Phil SumblerThe Swans slumped to a defeat at Hull City yesterday ending a mini three match unbeaten run and as a direct result of some defensive sloppiness in the opening twenty minutes of the game in which Hull scored two with the Swans defence sleeping.
Some second half changes saw both Michael Obafemi and Liam Walsh hit the upright as the Swans looked to get back in the game but those early goals proved to be decisive and leaves Russell Martin thinking not just about the next game but whether he needs to change his plans for the last couple of days of the transfer window.
On a disappointing game for the Swans what five things can we take away from the defeat?
1. A left wing back is a must. After the draw at QPR we talked about the performances of Cyrus Christie but what has become obvious in the last two games is we need a left sided version of Christie. Russell Martin tried to switch things around during the game by switching Christie and Latibeaudiere around but it didn’t really work. We have two options here, it is either move Burns into the middle and let Manning be left back or enter the transfer market. Either way works.
2. Time to go fishing. This is not necessarily a slight on Ben Hamer but there is a reason that Russell Martin bought Andy Fisher and that is because he sees him as his long term number 1. Martin managed this correctly by not immediately dropping Hamer and he had three good games but yesterday was not to be a fourth and now it is time to get Fisher in the team and establish himself in the role for which he was purchased.
3. Obafemi to start Tuesday? Once again we saw a game where we just give no service whatsoever to Joel Piroe who went another game taking his run of goals now to just one in his last eight Championship appearances. Obafemi has looked the most likely to score of the two in the last two games and you just wonder if it is time now to see if he can do it from the start.
4. The midfield was all wrong. The absence of Flynn Downes was obvious to be seen yesterday and we will welcome him back against Luton but the manager got the midfield all wrong yesterday. Fulton, Grimes and Smith simply did not work together and it was shown at half time when Ntcham was brought on. Fulton’s start was predicted in midweek but his lack of game time over four months showed. Hannes Wolf also deserves a mention under this section although we can only hope that his performances are a result of him getting up to speed more than anything else.
5. We are too negative and pass up the opportunity to attack. We can be incredibly frustrating to watch quite often. There were two instances towards the end of the first half that sum up our negativity at times. The first saw Christie running down the left but instead of an instinctive pass into the middle where Piroe was, a foot was placed on the ball and a pass backwards broke up the attack. Minutes later Latibeaudiere did the same thing on the right, passing it back to Smith who passed it even further back. Both opportunities should have resulted in a quick ball into the box but the natural negative instincts of the players came through. This is surely coached into them and that is a worry.
So those are our key five points from yesterday’s game – always interested to hear your thoughts so please comment below or feel free to share and debate them on our football forum.
I agree with most points, the most frustrating though (given most points are more about resources available to the manager) is the lack of a killer instinct when attacking, given that either pace or speed of turning ball over is what gets goals. I forget the last time the game was enjoyable to watch, both for the style of play and the fact that we were scoring goals to stamp authority on the game. In contrast we play within ourselves and often if we do win, do so after hanging on a bit. But why would the team management coach such conservatism into the team, it makes no sense other than to turn down goal scoring opportunities at the expense of more possession…
Lots of good points, from you, too, Gareth. I wasn’t at the match, so I can’t comment with any first-hand experience. I doubt that the negative back pass has been coached into the players – certainly not in the situations highlighted. I suspect it was because of a dip in energy and confidence, which would have frustrated the coaches more than the fans, even. We are going to see experimentation and inconsistency this season – that’s what happens in a time of transition. I cannot fault those supporters, true supporters, who go to away matches regularly, but some of the supporters at home matches need to realise that no one gives their best performance in work when people are yelling, “rubbish” and all other sorts of abuse. Supporting a team is a long-term commitment (I’ve managed 64 years so far) – (Blackburn struggled last year but stuck with their manager and plan – look at them now)
We’ll get there, but patience, not abuse, will be needed for the rest of the season. Support the boys in white, our team.
Having watched the Swans for fifty years most games home and away) when I go and see them I am entitled to say what I want!.
I dont say that much I dont boo or call anyone rubbish.
However we have a manger with just 1 plan and no plan b at all.
Keeps getting linked to Mk Dons players!.
Floundering in 17th is not good (transitional periods dont exist in football)
Take a look at Forrest for example.
Terrible in first half at Hull would be kind (should have been more goals for them).
They half switched off in second half but we need players and Pato back