Planet Swans ArchivesHaving only scored a poor 21 goals all season before the Notts County game last Saturday, to score 9 goals in 2 games was somewhat unexpected and bizarre. Of course it was very welcomed and despite us being in the top 3 for the majority of the season and sitting in 3rd spot for a few weeks, to only have the number 21 next to “Goals scored” was a bit unhealthy. 30 still doesn’t sound great but now we’re only 11 and 15 goals scored behind Leaders Scunthorpe and second placed Yeovil respectively. With our strikers currently on form and other players also finding the target from all areas of the pitch, our goal scored column can only get even better surely?. Onto the other end of the pitch – Goals conceded. A mighty 19 goals have breached our superb defence this season and with the capability and Talent of Willy, Monk, Austin, Izzy, Gurney and the versatile Ricketts only to concede 19 goals in 23 games is not surprising. It’s a great thing to boast about.
Our performances this season haven’t been breathtaking and excellent but they have been professional and to get promotion that is what you want as long as it wins you games. We have an organised, hard working team who are good at grinding out results to make sure we stay where we are. We haven’t been beating teams convincingly and that was/is something we need to do in order to show the rest of this league that we are indeed promotion or even title contenders this season. Losing to Scunthorpe a few weeks ago was a defeat that hurt, not because of the result but because of the way that we went about the game. We were second to every ball, tackle and we were very sloppy in our passing. We clearly looked like a team at the bottom of the table and not in 2nd place (at the time of the game). Scunthorpe are a team who we are fighting for the Title with and despite our healthy league position and recent ” hammerings” we have given out to teams recently, I still think we have a long way to go if we want to challenge Scunthorpe for top spot. To me it’s in the bag for them unless they seriously mess up.
With 23 games gone we are now left with the same number of games left, with a whopping 69 points to play for. We should be aiming to get about 45-50 of those if we want to go up automatically. If we want Auto then, looking at the league this year, I reckon we need at least 80 points in total to do so. With about 85-90 to claim the Championship. Play offs will probably be about 60-75 points. Can we do it? I believe we are very much capable of finishing the season with around 80 points. I will be surprised if that total doesn’t leave us occupying a place in the top 3.
As we’re halfway through the season I would like to give my views on our players so far:
Starting with our defensive unit:
Willy Gueret – He came to the club in the summer with a very big question mark over his head (Certainly from me). Our failure to capture Cutler left the majority of Swans fans panicking as the season start edged closer, with still no keeper and the surprising release of Swans hero Freestone, could Jackett pull something out of the bag? Indeed he did. “Big Willy” has been a breath of fresh air for us this season and is a great replacement for Big Rog (Hard thing to do!). He is a superb shot stopper, making some superb saves so far this season and isn’t bad at saving pens either – 3 out of 4 saved couple with the fact that he has kept a fair few clean sheets this season. Signing of the summer IMO as a keeper is the most important position on the pitch. Long may it continue.
Sam Ricketts – “Mr Versatile” has been a great find by Mr Jackett. Can play comfortably at RB and LB and always does his job defending, rarely making mistakes. As well as doing defensive work, he can always find time to get forward and create chance for the rest of the team. He isn’t bad at scoring goals either ;-). With the apparent interest from Mr Toshack for Wales and his availability, it can only give the player himself and the club a boost.
Andy Gurney – Andy has been a good signing IMO. His performances have started to drop a bit in recent games after starting his Swansea career off very impressively, but I still think he is our first choice RB at the club. His tendency to pick up silly little bookings and a very stupid sending off at Kidderminster yesterday can and probably will cost us dearly in the long run but he is the type of player who can’t stop doing it. Think of a Roy Keane of a few years ago!. We were warned about his reputation by the Swindon fans when he first signed and it’s surprising how it’s taken him this long to get himself sent off. I’m sure he’ll fight his way back into to the team after his ban and prove his growing critics wrong.
Garry Monk – A solid old fashioned style defender who is calm on the ball. He is strong in the air and solid in the tackle and is very unlucky to be sitting out 6 games after an unwanted Christmas present from the FAW!. I am very impressed with Monk and I can see why he was at Southampton for several years. Another good find and dare I say it gamble by Kenny. Keep it up Garry.
Kevin Austin – What can I say about “The Doorman”?. Like Monk, he is very solid and very strong and I’m amazed as to why Rovers let him go in the summer!. Haven’t put a foot wrong all season and is actually playing out of position. Nice one Kev.
Ijah Anderson – Haven’t played many games so I can’t really comment but put in a resolute performance at LB against Kidderminster. Seems to have pace and can tackle a ball! he is a nippy little player who didn’t look out of place.
Adrian Forbes – Has played at RM and at RB and still runs his socks off!. His favoured position (Upfront) has only been tried once (against Luton in the LDV) and he looked pretty good so playing out of position certainly hasn’t effected his performances too much. He needs to learn how to cross a ball and to get past his man 😉 but other than that he’s done ok. Works hard and never gives up, helping out the defence a big deal swell. New RB anyone? ;-).
Kristian O’Leary – A completely different player to the Kris that we have seen in the past. Lost so much weight and is much much fitter, has also done very well in his new midfield role. Credit must go to Kenny for finally doing something that previous managers have failed to do. Also credit to Kris himself for knuckling down to succeed. Very impressed and he certainly proved me wrong.
Leon Britton – Not the Leon of last year but considering he hasn’t been given many chances we can’t really expect him to. The majority of us fans see him as a central Midfielder but Jackett obviously doesn’t. I’m sure his chances will come in the team once he has recovered from his injury and I expect him to show Jackett what he has been missing. I have a lot of time for Leon.
Alan Tate – Defender or Midfielder?? Could he be another player who Jackett has converted from Defence to Midfield permanently?, I don’t think he looks out of place in midfield as he has the strength, good control and ability of the ball and can pick out a good pass, the only problem I see is that we aren’t as attacking with him there as we would be with say Britton or Robbo. Can see him staying there though.
Andy Robinson – A far cry from the player that we witnessed last season. Player of the season last year is probably let down of the season so far. He has let us down with his lack of discipline this season and he needs to sort it out if he expects to be in the team week in week out. We all know that he can play much better and maybe playing out of position isn’t helping but he needs to keep his head in games. I have every faith that Andy will be back to his best shortly and after his two lat goals yesterday, it may just be coming. Let’s hope so.
Roberto Martinez – Credit to him for coming back firstly, his nasty injury by Dirty Tom Bennett (Now of Kiddy, then Of Boston) which really could have meant the end of Roberto’s career, thankfully it didn’t and he came back slowly afar it. He also needs to be given credit for the way he has came back after his relegation from the match day squad where it was clearly evident that we missed him. He needs to be playing alongside an attacking midfielder if we want to see him at his best.
Marc Goodfellow – I was unsure when I first saw this guy but every game that has gone by, he seems to be impressing me more and more. Very pacy who can cross a ball deliciously and as he have showed us, can also hit the back of the net as well. I hope we sign him errantly because “Freezer” has potential.
Lee Trundle – “Magic Daps” Is Magic Daps. Still unique and unpredictable. He has lost weight during the summer and again credit must be given to Kenny. 11 goals so far this season, surely he can go on to better his total last season? Still wrecking players and teams and let’s hope it continues. Ohhhh Lord Lee Trundle!
Paul Connor – Works well with Trundle IMO and offers alot to the team. I think he is under-rated by some fans because he doesn’t score as many goals as he should be but his ability bring the ball down, hold it up and lay it off to other players is a huge beneficial factor to the team and he has even started to find the net from crosses! Keep it up Paul.
Kevin Nugent – A bit disappointed that Jackett seems to see Nuge as more than a “bit part player”, considering he is the asst man and reserve team coach, he should only be used as an emergency. To be fair though, when he does play, he never lets the team down and he even contributes to goals and assists. A perfect final 10-15 substitute if we need a change. Yesterday was a perfect example of this setting up 2 of our 3 late goals.
That’s all from my player basement, let’s hope that with guts and determination, we find ourselves in the top 3 come the season finale. I have every faith in the boys to do so, lets just hope they have faith in themselves. League One football in our brand new stadium would be fantastic and we are only 23 games away from that dream. Hey who knows, as things stand we could be playing our friends from up the road next season!
Don’t mess it up boys, we’re all right behind you!
Take care all.
JACKARMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
