Blog written by HoustonJack
Published: 2nd August 2015 8:58
I won’t mention the score as our defeat by a rampant Chelsea’s still gives me nightmares. However, my thoughts for Stamford Bridge on the first game of the new Premier campaign may all be so different. Getting something at the home of the champions will be a tall-order, but unpredictable results often surface on the first game of most seasons, and I’m hoping the Swans will be one of those.
Much has been said of us playing a slightly different and with much emphasis put on ‘high press’ by Garry Monk and his team of trainers, during the pre-season. I think he may double up his defensive options, particularly on the left with Frank Tabanou playing in front of Neil Taylor, I think Montero may be warming the bench in this one. I can also see Ayew playing on the right as he is a bit more of a physical entity to Dyer and Routledge. It will not be easy going ‘toe-to-toe’ with Chelsea, but I think we have a different team to the debacle of last season.
Maybe the game against Deporto will show a few insights into how the Swans will line up against the champions, but I doubt very much if Garry Monk will put all his cards on the table. It will however give us some idea of the three pressing areas that the Swans will employ this season. Last season’s friendly against Spanish opposition was perhaps a bit naïve and I’m sure they have learnt from that. We are all looking to see Gomis continue as he left off last season, and with perhaps a more fruitful backup in Eder, as well as Ayew, we should be able to get a few more goals this season.
I’m glad the season is just about to begin, and looking forward to some epic games this season, let hope we can at least emulate our last campaign.