Swans v Norwich: The big talking points

Swansea City return to action after the international break when they take on Norwich City at the Liberty on Saturday (3pm).

Here are all the key discussion points heading into the game.

 

Swan the up

The Swans head into the Norwich clash in buoyant mood following victory at Bolton Wanderers last time out.

That was a third victory in four games, meaning the Swans are currently on their best run since Graham Potter took over in the summer.

It might have been even better, of course.

The one blip in the last four came at Rotherham, when the Swans dominated and should really have taken three points.

Now they return to the Liberty, where they have won their last two matches, against Blackburn and Reading.

Can they make it three in a row on home soil for the first time this season?

 

Flying Canaries

The Swans may be going well right now, but Norwich’s form is even more impressive.

Daniel Farke’s team made a slow start to the season, winning one and losing three of their opening five Championship games.

But since then, they have been beaten only once in 12 while clocking up nine victories.

The Championship leaders have won their last five games in succession, and will be looking to bolster the best away record in the second tier on Saturday afternoon.

 

Keeping his place?

Erwin Mulder was recalled to the starting line-up by Potter at Bolton before the international break, and responded by keeping a clean sheet.

So will the Dutchman be in goal once more this weekend?

Potter’s team selections are notoriously difficult to predict, but Mulder will hope for another opportunity to impress as he continues to battle Kristoffer Nordfeldt for the Swans’ No. 1 jersey.

 

Give us a break

The Swans have failed to win the game played immediately after this season’s two previous international breaks, having drawn with Nottingham Forest and lost at Aston Villa.

In fact, they have not done too well after international fixtures for some time.

In four post-break games last season, the Swans lost at Manchester United, Burnley and at home to Newcastle, with a Liberty success against Huddersfield the one exception.

And the record was no prettier over the previous couple of campaigns, with draws coming against Middlesbrough, Everton, Chelsea, Stoke and Bournemouth plus defeats to Arsenal, Stoke and Watford.

 

Spoilt for choice

Wilfried Bony has another fortnight’s training under his belt, while Jefferson Montero is fit after his trip to South America.

Luciano Narsingh remains on the sidelines, while Tom Carroll will miss out this weekend with a hip problem.

Even so, Potter has plenty of options available to face Norwich.

Given the opposition’s form and confidence right now, that is a welcome boost.

 

Pay the penalty?

Ideally, of course, the Swans will not concede a penalty this weekend.

But if they do, all hope may not be lost, for Norwich have missed spot-kicks in their last three games.

Jordan Rhodes, Mario Vrancic and Teemu Pukki have all failed to convert from 12 yards in that sequence.

Nevertheless, Norwich have come through to win every game.