After squirming through that dreadful first half, I couldn't believe the difference between both it and the West Ham game, compared with the first half against Sunderland a few weeks back. We rolled Sunderland over with some tremendous team play, but yesterday we were all over the place and looked a shambles. Not just Whittingham's fault, but he was hopelessly off the pace - his slowness and lack of confidence was typical of most. Biting the bullet and replacing him was a refreshing approach from Ole. Then we came back out looking the business and got in front with the two quick goals. I thought that was it. Norwich started giving the ball away and were falling apart - we were cruising. I saw Fabio down and some activity on the bench below I thougfht was me because of it. Then Gunnar got up and thought Ole was pulling a masterstroke of tactics and that could be a good swap - Gunnar has played there before and wouldn't let us down at the crunch. Then Mutch's number was put up on the board to come off - i just could not believe that. The first thing that came back into my head was that Sunderland game. We'd dropped back about the same time and lost a two goal advantage trying to hang in there instead of pushing on. It was a case of deja vu but with a happier ending. We got away with it but could have easily lost all three points with that approach. Never mind the plaudits for the "tremendous back to the wall stuff", we were very very lucky indeed. Pure luck and some inspired stuff from Marshall made the difference. On another day (Malky's favourite expression), we'd have got stuffed.
The desperation of needing to get that first win under Ole's belt was nearly the downfall of us. When Zaha came on we looked a completely different side immediately, I actually had some expectation of getting the win, everything became more lively and we had them under pressure. We came out and got those two quick goals and I don't think I could be blamed for expecting another to seal the game, but it went all wrong somewhere along the line, we went all malky defensive, but without the malky defensive setup, we looked all over the place. God knows how we survived, but survive we did, a most welcome 3 points. Ole needs to not go down that route again, thank god for Marshall.
Yes, Gunnar at right back might have been okay. A restricted role with the aims of marking, winning the ball and passing to someone, e.g. Medel, who can use the ball usefully from the back. But in the middle of the park Gunnar looks totally lost, getting the wrong side of his opponent and giving the ball away needlessly. When he had his long throw he had a purpose to his game which perhaps allowed us to overlook his deficiencies. Without that he is little more than an average Championship player. I can only assume Mutch was injured as there was no other reason to take him off. Hope he's okay for the Jacks game.
Mutch looked surprised to be going off so I don't think he was injured. He has just retuned from injury and went off against Utd so I think it may have been a decision to try and keep him safe for the matches we have coming up. I do blame wits for most of that first half. We played 1 in cm for 20 odd minutes until ole switched him and Mutch. There was an instant improvement and we got into the game. We then obviously didn't have a left mid so ole ha no choice but to impose the worst type of humiliation on wits by dragging him off first half. It was the right decision and it was Ole putting his hands up and saying I ****ed up. We are very light at cm. Gunnar isn't good enough, wits is no where near good enough. I hope cowie isn't far from fitness and that eikrem can step up to the standard required. Bridcut for 2.5m was an absolute steal. I thought Gunnar was a disappointment but the biggest problem in those last 15 was that KJ was out on his feet. If we could swapped him for FC instead of the forced fabio change I think a 3rd was there for the taking with the way Norwich were over committing. That's just lack of match fitness from KJ though who was excellent and exactly what we haven't had for years.
Bridcutt was always going to follow Poyet up there, but I do think we should have tried to hijack the deal. I'd go as far as to say he's better than Medel in value for money terms. We should stick with Noone and Zaha to start next week with Jones up front and Bellamy just behind him. That just leaves Medel to patrol the area in front of the back four and Mutch the area behind the front 1+1 arrangement. Sounds a bit light, but we need to play our game rather than worry about Swansea playing theirs. Allowing Swansea posession to pass it around at the back and hit them with counter attacks looks like the best way to get anything. Don't listen to all this crap about the Laudrup/Jenkins thing and the fact that it's causing them problems on the pitch. They have plenty of quality to hurt us and a point would be a decent return. Saying that, with the right approach to the game, we can get all three.
The way Swansea play will allow us to play further up the pitch, if we are in their faces I can see them freeze like rabbits in headlights, all the pressure will be on them. I think either Chico or Shelvey will see red.
Mutch coming off was a suprise particularly as so many players at the end were out on their feet. Cowie should replace Gunner on the bench when fit. Or bring back Ralls. Gunner was again chasing shadows and I have no confidence when he comes on. If he keeps his place I really hope he can come good and prove me wrong. Hes trying but just looks out of his depth. Lets face it we were battered yesterday and an outstanding display by Marshall and some luck gave us the points. Ole is trying to get the team to play a different way and gel together in a short space of time. Will he keep us up - I dont think so but long term I think he will get success.
In the first half I was concerned that we kept trying to play the ball out of defence as nobody seemed to know what to do with it and they just kept getting each other in trouble.
They have their off-pitch problems and the assumption is it seem to be spilling over into their performances, but to underestimate the ability they have available would be unwise. An awful lot was said about our own "off-pitch" problems affecting our palyers at the time - I honestly don't think it did to that extent. We were playing poorly at the time because we lacked genuine quality in any depth, and those we had in the squad were being mis/under used. The system was wrong and not working. We seem to have a new direction as well as half a dozen new players who need now to grow into it - the quicker the better. Swansea have a system that's served them well. For some reason, it's not happeneing at the moment. I wouldn't bet against it clicking again - hopefully not next week. Being mindfull of it is not the same as being afraid. As I said, we need to plan our own game on the basis of what we can do, not just to counter them.
When we scored our 2nd our entire team bar Marshall were as one celebrating together. Swansea are a divided outfit and im sure Chicos cheating yesterday wont have helped. Laudrup seems uniterested and I couldnt believe his Radio interview last night it sounds as though Emnes wasnt his signing he knows next to nothing about him. However they have a system they are all used to and have players who will give our defence all sorts of problems. All the pressure is on them. But the double doesnt seem to happen and I think they will probably win. If we win - I think thats them down. I dont think we will draw many more games - its all or nothing and home games are the key. But I dont think we will try to just grind out draws away. Something I think we could do fairly easily against Swansea. We will attack and that will suit them.
