It’s Thursday morning heading into what has to be the most boring night after the international break for club fans. Nearly as bad as Wednesday. On Friday the Championship returns, and on Saturday it begins again in earnest.
On Friday night there’s a local derby at Elland Road, Leeds United take on Sheffield United. And on Sunday we have Hull City taking on Sunderland at the KC Stadium. The Swans have been fortunate to date with many of their fixtures coming along with a 3pm kick off both home and away. However, this coming week there’s an away game at Blackburn Rovers (KO 3pm) on Saturday, and then yet another fixture away against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday evening (KO 7:45pm)
It seems as well that numerous Swans followers have written off these two games, especially on Saturday, but despite Eom’s exclusion through his injury picked up last week, there is surely room for optimism ? The Swans have won or lost games by the odd goal this season, and in the games that have been drawn, they really should have claimed all the points.
First let us look at Luke Williams Swansea City career to date.
Mid table at best.
This season though he has guided the Swans to eleventh in the Championship, but with much more to shout about. As we have stated, not one game has finished without the odd goal deciding it. That’s good news surely ? The Cardiff City, Bristol City and Stoke City home games have been drawn and that clearly has infuriated the Swans head coach. We’ve seen it post match, especially in his Sky Sports interview post match against Bristol City. Six points dropped ? Had they been gathered up we would see Swansea City in the play offs.
Fine margins for sure with a squad that is extremely underestimated, and with football commentators with little knowledge to talk as the more informed fans do on our website forum. Here at the Indy we examine deeply the Swans performances, we present you with refined stats, and we never forget - it’s also about what we see for ourselves.
So, we need to see this next batch of games, far tougher than the last lot, after the September International break, produce more continuity and decisiveness.
We’ve asked the question already this week, but realistically these eighteen points up for offer have to return twelve points. If they don’t, then ‘mid-table’ will be the buzz word come another International break in November. Win three and draw three is potentially not going to happen. But four wins could be achieved. This now, today - is a team on the cusp of either not grasping how close these games to date have come to being won. Or, hasn't got the ability, and will hover around the upper and lower parts of a competitive Championship competition that is ruthless by just a few points.
That’s down to head coach, Luke Williams.
Blackburn Rovers on the other hand are viewed as a better side than Swansea City. They have scored more goals than the Swans but concede far more. Testament to the continual argument the defensive part of this first Swansea eleven needs contracting immediately.
Rovers have lost their last two games against what could be described as mediocre opposition. They have conceded five goals and scored one. Their 3-0 defeat at Coventry City was pretty humbling. Their loss at Plymouth exposed their defensive issues. On their day though, at home, as we saw against Bristol City they can dominate games, and convincingly as well. Plus, they are only three points ahead of Swansea City.
We have to go into this game positively and with the mindset we are going to win. It is once again very fine margins, but as we saw at Sheffield United, when those moments arrive the Swans have to be positive. Not going to sleep with seconds to go in halves has to be one of the objectives this week in training. There needs to be exact leadership on the pitch to achieve that.
Get that right and this Swansea side should not fear any fixture at any time.