What pace does for a side

[TerryPHELAN]

Thought the Boro front three were really good today, they’re 11 especially. So fast and direct.
Something which has been eroded from our squad, which we’re obviously lacking.

 

[Swanseastar]

Pace, tempo, fluidity seems to be the opposite to what Martin wants from our team.

Nothing to get excited about down there any more.

 

[Swanseastar]

Thought the Boro front three were really good today, they’re 11 especially. So fast and direct.
Something which has been eroded from our squad, which we’re obviously lacking.

I agree, Boro played possession football but moved the ball quicker and at pace. Front players interchanged. All things that used to be part of the swansea way.

 

[monmouth]

When are people going to stop all this ‘Swansea way’ shit. For a very short while in our history we played some nice football. And it got us success and plaudits. Then it stopped and other teams rushed past us from Monk onwards. There. is. No. Swansea. Way.

The reality is we got lucky twice with managers and a core of players that you keep from lower league and build as with Tosh and Martinez/Souza/Rodgers and lucky once a man that attracted superb players from a league he knew with his profile, his agent, and PL cash. Doing things differently was the ‘Swansea Way for a few seasons’. In fact we did things differently with Cullis and Cusack and we’re certainly doing it differently now with a complete fraud that would be sacked by anyone else. So maybe this is the ‘Swansea Way’ after all. The phrase is stupid and makes us all look like ridiculous arrogant arseholes.

 

[swansvalleyjack]

A large number of our current fans started with the Swans from Martinez through to Laudrup. That is the "Swansea Way" for them. There is nothing stupid or arrogant in referring to it. They, and I, want decent pace, passing with style and purpose, and a solid defence. Russ is not the man for the job however, and nor are our owners. Wait and hope for the third golden ride after Toshack & Martinez/Rodgers/Laudrup. Might be a while though

 

[killayjack74]

Our manager is clueless. At any other club he would have been sacked weeks ago after the Birmingham match. Our play is so predictable and pedestrian it's sad to watch. Grimes is supposed to be a captain of this team. Always slowing down the breakaway to pass backwards & sideways. Russ was a defender in is day but its sad that he can't get his message across in his training sessions and team talks. Enough is enough now Mr Martin. Why do we play with barely a plan A, let alone a plan B. 1st half today we did better than recent weeks but the key thing lacking in our team is pace, width from decent wingers and a captain who can actually give some positive energy to the rest of the players. Tbh, I really can't see where the next win or draw is coming from at this rate and hopefully we will do just enough to stay up. A big change is needed in the summer. Sadly Russ we as fans are not dull nor are we liking your vision or process as you call it as to how football should be played - we are not Barcelona in their prime. Play to our strengths as the players seem so uptight with the method of play, there is little chance for them to express themselves on the pitch. Your post match interview is like listening to the previous weeks defeat on replay. Last year you had no pre-season so we gave you some benefit of doubt. This year however, this is your team, playing your way and quite frankly it's pretty awful to watch. If any of us did our jobs as badly then we'd have our P45. You were offered assistance via Calderwood but even he didn't join in the end. You have been backed by the Yanks in the transfer market since your arrival here except for January. Who can blame them not spending in Jan, when your other signings are not exactly great. Some aren't even playing every week when fit. Time is ticking for you here Russ. If you keep us up this year = job done. Season ticket sales are down 50% on this time last year. I bet Leon & Curtis could get a tune out of this team by actually giving the players a bit of freedom out there.

 

[Nocountryforoldjack]

The owners will take us down fact

 

[Longlostjack]

The owners will take us down fact

Next Level

 

[Risc]

Pace, tempo, fluidity seems to be the opposite to what Martin wants from our team.

Nothing to get excited about down there any more.

He literally did everything he could to bring pace into the side January and the club decided to bring Whittaker back instead.

It’s a complete shambles down there and it isn’t on Martin.

 

[Captain_Sham]

To paraphrase the great pundit(not a great person evidently) Ron Atkinson, our side is deceptively slow.

 

[jack_lord]

Who are the pacy players at the club. I read that Nathan wood clocked 13 secs for 100 metres when he was 13 but Nathan Dyer did that in just over 11 seconds so what pace have we got?

 

[monmouth]

A large number of our current fans started with the Swans from Martinez through to Laudrup. That is the "Swansea Way" for them. There is nothing stupid or arrogant in referring to it. They, and I, want decent pace, passing with style and purpose, and a solid defence. Russ is not the man for the job however, and nor are our owners. Wait and hope for the third golden ride after Toshack & Martinez/Rodgers/Laudrup. Might be a while though

I wasn't having a go at you as I know what you want and meant. Successful attractive ATTACKING football. having a go at the opposition, based on a sound defence.

But anyone thet saw Martinez/Rodgers and Laudrup also saw Sousa, Monk, Clement, Bradley, Carvalhal (lousy shithouse, you killed us), Potter, Cooper and the current lump of dung, Plus probably Kenny Overcoat.

So what is this 'Swansea Way''? Apart from very brief periods it's not what you are implying it to be.

 

[swansvalleyjack]

It's pretty much what you've said :

"Successful attractive ATTACKING football. having a go at the opposition, based on a sound defence"

Started by Martinez, stalled by Sousa (but thanks for the defence), honed by Rodgers and finished by Laudrup ( not least our first major trophy).

Downhill gradually from Monk to Martin ( that's not the Swansea Way)

I'm not talking about any other period really. Call those what you will.

Though I'll also fondly refer to the "Toshack era" 1978 to 1982. And by God that was some team also - with Curtis, Robbie James, Leighton James, Charles, Hadziabdic, Latchford etc.

2007 to 2014. That's pretty much acknowledged as the stylish "Swansea Way" period. Including pace. And I wish we had that element back at the very least. That's the main point of this thread.

 

[swansvalleyjack]

Classic style "The Swansea Way 2007-14"

https://youtu.be/GqFQ_SU7ATw

 

[ARQS]

When are people going to stop all this ‘Swansea way’ s**t. For a very short while in our history we played some nice football. And it got us success and plaudits. Then it stopped and other teams rushed past us from Monk onwards. There. is. No. Swansea. Way.

The reality is we got lucky twice with managers and a core of players that you keep from lower league and build as with Tosh and Martinez/Souza/Rodgers and lucky once a man that attracted superb players from a league he knew with his profile, his agent, and PL cash. Doing things differently was the ‘Swansea Way for a few seasons’. In fact we did things differently with Cullis and Cusack and we’re certainly doing it differently now with a complete fraud that would be sacked by anyone else. So maybe this is the ‘Swansea Way’ after all. The phrase is stupid and makes us all look like ridiculous arrogant arseholes.

Under Martinez/Rodgers etc. we were definitely something a bit unique. I think that meant a few things - 1) we were generally in the market for a different type of player 2) players did well for us who wouldn't have done well elsewhere 3) we probably seemed like an attractive place for a player to go over sides paying more but less suited to their style of play 4) we probably managed to retain players too for these very reasons.

IMO today, there is no way we'd have managed to have kept every single one of Leon, Rangel, Williams, Allen, Dyer after 2 seasons in the Championship without being promoted.

However, playing decent football is pretty much the norm in the Championship these days. I can't think of many games this season where I have come away thinking the opposition have been a bunch of clogging hoof ball merchants.

What this means is that generally speaking a lot of teams are chasing the same sort of player more than perhaps 10 years ago and good players who want to play in an attractive team have a choice of places to go. Hence signing them is harder and costs more.

At what stage do we realise that as a club we are not really that much bigger than Rotherham/Luton/Millwall/Huddersfield and what we really need is a manager who can build a team greater than the sum of it's parts, however we play?

The reality is in order to play the way Russ wants to play, we probably need 6 or 7 top quality signings which we all know isn't going to happen, particularly on the basis we lose quality faster than we recruit it.