Planet Swans ArchivesFive clean sheets says its own stat but at the same time only Southampton (5) have conceded less goals in the division this season than the Swans who are continuing to defy the pre-season predictions and find themselves in 6th place in the division,.
Not bad for a team that was written off by so many after a season where they lost three of the five first choice back five players last season. The departures of Michel Vorm and Ben Davies to Spurs and Chico Flores also to pastures new led many to think that we would struggle this time around but the opposite is definitely the case at this point in time.
Lucasz Fabianski has added an extra steel to the defence that was so sadly missing last season and he has shown how a keeper should command his area when his team is under pressure. As a fan there is extra confidence in me that the keeper will pick up anything loose around the area and that confidence is spreading through the back five who look more solid than ever.
And they were certainly complimentary of each other after yesterday’s game with captain Ashley Williams heaping praise on his central defensive partner, Federico Fernandez.
Fernandez was only playing after his red card against Liverpool in midweek was overturned but the record defensive signing put in another majestic performance to help keep Everton at bay and ensure that the Swans returned to South Wales with a point for their efforts.
รขโฌลIt was his best game for us so far,รขโฌย beamed Williams. รขโฌลHe read everything against Everton, he was a tower of strength and he was excellent in the air too.
รขโฌลIรขโฌโขm very comfortable playing next to him. Heรขโฌโขs settled in well since coming to us from Napoli, and I think he has a very good understanding of what to expect in the Premier League, as well as what is expected of him.รขโฌย
รขโฌลFor a defender, I think that was one of our best performances of the season. The way everyone stood together and dug in was very pleasing.
รขโฌลEverton asked a lot of questions รขโฌโ they are a good team รขโฌโ but we kept them out.
รขโฌลAt ten men my message was simple: donรขโฌโขt panic. Weรขโฌโขve been at this level and in this situation a few times, so we know what we have to do.
รขโฌลWe spoke a lot in pre-season about tightening up defensively. I think itรขโฌโขs evident in our performances and clean sheets that we have done that.
รขโฌลWe are putting our bodies on the line to block shots and crosses. As a defender that is your job, and everyone deserves a pat on the back for the performance against Everton.รขโฌย
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