Your Swansea City headlines for Monday, February 21.
Cherries chief issues postponement statement
Neill Blake has thanked Swansea for making an early call to postpone their Championship clash with Bournemouth for safety reasons.
The Swans were due to face the Cherries in south Wales on Tuesday night but called off the fixture on Monday afternoon after the Swansea.com Stadium was damaged by the recent storm in the region.
And Bournemouth chief executive Blake says the Vitality Stadium outfit fully support Swansea's decision.
Blake said: “While it is disappointing that another one of our fixtures has had to be postponed following the effects of Storm Eunice, we completely understand Swansea’s decision and I would like to thank them for prioritising the safety of players, supporters and staff.
"Like us, Swansea have suffered too much damage to their stadium to make it safe for supporters in a short space of time – five days, as opposed to the 24 hours it has been suggested we could have made our stadium safe within.
"Swansea have come to a sensible decision and we have given them our full support so as to allow an early announcement on the postponement. We look forward to visiting them for the re-arranged fixture.”
A new date for the fixture will be announced in due course.
Bony's race against time
Wilfried Bony is in a race against time to be fit for NEC Nijmegen's clash with his former club Vitesse Arnhem.
The Ivory Coast international endured the worst possible start to life at his new club after being withdrawn just 26 minutes into his debut as a result of a hamstring injury.
Former Swan Bony - who joined from Vitesse in 2013 - is now battling hard in the treatment room to be fit to feature against his former employers next week.
But NEC head coach Rogier Meijer believes the striker faces an uphill battle in his quest to be available for the highly-anticipated fixture.
“The chances are not great," he told ForzaNEC.
"He does a lot of things that are really really good. We must remain realistic. We will see how that will develop.”
Ladies' remarkable run finally ended
Swansea City Ladies suffered their first league defeat in more than three years on Sunday as they were defeated by Cardiff City Women.
Amy Williams, Zoe Atkins and Catherine Walsh all struck to give the hosts a commanding lead at Cardiff International Sports Stadium.
Substitute Karmyn Carter struck twice after the restart as Chris Church's side looked to complete a remarkable comeback.
But the damage sustained in the first-half proved costly as the Swans lost in the league for the first time this season.
Despite the setback in the Welsh capital, Church's outfit remain at the summit of the Genero Adran Premier table.
Emma Beynon tweeted: "To go three-and-a-half years unbeaten in the league is an unbelievable achievement.
"Couldn’t be prouder of the girls, we regroup and go again."
Narsingh on Australia move
Luciano Narsingh admits he's moved out of his comfort zone by joining Australian outfit Sydney FC.
The winger endured a tough spell at Swansea City between January 2017 and the summer of 2019, scoring just two goals in 39 appearances for the club.
Injuries have continued to plague the 16-cap Netherlands international, who has had stints with Feyenoord and Twente since leaving the Swans.
And Narsingh is hoping to re-ignite his career in the A-League after signing a short-term contract with the New South Wales outfit.
“This is a hugely exciting new challenge for me, in new surroundings and I’ll be stepping out of my comfort zone,” he said.
“It will give me a new energy and I want to prove I can be a success in a new football environment and culture.
“By joining Sydney FC, Australia’s most successful club, I have given myself the best chance to do that.
“They’ve a strong squad already and I want to improve that and challenge for a place in the starting eleven.”
On his new signing, Sydney FC head coach Steve Corica said: “Luciano will frighten defenders with his speed and ability to get into great attacking positions.
“He has topped the Dutch first division with assists before and can also score goals so I expect he will open up our opposition.
“Added to the strength we already have going forward, including the return of Alfie and Kosta, it’s going to be an exciting finish to the season with plenty of goals.”
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