please log in to view this image ............................................... please log in to view this image Swansea City.................... vs ....................Sunderland AFC The Liberty Stadium Swansea Sat 27/8/11 3:00 PM KO Referee Mark Halsey For travel information to the stadium and ticket information, click HERE Welcome one and all to the match thread for today's game against Sunderland. This is the first meeting of these sides in 28 years and both sides come into the game with goals on their mind. Sunderland have a rich history, one which has seen them spend long periods of time occupying a spot in the top division. Shortly after forming they won four league titles around the turn of the century, and missed out on two more finishing second both times during a period of dominance in the emerging league system. Two more division one titles and two FA cups followed, but the latest major silverware (the latter of the FA cup wins) was delivered in 1973. The Swans have had but a brief flirtation with the upper echelons of the league pyramid. One spectacular rise (and subsequent, catastrophic fall) later, we had been in the doldrums kicking around for 30 years until we started to sneak our way back into the top division at a slightly more sedate pace than the mad dash in the eighties. The Match; Swansea City will come into this game smarting from a cupset against Shrewsbury Town midweek. The result was not the worrying part, as Brendan Rodgers was probably the most critical I've heard him in his time in charge at the Liberty, stating several players had âput their hands up to not be picked on Saturdayâ. Also, worryingly, the Swans goal on Tuesday night was an own goal, which makes it three games without a Swans player on the scoresheet...and while it's early doors to take that as an indication for the entire season, there will be a weight of expectation on the Swansea front line every time they get near the Sunderland area. Sunderland, I think it's fair to say, are still coming together as a squad after a busy summer which saw boss Steve Bruce bring in a host of new faces, as well as seeing Jordan Henderson depart in a big money deal to Liverpool. In total, he brought in ten new players, and shipped out six, so it would be impressive for the team to hit form early given the upheaval in the squad. Much of the recent talk on the Swansea forum here has been about our lack of goals, and whether it is cause for concern. Having done a bit of reading I've seen Steve Bruce is still looking for another striker and is concerned about a lack of goals, despite only playing three games. Given Sunderland also suffered at the hands of lower league opposition in the League Cup on Tuesday night, they too will be looking to turn their fortunes around and secure three points. Prior Form; (most recent at top) Shrewsbury Town 3 â 1 Swansea City League Cup Swansea City 0 â 0 Wigan Athletic Barclays Premier League Manchester City 4 â 0 Swansea City Barclays Premier League Brighton 1 (aet) 0 Sunderland League Cup Sunderland 0 â 1 Newcastle Barclays Premier League Liverpool 1 â 1 Sunderland Barclays Premier League Team News; For the Swans, Garry Monk continues his comeback from injury, but it remains to be seen whether he will be fit for Saturday, and even if fit there is debate as to whether he will displace Williams or Caulker at CB. Aside from that, the Swans have a fully fit squad to choose from (although âfully fitâ is another area for debate. ) For Sunderland, Phil Bardsley is available again after suspension, and John O'Shea is poised to make his debut after recovering from a hamstring problem. Frazer Campbell is out injured. Trivia; Starting lineups; Swansea City Vorm Rangel Taylor Williams Caulker Britton Augustien Routledge Sinclair Dyer Graham Sunderland AFC Mignolet Bardsley Brown Ferdinand O'Shea Cattermole Colback Larsson Gardner Sessegnon Gyan Key Battles; Williams/Caulker vs Gyan/Sessegnon I'm struggling to look past this as the most intriguing aspect of the game. Against Manchester City, we faced a multi-million dollar all star team laden with galacticos, but in a good Sunderland team these two stand out for me as class acts. Gyan impressed hugely last season, except for if anything not being the most consistent performer, while Sessegnon continues to adjust with ease to the British game. Given the footballing nature of the Sunderland attackers, it's unlikely that we'll be dealing with a huge amount of lumped balls upfield, so Ash and Caulker will be watching them closely all game, tracking them as they hold the ball up, and they'll need to be careful to get back into position sufficiently early so as to not leave a gaping hole in midfield for someone to waltz into. Analysis; Sunderland make the long journey to South Wales hoping to bounce back from losing 1-0 at home to rivals Newcastle United, which was preceded by a highly creditable opening day draw away at Liverpool. Steve Bruce likes his teams to play combative, attacking football, so it remains to be seen if the Swans can maintain composure in the middle of the park. If they can, this could be crucial in deciding the outcome of the match. If Swansea can get the ball down and play, working the ball upfield with neat interplay, then we should get chances. If Sunderland interrupt us and steal a march on us in midfield early on, I do worry that given the physicality I have seen Sunderland play with in the past we will be overrun. Having said that, results at the beginning of this season, and the tail end of last year, were not kind on Sunderland, so Brendan Rodgers and co will be hoping that they don't pick this match as the one to give them a kick start which helps them put a run of good performances together. Sunderland possess a squad laden with undoubted quality, and if they turn it on then they are a match for anyone in the league as they have shown by securing points against a host of big teams last year. A catalyst last year was Asamoah Gyan, and you feel if he plays well the team will play well. Steve Bruce could also choose to go with Connor Wickham, the multi million pound teenager, in a game which would be a fairly low risk Swansea's problem thus far has been their inability to use their intricate passing to gain access to the penalty area, and it seems teams are already content to let us have the ball, and then watch us get tired before breaking at speed and catching us unawares. Brendan Rodgers will be looking to address this so expect to see a high tempo start to the game, where the fullbacks overlap allowing for even more link play between them, the wide men, and whoever occupies the two central attacking roles. For Sunderland, Stephane Sessegnon is looking more and more like an inspired signing. Probably their biggest threat against Newcastle, he has played recently in a role off the main striker, not unlike the role that Dobbie plays a lot for the Swans. Another area Steve Bruce will no doubt have told his charges to exploit is set pieces... or any time the ball is in the air for that matter. The diminutive stature of a lot of the Swansea team combined with the loaded gun of Seb Larsson's set pieces mean Michel Vorm, Ashley Williams, Steven Caulker et al will need to be on top of their game if they want to secure another clean sheet at âfortress Libertyâ. Brendan Rodgers before the game on goals; Steve Bruce before the game; Scottswan's famously biased and ill-fated prediction; Swansea City 2 - 1 Sunderland AFC Safe journey to all those travelling, and good luck to Sunderland for the coming season. I don't think you'll struggle this season, once your new signings bed in I firmly believe you'll be fighting it out for upper mid-table. I've always had a lot of time for the teams from the North East (including your mates down the road, sorry!) and I think a lot of similarities between the North East and South Wales can be drawn from recent history, so I think there should be a lot of mutual respect between the two opposing sets of fans. I'm assuming that there'll be a sizeable group of Mackems travelling down, so safe travelling to all involved. Scott
Cracking preview, tikaboo son. Like I've said on another thread I think this game is going to be wide open and will go either way 3-0 to us or 3-0 to you guys. Whoever scores first will go on to win the game. I saw a lot of swansea last year and admired their style of play and In Scott Sinclair you have a player of genuine premiership class. He's the one I'm looking out for. Both sides need a victory so I think it'll be a free flowing game but when that first goal goes in that team will go on to dominate proceedings.
Yes, in no way was this in reference to Wales not being England. PS I'm currently nearly full of whisky, thought I'd start the match banter off early.
I think it's still too early to know exactly the level of quality we have across the squad (compared to that of Premiership teams in general) so I'm in the same boat as you really, haven't got a clue! Like I said in the thread, I rate Sessegnon really highly, and I'm worried he might do some damage, but we do have a very good record at home over the last season or two. If we can get a foot on the ball and retain possession for a short while at the beginning of the game, it'll help give us some confidence to go forward. I worry an early goal for you guys could be fatal, now I think about it.
As Flag mentioned, you think we'll score? Last game Bruce played 1 keeper, 2 defenders and 8 midfielders FFS.
Excellent write up yet again Scott I think we're still settling in to the Premiership and just hope we have and show a little more conviction in the final third A bit of luck and an early goal and we could really see the confidence and swagger return - heres hoping
Credit for a well thought out and well written piece. I fear Sinclair, he's the kinda player that gives us problems, but on the flip I can see Sess and Gyan causing havoc with the Swans back line, i don't see a lot of pace there. I'd be inclined to play Ricco in a more attacking role, and i expect the lads to be well up for this one. Wigan caused mayhem last 20mins last week, which is surely a boost for our goal shy front line, i wish Swansea all the best for the season, but i think we'll pinch this one. 3-1 The Lads, but a much closer game in reality.
I think you can, it won't bother us but dunno what it'll do to the welsh lads. May be funny to try it though.
Pun away all you want, don't mind us. I've always thought it's daft though given that there's probably more sheep in Yorkshire (I know Sunderland isn't in Yorkshire, it's just an example ) than in all of Wales!
Did they all leg it to Yorkshire cos their bums were sore? Joking aside mate, don't mention dogs on our board, or a certain supermod will jizz his pants. Again. And again.
As BB's alluded too, we have a supermod who has a closer than normal relationship with his 4 legged friend, so we won't judge,
