CroJack
Key Player
Yates, Ginnelly, Cullen and Thomas...we have four good strikers
And We're Off - Pre-season 2023-24
- Thread starter Yankee_Jack
- Start date
Yankee_Jack
Key Player
What I'm gleaning from our actions so far is that the "development" cycle is done. We're now into an expected "delivery" cycle. In other words, we've stopped fucking around and are seriously going for promotion. So a little seasoning from a loaner here or there is not necessarily a bad thing when we have gaps in the squad and the U21 are not quite there yet to step-up.
Although, I agree with @CroJack that we did too much loaning in during Cooper's time and also under Martin the new toys couldn't / wouldn't play Martin's Madness so they rarely got used ... Flex was a good example of that.
Although, I agree with @CroJack that we did too much loaning in during Cooper's time and also under Martin the new toys couldn't / wouldn't play Martin's Madness so they rarely got used ... Flex was a good example of that.
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Yankee_Jack
Key Player
Look at the Swindon video. Key came in from the left side to setup Wood's goal. This suggests to me that Naughton is the guy on the right hand side, or perhaps Darling or Cooper. Although, Duff apparently prefers a back 3, so it will be interesting to see how he assesses Darling and Cooper for that 3rd spot alongside Cabango and Wood.
If we land Ashby, and the kid makes the grade, then he would play opposite Key ... it seems. We'll know more starting with the Oxford match.
If we land Ashby, and the kid makes the grade, then he would play opposite Key ... it seems. We'll know more starting with the Oxford match.
CroJack
Key Player
Another 5:0, this time against Newport, and again Josh Thomas with a brace.
www.walesonline.co.uk
What just happened in Swans' friendly with Newport no-one saw
Swansea City hosted Newport County at Fairwood in the last of their behind-closed-doors friendlies at Fairwood.
Yankee_Jack
Key Player
Thomas is not going back to U21. He's in the thick of everything good that's happening. Making Piroe et al look bereft in comparison. Key busy as well.
www.swanseacity.com
And another shutout. Solid defensive display.
Swansea City seal win over Newport County in friendly | Swansea
Swansea City claimed another pre-season victory and clean sheet as goals from Ben Cabango, Josh Key, Joel Piroe and Josh Thomas (2) sealed a 5-0 win over Newport County at Fairwood.
www.swanseacity.com
And another shutout. Solid defensive display.
Yankee_Jack
Key Player
Watch Thomas' first goal. He gets the ball, gets banged by the CB, lays it off, gets the ball back with his back to goal, pivots around the CB and finishes. Makes the others look lame. Now I can understand why Whittaker was moved on.
Can't wait for the season to start.
Can't wait for the season to start.
Victoria Swan
Key Player
Yea. I love the way he looks like a street corner thug! Watch out opposition CBs! He's going to eclipse Cullen for sure.
Yankee_Jack
Key Player
I wonder what that says about Fisher. Rushworth played 42 games on loan at Lincoln last season. He is from the Brighton academy and an England U21 with 1 cap.
i guess you can never have too many FBs
i guess you can never have too many FBs
CroJack
Key Player
Who knows? I remember De Gea being a liability in his first season at Man United. Fabianski was called Flappyanski at Arsenal. We all know that Martin's risky brand of football makes goalkeepers and defenders look like fools. I hope Fisher gets proper protection and can flourish under Duff.
Yankee_Jack
Key Player
It's an interesting situation. We haven't conceded a goal in pre-season and the video I have seen of keeper action has involved Webb and he's been solid. If Rushworth comes on board he might very well find himself playing for the U21 especially when Benda is back ... unless he's a star in which case come on down.
Maybe there are discussions over Fisher with Soton And we're just padding our cover.
Maybe there are discussions over Fisher with Soton
And we're just padding our cover.
Yankee_Jack
Key Player
Ogbeta ... either he's crocked or not considered good enough. I haven't seen him on the field in matches so far
Yankee_Jack
Key Player
So … after the mirage of the “matches” at Fairwood, we arrive at a real match against L1 (nonetheless) and produced nothing to fuel optimism. Those prone to severe depression and self-harm should not watch the low-light reel. Did we not give a fuck or were the little pets fatigued by the coach trip up the M4 etc. is there really that much of a gap between L1 and L2 that after demolishing Newport and Swindon, we couldn’t produce something more polished and creative and encouraging against Oxford.
the one take away from the past month is that Piroe can score from the spot
. Cullen can score when being setup by a busy bugger like Thomas, and Thomas can work, move, beat defenders and finish like none of the above. And when Thomas was nailed to the bench against Oxford the goal gravy train ground to a complete halt. Whatever happens in practice Piroe and Yates showed no indication that they’d ever played with each other; Piroe and Cullen showed that the lack of cooperation from last season has carried over. Thomas appears to be the last great hope of something dynamic happening up front, at least until Ginnelly shows up. I’m not going to comment on Yates, too early, but surely there was some flash of “I belong here” that we could have been treated to. Sadly, I think as a transfer pet Yates is going to get the nod over Cullen and Thomas regardless unless the latter is given the chance to produce and does so at his level to date.
Please start Thomas against Rovers with some other U21. I know I only paid a fiver, but ffs I think we deserve to watch football with some effort and a technical demonstration that there is a gap between the Championship and L1.
the one take away from the past month is that Piroe can score from the spot
. Cullen can score when being setup by a busy bugger like Thomas, and Thomas can work, move, beat defenders and finish like none of the above. And when Thomas was nailed to the bench against Oxford the goal gravy train ground to a complete halt. Whatever happens in practice Piroe and Yates showed no indication that they’d ever played with each other; Piroe and Cullen showed that the lack of cooperation from last season has carried over. Thomas appears to be the last great hope of something dynamic happening up front, at least until Ginnelly shows up. I’m not going to comment on Yates, too early, but surely there was some flash of “I belong here” that we could have been treated to. Sadly, I think as a transfer pet Yates is going to get the nod over Cullen and Thomas regardless unless the latter is given the chance to produce and does so at his level to date.Please start Thomas against Rovers with some other U21. I know I only paid a fiver, but ffs I think we deserve to watch football with some effort and a technical demonstration that there is a gap between the Championship and L1.
Yankee_Jack
Key Player
On a positive note. Our U21, less a few of their best, handily dispatched Carmarthen 4-0 away from home in some cup competition. A good job, done well enough.