So if you don't understand the trusting of Brendan Rodgers to do what is needed, it means you don't trust him to do what is needed, so what is your answer then? Maybe a new man in charge? And realistically could you see us getting points away at Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea? Sorry though I put on a £5 for us to beat Chelsea today, it was only because of the odds that they offered, not out of expectation of winning. We need to fight the battles we can win, and fight for the ones where we can nick a point, like Stoke happen to have done so today against Man Utd, being inventive and positive helps little when the players you are up against are a class or three above you, I am sure Brendan will bring the lads to a frame of mind to get points of Stoke our next opponents
What worried me about todays game was that we played as if we had no conviction at times that we could win this game, and that's not good, and Rodgers substitutions were not good either!.............. please log in to view this image
Well whenever we lose this season there is always going to be some blood letting on here but I do agree the substitutions were a little strange. One thing, though - Dyer was on a yellow and that may have had something to do with bringing him off the field of play. God knows we can't afford to lose him. Just a thought.
This is an interesting point. We're in the big dance. We earned the right to be here. At some point we need to start believing we have a right to be here, walk with a swagger and stop thinking about the fact that we're playing the "awesome" clubs like the Manchesters and Chelsea etc. We have to stop this looking up in awe. Cause if we don't we're going to end up with a stiff neck and a quick drop back down. This in many respects is the key difference between this team and the team of '81. The '81 team was full of players that had played for the likes of Liverpool and played in the top league. It was not new to them, they took it all in stride and were not overawed by it. The current team on the other hand doesn't have the same context and I think struggles with this. Look I think it's import to understand that at this level, yes there are players that you can consider elite, but the difference between players, between them and us is not "whole numbers", it's fractions, and fractions of fractions ... and let me tell you, and IvorAllJack will back me up on this, even the greats (like Ivor Allchurch) still lace their boots up the same way as the rest of us, they can still be tackled, can still have an off day, can still be beaten to the ball, can still be beaten with the ball (even by the likes of you and me) ... in other words they are not invincible, they are all still human, they still can't run any faster, or jump any higher or whatever you want to think of ... not by whole numbers but just by marginal, fractional differences. And at this level, between our players and every other player in this league the differences are fractions and fractions of fractions and they are traded off across all the facets of the game - in some facets we are stronger and some we are weaker. On any given day, at any given moment, we dealing with bridging fractions. So it comes down to the attitude of "**** it" .... you have to believe that you're worthy, that you belong, that you're as good as .... cause if you don't that fraction can seem like a chasm when it's really only a fraction.
That's why I said we shouldn't show respect to these premier teams Yankee, they are nothing special just another club with 11 on the pitch, so they are all professional athletes and all are human, they make mistakes like the rest of us, the trick is we need to make less mistakes than them, we will face teams that make more mistakes than us, so we will win games. I am convinced that lessons are learned, and the baptism of fire we have started with will hold us in better good stead for the rest of the season.
Well said that man! Some call it blind faith, others call it "backing yourself", others call it "audacity", all it is, is that you're saying "**** it, I'm backing myself here", which, you'd hope, every one of our players would do.
But that's just confidence and having belief in your team mates. Our players have either got it or they haven't. They should have it, but yesterday in the second half they looked as if they didn't.
Jager ... so we've closed our circle. Scottswan ... This is what made old man Shankly such a cunning piece of work. Keegan told a wonderful story many, many years ago about when he first arrived at Anfield and he was about to go out against West Ham and play against Bobby Moore - who at the time was still everything he was in '66 plus some. Shankly would stand near the player's entrance on game days and carefully watch each player enter the stadium. Before the game he sat down beside young Keegan in the changing room and told him how he had seen Moore get off the bus, and how he looked like he'd had a few too many the night before blah, blah, blah, and how Keegan was going to go out there and Moore was going to struggle blah, blah, blah, and young Keegan just soaked this up. Needlesstosay, Moore had done nothing of the sort, was every bit himself, Keegan went out full of belief and had a terrific game. And, after the game, Shankley sat back down next to Keegan and said something like ".... that Moore, hell of a player ....".
Good post, Yankee. We know we lack a touch of quality compared to the top teams but the mind-set of our players is paramount. The gap can be bridged but for us it's a question of focus, focus and focus again. We have to be up for every game ready to take advantage of any slip ups on the other side. Early days yet and we are learning by the game. Give other teams the respect they deserve then get out there and earn THEIR respect.
the facts are that we wont beat the big teams either at home or away but the point is neither will the other 13-14 clubs that are way below the top money sides so we cant judge yet on how we should fare in the premiership. as reports stand by other managers who's sides we have played have given us a glowing report......well that is three big sides we have played all away out of the way in the first 6 games and we find ourselves still outside the relegation spots, to me that is progress especially with all the injuries we have amassed recently. I'm very happy how the season has gone so far and we will surely get better as the season goes on...
Who are you, and what have you done with Dai? Especially considering one blunder cost us a point at the Emirates, things aren't looking bad at all. Conviction and determination will get us past the finishing line, the quality is there to dictate the play with our brand of football against a number of clubs, it's just whether the players fight hard enough collectively over the course of the season.
I think every club needs a Plan B otherwise by half way way through the season the Swans will become too predictable. Perhaps it is more that the squad assembled is suited to play one way? Hence only Plan A. As stated earlier, Plan B does not have to be the direct opposite of Plan A, but perhaps a more cautious or more aggressive version that is not just drop back or push up.. Even Arsenal had two or three different styles of play to switch to before Wenger lost the plot a couple of years ago and decided there was only one way to play. Arsenal have not looked as effective since. Anyway, you Swans guys know your teams style far better than I do, so it is interesting to read your posts. To be honest, I think Cardiff look a bit one speed, one style this year, and we need to look to mix it up for some matches though our squad is probaly not capable right now.
Plan B is to play 3-3-4 Sinclair and 0-104 on the wings, Graham and Lita up front, Gower, Allen and Dobbie in mid and Ash, and whoever is fit for the other 2
Good thread and something I've pondered upon myself Recent PL history is littered with 'smaller' teams that have tried to play attractive football and I can't think of anyone that has succeeded. The only teams to have become established have been battlers that have started ugly and then gradually improved the squad over a few seasons. Stoke tend to play best against more stylish teams who have a go at them though we do have a game thursday and can be terrible away from home. I would however like you to buck the trend - just not his weekend Looking forward to the game and seeing how your guys stand up to the onslaught.
West Brom, while they haven't solidified their position until recently, have just about managed it while having a fair tradition of playing football, but you're right, it's very hard to do without having a physical team at the outset. Mention of an "onslaught" worries me, I'll be honest! We've got 1 1/2 fit centrebacks at the moment, both of whom are shorter than roughly half your squad...
WBA survived last year with a much beefier team than previous years. If history is anything to go by we will give you all the possession and keep it really tight for 60 minutes then bring on extra attacking options if it is still close and go for it in the latter stages of the game.
