please log in to view this image ............................................... please log in to view this image Swansea City................................... vs ...................... West Bromwich Albion The Liberty Stadium Swansea Sat 17-9-11 3:00 PM KO For travel info/info on the stadium click HERE For links to watch the game online, click HERE or HERE Welcome one and all to the match thread for this weekends game at the Liberty Stadium. Swansea come into the game still searching for that elusive first goal, and they'll be hoping to get off the mark against Roy Hodgson's outfit. The last meeting between these teams was March last year, where we suffered a 0-2 reverse at home as the Baggies went on to secure promotion back to the Premier League. The Match; At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the Swans come into the game after yet another impressive performance. The sad part is, it was yet another completely goalless impressive performance. The Swans need to learn to turn their chances into goals, as simply turning possession into chances isn't going to cut it if we're serious about retaining our place in this league. West Brom come into the game on the back of their first league win of the season, away at Carrow Road where they defeated Paul Lambert's Norwich City one nil. Prior Form; (most recent at top) Arsenal 1 - 0 Swansea City Barclays Premier League Swansea City 0 - 0 Sunderland AFC Barclays Premier League Shrewsbury Town 3 – 1 Swansea City League Cup Swansea City 0 – 0 Wigan Athletic Barclays Premier League Manchester City 4 – 0 Swansea City Barclays Premier League Norwich City 0 - 1West Brom Barclays Premier League West Brom 0 - 1 Stoke Barclays Premier League Bournemouth 1 - 4 West Brom League Cup Chelsea 2 - 1 West Brom Barclays Premier League West Brom 1 - 2 Manchester United Barclays Premier League Team News; Swansea are sweating on the fitness of club captain Garry Monk, whose availability is now paramount given injuries to Alan Tate and, more pressingly, Steven Caulker, and also given FIFA's ******ed refusal to ratify our deadline day signings (Situ and Halliche). It will be interesting to see how the Swans back four will lineup, and whether they'll go with a debatably fit Monk or switch a fullback to centre back and bring in a youth player at full back. Kemy Augustien is also unavailable with a hamstring problem, so Allen and Britton are likely to start in the two deeper midfield roles. For the Baggies, Gera misses out with a foot problem, while McAuley, Chris Brunt and Paul Scharner are all unlikely to figure. Gabriel Tamas is now unavailable after admitting to an FA charge and subsequently picking up a three game ban. Hodgson has a host of options to replace most of these players, although there'll be a spotlight on young centre half Craig Dawson, likely to deputise for Tamas. Trivia; Completely guessed lineups; Swansea Vorm Richards Taylor Williams Rangel Britton Allen Dobbie Sinclair Dyer Graham West Brom Foster Olsson Shorey Dawson Reid Thomas Dorrans Mulumbu Jones Long Odemwingie Key Battles; Ashley Williams & ? vs Odemwingie & Long Ok, so there'll be intriguing matchups all over the field, but given what's been happening off it the last few weeks all eyes in South Wales leading up to the game will be on who partners Ash in defence. With no fully fit replacement to come in for Caulker, it'll realistically be Monk or Rangel to come in, the former debatably fit, and the latter most definitely not a centre back. I feel if WBA are to win this game, then they'll have done it by unsettling our back four. Ash will have to have one of the best games of his career thus far for us to claim another clean sheet, and all of the organisation will be done through him. I expect him to step up to the mark, but it's almost a foregone conclusion that at times we are going to lack cohesion at the back given the chopping and changing that has needed to be done. Brendan Rodgers before the game; Analysis; Swansea City are, even given the games against Man City and Arsenal, about to be given their sternest examination yet in my opinion. The loss of Tate and Caulker, coupled with losing out on two deadline day signings who can play CB has left us threadbare at the back, and this is as good a test of Swansea's strength in depth as they are going to have. For me, what would make most sense is to bring in Jazz Richards at right back, move Rangel to the right side of CB to partner Williams, allowing Taylor to continue at LB. This would still give us balance and width across the back four, and all of these players will be able to play our system having been with us a substantial amount of time. The other option is to bring Monk back, but as we're (at time of writing) still without confirmation of his fitness this seems unlikely just yet. In midfield there are issues too given Kemy Augustiens injury. We are now, correct me if I'm wrong, without a midfielder taller than 5'7"... Just kidding. Sinclair must be at least 5'10"! Expect Allen and Britton to anchor the midfield, with Dobbie ahead of them. Routledge is coming back from a niggle but Dobbie could well get the nod at home in front of the Swans fans. He needs to make a mark after a quiet start to the season, but in fairness you wouldn't blame him if he is a little disappointed by how little game time he's had until now. Against Manchester City he was ineffectual, but most players in his position playing against that lot will be I think, so if he's been out of the team on that performance alone I'd be very surprised. Put in a good showing against West Brom though and he'll surely be back in the starting 11, for home matches at least. They'll be up against Mulumbu, and, if my lucky-dip-stylee selection process is correct, Billy Jones in the middle. All I know about Mulumbu is he's a solid performer in possession, and he has an awesome name, but Jones I know a little more about. I'll be honest, I was very disappointed we weren't in for him in the summer (along with Jack Hobbs, but that's another story), but I feel Hodgson had probably been organising the Jones transfer for a long time. How has he been for you, Baggies? I rate him very highly, and I've been impressed by how quietly he goes about his business. On the flanks, playes like Jerome Thomas, James Morrison and Graham Dorrans all have the ability to torment our defence, probably not what Brendan Rodgers wants to hear while stressing about where we're going to find a centre back from. Up front, Danny Graham continues to strive in the pursuit of his first PL goal. He probably should have scored by now given the nature of one or two of the chances, but it's a learning curve and I think he has the backing of the Swans faithful. A good shout would be for him to beeline for Dawson at the heart of the Baggies defence, and try and get something out of him early on. If he can unsettle the two centrebacks (much like Long and Odemwingie will be looking to do to our rejigged backline) early on, then this'll give him confidence to go on and nab a goal. Sinclair has also been hard done by, rattling the woodwork once or twice, and he'll be looking to open his account too. Hodgson likes his teams to play football so I think it'll be a good open game to watch, but I think this game has too many factors NOT to have goals. The rehashing of the Swans defence, along with a rookie CB in the West Brom lineup, to me, spells goals. Odemwingie likes to hit the channels, so expect the Swansea fullbacks to have a busy time of it, and once again width and ball retention will be key for the Swans. They don't possess the physicality to domineer a midfield by force, so of utmost importance will be the full backs overlapping, creating options and angles for the Swans to retain the ball. This will be a big, big test of Joey and Leon's ability to hold the fort in midfield this season, and if they fare well this may prove a watershed moment, as even amongst Swans fans there's been doubt expressed (myself included) as to whether they're collectively strong enough to form the basis of a midfield partnership in this league. For the Swans to win this game, we'll need to... well... score a goal. Simple as, really. Scottswan's famously biased, ill-fated and banned prediction; Swansea 3 - 1 WBA
Great post as usual ScottSwan!!! Looking like it's Monk at the back with Williams now. I really hope he's ready - cause a) he's going to need to be sharp and b) we can't afford him breaking down and being out for a while if he's not physically up to it.
Exactly man. With Tate out all season, and Caulker gone for a while at least, it'd be silly to bring Garry back too soon. All we need is him out for a few months too, then we're REALLY in trouble. Much better to bodge something together for this game and bring Monk back when he's ready I think.
I've got about 3 minutes left of my break, so I'll leave a proper post for after work. Love the match thread again, Scott. What would people say about moving Rangel into CB for a match? He's got the defensive capability to do it and is no slouch. He's also used to working alongside Ash, so could be an interesting move. I'd rather stick a defender in the middle, than a midfielder there! If it's not working, we can always bring Monk off the bench - but risking Monk from the start could be problematic in the long term. We could then award a right back run out to Jazz Richards, who would probably prosper from being on the right side. We'd have a lot of pace down both flanks then with Sinclair/Taylor and Richards/Dyer. It's just a thought and I may have worded it badly due to lack of time, but I've thrown it out there now. And I do fully understand that it will never actually happen, I just like thinking outside the box sometimes.
That's exactly what I've suggested Kidderz! I'd prefer to go with that, and take the risk of a slight lack of coherency at the back, than risk Monk. Obviously the clubs medical staff, and Garry himself, will know if he's ready, and I hope he will be, but if there's any doubt at all I'd prefer to go with Rangel at CB and then Jazz at RB.
Great thread again Scott, well done It does seem as if the fates are conspiring against us this season. Near misses, wonder saves by opposition goalkeepers, freak injuries and FIFA blocking our defensive signings. Oh well it could be worse. We could have (undeservedly) lost to Wigan and the Mackems but we didn't. No offence to the Baggies but I watched them last week and I firmly believe that we are a better team. Honestly. But we are going to be fragile at the back for this one so I'm very worried. We must have faith in the Manager knowing what best combo to use. If ever there was a time for Danny Graham to fulfil his Prem League promise it's now, but he's not alone. Sinclair has come close too, having rattled the woodwork twice. Can't see lots of goals but I note that Gary Oldman predicted 2-1 so I'll go with that, but more with hope than conviction.
I like our collective thinking about Rangel and Jazz ... better to have Monk on the bench, but if he's got to take a shot to play then he's not going to do that and be on the bench, he is going to play. If ever there was the time execute the old saying that the best form of defense is attack, then this is it. Time for midfield and forwards to get the job done and score some goals.
TV coverage in the USA is a delayed HD feed from Fox Soccer Plus at 2pm ET. myp2p.eu is off the "air". Does anybody use any other site that doesn't have a buzillion pop-up ads all over it.
Yankee, I've put a link at the top of the thread, underneath the first bit of info. There should be some links fairly easy to find on that page closer to the time. Any other sites I find/am sent with links will get included in the thread or subsequent posts (the character limit for the threads is killing me!).
Which ever way Rodgers is going to patch the back line, I would definitely have selected Jazz Richards, or Bessone before Monk, as even at his best, Monk will struggle at this level, and he's definitely not match fit, he didn't even make the bench in the reserves game against Sunderland, and I don't care how raring to go Monk is, it will be a mistake in my view to play him!..................... please log in to view this image
Suprised you all say this about Monk - only because I feel him and Williams strike a good partnership. I think he would do ok if but in defense saturday.
I absolutely, 100% rate his ability, CopperQuarterJack, it's just I'm worried he'll be rushed back. I think that Ash's improvement in the mental side of the game (positioning, aerial ability, organising) is pretty much all down to Monk, and that they form a good partnership... and if he's fit I'd love to see him included.
Monk and Tate are two players who need to be at the top of their game at this level, and Monk is not match fit, and coming back from an injury, he's not even had any reserve games, and I think Rodgers is making a mistake selecting him, as it's clear we are rushing his recovery because of the situation of our back line, and it's not needed, when we have Jazz Richards, and Bessone fit, and Jazz Richards has been playing in most of our reserve games and would be the best choice in my view, younger fitter and stronger for our back line! Poor call in my view bringing Monk back so soon............................ please log in to view this image
We don't know yet, I guess. I'll be interested, nay, very interested to see our starting eleven tomorrow!
This is what happens when you're in work, typing against time, and not read the thread properly! There's me thinking I was all original and what not... Some would say great minds think alike!
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footba...monk-for-swansea-city-return-91466-29435742/? Looks like Monk IS fit, great news! Ashley Williams;
As always,an excellent preview Scottswan and it seems we all have concerns about rushing the Monk back into the fray My heart says we'll nick it but I can see a draw WBA will no doubt try and unsettle and rattle our back four so hope the ref is strong Maybe Monk as our only recognised cb will be the best option to organise alongside Ash
I'm not expecting much banter with the Baggies lot, I spied them all over on new606! I did go over and put a thread up saying "come join us" as it were, but it was swiftly removed... I never liked that new606, when I went back I had 15 or 16 PM's waiting from the admin guy, half telling me to recruit forum members, and half spam. Not enticing...
Wompin thread Scotty. Cheeky links page; http://forum.wiziwig.eu/threads/60341-Saturday-s-Football-Links Not many links, but there may be some more on there by kick off. Probably Brendans' toughest team selection to date is going to be the biggest factor in this match, and I think he may take a risk on Monks' fitness and start with him and Ash. It may be a risk, but I think playing Monk is always a risk with his injury problems, and Rangel at centre back would be a brave choice. This is one of the games that we should be looking to win, and I think even if Monk can only get through this game and not the Chelsea game, he should play. After all, we don't need to get anything from Stamford Bridge, so we could rest him for that game. Obviously, the risk is that he gets injured again and we lose him for longer, but we have to get someone in very soon to rotate with him anyway, so he needs to prove he is up to pace and ready to compete for a place. Because of the defensive problems we have, we need some big performances from some players to take the pressure off our weakened backline, and like you said, this is a huge game for Joey and Leon. I reckon they're both up to it though. Dobbie is probably the key to winning the game though, because a good game from him could really take the pressure off the defence. We know whoever plays in defence is going to be comfortable in posession, so our attacking style won't change, but we need a big game from Dobbie so that our possession is converted in to goals. I think regardless of who plays in defence, if we don't score, we are going to struggle to get anything out of this game. I can't see us keeping a clean sheet in this one so I'm going to go for 2-1. First half goal from Odemwingie, then score after the break through Ash , then DG. Oh, and Dyer is going to rip Nicky Shorey apart and get MOTM. P.S. Article with Brendan in the Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/sep/16/swansea-brendan-rodgers-relegation
