 | Forum
Reply | Harry Darling
at 21:27 1 Jan 2025
Unfortunately, the ball lies in his court. Even if a club does come in with the offer, doesn't mean he'll want to move there. He'll have a pick of clubs and a healthy signing on bonus come June. Even if we cut our nose off to spite our face and not play him, 4.5 months of no Football is not going to put off interested suitors.
We left the hardball impact a little too late to be effective unfortunately.
For me, if you have a member of the squad you value, appreciate and want to retain, you should be looking at extensions from 2 years out from their expiry. Not letting it run down to the last 12 months. |
| Forum
Reply | Honestly Luke do you really believe your PR ! Swans crash at Pompey
at 20:47 1 Jan 2025
A lot of criticism towards Williams in this thread (rightly so I'm my opinion) but the players on the pitch have to take accountability too. 9 of those starting today were the same team that absolutely who smashed QPR and in the most dominated Luton comprehensively.
Unless Williams has given them different tactical instructions today they need to take accountability to allow their performances to drop to such dire levels. I've said on a number of different posts we look a shadow of the team without Franco. Today just goes to show just how weak our mentality is as a squad if they can't perform as a team with 1 player missing.
There's the notion that "they're not playing for the manager". Well if your telling me they deliberately let their levels drop to oust the manager then I don't want those players at my club. Regardless of the manager, giving 100% for the shirt (and your employer) is a non-negotiable fo me regardless of who the manager is. A lot of fans made the long trip to the south coast over the New Year Bank holiday and we're served up that rubbish - they should apologise.
As for Williams, I'm not his biggest fan, but also not necessarily calling for his head. There are some positives, we're mid-table when many posters on here expected us to be in a relegation battle this year. We're not. Cullen has found a new position and has improved somewhat this season.
Williams is still fairly young and inexperienced as a manager himself, and is learning his trade. That said, I think some of his selection and in match tactical decisions (mainly substitutions) are questionable, and he doesn't appear to be learning very quicky. Also his lack of direct committment to the media that he's not interested in WBA job has caused even more doubt in my mind. His general handling of the media has been pretty poor in my opinion.
I wouldn't shed a tear if he left tomorrow, yet I'm not concerned (this season) if he sticks around. Him leaving now would give another manager more time to assess his squad, and get their ideas across in readiness for next year, and whilst we're not completely safe, we should have enough in the locker to avoid being sucked into a relegation battle regardless of the manager.
As stated above though, today for me was more about the players, their mental strength and attitude and not necessarily down to the manager. Williams should be able to drop all 11 players and replace the entire team as a kick up the backside, sadly... We just don't have the strength in depth to be able to do that. |
| Forum
Reply | Portsmouth v Swansea City : Match day thread Game Day !
at 16:26 1 Jan 2025
Absolutely no suprise to me. I called it when the team was announced. We don't win/play well without Franco in the team. For whatever reason we just don't play with the same style/intensity. I hope he's back in the starting line up very soon (and we can find a similar player in. The transfer market to come in). |
| Forum
Reply | Portsmouth v Swansea City : Match day thread UPDATED
at 11:44 1 Jan 2025
Without Franco I see this being a tough day at the office. The games where he hasn't played we have put together some of the worst performances this season (Hull last month and Wycombe in the League Cup). Combined with we always seem to drop off last 20 minutes in matches when he's normally substituted signals to me that he's not just missed as a very good individual player, but the team generally don't function (or aren't confident) playing without him..
Hope I'm wrong and that we batter them (would take a scrappy 1-0 win) but if I was a betting man my money would be on Portsmouth or a draw today unless the team can up their levels to compensate for Francos absence. By far our most important and Influential player IMO [Post edited 1 Jan 12:12]
|
| Forum
Reply | Vigouroux howler but at last Peart-Harris steps up and gets the winner
at 19:16 29 Dec 2024
Not necessarily. Unless he's a disruption in the changing rooms I think he's an option to bring off the bench. There's no way I'd start him until he can prove himself more consistently and show a bit more dog. But I thought he came on and added that bit of needed pace down the left today and generally did well. Can still play a (small) part in the remainder of our season. |
| Forum
Reply | Swansea City v Luton Town : Match day thread GAME DAY !
at 19:05 29 Dec 2024
I don't think Fulton came on and did a bad job, I would love to see us get another Franco type player in to give us that additional option and strengthen the squad and match day bench in general, but Fulton didn't put a foot wrong.
What I did see though is a sudden drop in confidence and energy in the team in general when Franco was taken off and didn't come back until the red card. For me that shows we need to work on Leadership and resilience. When your best player goes off after being assaulted on the pitch, players should rally around and step up to stick two fingers up at the opposition. I saw the opposite for that brief spell.
Don't take anything away from the Swans, I thought it was a great overall performance and result, but the signs I'm seeing is a team lacking confidence when Franco isn't in it. Remember he didn't play a single minute in two of our worst performances this season. 2-1 loss against Hull and our League Cup exit against Wycombe. Just saying! |
| Forum
Reply | Swansea City v Luton Town : Match day thread GAME DAY !
at 16:59 29 Dec 2024
TFFT!!!
Another good overall performance fair play. Ronald looks back to his old self. Grimes didn't stop running (and I've been one of his biggest critics).
We should have had both another Pen and Linton should have played most of the second half with 9 men. Inexperienced Referee had a shocker and almost cost us.
My only concern (other than the goal we gifted to them) is how much less confident we looked when Franco went off until they had the red card. Luton definitely had a period where they grew in confidence and put us under more pressure.
A very good 3 points against a dogged, physical and ill disciplined Luton. That'll do nicely thank you! |
| Forum
Thread | Darts
at 21:03 28 Dec 2024
3 Questions
1) Who do you think will win this years PDC?
2) Who do you want to win it?
3) Who's your least favourite player?
For me:
1) Littler
2) Johnny "The Ferret" Clayton
3) Luke Humphreys (not sure what it is, just can't take to him and find him smarmy)
This post has been edited by an administrator |
| Forum
Reply | Worst Saturday Ever
at 20:53 28 Dec 2024
Looking forward to the Exeter v Gloucester derby tomorrow (along with all the football)  |
| Forum
Thread | Worst Saturday Ever
at 20:34 28 Dec 2024
Worst Saturday for Sport ever. I feel like I'm on edge. Outside of the regular football season at least you have some other sports on i.e. golf or tennis. But today has been an absolute shocker. Almost, just almost went and finished off painting the bathroom ceiling the Mrs has been going on about for the last 3 years. But decided to watch the Darts instead with a few  [Post edited 28 Dec 2024 21:19]
|
| Forum
Reply | What value Cullen ?
at 10:22 28 Dec 2024
He's improved a lot this season and the Swans are starting to reap the reward for the years of support and development put in to him. He's cheap (contract), so unless a significant bid comes in which allows LW to replace and fund other signings I think he should (and will) stay.
As other posters have said, he's a home bird, and loves the club, I've never doubted his motivation and he wears his heart in his sleeve. I don't think he's reached his ceiling yet and can only see him getting better and better over the next 2-3 years.
I suspect another contract offer with increased wages will be on the table within the next 12-18 months if he continues to impress.
As for Value, I'd put him somewhere in the 6m bracket, and even that would be too low to consider selling at this current time (IMO) |
| Forum
Reply | The inspirational striker linked with Swansea City
at 23:47 27 Dec 2024
If we can also get another solid, towering CB and Francos Twin brother in this window, maybe, just maybe we could push for a playoff.
Cullen doing fantastic in the AM role, but maybe another position which needs some strengthening in terms of depth? |
| Forum
Reply | Swansea City v Queens Park Rangers : Match day Thread
at 16:05 26 Dec 2024
Another goal please before ringing the changes. Cullen very impressive and glad he's settling into the AM position. I called it last season that I thought he'd be a good fit there. Ronald having a good game down the right! Best performance for some time. |
| Forum
Reply | Swansea City v Queens Park Rangers : Match day Thread
at 15:53 26 Dec 2024
Well that was just about the most comprehensive Half's I've seen from the Swans in so long. 83% possession and no shots on target against.
Hopefully learnt some lessons in recent weeks and will kill off any chance of a fightback early in the second half. |
| | GVJack
|
Site Scores| Forum Votes: | 127 | | Comment Votes: | 0 | | Prediction League: | 0 | | TOTAL: | 127 |
|
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
