Preview | Luton Town v Swansea City
Swansea City will be roared on by a full away end when they face play-off contenders Luton Town at Kenilworth Road this afternoon (3pm).
Over 1,000 Jacks have snapped up the club’s full allocation for the fixture, with the Swans looking to put more points on the board after picking up a point against Rotherham on Monday
Luton also drew earlier this week as they battled back from two goals down to share the spoils with Millwall.
The Hatters have only lost twice in the Championship since mid-December and have been in good form under Rob Edwards.
Team news
Jamie Paterson is back in the Swansea City squad after his efforts in training earned him a recall.
Jay Fulton and Luke Cundle were fit enough to be involved against Rotherham after picking up injuries at Blackburn.
Steven Benda is the only long-term absentee for the Swans.
Pre-match views
Russell Martin: “We just need a result to build confidence, to make it easier for the players and I think we are capable of getting one.
“Whenever we have had our backs to the wall during our time here, the players have come out fighting and we have to do it again.
“We respect Rob Edwards and Luton. He deserved a chance back in the Championship after what happened at Watford.
“I briefly played with Rob at Norwich, and he is a really good guy.
“They have built on what Nathan (Jones) did there. Rob has made some tweaks, but they are still a team that are athletic, work hard and play to their strengths.
“They know what they are, and have pride and clarity in what they do. We need to show the same pride and clarity in what we do, and I am sure we will.”
Rob Edwards: "What we’ll try to do is look after what we can control, and all I know is at the moment for us, there is a real feelgood factor at Kenilworth Road in every game.
“Our fans have been fantastic and are right behind our players. If we play with our intensity, our fans will make it a real difficult place to come for any other team and they’ll certainly spur our players on.
“Even at 2-0 down the other night against Millwall, they were right with us and right behind us. It helps so much, it really does. I can’t tell you how much that helps.
"If we get our bit right, if we get our intensity and our performance right, then I don’t really care what other fans do or the opposition players, it’s about us and what we can control and the atmosphere we can create, especially at home.
"So I’m looking forward to our players hopefully starting in a real positive way and getting our fans going."
Remember the last time?
A pulsating second-half comeback saw Swansea City come from three goals down to claim a point against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.
Russell Martin’s side had looked dead and buried at the break, having trailed 3-0 after Luke Berry’s seventh-minute volley was followed by an Elijah Adebayo brace – his first from the penalty spot – as the Swans were given a mountain to climb.
The visitors were a different team in the second half, looking more themselves as they had more composure on the ball and passed with intent.
Jamie Paterson struck the crossbar, but he wasn’t to be denied as he reduced the deficit with a shot that Simon Sluga could only parry into his own net.
Then sub Olivier Ntcham rattled in his first goal for the club with four minutes remaining, teeing up a thrilling finale.
And the 831 Jacks behind the goal were sent into raptures as Joel Piroe blasted into the bottom corner after being set up by the lively Ethan Laird in stoppage time.
Incredibly, the Swans almost won it with seconds remaining as Laird’s pace caught out Sluga and the Luton defence as they dallied over a through ball. Laird crossed to Michael Obafemi, who was 10 yards out, but he was denied by some last-gasp defending.
Prime numbers
4 – Swansea City have won three and drawn one of their last four visits to Kenilworth Road. The Swans last lost there in 2001.
37 - Joel Piroe is fast approaching 40 goals for Swansea, having taken his tally to 37 against Rotherham.