JdG < He is only here on loan for a reason, not good enough in all due respect, the only personality I dislike in the entire squad. Michu; I could totally understand his frustration when he received his 'yellow card', he and Bony will need better supply than what was provided tonight. Considering everything, Swans are building a great foundation for the coming season. Hope everyone who travelled, enjoyed the experience.
I'm sorry to say my assessment of JDG form last year is being borne out - I just hope thatPablo proves me wrong this season as I though he was as bad as JDG last year - just my opinion!
Job done and everything I have gripes with has been covered by Terror and Ivor, Routledge needed taking off, Taylor has to be second to Ben Davies after that performance, and well De Guzman, I've never been a fan of, but for me the biggest failing tonight, was the very poor service to Bony, who looked isolated most of the game, and I really felt sorry for him, we'll have to be much better than this, to beat Manu!.................. PS: I'm still do not know why we bought De Guzman and Ki!.............
We didn't buy De Guzman, he is here on loan Also I still believe criticism of Ki is a bit harsh, as we all know he is more of CM/AM player, but last season he was played as a DM, which is not what he is used too. Playing in a new tem is enough to give some players trouble fitting in, not added to the fact he was being played in a role he wasn't used too. Last night he came on, and I was praying that ML would push him forward and leave De Guzman alongside Canas, but again I feel disappointed for the lad because I think we need to see him in all his glory before we can think about why we bought him.
Yes, it would be nice to see Ki pushed forward as an AM in our next "easy" game. He has obvious shooting power and ability and I think if he gets just one net-bulger, it just might give him the confidence he needs and get rid of his reluctance about taking a shot. With his ability he should be good for at least six goals a season - given he gets decent game time of course. But if he does start scoring, he will get that.
That will be a week on Sunday then The problem at the moment is ML needs to find his 1st XI line up and then how we plays in all the variety of options he has available to him - it makes the head hurt just thinking about it. What was clear last night was we lacked width and we look a look better with Ben and Rangel making their runs and Dyer and Routs starting. Re Ki I believe the lad has untapped potential as an AM - but note sure how many games he will start in that position.
Agree with the general consensus. JDG is pants and for a dead ball specialist his free kicks were utterly shocking. Pozuelo looks better either as cover for Michu in the hole or as an impact sub against tired legs. He has a bright future though. Bony could chase down the ball a little more but he looks a real finisher (as his 'offside' goal proves). Ben and Rangel are defo first choice FB's Ash and Chico were unbeatable as ever. I thought we lacked width (but given the 4-0 advantage I'm guessing ML wasn't playing our most attacking line-up) and also we lacked presence in the middle. The space between Canas and Michu was vast and I thought Ki filled it well when he came on. Shelvey would have made a difference but I can understand resting him as the game was already won. JDG was fairly useless in the middle. Can't wait for Pablo to come back, we look like we need an option to challenge Dyer on the right and Pozuelo isn't the right kind of player.
For an over-enthusiastic tackle when he was trying to pressure their midfield - probably trying to show de Guzman what energy is all about. It was badly timed and, in fairness, deserved a card. Michu isn't just a goalscorer, he's a wholehearted player with it. He puts himself about and always puts in a shift. Talent and work rate makes him a winner in my book. Others in our team should follow his example.
Michu was booed for his shocking tackle on a malmo player that he was given a yellow for where most refs in the premiership would have given him a straight red and in fairness we or he would have no complaints, Even ash had to have a word with him to cool things down so thats why the malmo fans turned on him. I was praying laudrup would take him off for safety reasons which he finally did but a bit late for my liking...
