6 Clubs in the Play-Offs from Next Season 2026/27

[DJack]

Imagine some of those from 82 in the modern era but with proper lifestyle, training, analysis etc. be worth a few bob some of them.

...a tidy counter-point.

 

[SeaJack]

I’m supposing that, with the Toshack vs Rogers debate, the type of pitch and type of ball would have had a bearing on things.

The heavier, meatier ball of the 70’s/80’s era would pose a problem for Brendan’s team, as would the pitches of the time for the most part.

However, in the modern day era, Toshack’s team would have found the fitness levels and speed of the players to be too much of a stretch for them.

Ground wise, the sleek and level playing fields of today would certainly suit the slick, pacy movement of Rogers’s outfit more than the swamps that they may have encountered back in those decades.

I wouldn’t mind betting that Toshack and his men would likely have won the match on their terms, with the ball that they played with and on the pitches that were available to them at the time.

Also bear in mind, that a referee from their day would have seen what would be regarded as a foul these days, as a decent tackle back then.

With that in mind, I believe that Toshack’s side would likely have edged an encounter against Roger’s team, going back to when the likes of Curtis and James et al were in their prime, using their type of ball, playing at the Vetch, and being overseen by a referee of their era.

Fast forward to today however and, with the ball and pitches as they are these days, plus the changes to how the game is refereed, the likelihood is that Rogers’s side would have been all over them like a rash, and maybe gave gotten one or two of their players sent off.

How times have changed.

 

[swansvalleyjack]

I’m supposing that, with the Toshack vs Rogers debate, the type of pitch and type of ball would have had a bearing on things.

The heavier, meatier ball of the 70’s/80’s era would pose a problem for Brendan’s team, as would the pitches of the time for the most part.

However, in the modern day era, Toshack’s team would have found the fitness levels and speed of the players to be too much of a stretch for them.

Ground wise, the sleek and level playing fields of today would certainly suit the slick, pacy movement of Rogers’s outfit more than the swamps that they may have encountered back in those decades.

I wouldn’t mind betting that Toshack and his men would likely have won the match on their terms, with the ball that they played with and on the pitches that were available to them at the time.

Also bear in mind, that a referee from their day would have seen what would be regarded as a foul these days, as a decent tackle back then.

With that in mind, I believe that Toshack’s side would likely have edged an encounter against Roger’s team, going back to when the likes of Curtis and James et al were in their prime, using their type of ball, playing at the Vetch, and being overseen by a referee of their era.

Fast forward to today however and, with the ball and pitches as they are these days, plus the changes to how the game is refereed, the likelihood is that Rogers’s side would have been all over them like a rash, and maybe gave gotten one or two of their players sent off.

How times have changed.

Fair summary

 

[swansvalleyjack]

Just for fun, I've been thinking about SeaJack's excellent nuanced viewpoint about different pitches, heavier ball etc in 1981 (Toshack) compared to the sleek surfaces, fitter players etc in 2011 (Rodgers). Each team had tremendous players and it's difficult to make comparisons for SeaJack's reasons.

But lets ignore the muddy pitches, heavy ball era and, purely hypothetically, imagine we're in 2011 and the Toshack Team is as per 1981 players - much fitter, faster, used to better pitches etc. Then pound for pound which was the best team/squad all things being equal ? And had they played each other, who might have won ?

I did a little digging and here are the opening matches teams in the top league in 1981 and 2011 - plus a lot of the rest of the squads.

In both cases, you can see from the quality on offer how great they were. And how far we have to get to today, to reach those levels (but that's another debate !)

I was fortunate to see both teams and for those who haven't, maybe the comparison is a little more difficult. But trust me when I say that the likes of Robbie (20 goals - top scorer); Curt; Leighton; Jimmy; Rajkovic; Charles; Saunders; Giles were a joy to watch. But then of course - so were Leon; Sinclair; Nathan; Angel, Graham; Joe Allen; Routledge; Bodde

Ah, sod it - I can't split them. And I'll stick to a 2-2 draw. What memories in both eras ! (though Laudrup took it to another level of course). Love the Swans !!


1981 GAME 2011 GAME

Dai Davies Michael Vorm

Jimmy Hadziabdic Alan Tate

Colin Irwin Ashley Williams

Ante Rajkovic Steve Caulker

Neil Robinson Angel Rangel

Leighton James Scott Sinclair

Robbie James Leon Britton

John Mahoney Kemy Agustien

Jeremy Charles Stephen Dobbie

Alan Curtis Nathan Dyer

Bob Latchford Danny Graham

OTHERS OTHERS

Wyndham Evans Garry Monk

Ray Kennedy Joe Allen

Dean Saunders Ferre Bodde

Dudley Lewis Neil Taylor

Nigel Stephenson Ben Davies

David Giles Wayne Routledge

Ian Walsh Leroy Lita

Gary Stanley Luke Moore

Chris Marustic Mark Gower


(apologies - the 1981 and 2011 columns were spread out more on the draft post but you get the drift - left player is 1981 , right player is the equivalent in 2011 )

 

[SwanseaBoy123]

Just for fun, I've been thinking about SeaJack's excellent nuanced viewpoint about different pitches, heavier ball etc in 1981 (Toshack) compared to the sleek surfaces, fitter players etc in 2011 (Rodgers). Each team had tremendous players and it's difficult to make comparisons for SeaJack's reasons.

But lets ignore the muddy pitches, heavy ball era and, purely hypothetically, imagine we're in 2011 and the Toshack Team is as per 1981 players - much fitter, faster, used to better pitches etc. Then pound for pound which was the best team/squad all things being equal ? And had they played each other, who might have won ?

I did a little digging and here are the opening matches teams in the top league in 1981 and 2011 - plus a lot of the rest of the squads.

In both cases, you can see from the quality on offer how great they were. And how far we have to get to today, to reach those levels (but that's another debate !)

I was fortunate to see both teams and for those who haven't, maybe the comparison is a little more difficult. But trust me when I say that the likes of Robbie (20 goals - top scorer); Curt; Leighton; Jimmy; Rajkovic; Charles; Saunders; Giles were a joy to watch. But then of course - so were Leon; Sinclair; Nathan; Angel, Graham; Joe Allen; Routledge; Bodde

Ah, sod it - I can't split them. And I'll stick to a 2-2 draw. What memories in both eras ! (though Laudrup took it to another level of course). Love the Swans !!


1981 GAME 2011 GAME

Dai Davies Michael Vorm

Jimmy Hadziabdic Alan Tate

Colin Irwin Ashley Williams

Ante Rajkovic Steve Caulker

Neil Robinson Angel Rangel

Leighton James Scott Sinclair

Robbie James Leon Britton

John Mahoney Kemy Agustien

Jeremy Charles Stephen Dobbie

Alan Curtis Nathan Dyer

Bob Latchford Danny Graham

OTHERS OTHERS

Wyndham Evans Garry Monk

Ray Kennedy Joe Allen

Dean Saunders Ferre Bodde

Dudley Lewis Neil Taylor

Nigel Stephenson Ben Davies

David Giles Wayne Routledge

Ian Walsh Leroy Lita

Gary Stanley Luke Moore

Chris Marustic Mark Gower


(apologies - the 1981 and 2011 columns were spread out more on the draft post but you get the drift - left player is 1981 , right player is the equivalent in 2011 )

Football has got exponentially better compared to back then. I'd safely say that our current side would beat that 1981 team and pretty comfortably aswell.

Everybody is fitter, stronger, more disciplined, more technical and the tactical side of football has evolved to a level that the teams and players back then wouldn't even understand.

 

[swansvalleyjack]

Yes, I know what you are saying, but my fun hypothetical take was to look at the innate abilities of the 1981 players and assume that they too were well versed in current tactics, were stronger and fitter etc.

Was there anyone in the 2011 side for example - all things being equal and looking at their natural skills - who would be better than Alan Curtis, Robbie James, Jimmy Hadz, Leighton James, Bob Latchford. I think not tbh.

But hey, as someone said earlier, just be glad to have enjoyed both eras

 

[cmajack]

Nearly everyone thought we’d come straight back down, including our fans. It was a case of let’s have a ball and enjoy this season. I’m sure a lot will now say that they never thought that.

I certainly thought we would be coming back down. My friend visited every away ground that first season on the idea that it would have been our one and only season in the Premier league. What a tremendous achievement that was by the club , and to win a major trophy, Incredible. All the more disappointing that we had done the hardest part, establishing ourselves in the division, just to end up back in the championship with some awful awful decisions at board level and in the transfer market.

 

[swansvalleyjack]

Football has got exponentially better compared to back then. I'd safely say that our current side would beat that 1981 team and pretty comfortably aswell.

Everybody is fitter, stronger, more disciplined, more technical and the tactical side of football has evolved to a level that the teams and players back then wouldn't even understand.

I just noticed that you were comparing our current 2026 team with the 1981 Toshack Team. Now maybe there is a more of an argument to be made when referring to the Rodgers 2011 team for comparison.

But I really don't think the 1981 absolute quality team would be comfortably beaten by our CURRENT mid table side. I'm guessing you never saw that team (apologies if you did). But it oozed class and pace and strength. And after all, it wasn't 1881 - and Old Etonians and Royal Engineers stuff.

That team of 1981, apart from class, was strong and fit. Robbie James was an absolute powerhouse for example. Ok they might have enjoyed a few pints now and then ( excusing a pissed Tony Millington on the train back from Leeds cup game in the 1970's ) - but they weren't invalids for goodness sake. Toshack was schooled by Shankly and they were pretty professional. And don't talk to me about better tactical know-how these days, Russell Martin et al. Crap. Too much emphasis, football can be a simple game and quality will shine - so much so that the class team of 81 would be 4-0 up by 60 minutes v our current lot - then I'll concede superior fitness would come into play and max 2 goals conceded.

Fun debate though

Ps - and to even things up a bit, allow only 1 sub like it was then, not like 5 now ! So actually they were pretty fit to be fair, muddy pitches also. And as I said it wasn't 1881 . I'd also love to see Curt on a smooth pitch, he'd be unplayable, even more so than he was then. And my last point..I'm not sure where this "exponentially better football these days " has come from. I've seen 1981, 2011 ( both great) ...but football generally today - Nah, I'm not having it. Certainly less enjoyable also.

 

[monmouth]

I just noticed that you were comparing our current 2026 team with the 1981 Toshack Team. Now maybe there is a more of an argument to be made when referring to the Rodgers 2011 team for comparison.

But I really don't think the 1981 absolute quality team would be comfortably beaten by our CURRENT mid table side. I'm guessing you never saw that team (apologies if you did). But it oozed class and pace and strength. After all it wasn't 1881 - and Old Etonians and Royal Engineers stuff.

That team of 1981, apart from class, was strong and fit. Robbie James was an absolute powerhouse for example. Ok they might have enjoyed a few pints now and then ( excusing a pissed Tony Millngton on the train back from Leeds cup game in the 1970's ) - but they weren't invalids for goodness sake. Toshack was schooled by Shankly and they were pretty professional. And don't talk to me about better tactical know-how these days, Russell Martin et al. Crap. Too much emphasis, football can be a simple game and quality will shine - so much so that the class team of 81 would be 4-0 up by 60 minutes v our current lot - then I'll concede superior fitness would come into play and max 2 goals conceded.

Fun debate though

Ps - and to even things up a bit, allow only 1 sub like it was then, not like 5 now ! So actually they were pretty fit to be fair, muddy pitches also. And as I said it wasn't 1881 . I'd also love to see Curt on a smooth pitch, he'd be unplayable, even more so than he was then. And my last point..I'm not sure where this "exponentially better football these days " has come from. I've seen 1981, 2011 ( both great) ...but football generally today - Nah, I'm not having it. Certainly less enjoyable also.

That 1981 team with current nutrition, unless their talent was ‘coached’ out, like so many, playing on good pitches, would smoke our current team. The Leeds team of 1971 would piss on the current Leeds team too.

 

[Londonlisa2001]

That 1981 team with current nutrition, unless their talent was ‘coached’ out, like so many, playing on good pitches, would smoke our current team. The Leeds team of 1971 would piss on the current Leeds team too.

The comparison only works if you roll forward the past team to today’s technical advances whenever one of these comparisons are done.

And if that were the case, the 1981 team would not only smoke our current team but smoke every other team we’ve had, including Brendan’s team, with the possible exception of the first year Laudrup team which would be a more even battle.

Players like Robbie James and Alan Curtis with today’s training and nutrition, would be £75m players. Leighton James wouldn’t be far off. And Ante was by far the best centre back that has played for us, and Jimmy the best full back (and that includes both Rangel and Ben Davies).

That team should have won the league really. In recent times, the Laudrup team in that first season are by far the best we’ve had. What could have been…

 

[LaJollaJack]

.

Anyhow, back on topic…..

Our current squad is nailed on for the playoffs next term

And Ofc with the inevitable best in class recruitment in full swing in the summer…..the Swans are going up, in so many ways

.

 

[swansvalleyjack]

.

Anyhow, back on topic…..

Our current squad is nailed on for the playoffs next term

And Ofc with the inevitable best in class recruitment in full swing in the summer…..the Swans are going up, in so many ways

.

I love your optimism

 

[monmouth]

The comparison only works if you roll forward the past team to today’s technical advances whenever one of these comparisons are done.

And if that were the case, the 1981 team would not only smoke our current team but smoke every other team we’ve had, including Brendan’s team, with the possible exception of the first year Laudrup team which would be a more even battle.

Players like Robbie James and Alan Curtis with today’s training and nutrition, would be £75m players. Leighton James wouldn’t be far off. And Ante was by far the best centre back that has played for us, and Jimmy the best full back (and that includes both Rangel and Ben Davies).

That team should have won the league really. In recent times, the Laudrup team in that first season are by far the best we’ve had. What could have been…

After beating Liverpool I thought we were going to win it. From what I remember, losing to Ipswich and gummy Gates at home over Easter knocked all the steam out of us. I went to see us lose at Birmingham and we were a shadow of what we had been. Liverpool were unstoppable after we’d beaten them too.

 

[Glyn1]

.

Anyhow, back on topic…..

Our current squad is nailed on for the playoffs next term

And Ofc with the inevitable best in class recruitment in full swing in the summer…..the Swans are going up, in so many ways

.

'Nailed on for the playoffs'? How many times have we finished 8th or higher?

 

[Swanjaxs]

'Nailed on for the playoffs'? How many times have we finished 8th or higher?

You really are a moaning Minnie Gwin, get on board the Matos fun bus, come along and enjoy the ride
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