Your Swansea City headlines for Friday, February 18.
Piroe positive over Obafemi link-up
Joel Piroe admits he enjoys playing in attack alongside Michael Obafemi having been given the chance to shine with his fellow summer signing of late.
The pair both scored in the same game for the first time as Swansea City came from behind to beat Bristol City 3-1 on Sunday.
Piroe's late strike against the Robins was his 14th of the campaign and brought an end to the Dutchman's seven-game scoring drought.
As for Obafemi, he netted his second goal in as many home matches last time out having previously scored just once in 14 appearances.
“Michael and I have a good feeling when we are in the team together, and it’s always good when we are forward players and we are scoring goals because it all helps the team,” said Piroe.
“It shows we have different threats which is better for the team, and I think you can see he is happy when I score, and I am happy when Michael scores.
“This is what it means to be in a team. I have worked with Michael every day since he joined the team and I know what a good player he is, and I think we are enjoying playing together.
“We want to help the team. It has been a hard spell for us, but we have always been clear in what we need to do and to play how we want to play.
“This win over Bristol City was important, for sure, with the character we showed. It is good for the confidence, we stood up for each other.
“We know what we are capable of, we have to bring it.”
Boss defends under-fire McBurnie
Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom has said former Swansea striker Oli McBurnie has a clean slate at Bramall Lane after he came under fire from Blades fans.
McBurnie has scored just eight times for United since his £20million move from south Wales in the summer of 2019.
He has not scored a league goal for 14 months, prompting supporters to air their views, according to our colleagues up north.
But Heckingbottom says he's not concerned about his previous record, just how he applies himself going forward.
"I am not bothered about the other games he didn't play for me, not at all, it's totally different," he said.
"As with all the players it's a fresh start. Expectancy and the things we ask of the players are different now. What's gone before has gone, I know what he can do and what type of lad he is and how good he can be in this league, we are just focusing on that.
"Improvement every day, a mentality to work hard every day and we have already seen a big improvement in terms of that and seen that transfer on to the pitch.
"I want him to be a different person and he is showing me that he is working that way, so I am judging him on the two games and a half that he has played and that's all I am judging him on and it will be going forward.
"I am trying to be honest and say where he is, I am happy where he is from where I thought he was and I can see improvement in him every day and if he continues to do that you'll end up seeing the goals."
Fans deliver verdict on loan men
Morgan Whittaker is the loan player Swansea City fans want to feature for the club most next season.
The Swans have sent out a number of players to develop elsewhere, with Whittaker impressing since joining Lincoln City in January.
Earlier this month, WalesOnline asked supporters to have their say on, out of those currently away from the Swansea.com Stadium, who should be given more opportunities to shine in SA1 next season.
And 27% voted for Whittaker - who has scored two goals in nine appearances for Lincoln so far - to get the chance to impress with his parent club during the 2022/23 season.
Plymouth Argyle man Jordon Garrick took 18% of the votes while Brandon Cooper and Liam Cullen both had a 15% share of the vote - with Newport County's Ollie Cooper marginally further back at 13%.
Liam Walsh, Steven Benda, Dan Williams and Lewis Webb are among those who are also bidding to prove their worth elsewhere at present.
Fans urged to unite in tribute at Bramall Lane
Swansea fans have been urged to join Sheffield United supporters in holding a minute's applause during the Championship match between the sides in tribute to a young fan who passed away earlier this year.
Sheffield United season ticket holder Tom Collier, 24, tragically died in a car crash while travelling to play for his local football club Hammer and Pincers.
And supporters in attendance for Saturday's contest between the Blades and the Swans have been urged to applaud in the ninth minute to mark the shirt number the youngster wore for his local club.
A gofundme page has been created by Tom's family to raise money to pay for the youngster's funeral while funds will also be donated to foundations selected by his loved ones. You can donate here.
For the latest Swansea City news and analysis delivered straight to your inbox, you can sign up for our newsletter here.
