These are your Swansea City headlines on Thursday, September 8.
Oko-Flex explains move
New signing Armstrong Oko-Flex says Swansea's willingness to dominate possession, as well as increased chances of game-time, were his biggest motivating factors in swapping West Ham United for south Wales.
Oko-Flex joined at the end of a frantic transfer window and made his bow in the 1-0 win over QPR last weekend. Coming off the bench, the attacker showed exactly what he is capable of and his impact was noteworthy.
He says his conversation with head coach Russell Martin was also a clincher for him
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“It feels good to be here, the boys have been really welcoming, as have the staff and the manager,” he said.
“It has felt easy for me to settle here, I love the style of play the club has, dominating possession and playing through the thirds.
“I also spoke to the manager before I came and he spoke about wanting to help me develop.
“I wanted to come somewhere where a team wanted to have possession, have the ball and give players a chance to show what they can do.
“I hope I can bring directness with the ball, I like to take on players and go towards goal. I just want to contribute and help the team win games and pick up points.
“I am hungry to play, I was on the bench on quite a few occasions last season (at West Ham) and I want that first-team action.
“I was grateful to have the chance against Viborg a couple of weeks ago. I just wanted to come somewhere where I can play as much as I can and help as much as I can.
“This is very important for me. It’s my first loan and I have to be ready to go. I think this is the right place and I want to make an impression and make my mark by helping us win games and contributing as much as I can.”
Oko-Flex sought the advice of former Swan Flynn Downes before the making the switch - and it appears the midfielder is missing the place already.
“Yeah, 100 per cent, I spoke to Flynn and he misses it here,” said Oko-Flex. “He is a top guy and a top player. He spoke about his time here and said how much he enjoyed it.
“He spoke really highly of the gaffer, and just hearing it from him and knowing the way Swansea play made my mind up.”
Curt on Potter
Swans legend Alan Curtis says he has "no doubt" Graham Potter will be a success at Chelsea. The former Swansea boss was announced as Thomas Tuchel's successor on Thursday.
Curtis says the job will be one of higher scrutiny than it was at the Liberty Stadium or the Amex, but added he feels Potter will be more than up to the task.
"Obviously going into Chelsea it will be a more challenging job, certainly than it was at Swansea, and possibly even at Brighton," Curtis told Sky before the announcement was made official.
"Dealing with different individuals and dealing with such a massive club. He will want to do things his own way. In terms of recruitment, he will identify players. They have got a huge, talented squad anyway.
"If and when he does take the job then he can't wait to get his teeth into the players. Certainly from our point of view, the players, they certainly weren't sceptical because from his first meeting, first training session, they players were right behind him.
"I feel the players got better and better and there is nothing better for a player than when your game is being improved all the time and you are being challenged. I have no doubt that if he takes over at Chelsea that he'll be a resounding success."
Potter will be taking his backroom team of assistant Billy Reid, coach Bjorn Hamberg and recruitment analyst Kyle Macaulay to west London with him, all of whom were at Swansea with him.
Fans' forum
Swans will hold a fans’ forum on Wednesday, September 28 at the Swansea.com Stadium, the club have announced.
The event will run from 6pm until 8pm and will be held in the Gower Suite.
Kev Johns will compere the night, which will have head coach Russell Martin, chief executive Julian Winter and head of football operations Josh Marsh in attendance. Sian Davies of the supporters' trust will also be there.
For more information visit the club website.
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