Very disappointing performance we only played well for about 15 minutes of the game. Michu underwhelming, Shelvey inconsistent, De Guzman non existent, Dyer poor decision making and execution. We sparked when Pozuelo came on, he always makes himself available for a pass the off the ball movement of too many of our other players was awful. And WTF was Tiendalli doing, did he think he was playing Basketball? I'd have Neil Taylor at RB over him anyday. We've played well the last 5 games (before tonight) and we need to pick it up again at Norwich.
First and foremost credit to Hull whose game plan was absolutely spot on. It gave us little time on the ball and their rotating 3 at the back worked a treat because we created very little. That said, our players had little intensity, looked jaded and apart from Dyer frankly looked as if they really couldn't be bothered. Tiendalli doesn't know how to beat a man or pass in a forward direction and it shows how we miss the Rangel/ Dyer combo on the right. Michu clearly isn't match fit so we can forgive him. Neither JDG nor Shelvey could beat the first man on corners - all of that was down to our players, not Hull. Hernandez was busy but seemed to play inside far too much instead of trying to beat his man to the byline. Don't get me started on Williams. Possibly the worse game he's ever had in a Swans shirt? Looked tired and lazy. That game was beamed around the world and for the first time in many years I was pretty close to being ashamed of the team I love. A very lucky handball goal that we didn't deserve and a good shout for a pen that was turned down rescued a point so it's a game soonest forgotten. We go into the top half after playing gash. Go figure.
What game plan did hull have? We gifted them the game from the first minute to the last. we were playing a game called get the ball off us if you can but dont hurt us as we have a european game next. Thank god its my last season as a ST holder as its not worth the hassle paying good money to watch your team not trying to win..
hull back and midfield very good but apart form the gifted goal and one shot offered nothing - too much respect maybe?
I agree with everything that's been said about the laziness of the play especially in the 1st half. Another thing I really don't understand is why Michu started that game? Surely it would of been better to begin the game with the 4 6 0 and bring Michu on at the hour mark to give him a run out ready for a start at St Gallen? It was plain to see he wasn't match fit so was astounded he stayed on for the full game.
Dai: Tosh. Utter tosh. Are you seriously suggesting Hull didn't have a game plan? Ok let me educate you: Bruce played three at the back, with sometimes one of their wingers or a central midfielder dropping back to make it four when needed. They weren't adventurous because they'd have been happy with a point at the Liberty. They knew we'd have lots of possession and were happy to have the odd foray forward when we gave the ball away - luckily for them it was quite a lot tonight. They also knew we've had a tendency to play with little width recently so they flooded the field centrally with bodies in thier final third and this made it difficult to pick a way through. Hernandez obliged by cutting inside every single time he got the ball. The only joy we came close to getting was through Dyer on the right but he was fighting a lone battle because Tiendalli doesn't or isn't able to attack in the way Rangel does. Game plan? Of course they did. And it worked. We were crap but credit is due to the opposition too.
I don't blame hull at all, I blame the whole mentality of the way we as a club are approaching the season, Its bloody obvious that european games are a top priority and that is well wrong. we never try and play our natural high tempo game before a european match for fear of injuries and we are dropping points because of it. Its disrespectful towards the fans who turn up to sit through that knowing we are not out of 3rd gear and gifting the opposition a breakaway chances to score. Hull were unfortunate tonight and deserved more than the got...
Dai: Tosh. Utter tosh. Are you seriously suggesting Hull didn't have a game plan? sorry but were you at the game ? They had no game plan at all, we gifted them their goal and tried to play pass the parcel all game in a speed that the toon would have got half a dozen goals if we had played like that against them. hull had nothing to offer and that shows how pathetic we were..
Pretty sure that Bruce came for the point, and we were unlucky not to get all 3, though a point was a fair result given the momentum shift after half time. Swansea definitely didn't look like the team they have been in the last couple of Seasons and we capitalised. It was a dreadful pass by Williams (who was really poor tonight) which led to our goal, though the cross was sublime. Good for Graham to finally get off the mark, and hopefully finds his form again. I thought the applause the Liberty gave him was a brilliant touch, and shows the ethics of both our Clubs (we aren't like these greedy rich arseholes like Chelsea). For the last few Seasons, our defence has been our strong point and that showed tonight. We defend as a unit and it's especially effective against teams that like the majority of possession (i.e. yourselves) as it allows us to basically suffocate the midfield and counter-attack. I think Chico's goal should have counted as it's impossible for anyone to call that and I'm sure our players would have reacted a lot more if they thought it was intentional, but I do think we should have had a penalty, as the lad's basically caught it . Thanks to the politeness of some of your fans, and good luck for the rest of the Season! (Apart from the return fixture at the KC obviously).
I reckon you're all being a bit harsh on Swansea - at first glance City's way record looks poor but the results only tell part of the story. We were very unfortunate (well robbed!) at Everton where Barry should have been sent off for horrendous tackles first on Graham and then on Aluko before he scored an offside goal in their 2-1 win; Spurs scored a late winner with a penalty that independent observers universally agreed should never have been given - we then went on to draw 2-2 against them after leading 2-1 in extra time of the League Cup; we lost to two late goals after pretty well dominating Man City and we had a fairly comfortable 3-2 away win against Newcastle. A common denominator in all of these games (and several of our home wins) have been comments from opposition supporters that their team played poorly. It's just not a coincidence - City really are difficult to break down and defend well from midfield. It's frustrating for opposition fans and Swansea, who are a good benchmark for a safe mid-table team, will find a lot of teams who are less well organised and will be more susceptible to their particular style of attacking play.
That must rank as one of our worst performances ever! It's no wonder the support is so poor, how the hell can you get enthusiastic over that garbage? Laudrup must take responsibility for the complete lack of passion and desire of our team, I can't ever remember a season with such passionless performances, and it's looking more like a Sousa season by the game. I am coming to the conclusion that Laudrup has no ability in motivating the dressing room, he displays very little passion himself, if any, and it's clearly rubbing off on the team, can't wait for this season to end!.................. Next Manager please Huw!
Its not the first time we have looked static against teams that press and defend deep. We have had similar games under Laudrup, Brendan & Martinez. As someone else mentioned the channels in the middle get congested and when we cut back in and if we go wide our crosses are poor and we have at best one target. We have had some success by cutting back once behind the defensive line. Bony scored from this the other week and Davies had a couple of crosses tonight. Unfortunately the pass when behind Michu but I seem remember Bony in a similar position stepped back to create space for the pass. Tonight though there was more to our poor performance than tactics, too many sloppy passes, slow to pick out runners and often a lack of movement creating this kind of stand off which looked awful. Set pieces worse than normal. Michu not fit. However nice to see DG running around and stretching defences, even if was not for us. But I did hear some booing at half time... really when did this ever help. I agree with Dai, so disappointed we did not take the opportunity to build on Newcastle performance and get some momentum before going into Europe & Xmas games.
Hull fans. So you did have a game plan. As if Bruce wouldn't. Yes Dai I was at the game. "But I did hear some booing at half time... really when did this ever help. " Agree. It's counter-productive even if the buggers deserved it.
Not sure about that. Laudrup was clearly fuming on the touch line tonight. I haven't seen him so animated. He does seem to get response in the second half, so I guess something is happening at half time.
I agree Dai Hull were poor, and didn't have much of a game plan, yet we made them look good? I am also coming to the conclusion that Laudrup's priority is Europe!
Where is Tate these days, causing bother again. Come on we have a chance of qualifying from Europa group stages.
I am so furious I could spill a bloody sack of beans here! But I think it's time to take a closer look at 'Laudrups lack of motivation of the dressing room'
