The Swansea allumni must feel at home playing in white with 32Red on their shirts Happy to see them doing the business....now was Bartley on a short term loan???
My thoughts on the game.... Odd, but enjoyable game. Ranged from the sublime to toe-curlingly awkward nervousness. We had a first half of end to end nothingness, and scored a goal that we really didn't deserve. In the second half, we had a fantastic first 20 mins, a splendid goal, and should have scored more. Then it went a little sour. They gained the upper hand in large spells and managed to score. We were scrambling - no doubt about that, but we never actually panicked as far as I could see. Changed days, eh? The benefit of their pressure in this spell is that they left more & more gaps at the back & we had a lot of chances. Which we squandered, sadly, but nothing new there. On 75 mins, we brought Antonsson on for Sacko, and appeared to play 4-4-2 from thereon in. We didn't have the same threat then, even though Monk was obviously looking to exploit the gaps with the extra player up front. Antonsson coming on made it blindingly obvious how big a threat Sacko is (even though there's not a great deal of end product, tbh). The other subs were so late that they had no effect on the game. While I'm at it, I'd like to point out that I think it's unfair the criticism that Roofe seems to be drawing. Even Noel Whelan was having a go on the radio. The poor lad is getting a few minutes at a time & is being expected to turn games. He came to us as a confident, high-scoring striker, albeit from L2. So we play him as a winger at the tail end of most games. Hardly going to do much for his confidence, is it? Green - Didn't have a great deal to do, but did ok most of the time. I believe he should probably have done better for their goal. It was difficult to see in real time & the highlights haven't helped, but I think he should easily have cut out that ball. I'd love to see footage from behind the goal to confirm. May well have been a howler. Ayling - Didn't go forward too often today. Suspect it was tactical. Although I've said that Green should have prevented the goal, their opportunity came when Ayling was positionally inept & failed to stop the cross. And not for the first time in the match. And most certainly not the first time this season. I'm afraid it's a trait that hasn't been knocked out of him yet. I can't wait for Berardi to return, and honestly feel that Coyle should be seriously considered to replace Ayling until Berardi is ready. Won't happen though. Jansson - Was actually targeted by them in the first half, and got assaulted, barged etc. a lot. Not one decision from the ref. This is the danger of your reputation going before you. Think they were trying to test his temper. Didn't work. He came out on top. Way out on top. MotM candidate. Either him or Phillips. Bartley - Different role to Jansson, but equally immense. Surprisingly vocal since he got that armband, which is a good thing. Well taken goal too, I might add. Watch it again, & imagine he missed - would you have given him a penalty? I would. 2 guys on him & 1 pulled him to the ground. Deffo pen, yet he managed to comfortably score. Hope he gets the credit he deserves for this. Anyone know if he's a straight loan, or a try before you buy? Taylor - Didn't exactly set the heather alight, but had his moments. TBF, like Ayling, it was tactics that dictated him not going forward as often as we'd like. I've said before that he's still a 7+/10 player, but perhaps I was being a little generous. Perhaps 6+/10 is more accurate. Btw, am hearing that we are apparently going to be offering him an improved contract soon. Fingers crossed. Phillips - Said last home game that I though it was perhaps his best game for us to date. Update: he was a lot better today! He's settling in well, getting more confident, & showing that there's more to him than being a DM digger. Some great passing from him & just never stopped. What an engine! MotM candidate with Jansson, and I think he just edged it. O'Kane - Sterling performance again today. Lovely lob forward for Hernandez's goal. Great DM work, & a promising partnership with Phillips. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that Bridcutt might struggle to get back into the team! I did crap myself at one stage when he went down injured & in a flash I tried to imagine our performances minus him & Bridcutt. Fortunately, the magic sponge prevailed Dallas - Yet another great performance. Perhaps not as good as the Ipswich match, but great nevertheless. Can't imagine who can oust him from the team. Hernandez - Another really excellent performance, topped off with a goal. Human dynamo. Nonstop running. Constant threat. Love it! Sacko - Another great performance. He still doesn't get crosses in early or accurately enough, and isn't brilliant with his decision-making, but he is one helluva threat, and the opposition know all about it. He has searing pace & knows how to use it. He's got a load of tricks too & some quite inventive passing. Love watching him play. Wood - Struggled today against 2 chunky & very capable CBs. Referee gave him nothing, but he didn't allow his head to drop. He might not have been brilliant today, but he was a threat, and he is playing with confidence, so it all bodes well (I hope).
Great report as always WJ. We've now reached quarter way and I've constantly said this is the point to judge progress. Personally think Monks appointment and his subsequent signings have been first rate.great crowd there too at over 27k despite the stay away fan. It could have been one more
Agree, really look forward to WJs match reports - always first class. You are on the money, you consistently said don't judge too soon and, hands up I was deeply concerned after the first handful of games. The only thing I would say to balance that is, how strong could we be by now if the players were told when pre season started and it being a few weeks earlier, signings were a bit quicker and we had been more decisive in getting the head coach and his team sorted as soon as the season had finished? Not a strongly anti Cellino angle, just wish we didn't seem to start each season on the back foot. Huddersfield are a good example of what I am saying. Anyway, I said on Friday I hope we are all smiling by Saturday night. I certainly am and can't imagine how great you are feeling - good luck to you and enjoy a pint or two of Guinness today
Perhaps Monk couldnt have been signed any earlier. Id imagine some of these negotiations can drag out especially given Cellino doesnt bombard anyone with money. Still on a high here but cant have a celebratory drink yet as still on hospital visiting duty for another day or so. Off to Glasgow in two weeks with some drinking buddies and well put that right hopefully
Another 3pts. We continue to move in the right direction and with a degree of stability. Monk appears now to know his starting XI with 5 on the bench all pushing for starting spots. Top is a realistic potential outcome. And the crowds are coming back. Allin all,things are starting to look good again. Morning all
Crowds coming back? Barnsley were flying when tickets went on sale, our season Ticket holders get included in attendance whether they turn up or not.its a local derby, not sure your description of crowds coming back is as accurate as you think.
WJ match reports are worth reading every time, unless called Chippy at the moment. Great to see so many outstanding performances from the players. we used to get 2 good performances at most and the reason we lost so many points. Wish we had got our just rewards from the Bristol game as that would have been an excellent month for Gary and the squad. Still not firing up front are we and we really do deserve to be 3 up at half time of late
Worth reading for me too.... I cant be bothered reading the press reports so am relying on Neil and others here who actually go to give a supporters eye view of whats going on.
Great analysis of the match WJ. I normally only remember the kick off/half time and the final whistle
I'm flattered, chaps, but it's more a set of opinions rather than an accurate report. I'd love it if we got some more views, so we had more to discuss. For instance, I've been hard on Ayling, but perhaps I've been looking for mistakes and missing the best bits. I know for instance that guys I speak to at half time are really down on Phillips, yet I have (always had) the highest regard for him. So chaps, anyone who's been at the matches, please show my views shouldn't be taken as gospel - call me out & help me see what I'm missing.
One thing to mention that I've omitted is that the star 'player' of late has been team effort. They all play for each other. No passengers. They might not be international class in what they do, but they give 100% effort & commitment. This is something we've not experienced for years - and could be the key to our future, rather than individual player skills / performance.
