Gillingham are the visitors tomorrow at the Swansea.Com with fans not so much annoyed at Saturdays result, but with the complete breakdown of passes and the overall construct of his side.
It’s League Cup time again, and traditionally the attendances are far lower, although the Swans have seen their crowds far higher than the average over the years. Especially when compared with down the road. There will be changes we are certain, but we are also certain there won’t be that many. This is the sort of game where those players who didn’t perform on Saturday need to put things right. In any event the cupboard is relatively bare.
Sam Parker and Aimar Govea would have loved to get their first outings of the season, unfortunately both are injured. That limits the options out wide. Joe Allen can’t have a run out, he’s injured, and Andy Fisher who you would expect to normally play in a fixture like this is also out. We know Josh Ginnelly has more recovery to do, and Eom left the pitch late on at the Riverside on Saturday. It’s only cramp we are told, but is it a game for Eom with Preston North End at the Swansea.Com this coming Saturday (KO 3pm) ?
Williams selections will surprise a few we think, he most certainly can’t afford another lacklustre display or defeat, for many that will fall in to the the giant-killing arena. Despite Gillingham having a thumping win against Carlisle United (4-1) last time out. They will surely field their strongest side, if not that could play into the Swans hands. Even if we see the likes of Filip Lissah play tomorrow night he has developed enough to not be a concern. The same could be said for Josh Thomas but the cupboard as we have said before is very bare.
Pedersen and Tjoe-A-On could be a choice, but both have rarely featured in any match day squad.
Zan Vipotnik who we saw very little of despite his twenty six minutes or so against Boro surely will relish a start for this game. He will thrive on crosses, that is if the Swans, as they did on Saturday don’t start their sideways passing routines as the opposition get organised and defend easily. Any form of loss will heap a ton on pressure on Luke Williams, and yes irrespective of this being the very start of the new season. You can’t help thinking some fans relish a defeat at times so they can moan about the club, the owners, the coach, the players, in fact anything at hand.
If people are in two minds over the head coach’s anger after Saturday’s game then you only have to see the look on his face when interviewed afterwards. His words were pretty damning as well. "We gave the opposition so many breaks in the game with loose passes and unnecessary fouls and they jumped all over that. I thought they were good value for the win. So many unforced errors and then the penalty is a reflection of that. Too anxious inside the box trying to make a tackle that you don't need to make. Just stand up. That summed up that first twenty minutes for me”
We've said before it was a lot more than that.
Harry Darling has commented. "We are gutted we did not give them (fans) more to cheer and a better result, but I hope in the second half they could see the signs of what we are trying to do.” He states the games will come thick and fast, but the Swans have eight days after Preston before the derby game. These post match features happen too often to be taken seriously. Far too often.
So, why ask the question so early on without a home league game played ? It has to be asked because the anger and frustration directed towards the team on the weekend was palpable. Our point of view is different, we think Luke has the capabilities to have a very good season at the Swans. But only if he is given those extra players he craves for. With so many leaving there has to be more business this week. "I think it's clear looking at the squad today we have to try and continue to strengthen. There's ‘no question’ there's going to be more players arriving, but I can't tell you exactly when at the moment”
That’s reassuring, but we are getting the feeling with some targets we are in an either or situation.
When a manager can’t actually field a team of lesser used players because he hasn’t got the strength in depth that’s a problem. And that problem worsens as the days and fixtures go by. We’ve been here before, almost every season, and it is happening again. And all that despite the assurances of Andrew Coleman in any number of fans forums. Yes, we know it’s difficult, and yes we understand fully the salary structure has been markedly reduced. And of course very much know of the clubs profit and sustainability issues.
However, tomorrow nights game is a must win, no messing about, it’s crucial. Not only for confidence in the club by the fans - but because cup wins slowly bring in more money. And that’s the crux of all this.
Money.
So, will we be again short on quality and depth because of finance, or can the next two weeks put the whole thing to bed ? After all the club had their targets three months ago, and if you believe the Chairman well before that. We have to stop dragging our feet and give the fans some real faith in the direction we are going, and that has to happen immediately.