hopper’s 56th-minute header calmed their nerves and although Lee Burge saved a Jorge Grant penalty, a 2-1 defeat at the Stadium of Light was enough to clinch a 3-2 aggregate victory and a showdown with Blackpool for a place in the Championship.

Hopper scored 10 goals in 30 games while at Blues during a spell will saw him sidelined for close to a year with a cruciate ligament injury.
The 27-year-old joined the Imps from Southend for £150,000 in January 2020.
 

www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk

Sunderland fans prepare for fourth season in League One after Lincoln defeat

Tom Hopper headed the Imps to Wembley after a 2-1 defeat in the play-off semi-final second leg
www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk
​

'Disgraceful' - Sunderland fans prepare for a fourth season in League One after Lincoln City defeat​

Tom Hopper headed the Imps to Wembley after a 2-1 defeat in the play-off semi-final second leg

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Sunderland's Aiden McGeady (right) and Lincoln City's Lewis Montsma battle for the ball (Image: PA)
Tom Hopper headed Lincoln into the League One play-off final at Wembley as they survived a blitz at Sunderland to keep their dreams alive.

The visitors did not lay a glove on the Black Cats in the first half and saw their 2-0 first-leg advantage wiped out by goals from Ross Stewart and Charlie Wyke in front of a raucous home crowd of 9,971.

However in a much-improved second-half display, striker Hopper’s 56th-minute header calmed their nerves and although Lee Burge saved a Jorge Grant penalty, a 2-1 defeat at the Stadium of Light was enough to clinch a 3-2 aggregate victory and a showdown with Blackpool for a place in the Championship.

Sunderland, who now face a fourth season in the third tier, made the breakthrough with just 13 minutes gone when Aiden McGeady crossed for Stewart to finish adeptly at the near post.

They should have been level on aggregate nine minutes later when the ball broke to Wyke inside the penalty area and although he rounded keeper Alex Palmer, he dallied and somehow managed to blast his shot at defender Timothy Eyoma as he raced back on to the line.

The home side’s high press was causing all kinds of problems for the Imps and their woes increased 12 minutes before the break.

McGeady once again provided the ammunition and this time it was Wyke who completed the job, stabbing home at the far post to make it 2-0.

Having introduced Joe Walsh and Conor McGrandles at the break, the visitors had a better shape and they were unfortunate not to reduce the deficit within six minutes of the restart when Regan Poole’s downward header reared up off the turf and hit the crossbar.

They got their reward in the 56th minute when Hopper climbed to head Jorge Grant’s corner firmly past goalkeeper Lee Burge and they passed up a glorious opportunity to make it 2-2 with 28 minutes to go after McGrandles had been tripped inside the box by Josh Scowen.

Grant sent the resulting penalty to Burge’s right, but the keeper guessed correctly to palm his effort away.

Here's a look at what Sunderland fans made of it on Twitter.


@safcftm23015: Full deserved in second half by Lincoln..they had more than enough chances to actually win game ...Johnson outdone by Appleton over the two legs ..


@Debs_1989: First half was unreal..just had to try maintain it..gutted..now stuck in this league, always thought we were to big to be in this league but loosing to Lincoln in the semi final is just not good enough. League 1 here we go again


Matt Dodge Donnelly: Not good enough again over the two legs but good to be back in the stadium. Best of luck to Lincoln in the final, looking forward to the 20 new signings in the summer


Hendo1980: Well played Lincoln, fully deserve their place in the final. #safc paid the for only turning up for 45 mins of 180


Gavin Callaghan: Hard to take. Couldn’t have hit the bar or post more in the two legs if we tried. Referee should have sent the Lincoln keeper off and given us a penalty at 2-0. Overall we’re not good enough and going nowhere with Johnson. Rethink needed


Luke Hall: Disgraceful 2nd half and Lincoln rightfully get to the final. Whole squad needs a complete overhaul. Terrible quality of footballers on show there.
 
www.sunderlandecho.com

Lee Johnson says Sunderland rebuild starts now as he opens up on what needs to happen next

Lee Johnson said Sunderland’s summer rebuild starts now and pointed to the first-half display on Saturday afternoon as the template moving forward.
www.sunderlandecho.com www.sunderlandecho.com

Lee Johnson says Sunderland rebuild starts now as he opens up on what needs to happen next​

Lee Johnson said Sunderland’s summer rebuild starts now and pointed to the first-half display on Saturday afternoon as the template moving forward.​

By Phil Smith
Saturday, 22nd May 2021, 6:55 pm

The Black Cats coach hinted that he expects to be working on a slightly reduced budget this summer, but said that recruiting players who can play at a high-tempo is essential.
[Continued]........

It might be worth noting that every Manager since Nial Quinn has said the same thing.....
 
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