According to the BBC, Swansea have hit the woodwork a 14 times this season (the joint-highest in the Premier League with Arsenal).
Chuffed with the three points but if I'm honest I thought we could have been a bit more positive in our team selection and the use of our subs. Montero, Barrow, Gomis and Emnes on the bench meant we didn't have any real pace in the team. We passed the ball well which was pleasing but didn't get behind Watford. After twenty minutes of the second half we were getting dominated (but not battered) and we should have got the pace boys on earlier to relieve pressure. Watford had a couple of near misses and we rode our luck. When Gomis came on he showed why he is important as he can hold the ball up and allow our defenders to have a break - it's a pity Ayew can't do that because he could then solve the centre forward problem. Two quality signings in the remainder of the transfer window and we will be fine
Just a quick note to say how much better it is to have a decent ref in charge. He was in control and fair & hard in equal measure to both sides. Oliver & Clattenburg are the best & most consistent refs in the PL this season.
1) Fabianski - 7 Didn't have a lot to do but what he did he did well. Much improved kicking but still wants to pump it long too much for my tastes. 2) Naughton - 6 Good first half, lacked composure in the 2nd (as did the team in general), gave away silly free kicks...panics 3) Taylor - 6 Good going forward tonight but could easily have cost us a goal with a couple of ricks, also panics 4) Fernandez - 6 Solid enough at the actual defending business and when he calmly passes it on the deck can look a very good player....but he doesn't get a 7 because of a couple of silly free kicks he gave away and his keenness to kick the ball away when under pressure instead of passing it short and simple in the direction he is facing. 5) Ash - 10 Thank **** for Ashley Williams and thank **** he didn't get injured. We absolutely depend on him. Sees the danger and acts decisively (as he has been doing for years). Absolutely crucial tackle on Deeney in the second half which he couldn't afford to miss. Bailed his defensive colleagues out on occasion and scored a proper captain's goal. Has an understanding with Fernandez now (Fernandez being the Jr partner, he depends on Ash). 6) Leon - 9 Outstanding. Protected the back four, screened the space, read the game, anticipated, intercepted, tackled ferociously, used the ball economically (the once or twice he gave it away he fought like hell to recover it), committed 1 intelligent professional foul to stop a pass getting in behind us which was well worth his yellow card....and even managed to get forward on occasion into their box. Could have scored too if Siggy had got out of the way. 7) Cork - 7 Good first half. Plenty of effort/endeavour. Solid enough in the tackle. Moved his arse to receive the ball in all 3rds of the pitch (watch and learn Jonjo ****ing Shelvey). ****ed up once, failing to close down a Watford player on the left wing which allowed him to cross (Fernandez wasn't happy with him!) and could have shown a bit more quality on the ball in the final third. 8) Ki - 5 Did some good things going forward (including an assist for the goal) but for me he gave the ball away too much, wanted too much time, got shoved off the ball far too easily and didn't work too hard tracking back. Same old. Hope he gets some form together soon. At the moment he is one I would look to put under pressure with some serious competition. (Amat - 6) (too short a time to judge but didn't do anything wrong. A good egg.) 9) Andre Ayew - 7 Works like ****, always looking to do the positive thing which will unlock a defence, competes for absolutely everything (particularly effective in the air), things just didn't go quite right for him when it mattered tonight. (Gomis - 7) (Hilarious how he was offside within 10 seconds of coming off the bench...and then he did it again! Got to say though that tonight he got hold of the ball and played it simple a bit better and was unlucky not to score) 10) Siggy - 8 I'm giving him an 8 for the sheer amount of work he got through, which was very impressive. 11) Routledge - 7 Some lovely touches, usually looks like he has the beating of his man always looks likely to make something happen in the final third. Needs a target man to play off for my money (as does Ayew and Siggy). Nothing quite came off though. (Barrow - 5) (I like him but tonight he looked totally lost as to what to do when he received the ball....also, when he's one on one with his man in the box he needs to take him on not pass it back. With a bit more confidence he could be the spark for more shooting opportunities for his team mates, more penalties and more assists & goals for himself. Believe in yourself son!) Overall Summary Encouraging 1st half. Good tempo, good movement off the ball, good passing. Just missed that quality in the final third....luckily Ashley Williams popped up to head in just about the only decent cross we had managed. Second half was very frustrating to watch. We lost our composure from the kick off. We looked nervous, we gifted them possession and let them into the game. Literally from the first whistle of the 2nd half everybody seemed to want an extra touch and pump it up the field when there were about 3/4 better passes available to them. BUT we showed some grit, good spirit and a little bit of know how here and there. Leon and Ash were immense, truly leading those boys by the hand through a very nervy 45. Amazing to think that Leon has been with us since the 4th division and Ash the 3rd but they are still head and shoulders our best players. We still depend on them. I hope the Italian can sign 2/3. A striker, a creative midfielder and a winger. Would also be nice if at least 1 of these players were an experienced campaigner, a big character to add to Leon and Ash. Chuffed with the win. Chuffed with Curt. Excellent to see him go round personally congratulating every player on the final whistle. He knew what this meant and that we need to build up their confidence and spirit from here. We can ****ing do this!
Great to have a good win in the bank. Leon is scfc ! But the team need to get back to consistent consentrating and being confident for the full 90+ ! Which the addition of the new helper/ manager might bring them ? Bring in a good winger that has a crosshairs accurate crossing ability and we will do even better. 82% happy with that game .
Well happy with the 3 points. There's still a lot to be done,hopefully with a new man in to help Curt we can get there. Sharper,faster passing needed.Wingers need to get past their man.We go 10 yards forward then go back 20.Frustrating. Yes,there are times when this is the sensible option. Well done Curt and everyone,massive 3 points. Francesco welcome to Swansea You Jack Bastard
It ain`t nice, it ain`t pretty and it ain`t uglyish, but it`s three points which is what we need. I don`t mind us getting a bit ugly in every game so long as it means we are in with a shout of a 1-0 win. Good game, but gotta watch the heartbeats. I`ll admit that I was expecting Watford to score late on, thank feck they didn`t.
Was at the game and have to say I've seen us play better and lose. Why the **** we didn't start Barrow I don't know. The lad caused problems from the moment he came on and we have to be more positive from here on in. I was surprised at how poor Watford were and another team would have buried us. Still, glass half full and hopefully as others have said a couple new signings and we'll be fine.
Update: Just had a chat with someone who knows the head coach through some Italian connections. I'm told he used to show Udinese players videos of the Swans (as we were) as a model and likes to utilise wingers who have to be very, very quick. He's going to get us playing again, chaps!
Really going to miss Curtis's pre and post game interviews , although Guidolin struggles with English ,so maybe he will carry on with them .Also , as Dave Adams probably fades off the radar in the everyday dealings with the club ....well done sir .Finally , both Curtis and Britton made reference to the importance of " 12th Man " during yesterday's game ,the entire game, in their interviews ....keep up the good and important work .
