LEEDS UNITED

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
This was a gritty performance by us and we had to tough it out to get the win. Of course Leeds were the better side but our lads showed what character, attitude and determination can give you. It was a valuable lesson. We will outplay many teams this season but, when we can't do that, it's good to know that we can battle for 90 minutes to get a result. This win should do wonders for team morale and confidence and, if we can keep Baston and Ayew, we should be in with a shout come next May. Well done, lads, you fought tooth and nail to earn a great three points.

POSSESSION: 62-38 SHOTS: 21-7 OT: 3-2 CORNERS: 6-5 FOULS: 15-10 GOALS: 0-1
 

CroJack

Key Player
Leeds, like us in the past, dominated the stats in major areas. But like us they failed to do almost anything with it. For having 70% of the ball they did astonishingly little with it. That's not a slight to them, that's a credit to us. Our defence was brilliant today.
We are all delighted with the three points, but we have to admit that we were under siege for the vast majority of the game.

Leeds actually did much with the possession they had. They created many chances, they forced us to defend and play long ball football. But what they did astonishingly little with the chances they created was the end product, they were not able to hit the target, and when they did, Woodman didn't have to make any extraordinary saves.

Leeds played great attacking and high pressing football, the style of football I'd like Swans to play. And if they can play with such intensity, game after game, until the end of the season, which I doubt they will, then they will easily win the title.

There is one thing Leeds forgot. A football game is played for 90+ minutes, and this Swansea squad is known for scoring in the second half, a never give up attitude, and a will to win. We didn't sit back happy to soak the pressure, we didn't play for one point, we wanted to win the game. And when Leeds energy levels dropped, when they where not able to run anymore with the same intensity, there was only one winner, and that was Swans.

We survived, but we have to figure out how to play against teams who press us high. We struggled against Preston, QPR and Leeds, and other teams will try to copy their tactics against us. I hope Cooper will sort that out.
 
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Yankee_Jack

Key Player
For all of their possession they could only muster 3 shots on target (out of 21) versus our 2, one of which scored ... not much of a threat if you ask me. All bark but little bite. Cope with that all day.

Clubs with lesser resilience may succumb to that sort of pressure, but we’re not most clubs as will become crystal if not already as the season goes forward.

Woodman was good bang for the buck when called on and claimed all the crosses into the box at the tail end of the game (something our other two wouldn’t do).
 
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CroJack

Key Player
For all of their possession they could only muster 3 shots on target (out of 21) versus our 2, one of which scored ... not much of a threat if you ask me
They were awful at finishing and our lads threw bodies to block the shots. But they were a threat. Every time you come into a goalscoring position you are a threat. They hit a crossbar, which means they were 20 inches from scoring. And when you fire many shots in and around oposition box, even if the shots are not on target, they can be deflected. Shots are always dangerous, same with crosses.
 

CroJack

Key Player
The good thing is that all those teams who caused us trouble (Preston, QPR and Leeds played the best football they can...and lost. Imagine what damage to this league Swans will do when we start playing our best football consistently? :eek: I have a feeling we are just warming up. :)
 

KVetch

Key Player
The good thing is that all those teams who caused us trouble (Preston, QPR and Leeds played the best football they can...and lost. Imagine what damage to this league Swans will do when we start playing our best football consistently? :eek: I have a feeling we are just warming up. :)
That is a great perspective full of optimism. Brentford have been unlucky losing against Derby and Leeds, but they haven't scored like they did last year. They could climb up the table though, Derby will be in the mix somewhere. Winning these early games means Swans can afford to draw or lose a couple later in the season.
 

CroJack

Key Player
Here is what Connor Roberts said about the Leeds game:

We knew we would have to defend, we would be put under pressure and that, at times, and we wouldn’t be able to play out from the back,” said Roberts.

“It’s huge to come away from here with a clean sheet.

We had to dig in and the first priority was not to concede. Then, we knew that all we needed was one chance and one goal.

“I think we had limited chances but, luckily, we put one away.

“There was a lot of confidence before the game and at half-time. We knew we had to just keep defending, breaking their play up and, hopefully, get that chance, which we did and it was a good finish from Wayne.”

So my question is why WE didn't put Leeds under pressure, why WE didn't prevent Leeds to play out from the back, why was OUR first priority not to concede, why WE didn't limit Leeds to few chances, and why WE didn't force Leeds to keep defending?

Cooper has to find answers to these questions, otherwise we'll be struggling against the teams who use the same tactics against us. I'd like to hear what @Mithrandir thinks about this.
 
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Yankee_Jack

Key Player
One of the highlights of yesterday's match for those with Swans TV was Wyndham’s highly colorful, passionate, and unashamedly partisan commentary. Right as always.
 

Jackflash

Midfield General
Staff member
The football we play, and the league position we're in should put us in good stead for getting one or two quality loanee's.
 

Mithrandir

Key Player
Here is what Connor Roberts said about the Leeds game:

We knew we would have to defend, we would be put under pressure and that, at times, and we wouldn’t be able to play out from the back,” said Roberts.

“It’s huge to come away from here with a clean sheet.

We had to dig in and the first priority was not to concede. Then, we knew that all we needed was one chance and one goal.

“I think we had limited chances but, luckily, we put one away.

“There was a lot of confidence before the game and at half-time. We knew we had to just keep defending, breaking their play up and, hopefully, get that chance, which we did and it was a good finish from Wayne.”

So my question is why WE didn't put Leeds under pressure, why WE didn't prevent Leeds to play out from the back, why was OUR first priority not to concede, why WE didn't limit Leeds to few chances, and why WE didn't force Leeds to keep defending?

Cooper has to find answers to these questions, otherwise we'll be struggling against the teams who use the same tactics against us. I'd like to hear what @Mithrandir thinks about this.
I agree with you. Being able to vary your tactics to the opposition is good. That being said, having seen success with a smash-and-grab, the hope is that these types of games happen very infrequently. I remember too many games under Monk and Clement where we would get a scrappy goal to win 1-0 when we played like utter shite, with people singing their praises.

Getting the win is important, but how you play is important too. One result like this isn't worrying, but I would be more worried if we start to see a few more matches like this after the break. Performances matter, and seeing more performances like this against opposition that isn't Leeds would be worrying for me, just like they were worrying for Monk and Clement before.
 

Jackflash

Midfield General
Staff member
I'm with you, Mith. Our style must never be sacrificed on the altar of success. Been there, done that.
You know me, I'd rather stay as THE footballing side in the championship than watch us in the PL fighting at all costs to avoid relegation.
You mean like another team not too far away,twice promoted, twice stayed in the relegation zone all season.Twice straight back down.
 

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
I get your points, guys, but why not aim for us to become a middling Premier League club and play our great football there? We showed over 7 years that this is an achievable target. We get far more exposure being in the PL in terms of media coverage, MOTD etc and the money we would earn there would help fund our Academy to keep attracting and producing great youngsters to feed into the club. Lots of benefits to be had at the top level but of course I accept that it's no fun to be involved in a perpetual relegation struggle. Thing is, we don't have to be.
 

Yankee_Jack

Key Player
If we are promoted, comparing this squad with that of Rogers, and Cooper with Rogers, then we are in a much better situation to stay and be competitive now than then. The greatest difference now than then will be in the performance of executive management in the use of revenue, player transfers, and since all the big clubs are stocked with good managers we have a far smaller risk of losing Cooper. The younger balance of good talent means we can stick for the long term.
 
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