These are your Swansea City headlines on Friday, February 10.
Grimes shares boss' frustration
Swansea skipper Matt Grimes says he shares the frustrations held by head coach Russell Martin following the club's desperately disappointing transfer window.
With Swansea still in the mix for the play-offs, they failed to bring in one signing in January while six left the club. That, coupled with the gutting defeat to Birmingham City last weekend, prompted an emotional Martin to say he's never felt so low in his post-match press briefing.
Grimes, though, says he and everyone associated with the club hold the same view.
"I thought he spoke from the heart, he told the truth," Grimes said. "It was one of those where you are damned if you do, damned if you don't.
"I don't think he said anything out of turn. I think he's a very honest guy. He is, in my opinion, the best manager in the league, he said what he said. Yeah, it was emotional after the game.
"We were all emotional after the game. I think if anyone did press straight after the game like he did we'd have said exactly the same and been as frustrated as he was.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't frustrated, same as every single person to do with the club.
"It's a natural reaction, I think. But the squad is where it is and before the weekend was three points off the play-offs. Yeah, you lose Oba (Michael Obafemi) who was one of our main goal scorers last season. But how much did he contribute this season? I'd argue very little.
"So, it's disappointing for sure but we've got more than enough to kick on and have a really strong finish to the season."
Blades hoping for boosts
Sheffield United hope to have Oli McBurnie and John Fleck in their squad to face Swansea this weekend.
Scot McBurnie has been struggling with injuries this term but resumed training on Thursday, and Paul Heckingbottom is now confident that the striker will be available to feature against his former employers.
As for Fleck, he has been sidelined since before the World Cup but could now be available to face the Swans.
The Blades will be without Tommy Doyle who is absent due to a calf injury while George Baldock and Enda Stevens are sidelined with hamstring problems.
Heckingbottom, meanwhile, believes Swansea will provide his team with a "unique problem" this weekend.
"We know they can be frustrating to play against, they dominate the ball," he said. "We've had two games against them in my time and imposed ourselves on them.
"Whether that's winning the ball back and creating chances or, like we did down there, having more of the ball than them, which is rare. We're very conscious of staying composed and understanding what they bring.
"I like watching them, I've just watched the FA Cup game just now. They changed shape slightly but the principles were the same and you can't get frustrated by that, you have to use it to your advantage."
"We have to try and beat their approach," Heckingbottom added. "A big part of it is understanding what they want to do and how they can hurt you. We have to be ready for it.
"It is a bit of a unique problem, if you like. Do you jump over them or take the ball and keep it from them? We've tried both approaches. I'd love to dominate the game but it's easier said than done. We have to respect how good they are with the ball."
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Prutton's prediction
David Prutton expects Swansea to come up short in their clash with Sheffield United this weekend.
The Swans blew a 3-2 lead against Birmingham City last time out, conceding twice late on to lose 4-3 against the Blues.
As for Paul Heckingbottom's side, they remain firmly in the mix for automatic promotion and will be gunning for all three points to keep a gap between themselves and the chasing pack.
And pundit Prutton thinks the Blades will edge out the Swans at Bramall Lane this weekend.
"Sheffield United lost a bit of ground on Burnley last weekend, but they’ll be more concerned with what’s going on below them because the leaders look unstoppable in pursuit of the title," he told Sky Sports.
"Swansea threw away what should have been a win against Birmingham last week, and this is not a place they would have picked to try and bounce back.
"It may be close, but the Blades should have the quality to take all three points."
David Prutton's prediction: Sheffield United 2-1 Swansea City
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