I agree the the Spanish influence has been strong here for a while now and it seems there is something that maybe helps them settle a bit easier, perhaps Rossi's or Joe's ice cream plays a bigger part than we think ?
Top post Norway. I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned the millionairre prima donna Brits who get big too early, after showing promise but delivering little. Hence our UK stalwarts who deliver because they had to fight to get here
Bang on. Didn't Roy Keane get shown the door at Utd for saying something similar about the youngsters at Utd in the MUFC tv program that was never aired? Today, the youngsters become millionaires before they establish themselves in their team.
Agree Swim and also valley. Roy keane was a player who gave 100% all the time, I think he questioned the hunger of his fellow players quite a few times, love him or hate him you have to respect his attitude to football
Great post Norway, believe there are 2 things at play here: No. 1 - The players - The players you have procured over the past few Seasons have not been the lauded stars in their own country, these players have not been on mega bucks and some will even have been lucky to have been paid on time such is the situation with Spanish football. I can tell you now that there is a top prospect (wondeful central defender)that used to play with Isco at Valencia in the youth team who suffered a knee injury and was out for a year just as he was making his break through. His contract was up, he's recovered but no one has the money to take a small risk. He's ended up taking a contract at Hercules for wait for it 500 Euros a month! And his accomadation payed for - what's his accomadation? - A room in a University campus! These are the type of players that will run through rings of fire for you and generally that's the type that Laudrup has got in. It isn't guaranteed that just because they are Spanish they will turn up trumps, just look at Granero with us who was on big money at RM and thought,thinks he is a superstar! No. 2 - The Management - Pretty biased here but the Laudrup name is revered in Spain almost as much as in Denmark. Have had the privilige of meeting Michael a few times and as you now know he is simply a great guy. As a Spaniard or a Dane you will have been brought up with this guy being some kind of Demi God and the attraction to play for him and do well for him is there for all to see. A note of caution - He does not get on with the Super star attitudes - Am surprised that someone like Dyer is still at the club, no surprise that Sinclair and Graham left. He has a low tolerance threshold for anyone wasting their talent or thinking and acting like something they are clearly not. No. 3 - The area and Fans - Spain is not so fixated on the big cities like the UK is with London. Most of these players will come from towns/cities with populations circa 400/500,000 and so Swansea will suit nicely. That you have embraced them so well has and will play an enormous factor. I think it's absolutely magnificent what you have achieved as a football club and are definitely the blue print for anyone in the lower leagues. I have quite some dealings in DK and Spain with football and am amazed with the talent there is in Spain that lazy scouts are not spending months at a time picking out some fantastic jewels. I wish you all the very best of luck and as a Cockney Spaniard domiciled in DK for past 10 years, you are definitely my No.3 team after my beloved (but ****e!) RRRRRsss and FC Nordsjaelland. One last thing - Here in Denmark we get to see EVERY SINGLE Swansea game live, and I mean EVERY SINGLE game!!!!
WHO are bottom of the League as we speak, hmm, almost that is... # Klub K V U T Mål Point 1 FC Midtjylland 3 3 0 0 5-1 9 2 Esbjerg fB 3 2 0 1 7-2 6 3 AaB 2 2 0 0 4-2 6 4 AGF 3 2 0 1 4-3 6 5 OB 3 1 2 0 6-4 5 6 Randers FC 3 1 2 0 6-4 5 7 SønderjyskE 3 1 1 1 3-3 4 8 Viborg 3 0 2 1 5-7 2 9 FC Vestsjælland 2 0 1 1 1-3 1 10 Brøndby IF 3 0 1 2 1-4 1 11 FC Nordsjælland 3 0 1 2 2-7 1 12 FC København 3 0 0 3 2-6 0
...needs to be said that Clubs respectively finished last season in #1 and #2 place, a bit like now, but still different
Agree Norway. That's why I think he struggles as a manager because the players he manages don't have the same desire to win every game like he does.
Mikra and Danishqp, Would you mind giving us a quick run down of your clubs, history, past players, present stars etc. ?
Yea, I loved how when Michu was playing up front last season he would scream at the rest of the team to move up. Brings the passion. Canas seems to have that energy as well.. I loved when Leon got subbed on Thursday he met Canas and they shared a little joke or something. He seems to bring a great energy to the group. I was slightly disappointed with Bony's celebrations. He didn't seem very happy at all. I'm sure he is going to be amazing for us, and win us a lot of games, but I did wish he would just show a bit more passion! Can't have everything though!
It's a bit better over here at the moment, easier to navigate and not quite as aggressive. But I'll still be a member on there, but I'll be back to using this site as it was where I started off as a Swans internet warrior!
Top post NJ, an interesting take on the situation. I think one reason for the Spanish guys settling so well is Rangel who is a proper Jack. He can relate to the Spanish guys and the Jack faithful and makes sure every one knows where they stand. Fair play to Ash too for learning Spanish to help them adjust. What an example he sets as Captain. Laudrup does help too as has already been said, he can inspire players because of the player he was in a way very few other managers can. We all love the passion the new boyos are showing and the flair they bring is perfect for us. Without the harmonious 'family' feel at the club I wonder how many of the foreign imports wouldn't have settled so well? The key one to gauge for me is Pablo as he looked a touch unhappy at times early last season but by the end he was playing great again and seemed full of confidence. I expect him to raise his game again this year as he has more competition and has had the benefit of settling for a season already. Viva Eswanseayol
Mate I reckon I may have the answer. My missus saw me watching some in-game footage I recorded on my phone, Bony had just scored his first. 'Hooligans picking on that poor black guy' she says. 'What?' says I. 'They're chanting ''you black bastard, you black bastard'' at him' Doh! Maybe that's why he looked a touch put out, thought the East Stand was being racist! ;-)
Well, I suppose Jack bastard can sound like black bastard to the uninitiated. I'm sure the rest of the players put him right if that was the case. I'd like to have seen a more enthusiastic celebration as well to be honest but I don't care what celebration he uses so long as I see it often enough.
