By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions. We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Swansea City v Reading Liberty Stadium EFL Championship Wednesday 30th December 2020 Kick Off 8pm
Match Officials DAVID WEBB Craig Taylor and Richard Wild Fourth Official : Lee Swabey
TV SKY SPORTS FOOTBALL KICK OFF 8PM
SWANS TV FROM 7.50PM
What do we know about Reading FC ? Monty Don isn’t a Reading supporter, for those that don’t know Monty, ( most people who use that moniker are very cowardly) he is a gardener, but not really because he only grows weeds and when nobody is looking he glues flowers on them. Then he says ‘ ohhhh look what I’ve done, I’m a gardener’ He mainly scoops up loads of compost, which is basically shit, and puts it in different places, in fact he does this so often you would have thought he was a Cardiff fan, he can’t be though because his hair is too curly and he is too tall.
Monty Don with his dog, who is possibly dead, but not in this picture.
Ayrton Senna was born in Reading, he lived there until he won some racing competitions in a car. Senna was born in a house in Chelsea Close, Reading and only sold it when he was about eleven years old to buy a new car. In those days he was known as Brian or Knobhead ( to his mum) Proof Ayrton Senna is from Reading.
Reading is the only village in the Englands to be called a town, that’s quite a feat. Also just outside Reading is Broadmoor hospital where the more bloody frightening folk in the country are sent when they scare the shit out of people or kill them, whichever comes first. Not everyone who is sent to Broadmoor is dangerous, although that’s a qualification for most people to get in to the building. A little known fact is the ‘Silent Twins’ from West Wales were sent there after they set fire to a lot of the town of Haverfordwest. Their names were June and Jennifer Gibbons. One is now dead and the other lives in Haverfordwest where the sale of fire extinguishers shot up on her return home.
In the last thirteen games played between Swansea City and Reading the Swans haven’t lost any games, winning eight and drawing five. Swansea have scored twenty four goals in those games winning two of them 4-1 away.
Marc knows the score : Reading Pre Match 30th Dec 2020 06:54 Marc Guehi speaks about his transition from a Chelsea youngster to realistically being the first name on the team sheet at Swansea. Make no mistake this is a player who knows his own mind.0
Swansea City: Freddie Woodman; Ben Cabango, Ryan Bennett, Marc Guehi; Connor Roberts, Korey Smith, Jay Fulton, Matt Grimes (captain), Jake Bidwell; Andre Ayew, Jamal Lowe.
Substitutes: Steven Benda, Ryan Manning, Viktor Gyokeres, Wayne Routledge, Yan Dhanda, Joel Latibeaudiere, Oli Cooper, Jordon Garrick, Kasey Palmer.
Reading: Rafael Cabral, Tomas Esteves, Michael Morrison (captain), Tom McIntyre, Michael Olise, Andy Rinomhota, Sam Baldock, Ovie Ejaria, Josh Laurent, Tom Holmes, Alfa Semedo.
Substitutes: Luke Southwood, Omar Richards, John Swift, Sone Aluko, Nahum Melvin-Lambert, Tennai Watson, Ryan East, Jeriel Dorsett.
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 12:50 - Dec 30 by Chief
I have to disagree here because i don't think up to this point the facts back up that viewpoint. The players we brought in apart from Bennett who was the direct replacement (and in all reality isn't as good as Rodon) have barely played and when they have its down to injuries. Latibeaudiere has only played due to injuries, Naughton is the player that comes in when its pure rotation. Manning played twice maybe? And let's face it a shattered Bidwell couldn't have done any worse against boro. Cooper doesn't seem to rate Palmer much, usually in midfield its Smith, Dhanda and fulton sharing games. MGW and Byers are coming back his game time will be even less.
And that's of course if you believe that we had to sell our prized asset at cut price 11mill to bring in some free transfers, loans and 250k contract nearing ending bargain.
[Post edited 30 Dec 2020 12:56]
The facts are we’re second , we haven’t sustained any serious injuries or knocks (MGW aside) and apart from the shocking display at Derby we’ve done incredibly well in a period packed with games.
Rodon may go on to be twice or three times the player Bennett has made but Bennett’s experience and know how have galvanised the entire back 5 in to the best unit in the football league. Do you think keeping things the way they were and not adding Bennett ? Adding the players we have has given a much stronger spine and leadership all over.
He hasn’t rotated every game but Derby apart he has when needed. Ironically the schedule has slightly eased up over Christmas and he’s probably assessed the players to be sharp and fit enough knowing that after Saturday he can give his boys a fortnights rest.
Each time I go to Bedd - au........................
0
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 14:55 - Dec 30 with 1179 views
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 14:40 - Dec 30 by Brynmill_Jack
The facts are we’re second , we haven’t sustained any serious injuries or knocks (MGW aside) and apart from the shocking display at Derby we’ve done incredibly well in a period packed with games.
Rodon may go on to be twice or three times the player Bennett has made but Bennett’s experience and know how have galvanised the entire back 5 in to the best unit in the football league. Do you think keeping things the way they were and not adding Bennett ? Adding the players we have has given a much stronger spine and leadership all over.
He hasn’t rotated every game but Derby apart he has when needed. Ironically the schedule has slightly eased up over Christmas and he’s probably assessed the players to be sharp and fit enough knowing that after Saturday he can give his boys a fortnights rest.
Yes we are 2nd and doing decent on the injury front but there's no evidence at all that this is down to the very little game time Cooper has given to the players who came in on deadline day. Id argue the same cannot be said of players we already had at the club such as Dhanda, Naughton or maybe even Cullen.
We already had nearing the best defence in the league prior to Bennetts arrival don't forget and no i don't think keeping Rodon would have had any detriment on that at all.
Im sorry I don't see how the signings added any leadership or spine to anywhere besides defence. Its Smith, Ayew, Fulton performing it further forward. We can't really say that Woodman looks particularly reassured or led by the back spine either despite the lack on goals conceded.
Yea he has rotated well, but utilised in vast majority of cases players already at the club.
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 13:51 - Dec 30 by Chief
Im not saying Bennett is bad player, he's a solid championship defender. But is on the way down. Its a huge jump for Rodon to try&get into a spurs mourinho team challenging for the title. But with us in the championship he'd be playing every week&improving& probably still not at his peak.
11mill is definitely too low.
Edit: and going forward I'd be far more confident of Rodon stepping up and excelling in prem in the event of us going up then Bennett who's probably already reached his ceiling. And that's no slight on him at all.
[Post edited 30 Dec 2020 13:59]
To test out that theory about Rodon we’d have to get there first . With the squad we had that wouldn’t have been possible. And with the extra funds we’ll receive we can add more ability all over the pitch. If we stay down we will weaken financially and our chances of promotion will diminish and diminish. Especially with no young diamonds coming through the academy. Which can be rejuvenated/resuscitated through promotion.
Each time I go to Bedd - au........................
0
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 15:10 - Dec 30 with 1161 views
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 14:55 - Dec 30 by Chief
Yes we are 2nd and doing decent on the injury front but there's no evidence at all that this is down to the very little game time Cooper has given to the players who came in on deadline day. Id argue the same cannot be said of players we already had at the club such as Dhanda, Naughton or maybe even Cullen.
We already had nearing the best defence in the league prior to Bennetts arrival don't forget and no i don't think keeping Rodon would have had any detriment on that at all.
Im sorry I don't see how the signings added any leadership or spine to anywhere besides defence. Its Smith, Ayew, Fulton performing it further forward. We can't really say that Woodman looks particularly reassured or led by the back spine either despite the lack on goals conceded.
Yea he has rotated well, but utilised in vast majority of cases players already at the club.
I’ll disagree and I’ll add that the new players have given us a more physical edge . All these things are vital ingredients in any side aspiring to promotion. Cardiff didn’t get promoted twice by playing attractive football , did they ??
Regarding Joe I dare say with his injury record last season he would have missed a few games this season too. We have depth now.
Each time I go to Bedd - au........................
0
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 15:17 - Dec 30 with 1147 views
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 15:10 - Dec 30 by Brynmill_Jack
I’ll disagree and I’ll add that the new players have given us a more physical edge . All these things are vital ingredients in any side aspiring to promotion. Cardiff didn’t get promoted twice by playing attractive football , did they ??
Regarding Joe I dare say with his injury record last season he would have missed a few games this season too. We have depth now.
If played regularly you could argue that Palmer would have increased the physicality, but Cooper prefers Dhanda. Bennett and Rodon's physical attributes are similar and Manning does not match Bidwells strength. Latibeaudiere is very small for a defender although a good ball player from the little we've seen from him so again the facts don't back that stance up either. Agreed on the ingredients, its just that the signings haven't added that. Potentially but he hasn't got injured for spurs yet as far as i know? Despite training every day.
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 15:04 - Dec 30 by Brynmill_Jack
To test out that theory about Rodon we’d have to get there first . With the squad we had that wouldn’t have been possible. And with the extra funds we’ll receive we can add more ability all over the pitch. If we stay down we will weaken financially and our chances of promotion will diminish and diminish. Especially with no young diamonds coming through the academy. Which can be rejuvenated/resuscitated through promotion.
Yea none of this is certainly but the facts show Rodon moving up a division and Bennett moving down.
I agree we needed depth, but i disagree that we needed to sell Rodon on deadline to achieve that. We didn't and haven't yet reinvested a fraction of the proceeds.
There are a few diamonds still being produced by the academy.
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 15:17 - Dec 30 by Chief
If played regularly you could argue that Palmer would have increased the physicality, but Cooper prefers Dhanda. Bennett and Rodon's physical attributes are similar and Manning does not match Bidwells strength. Latibeaudiere is very small for a defender although a good ball player from the little we've seen from him so again the facts don't back that stance up either. Agreed on the ingredients, its just that the signings haven't added that. Potentially but he hasn't got injured for spurs yet as far as i know? Despite training every day.
He’s eased up on Palmer but there have been games equally where he’s gone for a Grimes/Smith/Fulton midfield.
Joe would start every game here. Has he done that for Spurs? Training isn’t the same as playing regularly in competitive matches or do you disagree?
Each time I go to Bedd - au........................
0
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 15:27 - Dec 30 with 1133 views
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 13:51 - Dec 30 by Chief
Im not saying Bennett is bad player, he's a solid championship defender. But is on the way down. Its a huge jump for Rodon to try&get into a spurs mourinho team challenging for the title. But with us in the championship he'd be playing every week&improving& probably still not at his peak.
11mill is definitely too low.
Edit: and going forward I'd be far more confident of Rodon stepping up and excelling in prem in the event of us going up then Bennett who's probably already reached his ceiling. And that's no slight on him at all.
[Post edited 30 Dec 2020 13:59]
I think you’re underestimating Bennett
Apart from Boro away when he had a poor game ( as did most of our lads ) he’s been a revelation and has definitely improved our team. Defensively we are a tougher but to crack and part of that is down to Bennett and his no nonsense approach. He’s got Premier League experience and isn’t yet “ on the way down “.
That along with Palmer Smith and even Lowe who always puts in a great shift physically have helped strengthen our team right through.
But Bennett’s grit replacing the Rodon style and ability has strengthened us if anything.
Only an idiot would eat a turkey curry on Christmas day
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 15:26 - Dec 30 by Brynmill_Jack
He’s eased up on Palmer but there have been games equally where he’s gone for a Grimes/Smith/Fulton midfield.
Joe would start every game here. Has he done that for Spurs? Training isn’t the same as playing regularly in competitive matches or do you disagree?
And none of grimes / Smith / fulton were brought in on the Rodon proceeds.
No i don't disagree with that, games will obviously be more intense. But he did pass a presumably robust physical at spurs. Plus Cooper has rotated in the experienced Naughton into defence forced (also a lot when not forced to).
Rodon was immense this season before leaving so I'm not buying the idea that Bennett (who was in and out for a bit with knocks anyway) improved us. A tidy replacement and important financial gain, but none of the additional players brought in alongside Bennett have contributed much yet.
[Post edited 30 Dec 2020 15:36]
0
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 MATCHDAY ! on 15:54 - Dec 30 with 1103 views
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 MATCHDAY ! on 15:35 - Dec 30 by jasper_T
Rodon was immense this season before leaving so I'm not buying the idea that Bennett (who was in and out for a bit with knocks anyway) improved us. A tidy replacement and important financial gain, but none of the additional players brought in alongside Bennett have contributed much yet.
[Post edited 30 Dec 2020 15:36]
They’ve all made a contribution, to varying degrees
Bennett though with his vast experience has really helped settle us. A different type of player to Rodon but he’s definitely improved us.
Only an idiot would eat a turkey curry on Christmas day
0
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 15:56 - Dec 30 with 1099 views
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 15:30 - Dec 30 by Chief
And none of grimes / Smith / fulton were brought in on the Rodon proceeds.
No i don't disagree with that, games will obviously be more intense. But he did pass a presumably robust physical at spurs. Plus Cooper has rotated in the experienced Naughton into defence forced (also a lot when not forced to).
The Rodon proceeds have enabled us to carry on paying Ayew and vital staff during covid when there’s hardly any income coming into the club.
If Joe had got injured for any length of time we’d have been in sh*t street. We now have serious depth.
Each time I go to Bedd - au........................
0
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 MATCHDAY ! on 16:08 - Dec 30 with 1089 views
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 15:56 - Dec 30 by Brynmill_Jack
The Rodon proceeds have enabled us to carry on paying Ayew and vital staff during covid when there’s hardly any income coming into the club.
If Joe had got injured for any length of time we’d have been in sh*t street. We now have serious depth.
Well that's debatable too. We've had a huge transfer surplus of the last few years which dwarf Ayews wages. Let alone parachute payments. I can't draw a direct link between Ayew and Rodon. Although i accept that the Rodon sale certainly eased the financial issues brought by the pandemic.
Shit Street is a stretch and only if you believe selling Rodon for 11mill allowed us to bring in free transfers.
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 15:30 - Dec 30 by Chief
And none of grimes / Smith / fulton were brought in on the Rodon proceeds.
No i don't disagree with that, games will obviously be more intense. But he did pass a presumably robust physical at spurs. Plus Cooper has rotated in the experienced Naughton into defence forced (also a lot when not forced to).
Agree in part Chief - Rodon staying would have been preferable but it was pretty clear we needed to bring in further £££s to keep the club ticking over & the exits (not just Rodon) freed up wages space for us to wheel & deal to strengthen the depth of the squad - our bench now offers options (not that Cooper is big on using them).
The new signings have in pitch terms added little other than for Bennett’s experience & consistency - not to be underrated with two 20 year olds along side him - plus the occasional Palmer cameo but they all seem to have slotted in well with the whole squad seemingly pulling in the same direction under Cooper. They appear to have also added physicality & grit, whether that would have come anyway we cannot tell but we are much more robust than last season.
In summary would I give up the £11M + signings for Rodon back, that would be a clear no for me.
0
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 16:26 - Dec 30 with 1070 views
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 16:22 - Dec 30 by Thornburyswan
Agree in part Chief - Rodon staying would have been preferable but it was pretty clear we needed to bring in further £££s to keep the club ticking over & the exits (not just Rodon) freed up wages space for us to wheel & deal to strengthen the depth of the squad - our bench now offers options (not that Cooper is big on using them).
The new signings have in pitch terms added little other than for Bennett’s experience & consistency - not to be underrated with two 20 year olds along side him - plus the occasional Palmer cameo but they all seem to have slotted in well with the whole squad seemingly pulling in the same direction under Cooper. They appear to have also added physicality & grit, whether that would have come anyway we cannot tell but we are much more robust than last season.
In summary would I give up the £11M + signings for Rodon back, that would be a clear no for me.
Yea in light of covid i can understand that (although im still annoyed by the fee) so I dont entirely disagree with the financial aspects of the package.
The point is disagreed with earlier was that it aided Cooper's rotation. Which it basically hasn't because the players he usually uses to rotate in were already at the club.
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 16:12 - Dec 30 by Chief
Well that's debatable too. We've had a huge transfer surplus of the last few years which dwarf Ayews wages. Let alone parachute payments. I can't draw a direct link between Ayew and Rodon. Although i accept that the Rodon sale certainly eased the financial issues brought by the pandemic.
Shit Street is a stretch and only if you believe selling Rodon for 11mill allowed us to bring in free transfers.
Yes there's depth, but still deficiencies.
[Post edited 30 Dec 2020 16:19]
And we came down with huge bills set to be paid (£60m or so) and a wage bill that dwarfed our income even with the first year parachute payment. There's no mystery where the money has gone, as you've been told plenty of times before.
0
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 16:34 - Dec 30 with 1060 views
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 16:27 - Dec 30 by jasper_T
And we came down with huge bills set to be paid (£60m or so) and a wage bill that dwarfed our income even with the first year parachute payment. There's no mystery where the money has gone, as you've been told plenty of times before.
Well that wage bill figure is covered by parachute payment. And probably wasn't that figure after offloading wages that summer as well the next January.
That's without player sales on top of that and other sources of income.
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 16:12 - Dec 30 by Chief
Well that's debatable too. We've had a huge transfer surplus of the last few years which dwarf Ayews wages. Let alone parachute payments. I can't draw a direct link between Ayew and Rodon. Although i accept that the Rodon sale certainly eased the financial issues brought by the pandemic.
Shit Street is a stretch and only if you believe selling Rodon for 11mill allowed us to bring in free transfers.
Yes there's depth, but still deficiencies.
[Post edited 30 Dec 2020 16:19]
Yes, I can see the deficiencies are hampering us - being second in the league within striking distance of top (sandwiched in between two of last years relegated clubs who’ve kept the vast majority of their playing staff in an effort to go back up straight away , one of whom has regarded FFP with contempt).
Is your glass really that half empty??
I don’t think the Americans can legally syphon off those transfer fees so I’m guessing the money has gone on legitimate running costs ?
[Post edited 30 Dec 2020 16:39]
Each time I go to Bedd - au........................
0
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 16:41 - Dec 30 with 1049 views
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 16:38 - Dec 30 by Brynmill_Jack
Yes, I can see the deficiencies are hampering us - being second in the league within striking distance of top (sandwiched in between two of last years relegated clubs who’ve kept the vast majority of their playing staff in an effort to go back up straight away , one of whom has regarded FFP with contempt).
Is your glass really that half empty??
I don’t think the Americans can legally syphon off those transfer fees so I’m guessing the money has gone on legitimate running costs ?
[Post edited 30 Dec 2020 16:39]
We're doing great, but you can't deny we could do with a an out and out striker at least!?
I don't think I've actually stated that they are siphoning off funds have i?
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 16:41 - Dec 30 by Chief
We're doing great, but you can't deny we could do with a an out and out striker at least!?
I don't think I've actually stated that they are siphoning off funds have i?
It would be nice to have the option of rotating someone like Brewster , Ayew and Lowe - that could happen in January. But I wouldn’t like to see us change formation, we’ve struck on a really good formula. Alright it’s not Laudrup football but it’s certainly not Monk football either.
It’s great to see Lowe getting real confidence in himself at last and you can always rely on Andre for goals. But you’re correct, the right CF coming in would make the autos much more likely.
Each time I go to Bedd - au........................
0
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 16:52 - Dec 30 with 1032 views
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 16:41 - Dec 30 by Chief
We're doing great, but you can't deny we could do with a an out and out striker at least!?
I don't think I've actually stated that they are siphoning off funds have i?
No you haven’t but I don’t think the books show the huge surplus that you think we seem to be missing. If it did then of course spend money on getting in the right forward. But we don’t.
Each time I go to Bedd - au........................
0
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 MATCHDAY ! on 17:44 - Dec 30 with 998 views
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 16:34 - Dec 30 by Chief
Well that wage bill figure is covered by parachute payment. And probably wasn't that figure after offloading wages that summer as well the next January.
That's without player sales on top of that and other sources of income.
The parachute meant we had a total income of £68m to pay a £49m wage bill, where in the last PL season we had an income of £127m to pay a £92m wage bill. Neither year did we post a profit. Without offloading all those players the parachute doesn't come close to covering the wage figure, not that first year or subsequent ones where the parachute has decreased rapidly. Next season in this division our income would be maybe £25m (assuming attendances).
If every fee we'd received had been spending money we'd be fine but again, something like £60m in liabilities carried over from the final PL years. That money had to be found somewhere or West Ham would have the bailiffs round.
0
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 18:24 - Dec 30 with 951 views
Swansea City v Reading : Matchday Thread 30th Dec 2020 on 16:52 - Dec 30 by Brynmill_Jack
No you haven’t but I don’t think the books show the huge surplus that you think we seem to be missing. If it did then of course spend money on getting in the right forward. But we don’t.
Well somethings not adding them because Winter recently stated the club has no debt.
Since then we've sold Rodon for 11mill and been loaned 10mill.
So there should definitely be money available should we choose to spend it on players.
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
