Coming off the bench and scoring in the 90th minute at The Den is a pretty good way to make an impression. It was a hard fought game, and Ronald made the difference when Opoku’s cross found him late on. These are the moments that can make a season feel different. Would you start Ronald in the next league game, or keep using him as an impact substitute?

The reports of alleged abuse aimed at Ji-sung Eom are deeply upsetting. He should be able to get on with his job without facing anything like that. Hopefully the police investigation establishes what happened and identifies anyone responsible, because no player should have to put up with abuse while simply doing their job.

Been hearing rumours that we've sent him back to Manchester as his attitude was purportedly dreadful, anyone else heard anything on this?

If Ronald scores, we're on the pitch! 

Thankfully the Swans fans didn't go through with their chant. The atmosphere was already tasty enough after the nearly eight-minute delay and the attritional, physical style of the home team. Even the normally calm and cool Vitor Matos picked up a first-half booking, though it was not clear from the stands for what. 

If the ending was pure joy, the preceding 90 minutes was tough viewing. It was tense, tight, and a battle from kick-off. And we knew it would be. The scouts had done their homework, with arguably our player of the season so far, Stephen Welsh, dropped for the 6-foot-5 Jenson Seelt. Every inch was needed, with Millwall throwing up their 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-5 centre-back pairing of Jake Cooper and Caleb Taylor at every opportunity. We missed Welsh's composure on the ball, but Seelt more than did his job up until his injury in the 77th minute. 

Indeed, the entire back five was excellent, highlighted by the 55 clearances, easily a season high thus far. Filip Lissah slid in to save a certain Millwall goal early in the first-half (and he will be missed on Saturday after picking up his 5th yellow), captain Ben Cabango stood up against the barrage and won his personal duel with his opposing captain, and Josh Tymon was his usual tireless self. During the Liverpool-Man City game on Sunday, Gary Neville made the comment that Nico O'Reilly kept making surging runs into the box but from inside his winger, such runs the commentator didn't make once in all his career. Well Tymon is the Championship version, as he gives his winger the option of the overlap or inside run every time. Relentless. 

And behind the defence, Lawrence Vigouroux was fantastic once again. Last season at The Den, he put in a performance for the ages, with countless reflex saves. This was a different type of game, one that needed him to dominate his area, be alert to every scramble, and helpfully attract fouls from his opponent. He did his job to perfection. 

It was clear from the first long throw-in in the first minute that this would be an agricultural game. Millwall have a simple but very effective game plan. Even from the upper tier, you could see the ball rise above the roof of the Cold Blow Lane stand as their keeper Filip Marschall hoofed it forward at almost every opportunity. The centre-backs would launch long, direct balls to Lyndon Dykes, their midfield would scrap for second balls and their wingers would try to draw fouls or angle for throw-ins. Every throw-in in line with the penalty area would take a good twenty to thirty seconds, as Dykes would amble over to the touchline, seek the drier replacement ball from the ballboy, and launch it in. Add in the free-kicks from wide areas and the 13(!) corners, and it makes this clean sheet the most hard-earned of the season so far. Of the 27 touches they had in our area, you can be sure the majority of them were from throw-ins and crosses, and the resulting scrambles. 

The first 20-25 minutes had the Swans a little rattled, and we could not keep the ball for any significant passage of play. We are second in the Championship for the most possession this season, but it felt like we could not impose our patterns until around the half-hour mark. Slowly the superior quality of Marko Staminec and his midfield partners started to control the game, and the full-backs were combining with their wingers. 

Only one team was trying to play football in the second-half, and the delicious cross from Joseph Opoku and Ronald's opportune movement was the decisive moment of quality. It sent the fans and players into jubilation, with all the staff and subs hugging in their area, Vigouroux racing to join, and the travelling Jacks clambering on the seats and safe-standing bars to pump their limbs into the East London sky. From the angle of the big screen, many Swans fans could not see the game clock. And the added time from the fourth official's board must have gone up during the chaos of celebrating Ronald's goal. It meant many fans had no idea how long the stoppage time was or how far into it we were. The referee's whistle was at once unexpected and long overdue. 

Last season at The Den, Taylor scored for the Lions in the 92nd minute to edge a 2-1 win. Rockin' All Over the World played out in celebration just a minute later. This time - thanks to the man who almost joined Millwall on the last day of the summer transfer window - at the end of the eight minutes of injury time, the home stands were almost deserted. Which meant the men in white could revel with their fans alone. Opoku opened the celebration, Ronald did the Siuuuu, and Matos took a couple of playful bows. After the best start to the season in 103 years, they should all take a bow.

By Rhys C. (@austrianjacks on X | @Feathersandfirepodcasts on Instagram) | Swansea Independent.

Big challenge for Matos this weekend against West Ham.

Last night resulted in: Lissah being out for Saturday through suspension. Seelt going off through injury (not sure how bad).

We already know Key is out.

Originally I was thinking Welsh could slot in with Cabango and Seelt playing CB but not sure that’s possible now (I’m hoping it was just cramp for Seelt because he looked solid).

Really not sure who we go with down that side. Does he risk a Swans youngster? Can Tiago play that side? Do we play Ronald or another winger there? Or does he go with one of our trusted centre mids in Fulton or Franco.

Really tough game for a player to play out of position.

Full chart is HERE.

Ronald is finding a new lease of life as an impact sub.

Widell is finally starting to show up on paper - he posted a 0.06 GI per 90 last season which didn't do him justice. Now he's in the top five most influential attacking players, bringing some of those playmaker chops to complement his attack dog style.

Millwall 0 - 1 Swansea City

90' Ronald!

Date: Tuesday 13th October 2026 at 7:45pm

Venue: The Den

Watch: SwansTV

Familiar Faces: Luke Cundle

I have been impressed by Yeo’s contribution lately, and his goal against Norwich was another positive sign. His movement and willingness to take chances give Swansea something different going forward. He’s already getting regular opportunities, but can he keep this level up and make himself one of the first names on Vitor Matos’s teamsheet?

From Zagreb to Swansea - Inside the Global Jacks Weekend

"Luka Modric". An obvious answer really, if you ask some Croatian fans why they now support Swansea.

Six-time Champions League winner, 2018 Ballon d'Or, over 200 caps for his country, and Swansea City ambassador. In that order probably, but we will take it. These three new Croatian Jacks were part of a larger troupe of international fans over for the Global Jacks weekend. They knew of Swansea City before the great man joined up, but now they are invested enough to fly from Zagreb to London to take in the Norwich and Millwall games.

We met over breakfast at the Swansea Jack bar at the bottom of Wind Street. One was a Dinamo Zagreb fan, one was a Hajduk Split fan. It just so happened that the Eternal Derby, one of the fiercest rivalries in all of European football, was also taking place on Saturday. In torrential conditions, Hajduk went 1-0 down at home, before emerging 2-1 winners, just as all the best teams do! But for this weekend, the power of the Swans united these rivals. On our approach to the ground, we saw several canaries fans walking alongside the home fans in their yellow scarves and shirts. My new Hajduk friend was bemused - "in Croatia this wouldn't happen, if it did..."

But the eventful weekend had started the previous evening, when a handful of the Global Jacks community were taken on a stadium tour, thanks to the efforts of Supporter Liaison Officer Haylee Ford and the Supporters' Trust Chair Dave Dalton. Dave has been the Trust Chair since the summer of 2021, and has overseen a "very interesting" five years, as he diplomatically puts is. He is involved and engaged with the fans the entire weekend, the kind of behind-the-scenes effort that is underappreciated in his no doubt enjoyable but all encompassing role.

The tour starts in the press room, where every week Vitor Matos patiently deals with the assorted radio and TV ("he is very good natured and gives time to everyone", I am told, which is eminently believable), before moving to the true inner sanctum of the dressing rooms. Although the starting XI will be known on the Friday, the dressing room - and blank tactics board - is arranged after we leave, meaning I am none the wiser to what Matos has up his sleeve for tomorrow's game.

The short walk down the tunnel, flanked on both sides with images of past legends, leads to the hallowed turf. It is surreal to be on the other side, having watched countless football and rugby teams emerge from that darkness. It is striking how close you feel to the fans. Standing in the technical area, you can make out every individual seat in the arena. Those with a sharp memory will remember a time when the seats for the staff and substitutes was a proper covered dugout. You can thank Take That for removing the covering during one of their concerts, and it turned out the players preferred it that way. I wonder if they would have wanted it like that if the benches happened to be in front of the East Stand, rather than the more genteel padded seats clustered around the half-way line of the West.

Our path to the actual grass is blocked by the four massive mobile rigs of LED regenerative lights. Each costing around £100k, a 2008 Ashley Williams worth of equipment stands before me, not to mention the £100k annual electricity bill, even though they are only in place from October to March. Premier League clubs will have enough rigs to cover the whole grass, while at the Swans.com four full-time groundstaff move the equipment every 24 hours to cover a different quarter of the playing surface. Last summer, the plastic section of the East Stand's roof was cleaned. Next summer the North and West roofs will be cleaned too. Take a look next time you are in the ground, you can see exactly where they stopped!

The final stop is in the Legends' Lounge, which is covered in Swans memorabilia going back to the days of Swansea Town and Ivor Allchurch, through to the Toshack years, the end of the Vetch, and the Premier League era. I read the paper cuttings from that Hull game. Do you know who went down in place of us? Answer at the bottom. I start talking to a friendly gentleman who is joining us on the tour. I can recognise the voice but not place the face. When he reveals that he is the commentator of Swans TV, it clicks. Anthony O'Connell has been involved with the Swans in different capacities for 35 years, and is as enthusiastic as ever. Thanks to Anthony for the shout-out to "Rhys from Austria" and the other Global Jacks during the half-time "Jacks at Home" segment.

On the pitch, and for the second game in a row, the Swans give us some drama by going 1-0 down before another second-half rally sees us triumph 2-1. According to Global Jacks Ambassador Tony Sharpe's detailed programme notes, fans from Poland, Croatia, Australia, Spain, Sweden, Slovenia, Austria, Brazil, and the USA will have happy home travels.

After the game, the 27 assembled GJs are taken to the lounge. Conversations, many photos, and a few drinks are enjoyed, as some club legends join us. Birthday boy Lee Trundle took photos with little and big kids alike, while the Swansea Independent's very own Roger Freestone mingled amongst us. He talked us through his only Welsh cap, which happened to be against Brazil at the Millennium Stadium. "I remember looking at the big screen on 60 minutes and the score was 0-0", before Cafu and Rivaldo scored in a 3-0 win, which is quite a story to the tell the grandkids. That game also saw Swansea boy Dean Saunders equal the outfield cap record of the time.

Past legends were joined by the current heroes, as an exhausted but engaging Lawrence Vigoroux came up to say hello. After arriving back from North America early Thursday morning and fighting chronic jet leg, the Swans number one said it was the toughest game he has ever played in. He played in all three of Chile's game this break, which included conceding against Athletico Madrid's Jonathan David against Canada, but keeping a clean sheet in the win against Mexico in the stifling head of Los Angeles. Let's hope he has a quieter game against Millwall this time out, after his outstanding performance at The Den last season.

After being told there was a fan over from Austria, man of the match and goalscorer Moussa Yeo came to greet me with his trademark big smile. His previous two clubs were both in Austria, including working with Matos at RB Salzburg, and his third goal in a row means he has firmly found his feet after swapping the cities of Mozart for Dylan Thomas. "Salzburg was nice but I like Swansea very much too."

Several of the Global fans, as well as a small Dutch invasion, will be heading to East London tomorrow. Such has been the demand from the away support that another block has been opened in their North Stand. I was there in January at a frigid Den, where we lost to a last minute goal. Milder climes and a point or three would be most welcome this time.

Thank you to the Indy, Dave, Haylee, Tony, and all involved for making it such a memorable weekend for the Global Jacks. What a fantastic community to be a part of. Danke schön.

Exeter City were relegated at the end of the 2002-03 season, and are currently in 14th in League Two.

Rhys C. from Austrian Jacks (@AustrianJacks on X and @Feathersandfirepodcasts on Instagram) | Swansea Independent.

Date: Tuesday 13th October 2026 at 7:45pm

Venue: The Den

Watch: SwansTV

Familiar Faces: Luke Cundle

Hey everyone I have some issues with my swansea auto glass trophy final shirt the one in the box i think it was released around 2023 or 24, the threads are coming loose and the joma silicone authenticity patch is coming loose from the jersey. Any idea on how to fix?

Full Interactive Viz Here, now with assists and goals separated.

Me, an American, got this text from my roommate who is in a pub bathroom in Denmark

Here in America the coverage of the EFL by Paramount was messed up. After our win, the braodcast only very briefly showed our team on the field and then quickly cut to commercial. Barely had time to see Idah walking into the pitch.

No celebrations, no full time stats, no highlights. On top of that, right after the break we were treated to a 5 minute Boro propaganda piece that almost made me throw up. And reminded me what a shithole Boro is. After that, no discussion of our game. Not one word.

Contrast that with todays game SOU V POR. The cheating bastards won it, should have had two reds but the ref was poor...again. After the final whistle, the camera followed those shits around the ground. Captured all the celebrations and a full review and highlight package.

We get so little time in the spotlight and when we win to stay top, they cant even be bothered to speak a few words about it. Terrible.

Anyone else notice this kind of favoritism? Or am I being cynical?

Date: Saturday 10th October 2026 at 12:30

Venue: Swansea.com Stadium

Familiar Faces: Harry Darling

Swansea City

Lawrence Vigouroux; Filip Lissah, Ben Cabango (captain), Stephen Welsh (Sub Seelt 83'), Josh Tymon; Jay Fulton (Yellow 22'; Sub Stamenic 69'), Goncalo Franco, Melker Widell (Sub Just 69'), Moussa Yeo (Goal 49'), Joseph Opoku (Sub Eom 83'), Adam Idah.(Goal 58'; Sub Vitpotnik 62')

Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Jenson Seelt, Marko Stamenic, Elijah Just, Zan Vipotnik, Jisung Eom, Tom Iorpenda, Tiago Parente, Ross Stewart.

Norwich City

Vladan Kovacevic, Jack Stacey, Pelle Mattsson (C) (Yellow 58'), Andre Brooks (Sub Musaba 69'), Darlin Yongwa, Ruairi McConville, Jacob Wright (Goal 27'), Paris Maghoma (Sub Field 62'), Oscar Schwartau, Mathias Kvistgaarden (Sub Makama 69'), Jose Cordoba.

Substitutes: Daniel Grimshaw, Harry Darling, Ben Chrisene, Ante Crnac, Anis Ben Silmane, Jovon Makama, Sam Field, Kellen Fisher, Anthony Musaba.

Have just seen how QPR tickets got sold put asap so had to book Millwall. Class

Swansea City 2 - 1 Norwich City

Date: Saturday 10th October 2026 at 12:30

Venue: Swansea.com Stadium

Watch: Sky Sports+ 🇬🇧, Paramount+ 🇺🇸, SwansTV

Familiar Faces: Harry Darling

Swansea City

Lawrence Vigouroux; Filip Lissah, Ben Cabango (captain), Stephen Welsh (Sub Seelt 83'), Josh Tymon; Jay Fulton (Yellow 22'; Sub Stamenic 69'), Goncalo Franco, Melker Widell (Sub Just 69'), Moussa Yeo (Goal 49'), Joseph Opoku (Sub Eom 83'), Adam Idah.(Goal 58'; Sub Vitpotnik 62')

Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Jenson Seelt, Marko Stamenic, Elijah Just, Zan Vipotnik, Jisung Eom, Tom Iorpenda, Tiago Parente, Ross Stewart.

Norwich City

Vladan Kovacevic, Jack Stacey, Pelle Mattsson (C) (Yellow 58'), Andre Brooks (Sub Musaba 69'), Darlin Yongwa, Ruairi McConville, Jacob Wright (Goal 27'), Paris Maghoma (Sub Field 62'), Oscar Schwartau, Mathias Kvistgaarden (Sub Makama 69'), Jose Cordoba.

Substitutes: Daniel Grimshaw, Harry Darling, Ben Chrisene, Ante Crnac, Anis Ben Silmane, Jovon Makama, Sam Field, Kellen Fisher, Anthony Musaba.