The Season’s Conclusion

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

Its a complete pipe dream that we'll be able to shift Burgess. He's got 2 years left on a very good wage and is 31yrs old.

There is absolutely 0 incentive for him to leave unless a club as stupid as us offers him the exact same terms.

Assuming we can shift Santos in the summer I see no reason to move him on unless his wages are ridiculously high (and we’ve only got ourselves to blame if so) - otherwise we’ll be in the same position as last summer with 1 senior centre half.

We definitely need a ball playing defender to start but if we can’t afford to keep 3 senior centre halves for next season then we’ve blown serious money elsewhere in the squad.

Burgess has been more disappointing that I thought he’d be when he signed, but despite that we’ve been lucky that him and Cabango have stayed fit all season (especially since Casey left in Jan).

 

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

This is an issue - we've been very good for 60 minutes and then crap for the rest in the majority of matos games. We'd be a real force if we could keep it up but it doesn't look like the bench adds much when it comes on

From the eye test I’d agree and performances seem to drop off, however, Sky mentioned last night that we’re one of the highest scorers in the last 15 minutes (12 goals I believe - over 27% of our goals).

Cullen (again everyone’s got a big enough sample size to form their own opinions) has scored the second most goals from the bench in the league this season.

Lies, damned lies and statistics eh!

 

[Neath_Jack]

I agree about the mental side, but it's very difficult to change.

You say that, but look at the turnaround in Josh Key. I’m looking forward to seeing us play next season after Matos having a preseason and few different players.

Bale was talking the other day on a podcast and he was saying about the best managers he played under were all man managers, not tacticians. I see Matos as being one of those types. Get players right in the head and they’ll run through brick walls for you.

 

[magicdaps10]

It's getting to that stage now?
Seems like we hit this point and it becomes clearer each season what we need but don't seem to get it done.

We certainly need a centre half capable of bringing something to the 1st team.
A right back-Key isn't the answer.
We need wingers who can atleast cross, take players on and score a few goals.

That's of course aside from replacing players that we lose....potentially VP, Galbraith and possibly 1 or 2 others who might draw attention.

The saving grace, we are certainly in a much better place than we were 12 months ago but there are still too many players in the squad who have yet to deliver and questions to be asked....situations that might not help or contribute to us taking another few step forwards next season.

 

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

It's getting to that stage now?
Seems like we hit this point and it becomes clearer each season what we need but don't seem to get it done.

We certainly need a centre half capable of bringing something to the 1st team.
A right back-Key isn't the answer.
We need wingers who can atleast cross, take players on and score a few goals.

That's of course aside from replacing players that we lose....potentially VP, Galbraith and possibly 1 or 2 others who might draw attention.

The saving grace, we are certainly in a much better place than we were 12 months ago but there are still too many players in the squad who have yet to deliver and questions to be asked....situations that might not help or contribute to us taking another few step forwards next season.

I think we’ve got 20/21 senior players under contract for next season plus the likes of Lissah, Congreve, Wilson and Wales returning from loans.

The idea scenario for me would be shifting 4/5 squad players on and getting 2/3 players who significantly improve the starting XI. A far stronger starting position that the last few summers as you say - especially if the manager and coaching staff live up to the initial promise in the longer term.

 

[Copamundial]

Simple analogy, fil your tank up with petrol, you can maximise the mileage by driving in Eco mode or burn through it in Sport.
Franco gets substituted not because he’s playing poorly he’s simply shattered, we need to find a middle ground.

 

[cmajack]

It's no coincidence we struggle against top half sides who have that extra quality we don't have. When we up the tempo our passing goes to pot and when pressed we just panic and either hoof it long or lose possession.

The defence is too slow and indecisive also disorganised at set peices. I personally would only keep Tymon if we want to progress.

I would play one from Stemenic, Fulton and Franco from this point of the season.

We have too many similar lightweight players in the squad offering very little creativity, physicality and goals. Eom, Ronald, Nunes, Widell, Cooper, Cullen and Inoussa are just not stepping up with any consistency.

In an ideal world I would build a team around Vigs, Tymon, Galbraith and Vip but the likelihood is maybe two of them will be sold.

As you said, we have got far too many wingers and midfield players that don't make things happen in the final 3rd. 4 wingers we have had this season, Ronald, Eom , Nunes and Benson , all have been garbage. Eom stats of 1 goal and 1 assist in nearly 40 games is embarrassing, 2 seasons he's been here now and very little to show about it. Most of our midfield players are huff, puff and no end product or creativity, and even less goals. Still haven't replaced Ntcham or Jamie Paterson behind the striker, and we are still far too slow getting the ball forward, generally allowing teams to regroup instead of counter attacking at pace while they are disorganised.

 

[3swan]

You say that, but look at the turnaround in Josh Key. I’m looking forward to seeing us play next season after Matos having a preseason and few different players.

Bale was talking the other day on a podcast and he was saying about the best managers he played under were all man managers, not tacticians. I see Matos as being one of those types. Get players right in the head and they’ll run through brick walls for you.

Fully agree that man management is a massive part and agree Matos does seem to have that about him.
The only opposing view I can offer that it doesn’t work with everyone. Getting those players will be critical.

 

[Vetchonian]

Last night was disappointing to say the least. If the ref had given that stone wall penalty when Franco got flattened it might have turned out very differently. (Assuming we scored the penalty). You could see on numerous occasions that our players were getting frustrated by many of the decisions against us. How come Yalcouye got booked for his first foul, which he pointed out to the ref, and yet their players got away with blatant fouling and kicking the ball away on our free kicks all night.
We let it get to us and Wrexham made the most of it. Two mistakes by Burgess relatively close together let them in for their first goal and the second was when we were chasing the game late on. We missed a few chances that on a different day might have gone in but that’s how it rolls sometimes.
From looking over our shoulder at possible relegation to being a win last night away from a shout at the playoffs, we’ve come a long way this season.
Onwards and upwards. I’ve been watching the Swans for over 60 years, we’ve had better times but we’ve also had much, much worse times.
Football, it’s a funny old game.

Totally agree
The comments on the match thread and this one are typical of thise following a loss exagerated as it is seen as the end of out season.
As you say our season was "lost" during rhe games between August and November.....
I am gutted we lost but a game we shoukd have won but again we didnt take our chances we should have been 2 up at half time.
But lets take stock we were beaten by a side still riding on the crest of a wave settled squad and a club which has been in a good olace both on and off the pitch with the same manager in place for the last 5 years.
Compare that to us who have seen off field chaos with so many club management and ownership changes and here we are on our 5 manager in as many years.
From where we were in November for us to have even had an outside chance to be challenging for the playoffs is mad.
Yes there are some issues wuth our squad....and as supporters we all have different opinions but the only one that counts is that of Matos.
From what I have seen of Matos I am happy...lets see what he can do with a preseason....In fairness he has had to do things "on the run"....we are in a better place than this time last year....
Personally I always thought the play offs were an ask but was pleased Matos had turned us from relegation fodder to "contenders".
If we finish top half of the table im happy.....as that means we have a chance again next sesaon to have a crack at the top table.....I remember the last time we fell from there back last century and we then dropped like a stone through the leagues.

 

[Neath_Jack]

Fully agree that man management is a massive part and agree Matos does seem to have that about him.
The only opposing view I can offer that it doesn’t work with everyone. Getting those players will be critical.

One size will never fit everything otherwise we’d all be world champions.

 

[3swan]

One size will never fit everything otherwise we’d all be world champions.

Very true but we found the right balance for our last promotion.

 

[Neath_Jack]

Very true but we found the right balance for our last promotion.

Absolutely and with a fair wind we’ll find it again after Matos having a full preseason and a few new faces.

 

[Smurph]

Last night summed up the difference between us and the top six.

One side took their chances the other didn’t.

Absolute nothing wrong with our style of play, it’s exciting, we just need to be far more clinical, especially away from home.

 

[Rhoshilljacks]

Last night summed up the difference between us and the top six.

One side took their chances the other didn’t.

Absolute nothing wrong with our style of play, it’s exciting, we just need to be far more clinical, especially away from home.

Nail on the head. We’re close, finally have an identifiable and enjoyable style of play and we are a few canny signings away from the promotion mix.

 

[Manselton Jack]

Our recruitment team need to make better choices at centre back & wide players.
2 centre halfs signed in the summer- Burgess has struggled & was never the right choice to play alongside Cabango.
Santos may have been signed as cover but he hasn't even provided that, 1 poor sub appearance.
2 wide players signed in the summer, Inoussa for decent money hasn't delivered, maybe he'll be OK next season but I have major doubts.
Benson, less said the better.
Nunes signed in January hasn't delivered either.
That's a fair chunk of poorly spent money for a team with a limited budget.