The fact that we have serious defensive issues all season, and it has not been addressed, speaks volumes. If Sousa was in charge I know that this would not be an issue, also our fitness levels are poor, we look slow and lethargic, all these issues are down to management and coaching, going to be a season to forget........
Phil - I suspect that if players were playing in their ‘correct’ positions, fitness would be less of - or wouldn’t be - an issue, as the guys would know ‘how to play’ their role and would know how to pace themselves.
"Russell Martin: Swansea City will be 'very different physically next season', says head coach - BBC Sport" https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60312980.amp
If we keep giving the ball away on the edge of our own penalty area we will be punished regardless of fitness levels.
If we don’t win comfortably on Sunday I think the Swansea fans will make it obvious that they are unhappy....w are normally very patient but....Russell please play players in their correct positions then perhaps we will start performing like a good side again
"Is Martinball capable of bringing success to Swansea City ? Catch 22 for Russell - Swansea City News | Swansea Independent" https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/footb...-success-to-swansea-city-catch-22-for-russell
It's the same old problem, under the yanks, of trying to find a manager with a magic touch to work miracles within the constraints of the club's financial situation. Martin could well be brilliant "with the right players" but, under the yanks, this is never going to happen. So should we just accept that realistically we're a mid table aspiring championship side and that's it?
A dozen or so years ago, the stars aligned with the style of play established (Martinez), then the defence bolstered (Sousa) and finally a Manager (Brendan) who provided the final touches. As a consequence, we got promoted to the PL. The cost of creating this overall structure and environment was relatively little - indeed, even the change of Managers generated compensation payments to the Club. The problem now is that what Cooper (and Potter before him) had was not capable of being further enhanced or refined as players were either sold (eg McBurnie, James and Rodon) or had been signed on loan and therefore returned to their ‘Mother’ clubs. So Russell Martin walked into a club whose foundations were effectively built on sand. Therefore, we need to recognise that to replicate the previous success will take time, and it could take more than one Manager (Martin) to take us back to the PL. We need to recognise and accept that you can’t really expect success by having a wholesale change of the squad season after season. Loan players help yes - but we really need our to own our players and grow with and through them. That said, the Yanks have not shown any desire (or capability) to invest money into the Club: we secured promotion to the PL with scant resources previously, but was that by luck or design? A bit of both I would suggest. Personally, until we have owners who want to invest in and (predominantly) own the first team squad, at best we will be a run of the mill Championship club. Walking from Wembley after the game, we told Prutton and Goodman that Cooper would go because his star was in the ascendency at that stage: staying with Swansea, with scant resources and support from the owners, gave him the prospect of being another run of the mill Championship Manager by Christmas. As such, I do feel a little sorry for Russell Martin - but, he does need to learn to eat humble pie and adapt things, learn from his mistakes. The question is, Will he?
Cooper did the right thing. He had taken The Swans as far as he could, and was confident that a better bus would pass his way, hence his just leaving with no job to go to. He took a brave decision and it is paying handsome dividends. He was reviled by many on here, one even referring to him as an "embarrassment " . Oh how The Swans would love to enjoy such embarrassment again. With Forest riding high in the League and excelling in the FACup, and his former charges now resembling a rudderless rabble, Cooper is showing his ability, and class. Good for him, long may he continue to thrive.
Cooper wanted out because he felt it was best for him. Don’t think anyone on here reviled him - but some of the football was turgid. His team didn’t turn up at Wembley: as Max would say ‘I know coz I was there!’ Sometimes you have to go back to move forward Yes - he is doing extremely well at Forest.
Of course he "wanted out " . It's what people do when they feel the need to move on and improve themselves in their chosen profession. I did it, on numerous occasions. It was expected. Most, if not all, of the Managers who leave football Club's become reviled. Reviling is what most football fans do. It's in their dna. Cooper got the same treatment as meted out to Martinez, Sousa, Rodgers, Laudrup, Monk, and Bradley. "Turgid ", or not, most on here would now happily swap places with Forest. Sometimes teams " don't turn up ". That doesn't automatically render the Manager to a position where he is being described as " embarrassing ". It's the people who suffer from short memory - itis who are embarrassing. Imho, that is, and I know that few hereabouts will agree with me.
I’m not sure Cooper received the treatment as others. I think that most thought that the journey had come to a natural conclusion…. As for swapping places with Forest - no thank you. As for not turning up - hell, this was a match worth c.£120m ……. As for embarrassing - I found it embarrassing that a Swansea Manager was (reportedly) openly chasing jobs (eg Palace, Fulham et al) while still employed by the club I support
