LIBERTY PLAYERS FACING A CARV UP
EGYPT STAR GETS GYP OFF HUGHES
CARLOS CARVALHAL has given his new Swansea players two games to save their careers at the Premier League strugglers.
He will analyse his Liberty Stadium squad at Watford today and in Tuesday’s clash with Tottenham before deciding who will be a part of his future in south Wales.
The Swans are rock bottom of the Premier League and ex-Sheffield Wednesday chief Carvalhal (above) faces a tough task to avoid relegation.
“The first step is to try to give confidence to the players and give them the opportunity to show what they can do,” said the Portuguese.
“If we change things and the answer is not what we expect, then after this we will try to improve the team in January.
“The clock is ticking, but we can’t do anything until January 1. So we must try to give confidence to the players who are here first.
“They need to show commitment and after that we will take decisions.
“We have talked about the possibility of bringing in players if we need it. The chairman was open about that, but let’s see the weaknesses in the team first. It’s very early to talk about transfers.”
Carvalhal was sacked by Wednesday on Christmas Eve, but has made an almost immediate return to football by succeeding Paul Clement at Swansea.
Carvalhal will put striker Wilfried Bony through a late fitness test to see if he can face the Hornets after he returned to training from a hamstring injury.
But the game is likely to be too soon for midfielder Ki Sung-yueng, who has a calf problem.
Swansea need results fast and their new manager said: “We are now five points adrift and the team is not playing good football – they are not scoring or creating chances.
“I’ve seen a lot of things in football. When you change some things, when you create a new dynamic, the players can surprise you and they can change to another level.
“So it’s our work to give confidence to them to show they are better than what they have shown. After this we will take decisions in different aspects.” STOKE boss Mark Hughes wants in-form winger Ramadan Sobhi to rein in his “crazy” goal celebrations.
The Egyptian has scored in the Potters’ last two Premier League games, but was booked both times for his overexuberant reactions.
Now Hughes has ordered the 20-year-old to keep a lid on his celebrations if he makes it three in three at Chelsea today to avoid the risk of a needless red card.
Ramadan was booked in the 3-1 win against West Brom for removing his shirt after scoring (above) and in the 1-1 draw at Huddersfield for vaulting an advertising board to celebrate with fans.
“He jumped over the barrier and he should be aware you’re not allowed to do that,” said Hughes.
“Maybe that was his substitute for taking his shirt off and didn’t realise he’d get booked for both!
“You have to be careful, if you do that and then mistime a tackle then you’re at risk – so it’s crazy to do it.
“I quite like it, it shows the joy of scoring, it’s part of the show so why wouldn’t you do it?
“But the powers that be frown on it unfortunately.”
Ramadan has proved a hit in recent weeks after struggling earlier this season to get regular appearances under Hughes.
The Egypt international signed for £5million from Al Ahly in July 2016 and has made 15 Premier League starts and 16 substitute appearances, but had not scored until his goal against West Brom.
Hughes added: “We like Ramadan, we like this attitude to his work, he’s desperate to play, he’s got a real youthful enthusiasm and a lot of experience – albeit in a different league.
“You sometimes forget how young he actually is, he’s still learning his trade.
“And now he’s having an impact in terms of goals, which we feel he has the potential to get better at.
“He’s a positive guy who wants to get at people and take them on, which we encourage.”
Hughes has a defensive headache today with captain Ryan Shawcross and Bruno Martins Indi out injured, while on-loan Kurt Zouma is ineligible to face his parent club.
That could mean teenagers Tom Edwards and Josh Tymon starting at full-back.