Swansea City’s in-form winger Ronald is hoping to transform the club’s recent away form into wins on their home turf ahead of this weekend’s clash with Blackburn Rovers.
The Swans have recently impressed on their travels securing wins against Hull City and Sunderland. However, their form at home has diminished with their last win at the Swansea.com Stadium being back on New Year’s Day when they secured a 1-0 win against West Brom.
The 22-year-old has been on the mark in Swansea’s last two much-needed victories, netting a brace in the first half on Wearside to take home all three points against Sunderland. He also impressed in the 1-0 victory over the Tigers, as part of a special team display against a strong Hull City team. He’s obviously a man in form currently and one who wants to continue to contribute to the club.
Ahead of their meeting with Blackburn, Ronald told club media:
“We have had some tough results recently but we are working hard during the week and are focused and concentrated on putting in a good performance as a team.
“Everyone is together in trying to improve each week. We’re looking forward to being back home on Saturday and we hope the fans will be with us.
“We have had a good win and performance away from home. We’re looking to put in another good performance at home.”
In an interview with Wales Online, head coach Luke Williams was full of praise for the winger following his match-winning performance against Sunderland, commending him as a ‘huge threat’.
“Ronald deserved both the goals. He’s deserved one or two more key actions in previous games. He was a huge threat. He’s so quick and direct and I’m really happy for him.”
Swansea’s poor run of form, particularly at home, has been recognised by Williams and his squad. They currently sit just four points above the relegation zone and are on track for their worst season in the Championship since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018. Based on their results so far, the Swans are projected to finish with 54 points. Their worst run since their relegation from the top-flight would see them finish 15th in the the 2021-22 campaign, with 61 points to their name.
Swansea have the third-worst home form in the league, with only Millwall and Rotherham picking up less points than them. As they host Blackburn this weekend, there is a chance to turn around their performances and help them move out of the relegation battle. The last time the two sides met, Swansea would capture all three points in a 1-0, similar to the recent victory at Hull, it was a Liam Cullen goal that secured the win.
Blackburn come into the game with their confidence high after forcing Newcastle United to penalties in a narrow defeat in the FA Cup fifth round. In the league, Rovers have struggled to find any victories as of late, with their last three games all ending in a draw.
Former Wales defender Danny Gabbidon believes Swansea’s victory on Wearside shows that the head coach is heading in the right direction. He told the Feast of Football podcast: “That was a big, big win at Sunderland,”
“For Swansea to go and pick up a result – that will be huge for them and their confidence.
“It’s taken a bit of time for the new manager to come in and assess things and what kind of system he wants to play. It looks now like the ideas are starting to get across a little bit more.”
Writer’s View:
Swansea have struggled this season but after victories away from home against strong sides like Sunderland and Hull, there is a feeling that their form is on the up. Luke Williams has only been in the job for just under three months, so it is expected that it would take some time for his ideas for Swansea to shine through. The squad that he inherited is not particularly strong in comparison to other outfits across the Championship, although with a set of good performances in the final 12 games, Swansea will be expected to climb from the relegation battle. That would then give them a good base to start on prior to an overhaul in the summer to compete for a better campaign next season.
