The RB situation-Key and Galbraith

[LaJollaJack]

.
Galbraith is our best RB and Midfielder - a proper Swans player

- Galbraith = Matty / Leon role - pivot, architect, our glue from back to front

- Stam = box-box marauder, physical presence, energy

- AM - up for grabs - Walt / EOM / Widdell

We lack proper command, control and orchestration when Stam plays in front of our 2 non-ball playing CBs

Simplz

 

[SwanseaBoy123]

That's very valid and I think Tuesday night highlighted that with the switches at half time and Galbraith moving from RB to Midfield hence why the thread started.
We all know that Galbraith started his career as a central midfielder. He was then after 2 seasons at Orient put in to cover at RB and did a decent job, he then went back to primarily midfield whilst occasionally covering in at fullback until November 2024 when he seemed to be used regularly at RB which was then his last season at Orient.

A player who can cover various positions is very handy to have but can also be very detrimental especially to the player himself.

Looking at Tuesday and granted different opposition will offer different challenges but we looked so much better with a RB who was holding the team shape and helping out his winger and even getting beyond the opposition full back. It was also great to see a cultured player who was playing in a position that was one they started their football career in and pulling the strings and got the fans thinking "WOW".

The discussion is about what's best for the team and the versatility will be a nice option but it can't be ignored that Galbraith was superb for us 2nd half in midfield and Key brought something that enhanced the team at RB.

Surely a RB is something that is going to be high on the summer shopping list?
Given how over stocked we are in midfield,Yalcouye going back(?) would mean that Galbraith into midfield as an option as a RB cover when the correct time call means a RB is clearly on the agenda. Allowing Galbraith to shine in midfield, all the talk of him at the start of the season being our best player was when he played midfield which is a massive indication to the discussion.

Its not about saving face here just what's best for a team going forward and improving on where we stand as a team. We can't ignore either that Galbraith was put into RB solely down to Key losing form and having a bad time so it was a forced change due to that.

Let's not forget, we are a team who are 15th in the league which gives a lot of room for improvement. Granted if we were top 6, Galbraith playing RB then you could hardly question the role he was playing or he could offer elsewhere because the team would be doing so well.

Long term (I don't see Galbraith being here past the summer so this is a moot point I guess) our plan should be to play Galbraith and Stamenic as a 2 with someone ahead of them (Widell/Walta/Cullen).

However, for the time being I think the set up we have been playing is fine it's clearly working so far but games especially against teams who don't want the ball we need to get Galbraith into the midfield.

 

[Neath_Jack]

Long term (I don't see Galbraith being here past the summer so this is a moot point I guess) our plan should be to play Galbraith and Stamenic as a 2 with someone ahead of them (Widell/Walta/Cullen).

However, for the time being I think the set up we have been playing is fine it's clearly working so far but games especially against teams who don't want the ball we need to get Galbraith into the midfield.

I reckon we’ll be lucky and hold ont him this year due to him having been played at RB for most of the season. He’s not good enough in that position for premier league club or one challenging at the top of this league. Once he slots back into midfield next year then the suitors will come calling. He’s may currently be our best RB, but he’s not a good RB in my opinion.

 

[Swanjaxs]

Galbraith had done a decent job filling in there but isn’t good enough there to make it his position. He’ll be back where he belongs in the middle of the park next year. Bookmark this.

Hopefully with us

 

[Treehuggerjack]

Personally I never have understood why managers wait until 60th minute if we needed changes before that. Matos made change last weekend I believe around 55 minutes as well. I'm all for early changes. He got it wrong with the starting lineup and did something.

He made changes at half time didn’t he?

 

[Treehuggerjack]

I would give Key 1 last shot at right back (maybe not Ipswich though)
Move Gally to the base of midfield but make sure him and stanamic rotate so we don’t get done on the physical side of the game.

Thank god I am not a manager as it’s quite a conundrum. But maybe a good one to have.

 

[SwanseaBoy123]

I reckon we’ll be lucky and hold ont him this year due to him having been played at RB for most of the season. He’s not good enough in that position for premier league club or one challenging at the top of this league. Once he slots back into midfield next year then the suitors will come calling. He’s may currently be our best RB, but he’s not a good RB in my opinion.

I can't see it personally. I think the fact he's been playing well at RB hasn't actually helped our cause. Clubs will see him as a versatile option who they can plug and play in almost any position.

 

[Smurph]

If we persevere in playing him out of position for much longer will be our biggest risk of losing him. The lad has stated on more than one occasion is favored place on the pitch is in the centre of midfield.

 

[TruckerJack]

Playing at RB isn’t out of position, he’s played there more than any other position in his career. He’s said he’s happy to play anywhere.

Preferring to play in midfield doesn’t matter, im
Sure he would prefer to play for Man City too…

 

[Smurph]

If we persevere in playing him out of position for much longer will be our biggest risk of losing him. The lad has stated on more than one occasion is favored place on the pitch is in the centre of midfield.

This clips just highlights his preference to play in his natural position

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[Cooperman]

Fu**ing hell, are we still arguing about his official position?

 

[TruckerJack]

This clips just highlights his preference to play in his natural position

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Doesn’t matter what his preference is, it’s what’s best for the team and both us and his previous team have found greater success with him at RB.

I’m sure his preference would be to earn £50,000 a week too, doesn’t mean we should give it to him.

I enjoy seeing such a natural RB playing for us.

 

[TruckerJack]

Fu**ing hell, are we still arguing about his official position?

There is no real argument, his number of career appearances at RB speak for themselves. What we have now is some people faking a narrative that he’s suddenly being played out of position for whatever reason they have to do that.

I am yet to hear of a player out of position at 24 years of age who has played more in that position than any other (given a few more RB starts that is).

First for everything I suppose.

Saying you prefer him in the middle is one thing, pretending he’s out of position is quite another.

 

[magicdaps10]

Ok, let's take this off the recent direction of conversation.

Would posters like to see us move for a RB who can offer us more balance in the team? A player who can offer the attacking width to compliment the winger, overlap but also offers enough dependability defensively also?

Do we look to bring Lissah back, give him a go as the RB but possibly having Galbraith to step in if Lissah doesn't adapt?

 

[TruckerJack]

Ok, let's take this off the recent direction of conversation.

Would posters like to see us move for a RB who can offer us more balance in the team? A player who can offer the attacking width to compliment the winger, overlap but also offers enough dependability defensively also?

Do we look to bring Lissah back, give him a go as the RB but possibly having Galbraith to step in if Lissah doesn't adapt?

But we don’t play that way. Matos has learned from Klopp, Klopps system is to have the RB playing inside as another midfielder. It’s what made TAA the force he was in the Premier League, there are few RB’s that can play that way and Galbraith is one of them.

It means the team control the ball more but at risk of being attacked wide when in quick transitions. To want an overlapping RB is to want another manager with a different system.

So the question isn’t really about Galbraith, it’s about are you happy with Matos’ system?

I would argue that considering we are having our best season outside the parachute years since relegation, and it coinciding with Matos’ system and moving Ethan to RB, it’s proven itself to be effective.