From Modric to Mid Table: Is Sheehan Out of His Depth?

[swansnews]

From Modric to Mid Table: Is Sheehan Out of His Depth?

Ten games in. Three wins. Three defeats. Four draws. A goal difference of zero. It’s a record that doesn’t scream crisis, but it certainly doesn’t whisper

jackarmy.net

 

[3swan]

He deserved the chance.
The summer did look as if we had identified problem areas but we were bringing in players with potential.
For whatever reasons the jigsaw isn't taking shape.
Now is it tactics or players not capable?
At the moment I think a combination of both.
Something has to change, and that normally lies at the door of the coach.
Performances have to show signs of improvement of there can only be one other outcome.

 

[cmajack]

From Modric to Mid Table: Is Sheehan Out of His Depth?

Ten games in. Three wins. Three defeats. Four draws. A goal difference of zero. It’s a record that doesn’t scream crisis, but it certainly doesn’t whisper

jackarmy.net

Great article, couldn't have summed it up better myself, but apparently I'm anti Sheehan because I've said most of that in my posts.

 

[Frenchjack]

Superbly written article which basically puts into words what most swans fans are thinking

 

[magicdaps10]

He needs to revert back to what we witnessed last season, it seems he has gone more conservative and pragmatic.

Let the handbrake off Alan FFS or get a time machine and bring back Ayew in his prime.
It's a blinkered view at present and it needs changing.

I would rather draw or lose games with us having the intent from the start to win it ourselves.....more so than going out with a mindset of getting the point and coming out of it with the battling point or a loss.

 

[Blackpooljack]

Superbly written article which basically puts into words what most swans fans are thinking

I couldn't agree more in fact I'd add that it's probably the most insightful piece I've ever read on here and would agree with it 1000%, if the owners haven't had AS in for a meeting I'd be very suprised.

 

[Dr. Winston]

The Alan Sheehan who earned the permanent job isn’t the Alan Sheehan we’re watching now. Last season’s interim spell had clarity. It had energy. It had a sense of purpose. This season’s version feels muted. The football is cautious. The intent is unclear. The identity, if there is one, seems rooted in risk avoidance.

The key paragraph for me.

Some people have pointed the finger at the change in assistant coaches, and there might be some merit in that, but ultimately it's down to Sheehan. Whilst he wasn't my first choice for the job initially, performances as the season went on certainly earned him the role. He needs to find that spark again. To be braver in his team selections, less predictable in his substitutions, more flexible in his approach.

I've gone on and one about his preferred midfield being all too similar. All good players, all hard working, all capable, but none of them are creators. We need that bit more in there. Be it Widell finally getting a decent chance or Eom moving infield into a role I think would suit him better.

We need to move the ball with more pace. We're not as consistently sideways and backwards as we have been at times in the past, but we do take too long to bring the ball forward. And we absolutely have to stop trying to sit deeper as halves and games go on. I loathed that when Russy did it and I like it no more now.

 

[3swan]

The key paragraph for me.

Some people have pointed the finger at the change in assistant coaches, and there might be some merit in that, but ultimately it's down to Sheehan. Whilst he wasn't my first choice for the job initially, performances as the season went on certainly earned him the role. He needs to find that spark again. To be braver in his team selections, less predictable in his substitutions, more flexible in his approach.

I've gone on and one about his preferred midfield being all too similar. All good players, all hard working, all capable, but none of them are creators. We need that bit more in there. Be it Widell finally getting a decent chance or Eom moving infield into a role I think would suit him better.

We need to move the ball with more pace. We're not as consistently sideways and backwards as we have been at times in the past, but we do take too long to bring the ball forward. And we absolutely have to stop trying to sit deeper as halves and games go on. I loathed that when Russy did it and I like it no more now.

“We need to move the ball with more pace”

100%

I wouldn’t like to have counted the times I shouted pass (at the TV) on Saturday.
Not sure what my blood pressure got to but ended the game with a bloodshot eye.

Hope to be fit for Wednesday

 

[Swans Jack]

From Modric to Mid Table: Is Sheehan Out of His Depth?

Ten games in. Three wins. Three defeats. Four draws. A goal difference of zero. It’s a record that doesn’t scream crisis, but it certainly doesn’t whisper

jackarmy.net

Perfectly said.

'' This isn’t a crisis. But it’s not far off becoming one. And if the next few weeks don’t bring clarity, conviction, and points, then the questions will only get louder. Starting with the most uncomfortable one of all: is this really working?''

'' There’s a growing sense that Sheehan fits the mould too well. That he’s another safe pair of hands who won’t rock the boat but also won’t steer it anywhere new.''

'' That might have been acceptable in years gone by. It’s not acceptable now. Not with the investment. Not with the exposure. Not with the expectations. This isn’t about demanding promotion in October. It’s about demanding progress. Demanding identity. Demanding performances that reflect the ambition shown off the pitch.''

 

[Swans Jack]

He needs to revert back to what we witnessed last season, it seems he has gone more conservative and pragmatic.

Let the handbrake off Alan FFS or get a time machine and bring back Ayew in his prime.
It's a blinkered view at present and it needs changing.

I would rather draw or lose games with us having the intent from the start to win it ourselves.....more so than going out with a mindset of getting the point and coming out of it with the battling point or a loss.

Not sure if it's him trying to protect his job or its something else. When he was Interim he had nothing to lose and everything to gain. It's nagging at me why the players are not going for the kill, something doesn't seem right. Is Sheehan telling them to play cautious? He has to get this right, I'm not calling for his head but in many ways I would of rather us of gone at Southampton and lost than perform the way we did it's a valuable point but it comes with its consequences? I think next 2 home matches we will see more attacking mind set. But he has to stop with playing with caution and fear when we go up against certain teams

 

[JackSomething]

Great article, couldn't have summed it up better myself, but apparently I'm anti Sheehan because I've said most of that in my posts.

Could be something to do with the article being written 10 games into the league season while you've been criticising him since the preseason friendlies?

 

[sit_down_jack]

He needs to revert back to what we witnessed last season, it seems he has gone more conservative and pragmatic.

Let the handbrake off Alan FFS or get a time machine and bring back Ayew in his prime.
It's a blinkered view at present and it needs changing.

I would rather draw or lose games with us having the intent from the start to win it ourselves.....more so than going out with a mindset of getting the point and coming out of it with the battling point or a loss.

Seems like we’re trying to play how we played last year, with ball winners and high intensity, but none of the new midfielders are suited to it. Not their fault of course, we should be trying to play in a way that suits the squad's strengths. Yalcouye, Stamenic and Galbraith are not O’Brien. I think a double pivot of Stamenic and Galbraith would work well, the 10 isn’t as obvious but Cullen, Yalcouye and Widell can be tried. Feels like we need a change in approach.

 

[cmajack]

Could be something to do with the article being written 10 games into the league season while you've been criticising him since the preseason friendlies?

No i didn't, i criticised him after having a full pre season and then producing a shocking performance in the season opener at Middlesbrough, and to be honest, not much has improved since. Yesterday was a new low, it was like a bunch of 9 year old playing against a bunch of 14 year old , trying to stop them scoring.

 

[CurtessECarr]

His remit must have been with the cheque book opened to improve and strive to attain top 6.
As mentioned it appears we go into every match trying to avoid defeat rather than try and win it.
I don't think many anticipated champagne football this season because many other clubs in the championship have also invested this summer where I would imagine their managers would have similar targets.
However watching the football we have played in our first championship ten games is closer to Lambrini 0% than Moet.
He needs to change things around.
I'm not convinced he can.

 

[magicdaps10]

Seems like we’re trying to play how we played last year, with ball winners and high intensity, but none of the new midfielders are suited to it. Not their fault of course, we should be trying to play in a way that suits the squad's strengths. Yalcouye, Stamenic and Galbraith are not O’Brien. I think a double pivot of Stamenic and Galbraith would work well, the 10 isn’t as obvious but Cullen, Yalcouye and Widell can be tried. Feels like we need a change in approach.

It needs to be changed then, I would say a formation change would be the option.....I think that's clear though.

If the plan was to go out and get a player or players who were similar to O'Brien and keep it rolling with those new faces, we have clearly got it wrong then.

My fear is that we will see a stubborn stance and stick with the plan in the mindset it will eventually work.