Preview | Swansea City v Cambridge United
Swansea City will want to make sure there is no let-up in their good run of form when they host Cambridge United in the second round of the Carabao Cup tonight (7.45pm).
Steve Cooper’s men have been racking up the landmarks so far this season, helping them to join Leeds as early pacesetters in the Championship.
Head coach Cooper has had the best start to a tenure of any Swans boss in the club’s history, it’s the Swans best start to a season since 1978 and they are on their longest unbeaten home run in league football since moving to the Liberty Stadium in 2005.
The list goes on, but Cooper has repeatedly warned against anyone in Swansea colours getting carried away with the season still very much in its embryonic stages.
Which means he will be expecting another strong performance and result against Cambridge, who have already shown how dangerous an opponent they can be by knocking Swansea’s Championship rivals Brentford out of the League Cup.
With momentum and confidence behind them, Swansea will be keen to avoid any similar upset tonight.
Team news
Tom Carroll could be in contention for involvement having made his return from injury with an outing for the under-23s last weekend.
The midfielder underwent hip surgery earlier this year after being persistently troubled by the issue for much of last season, but Cooper has confirmed he is near to being able to make a first senior appearance for the Swans in 10 months, albeit no risks will be taken with Carroll’s fitness.
Nathan Dyer and Aldo Kalulu look likely to miss out again following their hamstring and ankle problems respectively.
Pre-match views
Steve Cooper: “It’s step by step, game by game and we will try and put the players in the best possible place to deliver.
“There is a momentum and a feelgood factor at the moment, we are confident and rightly so.
“But the only way to keep that going is through continuing to put in the hard work, continuing to train and prepare thoroughly to allow us to perform.
“That will be the goal for this game, as it is for every game.
“We have got a good rhythm at the moment, we want that to continue to build.”
Cambridge striker Marc Richards: “Swansea are one of my old clubs and I’ve not been back there since I left so it will be nice to go back.
“Guys like Roberto Martinez, Alan Tate and Leon Britton, who went all the way to the top with Swansea, were my team-mates, and we played under the little legend Brian Flynn.
“I can’t wait to go back there. They were at the old Vetch Field when I was there, and a lot of memories were made there.”
Remember the last time?
These sides have not met since the Swans moved to the Liberty Stadium, with the last fixture in April 2005 seeing Kenny Jackett’s team secure a 3-0 win.
Andy Robinson opened the scoring for the Swans when he fired home from the edge of the area, and he soon teed up his partner in crime Lee Trundle for the second with seven minutes remaining.
Trundle then made the game safe as Swansea climbed back into the top three on their way to promotion.
Cambridge would be relegated from the Football League at the end of the campaign.
Prime numbers
1 – Swansea have lost just one of their last six second-round fixtures in the League Cup, with that defeat coming against Crystal Palace last season.
7 – Cambridge United striker Marc Richards scored seven goals in 17 appearances for the Swans during his loan spell during the 2002-03 season - including a crucial winner at Rochdale – to help Brian Flynn’s men avoid the drop.
Tickets are still available for this fixture – get yours HERE or call the ticket office on 01792 616400. You can upgrade your experience to include lounge access – contact our dedicated hospitality team on 01792 616628 or on hospitality@swanseacity.com.
