The atmosphere was flat and it probably didn't help to lift to players. I'm in the East stand, and that's the first time I've sat at a home game since a cold miserable tuesday against Coventry a couple of years ago (I think it was the Sousa season) where the stewards were forcing us to sit. Last night was just a relaxed, family atmosphere all round and their mini bus full were never going to add to it. I was sat near the prince of ginger, and even he was having a quiet one with his family without his drum. I think the flat atmosphere and the 7 changes contributed to a poor game so I'm not too worried about it. I thought Bartley looked good, wasn't overly impressed with Ki, but it was his first game in a new team and hasn't played since the olympics, and maybe it's just me expecting more from our man wearing 24? Tremmel looked suspect for the goal, but apart from that I thought he done well. I did wonder what the hell he was doing coming out of the box at one point to close an attack down, but he had balls to do it and he pulled it off. It was rubbish, but it was largely experimental with a few getting their chance and maybe for Dobbie to take his bow, so I have no concerns on the back of it. I'm sure if we get a bigger game in the next round, the atmosphere will return and maybe a slightly more familiar side
Nothing personal, Ivor, but merely an interesting observation regarding De Guzman; he actually only gave the ball away twice in the entire match. Once with a misplaced pass in the third minute, and once when he was caught in possession in the 69th minute. I know this because my friend who attends all home games with me shares your frustration with him, where as I'm much more inclined to see the positives that he brings to the team. After 3 minutes, my mate was bantering with me about how poor he was, yet had to admit that he was clinical and effective with his passing for the game's remainder. Against Blackpool he was very good. Against Stuttgart he gave the ball away far too much and looked out of his depth. Against QPR and West Ham, he did fine, and gave the ball away less than his replacement, Augustien. Five games in, and I think he is a useful player to have on board this season. Regarding the game, it felt like a friendly. This is basically because it was nothing more than a friendly. Players were not committing themselves wholeheartedly to the cause, for fear of injury, and we were fielding an experimental starting eleven. Up until they scored, I was pleased with what I saw. They had the majority of possession but lacked any danger and didn't threaten, and we looked extremely comfortable. It occurred to me that what we resembled was a Premier league team playing lower league opposition, and doing a professional job in securing the win. Bearing in mind that we were playing in the same league as Barnsley one season ago, and remembering our undoubted talent for losing "easy" cup games, this is, in itself, quite a mark of just how far we have come. I was never concerned, not even when they hit the bar at 2-1. It always felt like we had another gear, if needed, most notably displayed in the five minutes leading up to the third goal where we visibly increased the pace, and intensity, and they couldn't get close to us. Other positives: Ben Davies, already nick-named Ben 'Jordi Alba' Davies by my mate. He needs to work on his composure when passing, and has to learn more about the positional side, defensively, but he constantly finds space and is always trying to attack. In two years, we'll sell Taylor for £15mill and this guy will step up, I have no doubt. Maybe. Perhaps. Jazz Richards appears to have bulked up a bit and showed some good strength at times. I hope he may push Rangel for a place this year. Kyle Bartley. He's not Steven Caulker, but he looked comfortable (one mistake aside), strong, and was able to use the ball with both feet effectively. He could have a very good future, too, and looks able to do a job if required in the first team this year. Alan Tate. Legend.
In other news..... Anyone see the clouds above Fortress Liberty last night? Bloody gorgeous, they were. please log in to view this image Uploaded with ImageShack.us
As I said before very sorry for your lose, my daugter lost triplets a few yrs ago. I also lost my wife age 58 ,so like you both, K,J and stereotongue ,Im comeing home Im a senior so I wont have to work, Just follow the swans.
Don't know what sort of side Barnsley fielded, but we still walked out 3-1 winners ... not bad for our reserves, even if it wasn't pretty.
you cant expect the team we fielded last night to play as a unit like the first team. we did enough to win and thats all we can ask for......agree Tate played well and is a legend... about 9,000 of us turned up which is poor really.
Big_Apple, I'm not counting just the "contact" tackles and I will happily take your word about them. But there were a number of times when de Guzman shied away from contact when he could have put a foot in - or made more of an effort to get to the ball on other occasions. Believe me, I'm not looking to have a go at the player because I can see that he has ability. I also defended him on another thread when I became aware that he had had comparatively little game time last season, something that ML pointed out. I'm sure he will come good for us when his match fitness is better and he has a wicked dead ball delivery that will be a potent weapon for us. But right now, I'm seeing things about his game that frustrates me and I commented on them. I won't be getting on his back, though, for several reasons. He is one of us, a Swan: he obviously has talent, which hopefully will blossom the more he plays: but the most important thing is that Laudrup would never have signed him if he wasn't up to it. And I am not about to pit my scant knowledge of the game against that of the legend Michael Laudrup.
Quite right Ivor. I had the misfortune of sitting in the West Stand last night and won't be going there again. Full of "critics" rather than supporters.
Fair enough, PGF, but I sat in the East Stand and there were plenty of critics there as well. In fact I didn't speak to one person who was happy with what was on display against Barnsley. We shaded possession but they had more shots at goal, more on target and more corners indicating that they put us under some pressure. Bear in mind that this team were recently whipped 5-1 by Brighton. I understand what you say about critics but it is possible to be both. I see no point in blindly believing that everything is rosy when the evidence obviously points otherwise. Rodgers got right up my nose doing that in post match interviews last season. The players were always "fantastic", or "brave" or "tremendous" even when we could all see that they had stunk the place out, eg QPR last season. But we are in agreement. No matter what, our support should always be there for our team. Let's face it, we all post here because we care. Very much.
Don't see what some Swansea fans are disappointed at? You won 3-1, the main reason we lost 5-1 at Brighton was our part time keeper, who's thankfully gone. How many did we take, know it was less then 100, any pictures?
I would say it was less than 100, they did make themselves heard at times, but I think that was more to do with our silence
About 60 odd maybe? No disrespect to Barnsley, Tyke but I think our fans have been spoiled a little lately so it's understandable. We weren't that great and I think that's because we fielded quite a few players that haven't played as a unit before. There were patches where they got into their stride but they were few and far between. I for one expected that when I saw the lineup.
The atmosphere was like a pre season friendly and that went to the players. I was impressed with Bartley who looked strong and Physical with good feet. The one mistake apart. my son counted the barnsley fans. he said 33. My last game in the west stand, Had to listen to some old dear shouting 'Kick It In' every 30 seconds.
