Phil SumblerRussell Martin will send his side out against Reading this afternoon looking to overcome the tiredness that seems to have impacted us the last twice we have played the third game in a week.
Defeats against Birmingham and Bournemouth ended the last two weeks where we have played three times in a week and undone some of the good work that had gone before those games. Tomorrow he looks to build on our home form together with adding points to the four that we have picked up this week following the draw against Blackpool and the midweek win over Barnsley.
The Swans boss says that we will have learned from the two defeats referenced and he is glad this time that the third game is at home which means it is just about the energy and nothing to do with the travelling.
He admits that there are some tired bodies following the midweek win and that is anticipated to see both Olivier Ntcham and Ryan Manning return to the starting line up after their impact appearances as substitutes in midweek.
“There are a few tired bodies from midweek, and we have to be aware of it being the third game in the week and learn from the previous two games – Bournemouth and Birmingham – that were the third games in past periods,” said Martin at his press conference.
“We have a home game rather than two away games in a row so it’s not about travelling this time. It’s the energy at the end of the week that is the big thing.
“We’ve had some really tough games against Blackpool and Barnsley, and to come out of it like we have is very nice.
“There’s a lot of work to do, and progress to make.”
Third game looking like a problem. Who is in the first team: Hamer, Bennett, Naughton, Manning, Laird, Downes, Grimes, Bidwell, Ntcham, Paterson, Piroe. Fair enough. The regular stand-in is Smith, Obafemi was subbing for Piroe but seems to have faded. At the back Cabango and Rhys Williams have had a look-in but neither is a regular. The effective squad is 12 players but you need 16. The positions that do the most running are midfield and wingback. There is no effective cover for Laird on the right. On the left Manning and Bidwell can switch if another defender plays more regularly. More midfield cover is needed. Walsh is on the bench but rarely features while Fulton and Dhanda seem to have been dropped from consideration.
We need to give Walsh more game time or one of the two rejects if he doesn’t click. Williams or Cabango could play every other game to allow Bidwell and Manning to interchange. Let’s hope Obafemi comes back into the reckoning and pray Laird doesn’t get crocked. If he is, might have to change formation and play Whittaker on right wing. The team is doing OK but even if we do well in the next month they risk hitting the wall unless we can broaden the squad.