A new era starts for Swansea City this weekend in the modest surroundings of Rotherham’s grandly-titled New York Stadium.

It will be the Swans’ first match under the stewardship of caretaker coach Alan Sheehan after they sacked Michael Duff earlier in the week.

After a few days of upheaval, Sheehan, 37, has stepped up from an assistant’s role and into Duff’s shoes, although the Irishman is very much an outsider for the permanent position at this stage.

The Swans have seen an approach to Tottenham to speak with Chris Davies rejected, but are still keen to talk to Spurs’ assistant coach.

In the meantime, Swansea must try and arrest their current slide down to 18th place in the Championship by improving on a record of only one win in eight matches when they visit The Millers on Saturday.

“We want to put out a good Swansea team that the fans can be proud of on Saturday,” said Sheehan.

“We’ve been working on how we can hurt the opposition. It’s about how we can get the best from the players we have in the building.

“In moments we have seen it, but hopefully we can bring that on Saturday.”

Sheehan has been reluctant to declare himself a candidate for the permanent position of head coach and added: “Honestly, I am so focused on this weekend, I haven’t had time to think about that.

“I would prefer to talk about the players, the team, the staff and this club, because that’s more important than Alan Sheehan, let me tell you that.

“I think it is an incredible job for any manager. Until you live here you don’t feel it. It’s something different.

“Whilst I am here, I have a duty to the fans to try to get a really good performance on Saturday. That’s all I am focusing on.

“The bottom line is we are 18th in the table, we understand it’s a results-based business and we have work to do.”

The same could be said of Cardiff City, who must also roll up their sleeves after three defeats in four games has seen them slip away from the play-off picture.

The Bluebirds are at home to Millwall on Saturday, and while their inspirational captain Aaron Ramsey is making good progress from a knee injury he is still some way off a return.

Erol Bulut’s team have slipped to 11^th in the table and the manager knows the momentum has to be reversed quickly if his team are to keep in touch with the promotion hopefuls.

“Playing well is not enough, so we need points through winning these games,” said Bulut.

“Right now, when I look at where we are on the table, we have to think positively. Of course, when I look at the last few games, with three lost, I don’t like it.

“Sometimes it happens when you’re playing against very good teams, you lose when you shouldn’t. Against West Brom we should have taken at least a point and against Norwich City all three, in my opinion.

“We could have four more points right now, and we’ve got to now take them from somewhere.”

One Welsh club very much in the promotion picture are Wrexham, who travel to Forest Green Rovers.

The Dragons are in second place in League Two and will be keen to close the gap on leaders Stockport County, who have stuttered recently with a defeat and a draw in their last two matches.

Forest Green have the worst home record in the division and Wrexham will fancy their chances of repairing their recent away form after a defeat to Accrington was followed by a draw at Harrogate.

“We have got a big run coming up now in December and through the Christmas period,” said Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson, whose side host Colchester and Newport County as well as a Boxing Day trip to Swindon Town before ending 2023 at Walsall.

“You have got to be realistic, but it is a great period, really exciting. I am really looking forward to the games ahead.”

Newport are back in 15^th place and travel to play Tranmere ahead of an FA Cup second round replay at Barnet, on Tuesday night.