Just back from Kalmar (disappointing 2-2 after taking the lead twice) - I'll take all the credit for not watching the QPR game. Unbelievable!!!!! On Friday, Norrköping is playing at home at the same time as QPR. Get your money on a big win against Blackburn!
Much better today. Actually didn’t really know how to react when we scored. Anymore games like that and Eustace might get the job.
I was confident of a point once we were 4 up but everyone around me in SA Rd were of same opinion. Best back 4 we can put out. furlong better CH than RB. Manning a revelation at LB compared to Bidwell. No Lynch - that’s worth 2 goals at least Midfield actually pressing and putting pressure on opposition. Was strangely happy with the 4 yellows at HT. we properly got stuck in. BOS given a start and a proper handful Imagine if you throw Chair, Oteh etc into the mix - we are a decent lower to mid table championship side. I sit right above the bench and Eustace was constantly driving the midfield and defence forward to press Swansea. Seems he has a simple method which worked. Pick our best 4 defenders 3 central midfielders to work their bollox off BOS & Luke as creative and **** me Hemed covered more than one blade of grass and best part of the game was him barging SC centre half off the ball before banging in the 2nd goal. Also good timing and rational subs.... What’s not to like
We just didn’t perform. Middlesborough put a high press on us last week and we stuffed them. I don’t think QPR put such a hugh press on us, so that isn’t an excuse. QPR took their chances and we defended poorly. Sometimes football is as simple as that. We had a bad day at the office and deserved the thumping.
I'm very pleased to say that I swallowed my anger at the Millwall non-event, fought bravely through transport disasters and made it to HQ to witness the performance of the season. Who saw that coming? Silly old Swans trying to play football in the Championship. Never going to work. I do wonder how our season would have gone if Rangel had stayed fit - a true inspiration.
He did well today, but he's a bang average player whose ridiculously inflated wages we are supposedly paying in full (I don't actually believe this could be the case). He scored on his debut for us and got a couple today, but he's been dogshit in every other game I've seen him play. Two bob.
Trouble is, too much of this season they've run around half asleep with their fingers up their arses, particularly Luongo and Cousins
Wow. That was EXCEPTIONAL. The boys were really, REALLY up for this game. The energy levels and the pressing was fantastic: they were still at it in the last 5 minutes. Everyone played well, although Freeman looked a bit tired and was substituted in the second half, for the first time that I can recall. But it wasn't just a question of hard work, there was some really good football played: great tackles, interceptions, passes, goals, the lot. Hemed worked hard. Hemed worked hard (in case you didn't believe it the first time) and showed some touches that I didn't expect. Two goals but, incredibly, not quite Man of the Match, I give that to Scowen. He did everything you'd want him to do and more. He's been tremendous the last few games. Even Cousins was running around AND being effective. Great to see Furlong at CB and playing well. Bright Samuel played well and was up there near Hemed and Scowen in my ratings, proving - surely PROVING - that he must start every match. A mention, too for Manning, who proved very effective at LB and put in some great crosses. And finally a word for the gaffer, John Eustace. I don't know what he said, what he put in their tea but well done John for choosing that team, setting them up that way, getting a 90 minute press and motivating them to play their match of the season. I am going to enjoy this weekend, might even renew the season tickets....
He usually does ok when we're playing a high press and today was no exception although he was easily outshone by Scowen and one or two others in that respect. I don't recall any incisive passing from him which is the area where we have been totally lacking for a long time now. I know he has his fans but if can't be a creative as well as dogged then a) others can do what he does better and b) we need someone else to open up defences that are less obliging than Swansea's was today.
If you expect Paul Scholes in a lower mid-table Championship side, you're going to be disappointed. Luongo was excellent today. I would agree that Scowen was MOM, though.
like everyone else didn't see that coming. To all the Rangers fans who have endured total dross this season, hoped you witnessed that performance, you deserved it