The Swansea Way – Duff tells us its in the past

[Nocountryforoldjack]

No such thing as the Swansea way....a phrase invented when we stopped playing utter shit football and started playing nice football, the Swansea way left Swansea quite some years ago folks so don't blame duff for that, blame him for the shite football, along with the owners but not the demise of the fallacy that is the Swansea way.

 

[stevethejack]

I don’t think anyone is claiming we’ve always played the same way, which is why Duff’s comments make no sense.

There's been a similarity all the way through. We've never been a lump ball team and aren't so far under Duff. We've seen every game for the last 15 years, Duff hasn't.

 

[Vetchonian]

There's been a similarity all the way through. We've never been a lump ball team and aren't so far under Duff. We've seen every game for the last 15 years, Duff hasn't.

we have had managers who have tried maybe you don't remember Colin Appleton or Ian Evans

 

[stevethejack]

Been there for both. Not talking about ancient history.

 

[Andrew - North Hill]

"Swansea Way" is bullshit now then, apparently.

I must have imagined the period 1990-2007 then, when we basically played various shades of mostly unwatchable lower league dross, then for 5-6 years under Roberto, Brendan and Laudrup played absolutely mind-blowing, out-of-this-world and most importantly successful football, the likes of which we'd probably never seen before down here.

No, let's pretend it never happened, claim it never existed, and buckle in for some more turgid shite under Duff because apparently we need to "evolve".

Christ almighty, what is wrong with people.

 

[Darran]

"Swansea Way" is bullshit now then, apparently.

I must have imagined the period 1990-2007 then, when we basically played various shades of mostly unwatchable lower league dross, then for 5-6 years under Roberto, Brendan and Laudrup played absolutely mind-blowing, out-of-this-world and most importantly successful football, the likes of which we'd probably never seen before down here.

No, let's pretend it never happened, claim it never existed, and buckle in for some more turgid shite under Duff because apparently we need to "evolve".

Christ almighty, what is wrong with people.

Yeah that’s not bad out of 111 years. :lol:

 

[Niigata Jack]

Yeah that’s not bad out of 111 years. :lol:

111 years, that's about how long you've been in love with that 19th century band you chase after :lol:

 

[Vetchonian]

"Swansea Way" is bullshit now then, apparently.

I must have imagined the period 1990-2007 then, when we basically played various shades of mostly unwatchable lower league dross, then for 5-6 years under Roberto, Brendan and Laudrup played absolutely mind-blowing, out-of-this-world and most importantly successful football, the likes of which we'd probably never seen before down here.

No, let's pretend it never happened, claim it never existed, and buckle in for some more turgid shite under Duff because apparently we need to "evolve".

Christ almighty, what is wrong with people.

so what is a Swansea Way....if for 17 years we played dross....though ome of Molbys football was different.....but for 5 to 6 years we played the mind blowing football so the Swansea Way existed for 6 out of a 23 year period....

 

[Vetchonian]

"Swansea Way" is bullshit now then, apparently.

I must have imagined the period 1990-2007 then, when we basically played various shades of mostly unwatchable lower league dross, then for 5-6 years under Roberto, Brendan and Laudrup played absolutely mind-blowing, out-of-this-world and most importantly successful football, the likes of which we'd probably never seen before down here.

No, let's pretend it never happened, claim it never existed, and buckle in for some more turgid shite under Duff because apparently we need to "evolve".

Christ almighty, what is wrong with people.

so what is a Swansea Way....if for 17 years we played dross....though ome of Molbys football was different.....but for 5 to 6 years we played the mind blowing football so the Swansea Way existed for 6 out of a 23 year period....

 

[rockinj]

I never cease to be amazed by the pragmatic wing of the fan base. They seem to have this constant desire to rubbish the brand of the Swansea way which IS a thing and the most bizarre element is that it’s rubbished for style over substance. When it’s culminated in the most successful eras we’ve witnessed.

I grew up listening to tales from my elders of wonderful footballing teams that played with flair and passed the ball ie Allchurch times.

Then I was told about the incredible Toshack years in which a strong Liverpool influence was imparted with again a desire for attacking, attractive football.

We then had years which I saw too many of with shIte long ball in the main football that had moments of a touch to the past. I think of Molby and Flynn.

We then had another ugly period until we hit the golden patch of Martinez, Rodgers, Laudrup which created a feeling in many quarters of Swansea being a second team and a buzz that we may never see the likes of again. I used to love watching those teams, it was a joy and we Won!!!

This was very much in the tradition of old successful swans teams that have had football at its ethos. I know this from again talking to elders who watched the schoolboys. I played briefly for the schoolboys and I know having played a club level it was instilled in me to keep the ball and not just hoof it.

I’ve always considered this the Swansea way, whatever you want to call it. That’s our tradition and it’s been when we’ve had success. There are managers who’ve believed they’ve followed this tradition eg Martin or Sousa. They didn’t, they played a brand of football that was the antithesis of free flowing offensive, dynamic football.

This debate has long puzzled me because the pragmatists seem to suggest it’s an either or. It isn’t. We are more successful when we play attractive, aggressive football.

If we resort to old fashioned pragmatic football we can look forward to League 2 football all over again in a few years. I’m not in a mood to say I told you so. I just want to see us succeed.

 

[Vetchonian]

I never cease to be amazed by the pragmatic wing of the fan base. They seem to have this constant desire to rubbish the brand of the Swansea way which IS a thing and the most bizarre element is that it’s rubbished for style over substance. When it’s culminated in the most successful eras we’ve witnessed.

I grew up listening to tales from my elders of wonderful footballing teams that played with flair and passed the ball ie Allchurch times.

Then I was told about the incredible Toshack years in which a strong Liverpool influence was imparted with again a desire for attacking, attractive football.

We then had years which I saw too many of with shIte long ball in the main football that had moments of a touch to the past. I think of Molby and Flynn.

We then had another ugly period until we hit the golden patch of Martinez, Rodgers, Laudrup which created a feeling in many quarters of Swansea being a second team and a buzz that we may never see the likes of again. I used to love watching those teams, it was a joy and we Won!!!

This was very much in the tradition of old successful swans teams that have had football at its ethos. I know this from again talking to elders who watched the schoolboys. I played briefly for the schoolboys and I know having played a club level it was instilled in me to keep the ball and not just hoof it.

I’ve always considered this the Swansea way, whatever you want to call it. That’s our tradition and it’s been when we’ve had success. There are managers who’ve believed they’ve followed this tradition eg Martin or Sousa. They didn’t, they played a brand of football that was the antithesis of free flowing offensive, dynamic football.

This debate has long puzzled me because the pragmatists seem to suggest it’s an either or. It isn’t. We are more successful when we play attractive, aggressive football.

If we resort to old fashioned pragmatic football we can look forward to League 2 football all over again in a few years. I’m not in a mood to say I told you so. I just want to see us succeed.

I am certainly not advocating we turn into a Pullis side,see my earlier post on this thread a reply to Monmouths post....yes the Swans have always had an association with good football but as I said the football my Dad saw when Ivor Cliffy et al were here was different to that under Tosh,Martinez,Rodgers and Laudrup he'll Luadrup even went mega defensive away to Everton playing Tiendalli behind Rangel to counterthe treat of Leighton Baines.
For some reason some fans think Duff is intent on turning us into the Stoke of old....
the Swansea Way referred to how we did things as a club until that Goal at Fulham and a pundit called it the Swansea Way....
If we play the way we did Saturday with pace and width and the style with which we finished it will be close to how we played under Martinez....and Laudrup.

 

[rockinj]

I am certainly not advocating we turn into a Pullis side,see my earlier post on this thread a reply to Monmouths post....yes the Swans have always had an association with good football but as I said the football my Dad saw when Ivor Cliffy et al were here was different to that under Tosh,Martinez,Rodgers and Laudrup he'll Luadrup even went mega defensive away to Everton playing Tiendalli behind Rangel to counterthe treat of Leighton Baines.
For some reason some fans think Duff is intent on turning us into the Stoke of old....
the Swansea Way referred to how we did things as a club until that Goal at Fulham and a pundit called it the Swansea Way....
If we play the way we did Saturday with pace and width and the style with which we finished it will be close to how we played under Martinez....and Laudrup.

None of these managers had the same style, they were simply in the same overall vision. That’s what I’m getting at. Martinez was Kevin Keegan style crazy stuff, Rodgers more holistic for instance and probably what we needed to add the finishing touches.

And of course football will always move with the times, back in the day the 10 & 9 and 442 was standard.

Fergie was most successful Premier league manager because he was a step ahead. Everyone else has caught up now. As I stated the likes of Martin don’t have attractive teams, there’s a myth that it simply means passing football it doesn’t. Passing with “intent” is key and if needs me once in a while longer passes - think Bodde pinging beautiful passes. It’s not all about little triangles.

I’ll say it again we will tumble. Successful pragmatic teams have financial backing, we have over achieved because we took risks, had a vision and stuck to the plan.

 

[Manselton Jack]

I am certainly not advocating we turn into a Pullis side,see my earlier post on this thread a reply to Monmouths post....yes the Swans have always had an association with good football but as I said the football my Dad saw when Ivor Cliffy et al were here was different to that under Tosh,Martinez,Rodgers and Laudrup he'll Luadrup even went mega defensive away to Everton playing Tiendalli behind Rangel to counterthe treat of Leighton Baines.
For some reason some fans think Duff is intent on turning us into the Stoke of old....
the Swansea Way referred to how we did things as a club until that Goal at Fulham and a pundit called it the Swansea Way....
If we play the way we did Saturday with pace and width and the style with which we finished it will be close to how we played under Martinez....and Laudrup.

The Swans under Laudrup played some stunning football but yes he was willing to switch to a plan B & go defensive when we were away to the bigger teams - overlly
negative to some of us but those games were the exception.
My issue with Duffs team so far is the lack of any real pattern of play, I really hope you're right with your last paragraph because we need some stability but I can't see it myself.

 

[Vetchonian]

None of these managers had the same style, they were simply in the same overall vision. That’s what I’m getting at. Martinez was Kevin Keegan style crazy stuff, Rodgers more holistic for instance and probably what we needed to add the finishing touches.

And of course football will always move with the times, back in the day the 10 & 9 and 442 was standard.

Fergie was most successful Premier league manager because he was a step ahead. Everyone else has caught up now. As I stated the likes of Martin don’t have attractive teams, there’s a myth that it simply means passing football it doesn’t. Passing with “intent” is key and if needs me once in a while longer passes - think Bodde pinging beautiful passes. It’s not all about little triangles.

I’ll say it again we will tumble. Successful pragmatic teams have financial backing, we have over achieved because we took risks, had a vision and stuck to the plan.

I agree passing with intent and the variation including pinpoint longer passes a la Bodde,crossfield passes a la Ash....

Everything has got muddled by Martins tippy tippy across our back line and backwards from the midfield......many fans confuse this passive possession football with the attacking intent with which we did play under previous managers.....

 

[swansvalleyjack]

Let's put this to bed. The Swansea Way is universally recognised for the most successful period in our history. 2007 - 2014 . Three key figures - Martinez ; Rodgers. Laudrup. And we also managed 7 years in the Premier League (though the last three were tough).

This was not under one Manager eg Toshack ( who was great also)..but a continuation of a style that was beautiful to watch and got results. A slick quick passing game, with purpose and on the floor, plenty of pace on the flanks, creative midfield, sound defence comfortable on the ball, and with scorers all over the pitch.

Don't forget also we were in League 1 in 2008 and the football then was fantastic, I'd take it any day over the last four years.

Anyway, the Swansea Way has long gone. Our most successful period.

But justifiably it will always have the Swansea Way tag attached to it. End of.

Like 1978 - 1984 is the Toshack era.

I've seen both, and I count myself very fortunate.

I've no idea how our football might be described or classified between 1968 (my first game) and 1978; or between 1984 and 2007; or
the period 2019 to date. Ordinary, ok, good at times, mostly not so good.

But by god the last four years have been such a bore-fest, only highlights being 2 doubes. But absolutely no way was Martinball anywhere near the "Swansea Way", his was dreadful football.

However, Ginnelly and the two second half goals on Saturday have maybe given me some hope for the season. Lets me look forward to matches, rather than going purely out of loyalty.

I'd still like an identifiable strategy and vision though, with clear links to our under 21's ,18's etc