What a great win tonight. I was having dinner, so I was watching the the game behind about an hour. When it got to the 80th minute, I did think that we could win this 1-0. ( How many late winners or equalisers have we had this season? ) Then it happened, Dikes yet again, assisted by Adomah, how often has he been instrumental in our late goals? He's been fantastic when he's come on for us. Loads of assists and that winner away to Watford was our best performance of the season for me. Beating Swansea who were third and had everything to play for against us who were in 10th place ... The 'sometimes maybe good' team turned up tonight. Swansea played like an away side, we fully deserved that.
Just one more thing ... I think the ref tonight, Jarred Gillett who's Australian, is the best ref in the Championship. I can see him swiftly moving up to the Prem and then on to the major tournaments. ( Maybe a major final? ) He's a breath of fresh air with his no fuss laid back style of refferering. He lets the play flow when he can and is not too quick to pull a card. Having said that , he was very lenient with some of the Swans challenges but also didn't book one of our player's when they we're already on a yellow. I thought he managed the game well.
My Swans team w ere very disappointing again last night considerin that we were supposed to be on form and trying to get in to the land of milk and honey...however can’t take it away from QPR you played with enthusiasm ,skill,pace and a desire that we didn’t have at all
Agreed. I liked how quick he was to book our lot for time wasting at the end, too. That nonsense would stop if refs clamped down earlier.
Great result, the team we have now shows more potential than any we have had for years. The big question is, can we strengthen before next season, or is this our high water mark?
I'm hopeful. LoftForWords regularly reports that our wage bill is now c. £18m. According to Swiss Ramble [worth following his blog/twitter if you don't] that would make us the third lowest in the division, with only Rotherham and Barnsley behind us. We've lost the wages from BOS this year and I'd expect Cameron to follow. Surely room for one or two sensible additions? Johnansen is the challenge as I guess he'd have to take a big cut to join us, and if I were Fulham I'd want him in the squad next year. Of course we'll also have Field and de Wijs from the start of next season which will help, and Amos/Carroll returning from injury. For the first time in ages it feels like the squad doesn't need a massive overhaul - both wing backs have to be the priority, with a CM to replace Johansen as a very close second.
Yes, that does sound hopeful. It would be good to keep Charlie too. Apart from his proven ability as a goalscorer, he's a great team motivator and talisman.
Yep. If Dykes keeps up his form that will fall into the 'bonus' category though. The slight concern I'd have is that Charlie coming in would block any chance of Bonne ever coming good.
Not at all. It depend on the player. He would have to be extremely unlucky not to get several chances over the course of the new season as should Kelman. It's a squad game these days and no player worth his salt who wants to play will lose the opportunity to do so given 50 games a season, injuries, suspensions and plenty of midweek games.
Really hope so. My worry is that I think players need a decent run of games to be able to develop and/or prove themselves. Dykes being a brilliant example - the consistent game time has enabled him to adapt to a new level and team and we're now seeing the fruit of this. Will Bonne get enough and - crucially - consistent game time to develop in the same way if Charlie arrives?
Clives report - they're getting more enjoyable to read as the results are improving! https://loftforwords.fansnetwork.co...s-rewards-from-dominant-swansea-show-–-report
Very true! I watched the match film clip and still don’t know how Wayne Routledge managed not to score ... but I am not complaining!
Excellent. 'Had me all nostalgic for those old Ian Holloway team sheets we used to stare at for half an hour pre-game trying to work out who might be the goalkeeper'.
I really hope we keep all of our loanees, not likely I know but they've contributedmassively to our improved firm. Johansen is class but our chances of keeping him will likely be hindered by Fulham going down. Hoping we give Carroll a new deal as well, he was our best player at times for the first half of the season. Depending on the above I'd say fullback is where we need to strengthen, if only Wallace was younger. Fending off bids for Dieng will be a big task this summer as well. Hopefully finally being number 1 will be enough to keep him.
If Fulham are relegated and Johansen goes back to them a midfield of Field & Amos with Willock/Chair/Thomas in front of them could be more than useful. The beauty of that is that all 5 are ours......
Wouldn't work if Warbs keeps the current formation. Also, Amos would be a very poor replacement for the excellent Johansen. I'd prefer Carroll there alongside Field if we can't have Johansen. Play Willock and Chair or Thomas as two 10s, behind Dykes or Austin.