On the BBC site it says the Swans are hopeful Pablo might be fit for Thursday. That would be fantastic - Pablo on one wing, Dyer on the other, with overlapping fullbacks and balls into the box from the by-line for Wilfy to tuck away... This is a pattern that would really work for us - I sense the Swans have realised the need to get balls into the 6-yard box for Wilfy to finish off, and it's a hugely exciting prospect. I can see us hopefully pushing on with this format and climbing the table nicely.
Yes I spotted that too, campioni. Not sure I'd risk him for the whole game though what with our fixture list pile-up. Looks like he was rushed back too soon last time, but it'll be good to see him back for sure.
This is not a wum post - please take it as a genuine football matter for discussion. So from your OP campioni, I see your projection for this season with Pablo in the frame to be "pushing on and climbing the table nicely". Given you've now climbed to a very respectable 10th, and also given those teams that currently occupy the 9 places above you, how much higher do you and your fellow posters see you going, and at whose expense? Will this Pablo guy make all the difference, or will it be more of an allround improvement in some of the sectors that have caused you concern so far? I refer to players, manager and tactics etc etc.
I don't think that just Hernandez coming back will catapult us up the table, there has to be some change in Laudrups one eyed approach to our wing play, far too much ball has been coming down the middle, instead of using our pacy wingers to stretch defences, and bombarding the box with cross balls, time for Laudrup to study how we attacked teams down the flanks, under Rodgers and Martinez, yes a third prong down the middle is ok with some teams, but we have been doing that far too much, and all teams do is flood the midfield, fed up of Dyer cutting inside, when he is far better taking on the right backs and getting behind and crossing, we need far more cross balls into the box to Bony, and it would be good to see Routledge hit some form, like last season, as he can hurt the best defences, when at his best, anyway here's to a good run-out on Thursday against Valencia, that will be a good test, as they have knocked us off the top of the group!............
Hernandez can, of course not, push Swansea into the top third of the league on his own. I believe there is Room for Swansea up there: I think, with luck, hard work and effective tactics Swansea could join another European campaign next season. Not mentioning which caliber though...
It is possible to go up a spot or 2 sparkey, and without coming across arrogant, I would like to try and explain why I think this. We know that we as a team have not yet hit the ground running, we have been pretty poor by our own standards, and to be sitting 10th even throughout a pretty poor patch for us, its pretty good going. and its possible we can kick on too. I along with a few others, such as the OP, are of the belief that Pablo could be a key to unlocking our potential this season, some are not so confident though. But, Pablo is not afraid to try the big passes, and we are not talking long balls to open up the play on the wings, we are on about the cute through balls, which currently none of our players seem capable of doing, let alone even attempting it. Pablo brings that to us, we seen it last season in spells, but the injury last season set him back, and he never seemed to regain confidence, we seen throughout pre-season (granted its not an ideal view of a player based on opposition) but it was clear Pablo had confidence, the passing, the vision is something we could all see. We are hoping that he can come back from injury and after a few games to gain his match fitness, then he can be a very important cog in our system, a system that has, of yet, not managed to play Bony to his strengths enough. And I am of the belief that Pablo is that guy for us. If we were to have the likes of Pablo, and Dyer on the wing, Michu and Bony up front, then Bony running defenders around, and Michu with his ability to find space, will allow Hernandez to find through balls. With Pablo then being a threat, like we seen last season, the opposition will double up on him, allowing more room for Dyer to exploit on the other flank, and if he can continue to use his pace, then we will have an offensive threat that can score goals, and create the space to do it. Of the teams above us, I believe we are better than Newcastle, and on our day I would like to think we are on par with Southampton. If I was to pick teams that I think we had a small chance of overtaking, then I would go for Newcastle, Everton and Southampton. Hell with the way Spurs are playing, you could thow them into the mix too. But, if we don't sort it out, we could just as easily be talking about switching positions with the likes of Stoke, Hull and West Brom. As for Pablo, I hope he gets some minutes against Valencia, would do his confidence the world of good playing against his old club, which could have a great effect for the games he will play afterwards. Confidence is a big thing.
Yes would be good to see Pablo back giving us another option for what I reckon will be a harder game than we had over there in Spain when we just totally outplayed them. Onus will be on us to push for a win to take us through as group winners but just to get through to the next phase on the night would be fantastic and our allow us to enjoy our trip to Switzerland without any pressure.
Decent response there Swansa and thanks. I see your choices as potential pursuit candidates as the ones I would have chosen - that would leave the obvious top 6 above you. There is no reason why that couldn't be achieved, and although it's a very tight mid table, I see no other club sitting behind you who are any better on paper for you to need look over your shoulder. Unfortunately, the game is played on grass not paper. Attitude can be a great leveller. The problem for me seems to be this. Games are won on a number of fronts, and these come under a number if influences. Individual player performances obviously, and managerial tactical decisions as to team composition and method play a huge part. You appear to have the players and manager to do it - I suppose it's the knack of getting it all right on the day that ulimately decides. Good luck in Europe as well.
Yes Sparkey "this Pablo guy" happens to be capped for Spain and has Champions League experience with Valencia. He looked as if he was starting to show what he was made of before he was unfortunately injured. It's taken a season for him to settle in but he came on recently in a game and we looked more dangerous as soon as he did. As swanselona has said he's not afraid to try a big pass or take on defenders. Sometimes he does it, sometimes not. But we get tired of seeing some of our players try to get past players only to stop and pass it back, thereby slowing everything down. It happens a fair bit, unfortunately. I still feel he's going to be a big player for us.
You seem to be suggesting that "this Pablo guy" is in a way similar in effect to "this RVP guy" that Man U were missing Sunday, and that's why it's not working correctly at the moment. I wasn't being disparaging of a player of whom I honestly have very little knowledge. I was just asking the question as to whether you think his inclusion is the answer to "pushing on and climbing the table", rather than getting the other elements that you already possess working better. If Pablo is another RVP type character in influence terms that you seem to suggest, the sooner he's back on the park the better.
Hernandez blows hot and cold, is injury prone and I think that some Jacks are attaching too much importance to his return, yes he is one of the best around the opposition 6 yard box, with his dribbling and footwork, but he has to be on top form at this level, and when he is, you do see something special, but not consistent enough for me. I think that our team form returning will do more for us, and push us on than Hernandez will!...............
I agree with Phil. He can be both brilliant and frustrating. But he does offer something a little different and if he stays fit he's great to have in the armoury. Especially with all the games we're having to pack in. Looking forward to Thursday, would be great to see him figure and good for him too. I just hope he doesn't try too hard as it's Valencia and maybe injure himself again!
Who was suggesting he was as influential as RVP? There is nothing in anyone's comments that suggest that - and I've re-read them. Most posters are saying he's a decent player that can do a job for us on his day, nothing more. Daimun kind of sums it up and I think the OP's comment was more general rather than Hernandez being our 'saviour'. I used quotation marks as that is how you referred to him and never suggested you were disparaging of him. Now you know he has a number of Spanish caps and has CL experience you know a bit more now than you did before. No biggie.
No biggie indeed Aussie - I don't understand your reaction. I was asking the OP (not necessarily you) why he thought that the inclusion of Pablo would push you on and climb the table viz that he thinks he's that influential - that's all. I then asked if anyone though that was the case and if there were other factors that were as, if not more important to achieve that. I also asked if you were to climb the table, at whose expense of those above you - I had a very decent response from Swansa on that.
My 'reaction' was to answer your question politely and enlighten you as to who he was. Sorry if you wanted everyone to stop after swanselona.
Awww shucks, i feel so special being brought into your guys discussion Anyhow, who cares, football is fun because we don't know what will happen, its out of our hands we just watch, and discuss
No need to apologise Aussie. You have a perfect right to comment on your own board in whatever style you wish. After all, I'm only a visitor. Anyone else got any thoughts about the wider issues regarding the matter of whether one player (in this case Pablo) will make the difference to a team (in this case you), as opposed to changes in tactics and approach toward upcoming games by the manager and his other players?
No. But it's good to see you're genuinely interested and not just a pedant who picked up on a throwaway line by the OP
I like football Aussie, and all that it entails. If no one has anything to say on a subject that I find quite interesting, then it's only me that's the loser, no sweat. If on the other hand, if the "throwaway line" by the OP was just wishful thinking rather than an objective opinion on the effectiveness or not of the said Snr. Hernandez, I'll accept that too. Some others on here seem to think that Snr. Hernandez might be the catalyst rather than the answer - if so, he could prove equally effective as RVP in the long term.
Unfortunately RVP is a match winning player, and happens to be one of, if not the best at it in the Premier league. Where as Pablo is concerned, he can make a difference, but a match winner is probably not what I would call him. So not really the same type of player to their respective teams.
