One newspaper report states that Michu overheard a Bradford player saying to his team mates after the penalty incident, "they'll get eight or nine, now". Seems that Michu replied, "Don't worry we'll just keep the ball. It's respect." If this is true, and I have no reason to doubt it particularly as it is so in character, what a terrific attitude. Michu is such a pleasant, rounded guy and I have all the time in the world for him. In fact, we can be proud of all our Spanish contingent, they do us, themselves and their country proud. So glad we have them. Some of the bits and pieces. We got a congratulatory mention at the Oscars last night from Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta. Our fame spreads even in Hollywood!! Jamie Redknapp says it is about time that Roy Hodgson considered Britton and Dyer for England making a particular case for Leon. Other mentions in the press as well, acknowledging our little midfielder's claims for an international cap. Quite right, too. Maybe some decent displays in Europe will swing it for him. I haven't read everything on the net but it seems that opinion is well divided about the MOM. Mentions for Nathan, Leon, Michu, Routledge and Pablo with the latter seeming to get the edge. I know that Pablo has his critics but there is no doubting his huge quality when he is on form. It seems to me that he suffers because he always looks for the killer pass, which is usually the most difficult one to pull off. More often that not, the pass isn't completed for that reason and we lose possession. However, many times it succeeds and we score a goal from it. Take yesterday. That sublime nutmeg ball to set up Michu's goal was pure class. But had Jones closed his legs, the ball would have bounced off them and Pablo would have looked foolish. The moral is, play enough of them and some will get through to set up goal chances. In contrast, how many goal scoring chances did Joe Allen set up? Not many. Anyway, I've had time to reflect on a truly great day and it gets better each time I think about it. Only one sour note: in a newspaper interview, Michael Laudrup was asked about the pending Real Madrid vacancy. He had the chance to deny interest but merely said that any such decision would have to wait until July. Worrying. He could have said no and because of that I'm getting a nasty sense of deja vu. Martinez and Rodgers? Personally, I would like believe that ML now sees his immediate future with us, particularly as he now has the exciting prospect of leading the team that he has built into Europe. I'm sure he is as keen as anyone to see how our style of football will cope. I think, very well. It is for that reason I am going to remain optimistic and look forward to a Michael Laudrup led Swans wowing the football public over the Channel.
Ivor, different to what Sky are reporting http://www1.skysports.com/football/...el-Laudrup-maintains-he-will-stay-next-season
Ivor it looked like they didnt want to Embarass Bradford. They just kept the ball and didnt seem to want to push to hard for a goal. It was like a training match. Then as soon as the board went up it was if they said, well lets just get one more and scored immediately.
MON, Yes, I've seen other articles along the same lines. I suppose it's what you choose to believe. Naturally, I much prefer the Sky version. Mind you, I wonder what happened about the contract extension that was being mooted a few days ago? Seems to have died a death. That said, ML does like to play his cards close to his chest and, if we do have a half decent run in Europe, he might well stay on. Also, he has talked about players that he expects to bring in. It seems unlikely that he would do that and then walk out on them after just one season. Surely they would be expect him to manage for longer than that? Let's hope so.
Trunds, I'm convinced that we could have scored three or four more if we had really pressed. Had we been playing another Premier League team, I'm sure we would have gone flat out to do it, if only for the psychological value that such a win would have given us. Sure the guys wanted an emphatic win but, imo, they had no wish whatsoever to humiliate Bradford on such an auspicious occasion. Neither the team nor their brilliant fans deserved that.
Ivor - have to disagree with the ´respect` thing in your example - they are professional footballers paid to play to their best abilities for the whole match. When Liverpool took us apart last week none of their players were thinking ´lets give them a break its only their 2nd team´- no they went all out to get as many goals as they could- as they should do, anything else is just patronising. of course its natural to take your foot off the gas when you re 4 up but not to make a conscious decision to stop scoring, that is against the spirit of the competition and football in general. Bradford were finally found out but they did themselves proud to get there and the real respect was shown when we clapped them off at the end - that was class.
Ivor - have to disagree with the ´respect` thing in your example - they are professional footballers paid to play to their best abilities for the whole match. When Liverpool took us apart last week none of their players were thinking ´lets give them a break its only their 2nd team´- no they went all out to get as many goals as they could- as they should do, anything else is just patronising. of course its natural to take your foot off the gas when you re 4 up but not to make a conscious decision to stop scoring, that is against the spirit of the competition and football in general. Bradford were finally found out but they did themselves proud to get there and the real respect was shown when we clapped them off at the end - that was class.
As a Laudrup fan I really hope he stays. It's far more exciting following the Swans progress. There are still a lot of adventures left to be explored. If he goes to a big club, it's all been done and tried which must be far less rewarding. But if he does leave, it's seems like you have a chairman that knows what he's doing. I wouldn't be surprised if the next manager takes Swans even further. As for Michu. I've always liked he's attitude, he seems so humble and grounded. A really nice bloke.
Slight difference exiled. Goal difference is important in the League where every goal counts - just ask Man U after last season! To me we lost 4 points at Anfield - 3 points for the game and a possible point for our goal difference. In the Cup the game was won at 4-0. It will fully explain why Bradford had their best spell - it was a 10 min period when they had 10 men!
Yes - valid point PGF though I would still contest that deciding not to score anymore goals (out of pity or any other reason) is patronising and against the spirit of the game, moreover cheating the paying public. If it did happen im sure Michu would not admit it - i cant imagine Laudrup would be too happy for one!
This wouldn't surprise me in the least regarding Michu, there's no doubt in my mind regarding the lad, he's a real genuine guy, with so much simpatico, as the Italians would say, he has very pleasing and atractive qualities, rarely found in football players these days, proud to have him at Swansea!...................... Contrast him with the Dirty cheating Suarez!...........
