Matt Grimes reacts to Swansea City’s 4-0 win v Watford | OneFootball

Swansea City laid down a marker in the Championship with a 4-0 win over Watford on Friday evening.

The Swans are one of many sides in a very large play-off chasing pack this season, and the resounding victory would have fuelled belief in the squad and supporter base that they can push on in 2023.

Russell Martin’s men were disappointing in a defeat at Reading before hosting the Hornets, but they put Slaven Bilic’s newly relegated side to the sword in ruthless fashion, with Joel Piroe crucially refinding his goalscoring touch.

It has been a challenging but promising last season and a half since the club’s 2020/21 play-off final defeat and the departure of Steve Cooper from the dugout, but if the Swans can emerge from the January transfer window in a good place, top six should be a realistic goal for the remainder of the campaign.

Matt Grimes took to Instagram to reflect on the three points.

He wrote: “Just what we needed, see you all again in a couple of days.”

🔗 Instagram

Swansea host league leaders Burnley on Monday, before trips to Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers present a difficult start to the year, it will be an interesting test of character to see how many points they take from that trio.

The Verdict

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Grimes has been one of the classier midfield operators in the Championship for some years now, improving tenfold for working under Graham Potter, Steve Cooper and Martin.

The Swans are just one point outside the play-offs, and it is important for supporters and those involved not to get too fixated on league position at this stage, with just three points separating fourth and 15th place in the division.

Piroe has been a real handful since arriving from PSV last summer, but has suffered a drop-off in the last few months, therefore it will be very encouraging and pleasing for Martin, to see him back on the scoresheet with a double against the Hornets.