Phil Sumbler
Saturday’s 5-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest was another disappointing afternoon for the Swans and showed just where one of our biggest issues ahead of next season lies off the back of one of the division’s weakest defences.
67 goals have now been conceded by the Swans in the 45 league games to date – a figure only exceeded by six sides in the division. A stark reality of where some of our issues are – more frustrating at the moment given the fact that we have suddenly found our goalscoring ability.
It is five games now without a win for the Swans with 14 goals in that period conceded including 3 to Bournemouth, 4 to Reading and the 5 on Saturday to Forest. The top three sides in the division have scored 24 goals against us in the six fixtures we have played against them this season which feels an even more worrying statistic to me.
We know that Martin faces a challenge this summer to keep hold of his forward line but he has to have some clear plans to strengthen a defence which is becoming increasingly more generous. Kyle Naughton has been brilliant at the back this season but you have to question whether Ryan Manning is the answer for us and we know that we can expect to see the departure of Ryan Bennett meaning we have to find a couple of additions at least.
In Naughton and Cabango we have good players in the centre of that defence but you cannot help but think we need a commanding centre half in an Ashley Williams type mould to give a level of control within the defence which can capitulate too easily under pressure.
There also remain question marks over the performances of Andy Fisher at the moment. Russell Martin was keen to bring him to Swansea almost as soon as he arrived here in SA1 but the form of the keeper has not been the best in the four months he has been here. Some top class saves have been in the middle of some poor passing and a keeper who does not seem to command his area. His hesitations have cost us goals and Martin has to make the call as to whether he sticks with his January signing (likely) or looks to bring another keeper in in the summer.
The signature of Finley Burns in January is looking more bizarre with the young defender unable to get game time and you cannot help but think that even if we wanted to extend his loan for next season the chances of Manchester City allowing it feel further away due to his lack of game time – we may never actually discover if he was going to be the answer for us or not.
You wonder whether Martin may look into the loan market though to get that cover for next season. We have seen the benefit of what happens with the right move in Marc Guehi and if the boss can pull off a signing of that quality then the defence could easily be tightened up quickly ahead of next season.
There is a growing number of pundits and fans alike who think that next season could be one where we see significant progression but we also all know that the progression cannot happen without the defence being tightened.
The good news is that Russell Martin’s side have scored more goals than we did last term but the harsh statistic is that we have conceded 28 more goals and that, right now, presents the biggest headache to Russell Martin and one that will occupy a large part of his summer thoughts.
I’m surprised at the compliments paid to Naughten and Cabango. Naughten is a spent force and Cabango is slow, easily outpaced by a top attacker. Manning is also third rate and gives away penalties. Yes, we need a commanding figure at the back like Williams – better still a couple.
I’m OK with Cabango provided he is given a role that suits his attributes which is as a solid, strong stopper. I don’t think Surridge would have scored his first goal on Saturday if Cabango had been in there because he would knocked everyone else out of the way to get his head to it and we had nobody there who could or would have done that. Every team at this level benefits from having someone like that IMO.
Goalkeeper needed and a midfield that doesn’t slow everything down.
If Bennet is going we need at least three CBs to partner Cabango and Naughton as Manning and Latibeaudiere are not up to scratch.
Replacements (possibly from in-house) to replace Wolf, Peterson, Walsh, Christie.
Forest Fan here. Surprised at comments about keeper. He was out and out your best player on Sat. You need to sort or defence and play with some urgency. A strong defence will breed confidence.
Cabango easily good enough for championship .He’s extremely strong – rarely if ever gets knocked off the ball or loses a tackle .What he needs is amother genuine centre half alongside him .Therein lies the problem .Martin doesn’t seem to believe on playing two together . The main problem with our defence is the manager .If he continues with the same system next season we’ll still leak goals