Reflections on a derby day victory
By: Tom |
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I won’t rub it in, despite the enormous urge to do so. But I will say this, beating Cardiff and doing so in a manner where we were the better side, feels… well it feels bloody fantastic!
The game had been built up as a clash of styles and that was evident throughout. what i found pleasing and in fact highly amusing was the underestimation of Swansea as a footballing side by Cardiff and less surprisingly the media. Cardiff are free scoring side who love the killer pass (we all knew that) but Swansea had been billed as a defensive rock, who liked possession but didn’t attack teams. Now fair enough we have one of the top two defenses in the division and yes we love possession, but defensive we are not!
The way we played against Cardiff was not the best we have played and probably one of our lesser attacking displays for weeks. What we saw on Saturday was Swansea with a cutting edge and a goal scoring flair. I found myself surprised at how one dimensional Cardiff appeared to be, yet the defensive frailties they displayed were of no surprise at all. I felt after the second goal went in that the game could have ended four or five nil but like all Derby’s a crazy purple patch allowed them two cancel out the hard work.
Defensively we looked very good apart from the two goals Cardiff scored, and that highlights how dangerous they are as an attacking force.
As a ‘neutral’ observer and despite my allegiances I really do view Cardiff on a neutral level and think they are one of the better sides in this league, but I feel tactically they missed the boat on Saturday. I know they were missing Chopra and Whittingham, but to play that formation against us was frankly silly. In any derby game midfield is where the battle is fought and we won it without much effort. I felt Jones knew we are far better in the middle and that is why Cardiff played long balls to cut it out, but that was a big mistake. With no plan B I think Cardiff were always going to struggle.
On a separate note, I personally feel that they miss Routledge, who is the only player I have ever seen down the Liberty that i felt was premiership class from a championship opposing side.
Pratley for me had a stormer, and it made me wince at how much we have missed his class and energy in the middle. Joe Allen was class, and Leon was as always solid and flawless in the middle. Dyer played well in patches, but my man of the match is a tie between Tate and Bessone who looked rock solid but Bessone’s attacking edge was top notch!
In all a very pleasing display, for obvious reasons. Though I think it taught Cardiff more lessons than us! Finally we might get some recognition for being a decent side!
Category: Team News
South Wales Battle Royal!
By: Tom | 1 Comment
This Saturday sees the ‘big one’, between my beloved Swans and our neighbours C****ff. By now I’m sure you all know the significance of this fixture, the passion, the unbridled hate and unfortunately the occasional violence.. by the way there’s a footy game in the midst of all that! But for any ‘Jack Bastard’ or ‘Blue tit’ supporter this is the most important fixture of the season. and any fan who says otherwise, well frankly he or she doesn’t know jack (pardon the pun) about the rivalry.
I myself witnessed the first league derby at the Liberty last season (the first in 9years and my first ever) and I’ll admit it, I thought I understood how much I disliked Cardiff before, I thought I was a placid guy, but as soon as you see the fans and players in those blue shirts an indescribable sense of partisan venom builds up. I don’t think I’ve sung so loud or started so many songs in my life, I really was a one man rent-a-crowd.
I despise violence and wish that side of the rivalry would cease to exist, but sadly for as long as there are idiots coming to watch then they will try to start something. I can’t understand why people want to spoil such an entertaining spectacle and that needs to stop. The media in particular like to make a lot of the violent past between the idiotic minority of our clubs and i think that is why we still see crowd trouble even now.
Hate doesn’t come into it for me, just an enormous desire to win and too win in a way that humiliates and reverberates for years to come. Although the violent past in previous derbies has added to the legend and does add a piquant to the most tempestuous derby in Britain.
Despite this enormous partisan affiliation I am still a football fan and I appreciate a good football side when I see one. Cardiff are a very good team, easily better than last season but for all the goals I still fancy our chances against that defence. It will no doubt be a Goliath battle between the tightest defence in the football league and the most prolific goalscorers. I’m excited about the prospect of seeing two good attacking sides going hammer and tong to the soundtrack of wholehearted Welsh voices.
Bring it on!
Category: Team News8 Undefeated and Joint Best Defence in the League!I’m Still Being Picky Though!
By: Tom | Add Comments
What a difference a change in manager makes! Under one, we were known as the the most aesthetically pleasing attacking side in the football league, under the other, we are now a possession greedy defensive behemoth. Which ever way you cut it, we still play attractive passing football creating lots of chances but this time around not an awful lot of goals to show for it. Roberto had us playing in his image, slick attacking and precise. Paulo too has modeled the Swans on his model esk looks. Into a defensively strong, yet creatively capable side that loves to pass and look for that perfect goal. The problem for me, and this is highly hypocritical seeing as I would have sold my mother for a safe spot just above the drop in pre-season, we are drawing so many games again and not scoring goals! Like any fan I love to see goals flying in, and whilst it’s a novelty to see a Swansea side that is as tight as a gnat’s arse at the back, I’m not used to seeing us so toothless upfront. OK I’m being picky and don’t get me wrong I think Paulo is doing a cracking job! I just want some goals now and then! But hey, eight undefeated, a win at the Hawthorns and a Beatie double ain’t all that bad! Football fans aye!? Never happy!
Category: Team NewsI’m back
By: Tom | 2 Comments
It has been a very long absence, and for that I apologise, profusely. University work is pretty intense right now so my posts might be rather sporadic over the next few months.
Back to the football! Well as I have said over and over, ‘wait and judge us with our players back fit’ and wow what a difference! Four games undefeated, GOALS! and a sense of optimism! Lee trundle is looking like a very shrewd transfer, and his return allows us to play four-four-two, in situations where just one up front would have left us impotent. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by Sousa’s new willingness to play 2 up front, but am still left slightly bewildered by some of his tactical and substitutional changes in games. I have to say I feel maybe Paulo needs another member of the backroom staff, just to add a little bit of knowledge or something different to the mix. His assistant Bruno appears to be good, but together they are still learning the role of manager and assistant and this worries me slightly. but so far they are doing a fairly decent job, just maybe they need an old head in the mix.
The injury to Ferrie Bodde was a sad and frustrating one for all concerned and I’d like to take this opportunity to say ‘get well soon’ to one of the best players to have worn the white and black shirt. On his day, Ferrie is as good as anyone in the Premiership, and even at his worst, he’d make the team in 90% of the clubs.
Dorus Devires has been in breathtaking form this season! not since Roger Freestone have I seen a Swans keeper pull off some truly incredible saves, or keep us in games to the extent he has done. I have heard rumours that Manchester United have got an eye on him, as he is a very similar player to Van Der sar and has good distribution and is comfortable in possession. In summery, I am happy with the squad and the management of Paulo so far, though I think he needs a little bit of guidance here or there, but he is the manager and I respect his judgement even if sometimes it might escape my understanding. So keep going Paulo and lets turn over the tractor boys on Saturday!
Category: Team NewsManchester City Tap up Swansea Wonder kid?
By: Tom | 3 Comments
Swansea officials have slammed Manchester City, for the alleged tapping up of one of Swansea and Wales’s most promising youngsters.Emyr Huws who is on the cusp of 16 has played for Swansea for six years and has been dubbed ‘the next Ryan Giggs’. However Manchester City have had Huws train with the youth team and are reportedly paying for his expensive boarding school education as a bribe to switch allegiances. Whether this is true or not, it seems certain that Swansea will take Manchester City to a tribunal to decide a fee for Huws, after the Swans will want compensation for developing the youngster to his current ability. The fee banded around is £500,000 pounds though this could be lower or higher depending on the view of the tribunal.
If he does sign for City, then it is a sad loss of talent and highlights the in vogue issue of under 16 transfers.
Category: Team NewsCedric Van der Gun Signs!
By: Tom | 1 Comment
Van Der Gun signed a one year contract with the option of a further year after his free transfer from FC Utrecht. He played the final 23 minutes of the 2-0 defeat to Preston and showed some good touches in midfield.
Van der Gun started his career at AFC Ajax and was widely tipped to become the shining light of Dutch football though difficulties with injuries would hinder his progression.
After starting his professional career with Ajax He was loaned to Willem II. He then played for ADO Den Haag before signing for Borussia Dortmund. After a season with unlucky injury problems at the German side, he returned to the Netherlands, playing for FC Utrecht. He then linked up with former Den Haag team mates, Ferrie Bodde and Dorus De vires by signing for Swansea.
Where will he play?
Although he is officially a striker, I believe that Sousa seer’s him as either a winger or playing just behind the front man/men. Van der Gun has already suggested that this role is second nature to him in interviews and so I presume this is where he will be playing.
Category: Team NewsIt’s been a while
By: Tom | 1 Comment
I’ve been away for a while and to be frank, quite a lot has happened. Cedric Van der gunn signed on a free transfer, we have signed a Trinidad and Tobago International in defence. brought three players in on trial and have Ferrie Bodde back!
In the midst off all that off field excitement, we managed to maintain our very poor start (our worst in 7 seasons) and have discovered that every player is playing for his future!
It’s been a crazy month and no doubt it will get a little crazier after the Bristol City game tonight, which always has an electric atmosphere and is incident packed.
Category: Team NewsLee Trundle Why he is a Swansea Legend
By: Tom | Add Comments
For those of you who haven’t heard of Lee Trundle here is a brief explanation of why the 31year old scouse striker is a modern day Swansea legend.
In 2003 Lee signed for the club on a free transfer from former club Wrexham and immediately won favour with the Northbank after scoring spectacular goals and showing an array of tricks Christiano Ronaldo would struggle to pull off. In the lower leagues where hoof-ball was vogue Trundle majestic goalscoring and mesmeric tricks shone brightly. In the four seasons at the club he scored at least 20 goals each season and even attracted interest from his dream club Everton.Lee is also the first player ever to sign an image rights deal outside of the Premiership. However at the age of 30 Lee felt he had to try his luck at a higher level in a bid to play Premiership football before he retired. On the eve of the 2008/09 season he made a club record £1,000,000 move too Bristol city, breaking fans hearts and unwittingly damaging his career. Two years playing out of position and in and out of the squad left Lee in need of regular football and after a loan spell away from Ashton gate Lee finally returned Home to Swansea on an initial 3 month loan.
Category: Team NewsPanic Buying Starts as Swans Swoop for Lee Trundle and Record Transfer Craig Beattie
By: Tom | Add Comments
In the midst of the worst injury crisis in my living memory. (11 players out) The Swans have been forced to swoop for an old favourite and a potential gem. Lee ‘the lord’ Trundle has signed from Bristol City on loan until January, whilst Craig Beattie is set for a permanent deal for three years making him the clubs most expensive signing. I am both excited and dubious at these appointments but in the current crisis any new bodies are welcome.
Category: Team NewsWe are Officially in the Brown Stuff! Where’s my Noose?
By: Tom | Add Comments
I’ve been highly honest and optimistic about our prospects this season, I could so easily be a doom and gloom merchant but that’s just not my style. However there comes a point when the odds and the situation stack against you when frankly you are in the shit. This is one of those times!
Following a DISGUSTING refereeing performance on Tuesday night, we finished the game with three red cards and two severe injuries. I will admit that the Monk and Rangel sendings off are indefensible, and whilst Pintado’s second yellow was deserved, his first was not and the BIAS on display towards Scunthorpe was frankly disgraceful! I have never seen a referee display so disgusting or biased and worse still no command of the situation or protection for our players. I won’t defend the reactions of our players to CONSTANT bully boy tactics and BIASED refereeing decisions (including a DUBIOUS penalty) but if one team cannot do wrong and you are playing against a ref as well as a side intent on hurting your players, I was not surprised we ended with 9 men (though i don’t condone the reaction). What made it worse was the fact that after loosing Dobbie and then soon after Idrijaz, to injury taking our men on the field 6!!! The ref then FORCED our Physio and Doctor to put him back on despite the medical advice to the contray and bearing in mind Idriaz has had a similar serious injury before because THE REF REFUSED to face calling off the game despite the fact that the rules state it should be abandoned and that Idrijaz had to just stand there unable to walk.
The cost of this game now means we have lost 8 first team players to injury or suspension and with NO SENIOR STRIKERS fit at the club we have to play two reserves who have made just one senior appearance each.
We are in the shit. Worse still we are unable to find any strikers in the transfer market and with rumours of Adebayo Akinfenwa and Lee Trundle coming back, I am reaching for a shotgun to put myself out of the misery that is my Life as a Swansea fan. If you know of a worse set of injuries, poor potential signings and refereeing displays I would love to hear them!
Category: Team News
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