Phil SumblerThere are many things that Steve Cooper does that baffles the Swansea fans but the decision to leave Bersant Celina out of a 20-man matchday squad is right up there with some of the most baffling ones and looks more stupid when you reflect back on a poor performance against Luton Town.
Cooper took the decision not to include Celina in his squad prompting rumours of fall outs and personality clashes and fuelling speculation that one of the Swans most talented players will be on the departure list come the end of the season.
It is fair to say that Celina has not lived up to the performances of last season but that is a statement that can easily be aimed at the rest of the squad that begs the question as to why that would be and prompts more questions over the ability of the manager to get the very best out of a squad that seems to be hugely under performing for the bigger part of the season.
It has been pretty obvious for much of the season that a player of Celina’s style does not fit into the plans of Cooper who seems to look for other things in a player ahead of pure footballing ability. Whilst the likes of Gallagher and Brewster have added much needed style to the side at times you do wonder what kind of damage Celina could do to feed in someone of the finishing skill of Brewster.
The one thing none of us know right now thought is what has happened behind the scenes to cause this situation but it is also fair to assume at the moment that it is something beyond a tactical desire to not include a player who would hugely benefit the Swans.
It is difficult to think of a side in this division that would not welcome a player such as Celina into their side which makes this decision more baffling and will just lead to more criticism for a manager who is continually making the same mistakes followed by the same excuses.
You would certainly like to think that the media may question Cooper on this decision as a minimum but for now let’s just hope that common sense prevails for Tuesday’s game as a bare minimum.
Copied from “old faithful” board – my view on this.
Cooper’s response re Celina said it all (7:04 onwards on link). Initially not making eye contact with the camera, then talking about commitment, focus, consistency (finishing not just starting a game etc.).There’s obviously something happened and both are to blame imo – Cooper not having the man management skills (is he really to blame though if he doesn’t possess the qualities?), and Celina should knuckle down, fight for and retain his place – e.g. even when he tries to win a game all by himself, Ayew’s commitment on the pitch is undoubted. Celina needs to learn to manage the manager.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KRC2IgOpZ0
If there are no injury concerns with Celina then yes this is a truly baffling omission and one that I can only put down to dressing room issues. There are not many dressing room conflicts that don’t breed a negative influence on the match day performance and this is the last thing we need as we try to push for the play off spots. We very rarely get to know the real true goings on at a football club.
The team are now resembling their manager, no passion !
Whatever the reason for the fall out,Cooper needs to be the bigger person and pick the best 20 players for the squad and, personally, I would sack him for his childish omission of Celina who can change a game. The problem with Cooper is that he has only managed tiny tots and has no experience of real men’s football. Nathan Jones has bent him over twice this season…..
Difficult one this is, we can’t have players not towing the line and getting picked ? We’ve all see what Celina is capable of, but rarely seen this season? Clash of personalities? Too lightweight? Whatever the reason, no point in keeping him here if he’s not even Getting in a 19 man match day squad? Even Kalulu seems to be getting picked ahead of him now, which is all you need to know about Cooper really!!! ?
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@taffy Definite clash of personalities. From early on in Coopers tenure you could see cracks appearing in him and Celina’s relationship. He has more than likely got a deal agreed already with another club and doesn’t want to risk getting injured, so may not be time to be playing him anyway, too little too late.
Celina hasn’t shown up since the Citeh FA Cup game last season,
He wants away
Thought he improved us a bit today when he came on but it was pretty low bar.
I think we should stick with him an play all our experienced players between now and the end of the season in the forlorn hope that 6th place slips up incredibly badly between now and the end of the season.
We know now why he was dropped, completely not interested and clearly wants out… ? terrible shame as such a talented player, he has really gone downhill and fast, which is a worry ??♂️