Planet Swans ArchivesHere we go with my third monthly review of our season. We’re still at the right end of the table, and still in with a very good shout of being in the mix at the end of all things. Not as good a month as September, but since that would be bloody hard to do anyway, optimism levels are still exceedingly high.
Time for the match reviews…..
Blackpool (H) – I love controversy. Especially when it involved an experienced pro turned manager kicking off simply because he doesn’t know the rules. Colin “Pat Butcher” Hendry can whinge and moan all he likes. The fact remains that Lee Trundle played the new offside directives to absolute perfection. Prior to that hilarious moment, we’d looked good going forward, but dodgy as hell at the back. The defensive frailties we’ve showed so far didn’t look like abating. Another contender for Lee Trundle’s top 20 goals DVD, and a pressure releasing strike from Bayo the Boyo should have seen us home and dry by half time. Lapses from last seasons key players at the back need to stop. And soon.
Yeovil (A) – Wasn’t there meself, but all reports indicate that this was our worst performance of the season. Kenny has already admitted that with hindsight calling the game off due to International call-ups would have been better, but that’s life. We seemingly showed no style, rhythm or substance against a Yeovil side more prone to hoofing it than the slick outfit of last year, and sadly we obliged them by doing the same. Our Huish Park hoodoo continues.
Oldham (H) – A complete non-event of a game. Oldham were a poor side, with men behind the ball and a determination to stop us playing. A poor referee and our lack of a plan B on the day simply made their task easier. Too many players failed to perform, except for player of the year so far Leon Britton, and East Stand “favourite” Marcus Bean. Overall Swansea created the best of what few chances there were, but we never really looked like scoring. A slightly worrying change from the free-scoring side of September. Still no call whatsoever for the chorus of boos at the end. A reality check required for many White Rock patrons it would seem.
Torquay (A – LDV) – A goalscoring return to the English Riviera for Bayo Akinfenwa, scoring the winner in a game that initially we struggled to get to grips with. A largely reserve/youth side trailed to Torquay up until an Adrian Forbes leveller, and the introduction of some senior players tipped the balance. A final strike from Andy Robinson putting the finishing touches onto a largely workmanlike display. With the demise of sides like Southend, Forest and Bristol City, this is a competition we can now possibly look to make an impact in.
Rotherham (A) – Defensive frailties come to the fore in a game we really should have won. Lee Trundle scoring and making a goal in the game after we rejected a £750,000 offer for him should have been enough to clinch victory, but increasingly worrying weakness at the back (and a piss poor refereeing decision) allowed one time Swans target Barry Conlon to clinch a point for the Millers. A point would probably have been acceptable before the game, but injury time equalizers are always hard to take.
Chesterfield (H) – And we thought the Bristol City game was fun! Chesterfield are a good side bang in form, who played the game with skill and some classy passing. It made no difference. Lee Trundle was absolutely unplayable, and Chesterfield could do very little to stop him. It wasn’t purely the Trundle show though, and we scythed through the opposition almost at will during the first half. Top-notch performances from Bayo, Leon, Roberto, Tate and others led to what was undoubtedly our finest performance of the season so far. Three goals from Magic Daps (© Magic Daps), a fine finish from the Human Tank, and a confident drive from Owain Tudur-Jones sealing the points with style.
Plus Points – We’re still well in contention at the top despite our own form stuttering slightly during the month. Other results have also gone our way to make dropped points at home and away less damaging. The outright rejection of a good bid for Trundle from Sheffield Wednesday by both club and player has been a definite statement of intent from us that should open a few eyes elsewhere in League One. The stadium also has a name now, and I’ll put that news in the positives mainly because it’s better than New Stadium. I shall still be calling it White Rock though.
Minuses – Defence. Almost cost us points against Blackpool, did cost us points against Rotherham. The rearguard is not performing to the sum of its parts. Brian Murphy should be close to a recall if Geuret cannot get back to the supreme form he showed last year.
My overall grade for October – B
The final performance against Chesterfield has pushed my rating up from a C. Hopefully our blip in the earlier part of the month will remain just that. November is likely to be a serious test of the board’s ambitions as the chances of more bids coming in for Magic Daps are likely to increase. We also have what is likely to be the game of the season so far at Roots Hall to come.
