None of us mind losing to Chelsea for obvious reasons but the lack of effort was sickening today. Ashley Williams is capable of playing out of his skin for 5 or 6 games in a row then equally capable of being gash for the next 6. For a centreback - and more importantly our Captain - this is completely unacceptable and I for one wouldn't mind one bit if he left in the Summer if he carries on like this. For me the only players that come out of today with any credit are Chico, Rangel, Davies and Vorm. Nice to see Taylor back but he's clearly not quite ready. The rest were terrible. Even those that weren't particularly bad (like Ki) strolled through this game. But special mention goes to Williams and De Guzman who should hand their pay cheques back this month. Next to useless. The Club should make an effort to refund the travelling fans who made the effort today. Chelsea weren't that great but we were bloody awful. Now I'm going to say the unspeakable - Laudrup must accept a huge part of the blame. When we are good he takes the plaudits and when we are bad he has to accept criticism. The mark of a great manager is when he can get his players up for games - and he's failed spectacularly in this regard. I suspect he may be too nice. The likes of Ferguson, Moyes, Wenger and so on would not accept that level of effort from their players and if Laudrup wants to advance as a manager he should do the same. I think our players have immense respect for Laudrup but don't fear him. He keeps faith with his own signings (the woefully inconsistent Hernandez) whilst others (Routledge) are substituted. Those who know me on here know that I hate it when we lash out at our team but I'm making an exception today. Yes, we've had a fab season and we owe that to our players and our superb Manager. But today was completely unacceptable and we are rapidly on course for a bottom half finish - which for me would be a great shame.
Well I can't disagree with any of that, I've kept my powder dry for some time now while we have gone through this bad patch, even when Dai was giving it big on Laudrup last week, I said nowt, but after today, I have to say that if Liverpool or Arsenal come in for Ash they are welcome to him, and as for De Guzman, I've never been impressed with him from the start, he flatters to deceive, and just doesn't do the dirty work, how I miss Joe's hard work in our midfield, and I would have him back tomorrow in exchange for De Guzman. Dai has made some comments regarding Laudrup on the match day thread, and to be honest, I cannot disagree with him this time. It's not that I was expecting a win today, because quite frankly I was not, but I did expect out boys to give their all, but it wasn't to be. I'm sorry to say but I can't see another win out of our last 4 games...............
when a manager selects a team and gives his players his tactical speech then he has to shoulder the blame if we dont compete with the opposition. You can go back as far as last november/december when we last played like a team going forward and since then we have not played to our potential, There has been to many changes that the players are struggling with and its made us a bottom of the table team.....There is nothing that backs up laudrup as being a good manager who knows what he is doing as results and performances says otherwise.....Its very easy to blame the players but it is laudrup who is picking them ........can you honestly see us surviving playing such poor football whoever he brings in next season because we will have no chance and how long do we give him before the penny drops that we are going backwards......nobody wants him to fail especially me but its paramount we stay in the premiership and its no good talking a good game if you cant implement it on the pitch......Its shameful that fans cant see where the next win is coming from and that does not say much for laudrups ability does it....
I was really, really disappointed with the team today. From the First minute to the last (Maybe a 10 minute period at the start of the second half) We lacked any effort. It was lethargic, no urgency, no need or desire to really go and win this game. I didn't understand our tactics...Too slow at the back...Vorm made some good saves, but his distribution and urgency were very poor. I thought Ash defended very well, but again, no urgency. Chico did ok, Rangle and Davies wanted to win the game...But were overlooked by their teammates for most of the game. Leon wasn't very good imo. Hernandez spent a lot of the game hiding - Whatever that means, but that's what I noted. Routledge - didn't really notice he was playing. Ki did everything right, but didn't do anything brilliant...Didn't make any mistakes, but not much forward passing (the one he did do wasn't accurate) De Guzman - poor and slow. Michu didn't look himself. didn't look as hungry, wasn't as accurate with his passing, and then didn't shake hands with the players or stay to say thanks to the fans who came at the end of the game...He went straight down the tunnel. Overall another very disappointing performance from the Swans, and for the first time in a very long time...Maybe ever for me, I can't wait till this season finishes, because we are really bad at football at the moment. Still love the Swans, and hoping we improve.
Yep - Laudrup is **** and Swansea are ****. A league Cup and ninth in the Premier League - what a **** season this has been! Seems all us keyboard warriors are suffering from delusions of grandeur; of course we should be thrashing Chelsea - our crap players aren't trying! I know that our end of season dip in form is disappointing but get real FFS! Beginning of the season, given the upheaval during closed season, survival was our main objective; we did that with games to spare and won a trophy as well! I can understand where you are all coming from but think you are confusing little old Swansea with a team that is established in the Premier League - we are still the new boys; second season I know, but we are still learning and still punching way above our weight! Our team have surpassed pre season expectations but it still isn't good enough for some! Would say 'get behind the team for the rest of the season', but I know that for some, whatever we do will not be enough! Yep - know I have posted this on another thread but really feel some need to get some f**king perspective! The players have sweated blood, but still we turn on them when they can't maintain the high standard all season! Just remember where we have come from - and how quickly we have turned things around; so we lost to the European champions - shame on us!!!!
Cartoonhead: With all due respect you've missed the point. 1: Nobody is upset that we lost to the European Champions. 2: Nobody has said that Laudrup is **** - quite the reverse in fact. 3: Nobody has said our team is ****. 4: Nobody has said our season has been ****. Getting behind the team? I'm 100% behind you there. But that doesn't include not criticising them when they deserve it or praising them when they don't. Most footie fans, regardless of what team they support, like to see their players give everything during 90+ minutes - and for the whole season. That's the least we can ask for as fans who part with hard-earned cash whilst they get paid weekly what most of us earn in a year. Even the commentators said exactly that towards the end of the game which I've never heard before. I've defended our team time and again on here when our fans have overreacted to a defeat but today they deserve every brickbat thrown at them. In short, lack of desire and effort is to my mind unforgiveable. If you disagree, then fine. Maybe as 'little old Swansea' that's all we deserve and we shouldn't strive to be better.
I agree yes we did play crap today if we play like that next wk v Man City they will put 4 past us and brittons action after he gave the pen, away he deserved the yellow card, I was hoping for a good finish to the season but cant see us get a point from the nxt 3 maybe 1pt off fulham if we are lucky ,before today I was going for at least 6pts from Wigan @ Fulham not after sundays game we could even drop to 12th ,come on boys put you Fu---- hearts in it and show us you still can play the way you all started the season.
If I want to make a criticism of overpaid players, that couldn't be bothered to run, then I'll do so, if you don't like it bloody tough!...............
agree there KJ, if all the players showed a bit of heart and mental toughness one would care if they lost but lately bar a few it has been disappointing to say the least
I think we need a really good captain to take control from midfield, has anyone else noticed that Ash falls to pieces whenever transfer rumours are ripe too, he might be one of these people who finds it hard to give 100% when he is unsure what is future holds. I am still hoping we get it together for wins against Wigan and fulham and maybe a draw from one of the manchester teams to go into the preseason on a high .
The run in was always going to be tough which is why it was vital we secured the points as early as possible - so full marks to ML and the team for doing that. What is disappointing is the attitude shown in some of the recent games. JDG has been "lethargic"to say the least and it cant have helped him trying to secure a contract next season and I would say its odds on Ash going next season. Hopefully we can get our mindset right for the Fulham and Wigan games and who knows we may hit 48 points - just happens to be my predicted total but I would love to have seen 50!
Well the home fans won't accept that level of effort glam, so I'm hopeful our home games will yield some points. Wigan are playing well and are fighting for Prem survival. They will be motivated. If our lot play like that we'll lose to them for sure.
