I think you are a bit harsh here - the result was disappointing but the performance was so much better. We must have had at least 60% possession and played some good stuff. It was a brave decision to start Ruiz, Briggs, Frei and Stockdale and it almost paid off. Poor Stockdale gifted the the second goal which they did not deserve. There was spirit and determination from all the squad and if they continue to play like that then we will be fine. Sometimes luck does not go your way and this was the case today. In my mind we did not deserve to lose - a draw was the least we should have come away with. Stockdale had little to do and when he was required unfortunately he mucked it up. I hope he does not dwell too much on this performance as I do think he is the future but today he was pony. I'm up for the WBA game and much more positive about things - COYW
When you are on a run of one win in 12 games, performances no longer matter. If the performances from now until the end of the season are respectable but performances are not and we are relegated, would you be happy? We don't have the players to play the way Jol wants, so good performances are going to be something or a rarity, but the Newcastle game showed we can still grind out results. I think Jol was justified in bringing in Briggs, Frei, Dejagah etc but I agree Stockdale had a mare, Somogyi was the only other option, and then it probably would have been double figures!
In amongst the obvious negatives already mentioned above ..... I think that we played better today than last 3 outings - though that was not difficult. I was pleased to see Ruiz get 90 minutes, although Berbatov had a relatively quiet day. Some naive defending errors and we lose despite 22 shots. C O Y W
If we continued to perform like we did at QPR and Liverpool then I would be worried. I think performances do count. As I said above we showed spirit and were so much better. Today was not our day and we gifted them that win but if we continue to show the same commitment and that performance then we will get results.
Getting bored of writing this, can't believe Jol hasn't come to the same conclusion- Frei should not be playing on the left. He is heavily one footed and lightweight, his pace is worthless if he has to check in at some point. The only way we will get real value from his is on the right where he can beat the man for pace and cross it in. Combined with Briggs we basically have no threat from the left, Briggs was staying too deep and Frei was floating infield- crowding the area where Ruiz and Berbatov are meant to be operating. We created very little from that flank. Dejagah on the right had a 'mare on par with Stockdale, if the keeper cost us two goals Dejagah lost us two. In the moments before he was subbed you could see his head was gone, he abandoned his flank, where he was getting a lot of ball (and doing bugger all with it) and stood in the middle, trying to avoid it. It was a woeful performance lacking in composure or execution- he shouldn't start again for a while (if at all). Very worried by Jol's 'plan b' which was to bring Senderos on and play Hangeland up front. Clearly Stockdale had been told to keep it on the floor- he only kicked long when under pressure- which meant we had a big man up front but no quick service- the defence went through a continental charade for about 5 mins, passing it back and forth, before someone lumped it up. There is still time and room for Jol to work things out, but right now he's looking a bit clueless. Fair enough, bring in some young blood, but not 3 at once- two in key defensive positions- he should have known they would make mistakes which led to a disjointed performance undermined by individual errors. Ruiz looking good, Berbatov showed touches of class but his laziness meant he was offside for the goal. He has to make the effort to get back, numerous times I was screaming at him as he ambled back slowly. If the defence are under pressure he has to offer that option. It's a poisoned chalice with Berba, he is class to watch but the price is the steady unraveling of our team spirit, the fabric of so much recent success.
Came away from the game a lot happier than after the Southampton game, even though we lost. That was thanks to an excellent second half (the first was poor) when we held a high line and pinned them back. Despite losing that second goal we showed real spirit. The basic stats regarding attempts at goal sum it up; 22 of which 13 were on target overall, in the first half it was 6 attempts and 1 on target ! Yes Stockdale was at fault for both Swansea goals (and was poor in the air), but I honestly believe it was the first substitution which caused us at least one point. Another yes, in that Dejagah could have shown more composure with the cross over everyone and his poor attempt to cut the ball back in the five minutes before he was taken off. However he was a threat. Hugo offered nothing and we lost our shape with Bryan again being pushed out right. The second sub and pushing Hangeland up front was a wee bit out of desperation but I can see why Jol did it given the bench. However of the two I would have put Senderos up. Of the other 'new' boys; Briggs did well despite a few silly mistakes and his crossing could have been a tad better. Frei had a poor first half coming inside (and not with the ball) too often and when he did have the ball was shrugged off it too easily too often. Sidwell probably gets the top marks but you have to love Kara's enthusiasm. Bryan brought the stability and the link in midfield that we've missed (until drifting out right, that is). The rest (Hughes, Hangeland, Riether and Berba) were fine, although it was Berba's quietest (not verbally but on the ball) game so far. Work to be done as they say and very disappointing not to get at least a point but .. optimism ! Ringing the changes had (some) of the desired effect. A sour footnote: Jol walking off giving the JH 'thumbs down' at boos
Obviously did not see the game only reports. Stickdale my views on his ability were made some time ago. Short term fix Robinson, a couple of lonees + Samba, hopefully maintaining our priemiership status, and Jol going for some early quality and not waiting till the last minute for the dross pickings as the start of this season.
For what it's worth, these are the positions and players needed in January to steady the ship in my opinion GK (Bolat, Butland) CB (Simpson, Samba) CM (Ramsey (loan) Derek Boateng) CF (Bent, Charlie Austin) Obviously don't need, or wouldn't be able to acquire all of those players, but one from each position I feel would set us up nicely for the second half of the season Butland/Bolat Riether Hangeland Samba/Simpson Riise (new LB in the Summer) Diarra Ramsey/Boateng Ruiz Duff Berbatov Bent/Austin For me, that's a side that would easily finish top 10.
Bringing Kaca and Frei through to replace Duff will see the average age of our team decrease rapidly. Yesterday's selection by Jol was probably the youngest we've had in years, with Stockdale, Frei, Briggs and Dejagah all getting game time. I think the summer is when we will all begin to see Jol's team take shape, at the moment we are far too reliant on our 'experienced' players in Duff, Schwarzer, Riise and Hangeland.
Will Jol be the manager in the summer? Not because I think he should be shown the door but as Cottager mentioned has not renewed his contract!
Here are video highlights of the game - http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/december/31/swansea-highlights Having watched it a few times now, I'm going to revise my comment in the earlier post that Stockdale was at fault for both goals. Obviously he was for the second and he really should have done better for the first. However for that first goal, Briggs was at fault for not following Rangel and Sidwell equally culpable for not picking up Dyer who had the initial shot. And there was Hangeland's poor clearance initially, to add to quite poor defending all round.
C58 - Exactly as is happened right in front of me Stockdale was less culpable for the first goal. Both Briggs and Riise have this problem, often also exposed by Frei/Kaca in front of them. Against Southampton, I noted Sidwell coming over to cover.
Couldn't agree more silkship, and it won't have escaped your notice that our goal came from a cross by Frei. on the right.
