Swans head into must win game – will it be enough for Duff?

Saturday 23rd September could prove to be a pivotal day in the career of Michael Duff as he leads his Swansea side into the next game of his managerial career in SA1 and it is certainly not inconceivable that it could be the last.  Whatever happens.

After seven league games without a win and just three points on the board, the Swans will welcome Sheffield Wednesday to the Swansea.com Stadium – a side that has one point less than the Swans and are one of just two sides sitting below them in the league table.

Anything other than a win and the home fans are likely to be part of a toxic atmosphere today with the depth of feeling against Duff showing that 91% of fans surveyed on Twitter this week suggesting that it was time for him to leave – less than three months after he arrived.

Duff addressed that kind of view in his programme notes for today’s game when he wrote “There is frustration we have not got that win yet, myself and the players all want to win for this club. There has been a lot of change over the course of the summer, and when you have that much change things take time to implement.

“I am tremendously proud to have the opportunity to lead this club, and to try and build something that will leave the club in a better place.

“Within that I understand people want to see the team win games, football is a results-driven business, and we are all doing our utmost to make sure we get the three points this afternoon.”

The second paragraph of that could end up being part of a goodbye statement and it is difficult to see that if he does go after today that we are in a better place especially is, as some have suggested, that the result today will not impact the end decision.    Whether it is true that a win is not enough is something we may never know but Duff’s tenure in SA1 is way from secure.

Whatever people’s feeling though on the manager then every single Swans fan will be looking for a win today.   It is essential that we get that first three pointer on the board and start a move away from the bottom of the table.   It is more essential because of the current position of the opposition and the knowledge that a defeat will see us drop further down the table and maybe even hit the basement position should Middlesbrough also beat Southampton today.

The Swans have plenty of options to choose from in their selection today and many will look to the formation as much as the names selected in that formation.   An early encouragement with the start at QPR was not something we maintained and it will be something that Duff wants to do.   He will also want a performance from the players and, should today be his last game, then he will look back on being let down by them as much as anyone.   This is not a new thing in football but the fact that some are even suggesting the players don’t want to play for the manager is a statement that sickens me – well paid professionals letting themselves down as much as the manager.   Maybe true, maybe not true but either way it is not something that should happen.

The final word though of this preview should sit with Michael Duff as he builds for the game that is likely to shape his future – one way or the other.

“On Saturday, it’s our job to get the fans off their seats and we will do everything we can to do that.

“When we can give them those moments, we can all feed off that energy together.

“The players are suffering too, they are human beings, they feel anxiety, but they are giving everything and that is all we can ask of them.

“The bottom line is everyone here wants this football team to win.”