Your Swansea City headlines for Monday, March 14.
Goalkeeper targeted
Swansea will look to sign another goalkeeper in the summer transfer window, WalesOnline understands.
The Swans recruited Andy Fisher from Russell Martin's former club MK Dons in January, with the youngster swiftly establishing himself as the club's first-choice shot stopper.
With Fisher arriving, Ben Hamer has been forced to settle for a place on the bench in recent weeks while Steven Benda was sent out on loan to Peterborough United.
The Swans have had several goalkeepers on trial with the under-23s of late and are already casting their eye over potential targets for the summer.
"Steven won't be happy being back-up. He's enjoying playing at Peterborough, he's doing really well. He's a good goalkeeper, I've said it all along," said Martin.
"We'll just have to wait and see in the summer. With Ben not playing as well, it probably changes the landscape a little bit for him. It's an area we're definitely looking at, and we're trying to plan for loads of eventualities."
Fisher has been a mainstay in between the sticks since being handed his debut against Luton Town on February 1.
He has typified Swansea's transition under the current coaching setup, and Martin has no doubts that the 24-year-old will be a key figure for the club going forward.
"It's the life of a goalkeeper playing for us, it's tough," said Martin.
"It's about decision making and being asked to do something that requires a lot of composure and courage and then making the right decision at the right time.
"He makes a mistake [v Fulham] and we were made to pay for it. Everyone spoke about his distribution against Coventry being incredible, and people didn't mention that he made three or four brilliant saves where he was so quick off his line.
"He's a long-term signing for the club, and I think he'll be a brilliant one."
Congreve opens up on 'top class' Martin
Cameron Congreve became the latest in a long line of academy players to make their debuts for Swansea City at the weekend.
The 18-year-old was summoned from the bench late on in the Swans' 1-0 Championship defeat to Blackpool on Saturday.
While the result no doubt was frustrating for fans, players and coaches alike, it was an incredibly proud moment for the Congreve family.
And the attacking midfielder has revealed that "top class" head coach Russell Martin has played a pivotal role in his development along with that of the club's other young guns.
“I am really proud to get the chance, obviously I wanted us to win but I am buzzing to have made my debut,” said Congreve.
“It was a bit unexpected, I was warming up and it took me a couple of seconds to realise the gaffer was calling my name.
“There wasn’t much time to be nervous, and I felt alright when I got out there. My eyes lit up a bit when I got that sight of goal but it wasn’t quite to be."
And on Martin, Congreve commented: “Russell Martin has been great. He is top class to work with, he’s been great with me and all the young lads.
“The sessions he puts on are brilliant, and there’s a great atmosphere among the squad and the staff at Fairwood. I’m loving it, and I hope I can keep being a part of it.”
Joseph runs riot for U23s
Kyle Joseph turned in a clinical display as he helped Swansea City's Under-23s come from behind to thump Queens Park Rangers' young guns 5-1.
Joseph struck twice in the first-half after Harry Murphy had given the Londoners the lead in the Professional Development League encounter at the Swansea.com Stadium.
He added two more strikes shortly after half-time before Ruben Davies added a fifth in what was a hugely encouraging glimpse into the future.
The contest also provided Nathanael Ogbeta and Cameron Congreve with the chance to get more game time having made their senior debuts at Blackpool on Saturday.
Striker Joseph looked a cut above throughout and had the ball in the net after just 10 minutes following a lung-busting run forwards from Yan Dhanda, although he was denied by the offside flag.
After a positive start, the hosts fell behind in the 13th minute as Murphy fired beyond Nico Defreitas-Hansen from the edge of the box after the home side failed to clear a corner.
The impressive Lincoln Mcfayden headed wide from a corner soon after, but Swansea's dominance was rewarded on 24 minutes as Joseph's sheer persistence led to Deon Woodman making a mistake that presented the forward with the chance to lash home from 12 yards out.
Kris O'Leary's side continued to control proceedings and took the lead just after the half hour mark after winning possession high up the pitch.
Joseph opted against teeing up Mcfayden, instead drilling beyond Matteo Salamon to make it 2-1.
The frontman had the QPR defence in a spin, although he could only ripple the side netting shortly after Dhanda tested Salamon from distance.
Defreitas-Hansen had been a spectator for long periods, although he was alert to smother Alfie Lloyd's effort late on in the first-half.
Joseph needed just three minutes of the second-half to clinch the match ball as his low strike flew beyond Salamon to put Swansea in command.
The lethal marksman notched his fourth on the hour mark from close range after Congreve had an effort blocked.
Joseph and Congreve were duly withdrawn, with Ben Lloyd and Davies being given the chance to impress. The latter was on hand to finish off a sublime team move that typified the Swansea Way as O'Leary's men sealed an emphatic win in front members of the club's first team coaching staff.
Swansea City: Nico Defreitas-Hansen; Cameron Evans, Tivonge Rushesha, Jack Stafford; Lincoln Mcfayden, Azeem Abdulai, Joel Cotterill, Nathanael Ogbeta (Jacob Jones 46); Yan Dhanda, Cameron Congreve (Ben Lloyd 62); Kyle Joseph (Ruben Davies 62).
Subs not used: Trialist, Scott Butler.
Goals: Joseph 24, 34, 48 & 60, Davies 67
Referee: Farai Hallam
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