| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? 23:18 - May 14 with 7706 views | swansvalleyjack |
We all bemoan the loss of the “Swansea Way” on the pitch, which started with Martinez, and taken on by Rogers and Laudrup in the Premier League.
This being a combination of crisp accurate incisive passing all over the pitch, lots of triangles, players always looking to move into space; decent defenders who were comfortable on the ball; playing out from the back with solid hold up play - bringing midfielders, wingers & full backs into attack; then finished off more often by the likes of Graham, Michu & Bony ; plus a patient acceptance from fans that even passing around the back would soon build up to something exciting and positive.
And of course the legend Leon - the glue holding it all together. Plus some shrewd transfers — especially at the start of our Premier League adventure under Rodgers & Laudrup — with everyone buying into our consistent style of play.
Can we ever get that back ? I’d like to think so, but I was reminded of its fallibility tonight by Gordon Strachan on the radio, as part of a discussion about who of the relegated clubs might have the best and earliest opportunity to get back to the Premier League.
Strachan rightly extolled the virtues of the way we played, though he was mistaken in saying that the “Swansea Way” was only for a couple of years. Yes, we had the first three great seasons in the Premier League (including the Cup/Europe) but Strachan forgets that - although in the leagues below — we had developed that passing style of play since 2007 when Martinez was appointed.
But Strachan was right when he said that it was a no brainer for Premier League Clubs to soon work out how to combat our style — “so you like to pass — well, we ain’t gonna let you — we’re going to get into your faces all the time — and unless you’re Barcelona or Manchester City (who have quality players who can cope with close pressing) - then let’s see how you cope”.
And after the first couple of years, we were found out. In fact, my recollection of this first happening, was by Everton under David Moyes at the Liberty — can’t remember when exactly, but I remember thinking — oh oh, our guys aren’t handling this pressure too well, passes hit hurriedly under pressing opponents, not given time to build from the back etc . Normally, teams just stood off us and allowed us to pass and play, waiting to break us up later.
I guess that led us into the Monk Plan B — which should have been an option to our Plan A — but turned into a permanent Plan B. And the rest is history… Plan A disappeared totally, compounded by many shockingly poor transfers (wasting millions); a ridiculous turnover of managers; and the off-field mis-management & sale etc etc. Leading to the inevitable relegation, and the worst football we’ve seen for many many years.
So while I would like to see a return of the “Swansea Way” on the pitch — has that era passed us by ? Have too many others caught up ? Do they bother ? Will we be sussed out again ?
I admit I don’t know the answers — but surely there has to be a way which will be more attractive than those last three years of really poor football (a particular low point for me seeing Fabianski regularly punting as far and as high as he could to the Ayew brothers up front FFS).
Fulham play attacking flowing football, and they reached the play-off final tonight - though unlike our hedge fund investors, they do have a Billionaire owner !! Plus Burnley have done brilliantly this season — what’s their secret ?
Anyway, a first basic for me - on the pitch - is to get back to some attractive and effective wide play with fast wingers and supported by attacking full backs. Plus finding hungry players through a revamped scouting system. And while the original Plan A (“Swansea Way”) is a lovely thought, we do need a pragmatic Plan B or C — but as OPTIONS (not permanent) depending on opponents and circumstances.
What do you guys ideally want to see ? (Apart from Jenkins out, and new Investors !!)
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| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 11:05 - May 15 with 2330 views | GeoffThom |
| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 09:21 - May 15 by Dr_Winston |
If he is going to be a manager, I'd rather he went elsewhere to learn the job and make his mistakes rather than make them here.
I'd have thought the Monk era would have cured anyone of wanting to stick inexperienced ex-players into the managers job. |
Like Martinez or failed like Rogers? |  | | |
| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 11:49 - May 15 with 2303 views | cockneyswan |
First you need owners who are willing to back a manager who knows and wants to play possession football, this includes obtaining players who are comfortable playing that way. Unfortunately I don’t believe our current owners have the money, will , or patience to support such a move. The only other way is to employ a manager who you think might get the current crop ( give or take a few) to achieve some kind of success in the Championship. |  | | |
| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 12:04 - May 15 with 2290 views | dameedna |
Time for
Captain America
Part 2
The sooner we get shot of the Cans the better. |  | | |
| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 12:21 - May 15 with 2279 views | cockneyswan |
| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 12:04 - May 15 by dameedna |
Time for
Captain America
Part 2
The sooner we get shot of the Cans the better. |
Cans? | | | |
| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 14:39 - May 15 with 2235 views | A_Fans_Dad |
| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 12:21 - May 15 by cockneyswan |
Cans? |
Ameri cans | | | |
| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 15:26 - May 15 with 2199 views | RevJames |
To succeed, we need to be different to other clubs with greater resources.
It worked before, no reason it can't work again.
Recruitment and succession planning are key here to ensure similar or better quality players replace those inevitably poached by bigger clubs to sit on their benches.
It's painfully obvious that those currently responsible for recruitment aren't up to it, so let's get the right people in instead of more of the same | | | |
| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 16:02 - May 15 with 2174 views | JFSwan |
" a patient acceptance from fans that even passing around the back would soon build up to something exciting and positive".
Even at our peak of passing play, going backward always received large groans | | | |
| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 16:09 - May 15 with 2168 views | cockneyswan |
| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 14:39 - May 15 by A_Fans_Dad |
Ameri cans |
Oh right , thanks 👠| | | |
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| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 17:26 - May 15 with 2134 views | swansvalleyjack |
| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 16:02 - May 15 by JFSwan |
" a patient acceptance from fans that even passing around the back would soon build up to something exciting and positive".
Even at our peak of passing play, going backward always received large groans |
In the Rodgers/Laudrup era, no way were there large groans, it was a means to an end, and accepted ...though nowadays when Naughton stops, turns and passes back - then I am top of the groan list !! | | | |
| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 22:35 - May 15 with 2041 views | The_undecided |
Agree with alot that has been said on here, should not of stopped playing the way that was getting us results in the last couple seasons of the championship and early years in the premier, but with a good back up plan for when sides closed us out. Agree monk did not know how to play that way and so opted for something different that did not fit and was pretty normal(Remember his managerial experience was very limited), without quality players that stood out against the other Teams we were just going to be pushed out until we dropped out, nothing to make us any different.
But not sure now 8 years on it will get us out of the championship anytime soon, Fulham play nice football and get plenty of possession and well funded, but it took them until the second half of the season to kick start their promotion push, Cardiff on the other hand would rarely get more that 50% possession but were in top 2 for majority of the season and went up in an auto position. It takes time to instill a different way of football, often a number of seasons of the same players together and the right players along with a manager who has the ability to carry it through. This must be backed up with a scouting team who can identify players who will fit going forward. What it is not is an overnight solution, we must be patient and build, it could get worse before it gets better, it depends on whether those at the top have the patience. | | | |
| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 22:49 - May 15 with 2028 views | swancity |
For anyone in doubt about the transformation in playing style and how quickly it can be implemented cast your minds back to the year 2007. Jackett sacked and replaced by Martinez. The playing style was changed after barely one training session and we never looked back from that moment. It can be done again but this time a clear out of players is needed firstly. | |
| Only an idiot would eat a turkey curry on Christmas day |
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| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 02:28 - May 16 with 1967 views | EU5Makaveli |
Our strength had always been in centre midfield. We used to win games by us controlling the midfield. Expect for the past few seasons the midfield has been out weakness therefore we lost our passing style.
As incompentant as the owners and Huw seem, they realised this last summer as that’s why we signed so many midfielders.
The problem is Mesa and Sanches flopped while Clucas is merely a workhorse,
It’s a shame really because if Mesa, Sanches and Bony had played to their potential we would’ve probably had a more than decent team. |  | | |
| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 20:15 - May 16 with 1838 views | Kilkennyjack |
| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 07:35 - May 15 by CopaMundial |
And this is why we're in the mess we are.
We never needed a plan B all we needed to do was build on and refine plan A. Plan " A " was plenty good enough to beat the teams we needed to and also good enough to give the top table the odd bloody nose.
From memory two teams ( Everton , Norwich ) did a job on us when we played that beautiful passing game which led to many on here claiming that we'd been found out and that we needed to mix things up,that was the beginning of the end .
I'm certain that if we'd stuck to that style of football we'd still be a Premier league side , we've played Plan " B " football for the last couple of seasons which has resulted in us being relegated from the worst quality Premiership since it's inception. |
ðŸ‘ðŸ†ðŸ†ðŸ† |  |
| Beware of the Risen People
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| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 20:30 - May 16 with 1822 views | Glyn1 |
| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 07:27 - May 15 by dameedna |
At one stage we had to adapt as the Martinez style only lasted so long.
We will be pushing the likes of Villa, West Brom, Stoke, Forest, Leeds for a share of the spoils next season and the next stage will be to try and finish top 6 which we have not managed for 7 years.
Might be hard to break a losing pattern. |
"next stage will be to try and finish top 6 which we have not managed for 7 years."
Although we have finished above the Championship top 6 for the last 7 years. It has to be our target. |  |
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| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 20:45 - May 17 with 1718 views | Jokeren1943 |
Swansea should begin with, stop buying overpriced PL and Championship players.
Use money on a good scouting structure in Spain and Portugal instead. |  | | |
| Can we get the “Swansea Way” back ? on 06:03 - May 19 with 1638 views | STID2017 |
No is theanswer to your question.
Club will be happy with any method that gets results |  |
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