Saturday 23rd September could prove to be a pivotal day in the career of Michael Duff as he leads his Swansea side into the next game of his managerial career in SA1 and it is certainly not inconceivable that it could be the last.ย Whatever happens.
After seven league games without a win and just three points on the board, the Swans will welcome Sheffield Wednesday to the Swansea.com Stadium – a side that has one point less than the Swans and are one of just two sides sitting below them in the league table.
Anything other than a win and the home fans are likely to be part of a toxic atmosphere today with the depth of feeling against Duff showing that 91% of fans surveyed on Twitter this week suggesting that it was time for him to leave – less than three months after he arrived.
Duff addressed that kind of view in his programme notes for today’s game when he wrote “There is frustration we have not got that win yet, myself and the players all want to win for this club. There has been a lot of change over the course of the summer, and when you have that much change things take time to implement.
“I am tremendously proud to have the opportunity to lead this club, and to try and build something that will leave the club in a better place.
“Within that I understand people want to see the team win games, football is a results-driven business, and we are all doing our utmost to make sure we get the three points this afternoon.”
The second paragraph of that could end up being part of a goodbye statement and it is difficult to see that if he does go after today that we are in a better place especially is, as some have suggested, that the result today will not impact the end decision.ย ย Whether it is true that a win is not enough is something we may never know but Duff’s tenure in SA1 is way from secure.
Whatever people’s feeling though on the manager then every single Swans fan will be looking for a win today.ย ย It is essential that we get that first three pointer on the board and start a move away from the bottom of the table.ย ย It is more essential because of the current position of the opposition and the knowledge that a defeat will see us drop further down the table and maybe even hit the basement position should Middlesbrough also beat Southampton today.
The Swans have plenty of options to choose from in their selection today and many will look to the formation as much as the names selected in that formation.ย ย An early encouragement with the start at QPR was not something we maintained and it will be something that Duff wants to do.ย ย He will also want a performance from the players and, should today be his last game, then he will look back on being let down by them as much as anyone.ย ย This is not a new thing in football but the fact that some are even suggesting the players don’t want to play for the manager is a statement that sickens me – well paid professionals letting themselves down as much as the manager.ย ย Maybe true, maybe not true but either way it is not something that should happen.
The final word though of this preview should sit with Michael Duff as he builds for the game that is likely to shape his future – one way or the other.
โOn Saturday, itโs our job to get the fans off their seats and we will do everything we can to do that.
โWhen we can give them those moments, we can all feed off that energy together.
โThe players are suffering too, they are human beings, they feel anxiety, but they are giving everything and that is all we can ask of them.
โThe bottom line is everyone here wants this football team to win.โ
I feel for Duff, as he has been given a bum hand in having the core of the goalscoring part of the team taken away. He lost one of the best players on a free (Ryan Manning) and he has to upgrade a passing style of football to a more pressing game (which I think we all agree that this was a major source of frustration last season).
He may be out of his depth, but I would stick with him for at least three or four matches before considering sacking him. Especially as the cost of sacking a manager is pretty high. The team is almost totally differnt from last season and will need about five or six games to gel properly.
I think its about finding a way to win today, but also seeing a good performance. The Swansea way.
Agree entirelly with PJ .Our three best attacking players Manning ,Piroe and Ntcham have all left .He has to overhaul our dreadful fdefensive deficiencies and produce flowing football .
He may or may not be the man for the job .Letโโs at least give him some time.
While I agree that perhaps it is too early to Judge him he is making it hard for himself with all the comments he is coming out with. While the possesion game we played under Martin was over the top I think our centre back hitting long ball 50 yrds upfield is also over the top. This reminds me of the days of Kenny Jackett and surly you don’t want us to go back to that after all the years of playing the Roberto way.
Seensible comments as opposed to the vitriol on the forum . Most people there want us to lose today to hasten Duffโs departure.
I agree about his unwise comments . I think they just show how frustrated and desperate he is .
Hard to know where heโll go if we lose today .
Unfair probably but I fear thatโs how it is .
Meanwhile it might be worth some reading the comments on Southampton forum
I think our centre back hitting long ball 50 yrds upfield is also over the top
Ha Ha theres a pun there.Long ball is indeed over the top (of defenders)