A propensity to concede injury time goals has hampered Swansea's early chances, and with clubs circling strikers Joel Piroe and Michael Obafemi ahead of today's transfer deadline it's been a testy start for Russell Martin's men, according to Planet Swans' Phil Sumbler.
How was last season?
Meh! There were some obvious high points (the double over Cardiff) but in large it was always termed to be "a season of transition” after the changes late on in the summer with the changes in management. Our league position determined pretty much where we deserved to be with much work ahead of us when we finished up in May.
How's the season started, bit ropey by the looks of things?
That’s one way of looking at it. Things should have been so much better — twice now we have conceded in stoppage time to throw away a winning position — four points more would make the league table look much better. The first of those we remember was us scoring two own goals in three minutes to give Millwall a point down here. Largely the performances have just not hit the mark with the odd good game where we look better. We definitely look better away from home if you want to invite us to Loftus Road instead.
Swansea league results so far…
Rotherham 1-1 Swansea Ogbene 16 — Darling 38
Swansea 0-3 Blackburn Szmodics 39, Brereton-Diaz 57, Travis 84
Blackpool 0-1 Swansea Ntcham 87
Swansea 2-2 Millwall Manning 1, Obafemi 13 — Cabango og 90, Wood og 90
Swansea 0-2 Luton Campbell 13, Morris 72
Boro 2-1 Swansea McGree 13, Crooks 30 — Piroe pen 79
Stoke 1-1 Swansea Campbell 90 — Piroe 6
Russell Martin was dividing opinion anyway with his distinct style, how's the mood with him after a poor start?
You may remember your pre-season piece on the Swans — it struck more chords down here than maybe you realise, and there is definitely increasing frustration with the manager due to the poor start. He still has his fans although they are not as many in numbers but the reality is we all want him to turn it around but we need to improve.
How do you rate your transfer business?
We signposted early we were a selling club and we needed to sell to bring in. We lost Downes early but some good signings in (although too early to know how our recent loan signings will fit in) and a couple that have not yet shown why we put faith (and money) into them but I guess its early days. The business for Downes was good business for us. We are in that position where we have to sell to progress and Downes is an example of that.
Any last minute deals in the offing?
We are keeping an eye on the position with Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford having missed out on Haaland to Man City but other than that there’s some other speculation that is probably more likely than the first one above. Obafemi looks set to be on his way to Burnley which could open some doors. Cody Drameh at Leeds is a name continually mentioned but knowing our deadline days we will sign Marvin Emnes younger cousin sometime around 22.45.
Ins >>> Harry Darling, 22, CB, MK Dons, £2m >>> Nathan Wood, 20, CB, Boro, Undisclosed >>> Joe Allen, 32, CM, Stoke, Free >>> Matthew Sorinola, 21, LB, Union SG (Belgium), Loan >>> Luke Cundle, 20, CM, Wolves, Loan >>> Armstrong Oko-Flex, 20, LW, West Ham, Loan >>>
Outs >>> Flynn Downes, 23, CM, West Ham, £9.5m >>> Korey Smith, 31, CM, Derby, Free >>> Yan Dhanda, 23, AM, Ross County, Free >>> Ben Hamer, 34, GK, Watford, Free >>> Morgan Whittaker, 21, RW, Plymouth, Loan >>> Josh Gould, 25, GK, Released >>> Jordon Garrick, 24, RW, Lincoln, Loan >>> Kyle Joseph, 20, ST, Oxford, Loan
Stand out performers and weak links so far?
I am not sure anyone stands out as doing really well this season. Joe Allen has settled well back into midfield and Ryan Manning has been OK but largely we have been a team of average at best performances in a period of underwhelming. I’m trying to be polite here. And because of that picking on a weak link is unfair as we have underperformed as a team in the main.
How do you think the season will go?
One game at a time. We will take it as it comes. Our only focus is on the next game. All the cliches are in there but we know how odd this division can be. Right now we nervously look over our shoulder and thank the state of Coventry’s pitch for our league position. Rumour has it we may be scrutinising the books of the other 23 clubs to see if we can find irregularities. OK, that’s unfair as I don’t really think we will go down but we do need to start winning soon otherwise you do find yourselves in a position where you are in that dogfight before you know it. The plus point is our cousins up the road tell us how good they have been this season and yet we are two points behind them and we have been largely rubbish. That’s ambition for you. Anyway, back to the question — we will lose more than we win but end between 13th and 15th.
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