Planet Swans ArchivesA website has been set up for Rafas team selections – fantasyrafa.com allows participants to predict which team Rafa will pick next with very few agreeing totally with the Liverpool manager. Now, Roberto has not got anywhere near that extent and of six changes two were forced on him but he still faced the questions from the press on Saturday night regards his team selection and the closeness of the result.
And with the Swans drawn away to another Ryman Premier League side in Round Two, Roberto will again be faced with the decision as to how many of his regulars he rests for the game.
Speaking after the Swans secured their second round place, Roberto said “I wasn’t worried that I made too many changes, I’ve got a very reliable squad and that’s the reason why we put that squad together.
“If you look at our fixture list, we played Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday and now we play again on Tuesday and then Friday.
“It’s not making changes, those are the commitments the squad has to face and I’ve got huge confidence that anyone can step in and do a job. Even when we went behind we didn’t panic; we showed huge determination, belief and ability.
“We’ve shown that many times in the league and that’s something you need if you’re going to be successful.
“They played a fantastic role and all the credit should go to them,” he added.
“But we were in a no-win situation and we needed character and reaction to get through to the next round.
“It took us 45 minutes to know what was needed but we were more alert and our starting position was a little more adventurous in the second half.
“We had a few players who hadn’t played in the competition before and I think that showed in the first half.
“But at half-time I wanted a reaction from the team and I got that.”
Roberto will again ring the changes for Tuesday night as Yeovil – dumped 4-1 out by Conference side Torquay yesterday – arrive for the Southern quarter final in the JPT. Swansea’s very own Tinkerman.
