Phil Sumbler
The Swans start the post Michael Duff era this afternoon at Rotherham as Alan Sheehan prepares to make his first team selection as he takes temporary charge of the side following the change earlier in the week.
Michael Duff managed just five wins in his nineteen league games in charge, a statistic that was only enough to win him the sack on Monday just 48 hours after his last selection stuttered to a draw against Huddersfield thanks to a stoppage time goal from Charlie Patimo.
This time around we have to wait to see what the views are of Sheehan when it comes to that team selection with the questions arising as to whether we will see a change in formation, tactics and also the team selection. Whilst there may have been some comfort amongst certain players under Duff that meant their selection felt almost assured, any change of management means that everything is up for grabs again and there is little doubt that there are people in the squad right now who are probably eager to impress even in front of an interim manager.
Predicting the line up for this game therefore could be a little bit of guesswork whereas for the past three months you could pretty much predict not just the line up but the formation and the nature of play as well. Another reason I suspect as to why we have seen a change in management.
With this game being closely followed by a Tuesday night fixture in Stoke it is a big few days for the Swans. Both opponents on the road this week are two of the six sides currently below the Swans. A maximum return from these games and we could be looking at the relative comfort of mid table whilst the unthinkable of two defeats will mean any new manager is coming in with a relegation fight very much on his hands as the season approaches the halfway mark.
Rotherham of course are under their own interim manager in Wayne Carlisle as they head into the game with only Sheffield Wednesday below them in the Championship table. If results go against them in the next few days they could easily be bottom by this time next week but they will see this game very much as one that they could secure three points from.
Looking forward – Charlie Patino: “We know Rotherham have picked up a lot of their points at home, but the focus for us will be on making sure we put in a performance and give ourselves the best chance of winning the game,” said the midfielder.
“They are a compact side and look to be hard to break down, so it’s down to us to find the solutions. We know we will have our supporters there behind us making their voices heard and we want to put on a positive display for them.
“You take nothing for granted in the Championship, you respect your opponents, but it’s about making sure we bring the work we do on the training pitch into the game and we perform to a high level. The focus is on us.”
Wayne Carlisle: “We’ve prepared ourselves as best we can. I think Swansea have a pretty clear identity as a club which is probably why Michael is no longer there unfortunately, as they’d drifted away from that a little bit.
“We know what kind of thing to expect and we’ve planned accordingly.
Planet Swans Predicts: It is difficult to predict anything when you have two sides under temporary management which tells you that neither has performed as they believe that they are capable of this season. Rotherham United 1-1 Swansea City
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