Phil SumblerAlmost two days on from the disappointment and frustration of Tuesday night at Stoke, the Swans are underway with their preparations ahead of the clash with Bristol City on Sunday knowing that whilst it’s not a “must win” game there is much to prove again at the moment.
A hard earned, gritty win over Blackburn on Saturday was followed by Tuesday’s debacle where we have said before that the only positive seemed to be that we lost by just the three goals.
It gives Russell Martin and his coaching staff much to think about ahead of the visit of Bristol City who come into the game on the back of a 2-1 win over Reading last night, a result that lifted the Robins above the Swans and into 16th place in the table.
That will be a factor that Martin will want to change come the close of play on Sunday when the Swans could find themselves lower in the table depending on results at the weekend.
We can surely expect changes from Russell Martin on Saturday, some of them forced thanks to Ryan Bennett’s red card on Tuesday night and some of them necessary after one of the most lethargic performances of his time in SA1.
So what can we expect from the Swans boss on Sunday and where will the changes be key to us to unlock Bristol City.
Goalkeeper – He may not have the Number 1 shirt but Andy Fisher is undoubtedly now Martin’s first choice between the sticks. That isn’t going to change off the back of the Stoke game so he keeps his place and probably will continue to do so for some time yet this season.
Defence – Statistically we are right up there with some of the most clean sheets in the Championship and yet the defence on Tuesday looked as if it had holes all through it. Ryan Manning will almost certainly come back in to the side and we await the latest updates on Kyle Naughton’s injury. If Naughton is out then Cabango and, we assume, Burns will make up the back three with Manning. Yesterday, as we looked at five things we took from the Stoke defeat, we wondered if Martin would consider a structural change with a more traditional back four but he believes in his three man centre with wing backs so we can’t see that changing. Christie and Wolf have been occupying the wing back roles but would we be better with Latibeaudiere taking the left side? This is probably the hardest area to call at the moment and I am not 100% convinced that the manager has the players he wants everywhere in this area.
Midfield – Jay Fulton is back in favour but he is not the answer for me in this side. Especially not alongside a Grimes and a Smith. Flynn Downes picks himself but I would prefer to see him tried in a central midfield position which could mean playing Smith but more deeper. Grimes, Smith and Downes but in slightly different positions?
Forwards – For me on Sunday this has to be Paterson, Piroe and Obafemi. It is time to give Ntcham a rest (or could he play the role that Wolf has been playing last two games?) Paterson and Piroe have the goals in this squad and Obafemi does seem to be benefitting from a run of games.
It would be very easy on the basis of Tuesday night to make wholesale changes and I think we should avoid that where possible. Tuesday was dismal but the players surely are better than they showed and it feels as if many of them should have a point to prove on Sunday.
I still cannot help but feel that some of our problems – when they arise – are caused by our insistence on sticking to the formation that Martin favours – this is great when you have the players to play it which we probably just about do when everyone is fit and available. When they aren’t it feels like square pegs and round holes and that is where the manager earns his stripes by being flexible enough to change.
But then again I am not a football manager…!
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Hard to accept Martin’s selection policy and insistence on passing and possession.Last night our neighbours up the road had 31 per cent ball and won 4-0.I just can’t see us going on a run of results .If we beat Bristol City on Sunday it’s hard to feel positiv anout the next game.Players in the wrong positions and overpassing o the ball – it’s all very frustrating and is making it difficult to enjoy the games let alone feel optimistic .Martin is now talking about stronger,fitter players to fulfil his dream .Does he really think the Americans are going to give him seeious backing.We’ve just seen what happened in January.