Well I went to see this one and I've got to say a few things looked good. The movement and quick passes were nice which bode well for the season ahead. Harley played down the left wing and impressed with speed and direct running, Graham looks to offer what we need up front, Dyer was pretty lively, and Caulker/Ash at the back looks a great partnership. Trialists Stuckmann and Radames both played fairly well, the German keeper not having much to do but the Brazilian midfielder making good interceptions and passes that suggest he could actually have something to offer us this season. I'd think we'll be bringing in another keeper but Stuckmann isn't bad third choice or maybe for a Championship team. Second half we saw Leon, Dobbie, Butler and Moore who all looked sharp and good. Kemy was a bit strong in his passing but a young backline performed well. Only thing that spoiled the game for me was the ref (who was fairly biased and/or inept), and the defensive display from our leftback (not sure who it was but he'd do far better on the left wing). All in all it was a decent warmup and a few people impressed me. Roll on the Celtic/Betis games!
Read the write up on the swans website...the only thing that didnt seem to marry up with the report, such as possession etc is the result :s lol How long before we get like what we got on 606 and people calling for Rodgers to be fired, Huw to go and that we aint going to be getting a single point in the premiership? i give it 7 hours haha
Quite agree with Chris's views on the game. It was a useful work-out and they all looked pretty fit. The team lacked cohesion and continuity going forward and may have been 4-0 up at half time if the finishing had been better. There were so many new faces it wasn't going to be easy and it looked as if a few of the guys were playing with one another for the first time, so I don't know what Brendan would have learned form this first exercise. Danny Graham looked sharp in the first half but was then substituted at half-time. The player who stood out for me in the second half was Kemy Augustien. He held on the ball well, passed well (although a few were over hit), but all in all he contributed well and looked class. Leon, Nathan, Dobbie and the new guys at the back looked decent considering it was their first time in a competitive game. I'm sure it was Chaulker who also shone at the back. Nice touches and good distribution. Swansea must have had 70+% of the possession and Dobbie came closest to scoring in the second half. Neath spent a lot of time without the ball, but when thy did have it, threatened down the flanks. I don't know who the No3 for the Swans was, but he had a poor game and several of touches were disappointing to say the least. The only goal came after a penalty was awarded in the 44th minute against the Swans, but otherwise they were untroubled at the back. A decent workout but hope the game at Port Talbot sees a bit more excitement for the fans, as £10 isn't exactly cheap to watch a kick-about...
Yeah well I thought it was a decent game really, apart from a goalscorer Neath are the equivalent of a L2/L1 side probably from what I saw today. Their keepers also made 3-4 good saves too! A few youngsters impressed me, plus the new signings, so I'll throw the result out and take it for what it was - a nice workout.
Thanks for the report Chris ... reading the score earlier I was somewhat despondent, but glad to hear that we player better than the score suggested.
Take the result with a pinch of salt. Considering they only started training on Monday, game just to brush the cobwebs off, serious work will now start.
I think to be honest these games have to be played to continue our local presence, but for the players the result is probably the least important aspect of the game. Nice report Chris, it's good to see an honest opinion. Hopefully we'll see who starts to shine in the other friendlies!
At the Port Talbot game I was discussing the poor ref-ing in the Neath game only to be told that the red was behind me!....and he was! He still claimed that it was a blatant penalty, although the linesman was very quiet! Local area ref! And luckily it should be the last time we encounter him!
