Meet the opposition | Southampton
As Swansea City prepare to take on Southampton at St Mary's in the Emirates FA Cup, we take a closer look at the Saints.
What's their story?
Formed in 1885, Southampton have spent the majority of their history in the top division of English Football, with their best league finish coming in the 1983-84 season as they finished second, just three points behind champions Liverpool.
Following relegation from the Premier League in the 2004-05 season, the Saints spent seven seasons outside of the top flight, including two years in League One, before gaining promotion back to the Premier League in 2011-12.
They spent 11 seasons in the elite division – securing Europa League qualification on two occasions and finishing as high as sixth in that time – before being relegated at the end of the 2022-23 season.
But the Saints quickly returned to the Premier League courtesy of their play-off final success over Leeds at the end of last term.
How's their form?
Saints have endured a challenging return to the top-flight and have amassed just six points from their 20 game so far.
That has left them 10 points adrift of safety, although that is effectively 11 given their goal difference.
Two of their three wins in all competitions have been at home, beating Everton in the league and Stoke City in the Carabao Cup.
Who's the gaffer?
Ivan Juric. The Croatian succeeded Russell Martin last month with Southampton bottom of the Premier League table, and has suffered three defeats from three games at the helm.
A midfielder who won five caps for his country, Juric played for Hadjuk Split, Sevilla, Albacete, Sibenik, Crotone and Genoa over a 17-year career.
In management, he has had spells in charge of Italian clubs Mantova, Crotone, Genoa, Hellas Verona, Torino and Roma, before making the move into English football with the Saints.
Who's the captain?
Jack Stephens is club captain for the Saints, but the defender has been on the sidelines after another injury blow.
Stephens came through the ranks at Plymouth before joining Saints in 2011 and joining their academy.
He made his first-team debut against Coventry in the FA Cup in 2012 and stepped up to the first-team squad ahead of their return to the Premier League in the summer of that year.
Stephens had loan spells with Swindon, Middlesbrough and Coventry before firmly establishing himself at Saints, helping them reach the Carabao Cup final in 2017.
He spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Bournemouth before signing a new contract at Saints the following summer and returning from injury to lead them to play-off final glory before again being sidelined.
In his absence experienced centre-back Jan Bednarek as had the armband.
Who are the key men?
Striker Adam Armstrong was in superb form last season, scoring 24 goals in all competitions, including the winner against Leeds United in the play-off final.
His three goals and two assists this season give him the most goal involvements of any Saints player this term.
Armstrong came through the ranks at Newcastle United to feature for the first team, also having loan spells with Coventry, Barnsley, Bolton and Blackburn, helping the latter secure promotion to the Championship.
He went on to join Rovers in a full-time deal and, in total, scored 60 goals in 160 games before moving to Southampton in 2021.
Kyle Walker-Peters has two assists this season and has been among Southampton’s stand-out performers over the last 18 months and more.
The Tottenham academy product had a loan spell with Saints in 2020 and then joined on a permanent deal.
He has made 185 appearances for them over those stints, and provides real energy up and down the right flank.
Midfielder Joe Aribo is in his third season with Southampton following his arrival from Rangers in August 2022.
Born in Camberwell, the Nigeria international, first emerged at Staines Town and was quickly snapped up by Charlton Athletic in 2015.
He spent four years with the Addicks, helping them secure promotiuon to the Championship via the play-offs in his final season before making the move to Ibrox.
He helped Rangers to an historic league title in 2021, and Scottish Cup success they following year, while they were also Europa League runners-up in 2022.
The move to St Mary's came the following summer, and he helped them bounce back from relegation at the first time of asking last season.