Bristol City - (A)

KVetch

KVetch

Key Player
On the road to face another struggling side. Bristol have lost their last 4 matches, the last one they blew a 2-1 lead over Ipswich in the closing minutes to lose 2-3. They lost to Wednesday despite Wednesday playing with 10 men for the last 12 minutes. Their recent home form is 1W 1D 3L. Swans lost the reverse fixture back in September, the young man who scored the winner will not be playing. Sam Bell is out with a leg injury.

We were a much different side back then, Starting a back 3 under Duff. Cullen scored an early goals but we lost 1-2.

Their gaffer is Liam Manning who took over the job in November. His overall record with Bristol is 7 wins, 8 draws and 10 losses. Lately utilizing a 4-2-3-1 similar to us. He likes possession and a high press. The high press is one thing Swans have a hard time playing against. Nahki Wells seems like their biggest threat but he only has 3 goals this season. Their top scored is Tom Conway tied with Yates for 7 goals.
 
ivoralljack

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
Bristol are better than their league position will have you believe and play some decent football. Tom Conway is a dangerous striker who will give our defenders a lot of problems. If we don't stifle his threat he will almost certainly score. I rate this as a difficult game which, given our recent hot/cold performances, means I'll be quite happy with a draw. I'd love a win but I just can't see it. Hope I'm totally mistaken. :)
 
Yankee_Jack

Yankee_Jack

Key Player
what we've seen since January is a number of players take on leadership roles in various forms and responsibility. For example, Allen has been massive. His industry has allowed Grimes more freedom and Grimes is having to work hard to keep up the pace. Ronald has no fear of anyone. PP has been the same on the left side with less flare but nonetheless willing to be direct and industrious. Tyson has been solid. Naughton has also been solid and looks to be enjoying the less pedestrian more dynamic style of play. Tyson and Naughton now both have a winger in front of them with moves.
 
KVetch

KVetch

Key Player
You would think they would be a motivated side to turn around some gutting results. We will either struggle against the press and not score or take full advantage and score 3. Good news Pato wants to stay in Swansea. Good time to renew his contract. I think we can win 3-1. We have seen some hints of a quick passing, fast moving attack.
 
KVetch

KVetch

Key Player
We will likely know what kind of result we're going to get when the lineups are announced. I agree if Allen starts we will control the midfield and hopefully the tempo of the match. Cullen needs to start, we have to use our pace.
 
ivoralljack

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
KVetch said:
We will likely know what kind of result we're going to get when the lineups are announced. I agree if Allen starts we will control the midfield and hopefully the tempo of the match. Cullen needs to start, we have to use our pace.
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Allen helps to control midfield but I've got a left field suggestion here. I think that Barry Bannan of Sheffield Wednesday would be a good signing for us for a season or two if Wednesday are relegated. I watched him put in a typical display against Leeds tonight and he was all action. Granted he's 34 years old but he's still box to box and easily matches the energy of anyone we've got in midfield. In addition to that he's got a superb left foot delivery, tackles, runs and has a decent amount of skill and tricks to beat a man.

Okay, he'd be a short term signing, one that I banged on about a couple of seasons ago. But, in that short term, I believe he could do a lot for us. He never leaves anything out there with regard to effort and sprints - and for a shortish guy of 5ft 7" he puts in his fair share of tackles as well.

He has definite quality and both Gerard Houlier and Darren Fletcher have in the past compared him favourably with Paul Scholes, Xavi and Iniesta. Granted that may be taking comparisons a step too far but to be even mentioned in the same sentence as that lot speaks volumes. He has class; he has skill; he has work rate; he has a great left foot; he has definite quality. I wanted us to sign him a while ago but if he becomes available for the right price at the end of the season, I think it would be a short-term no-brainer to sign him.
 
ivoralljack

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
CroJack said:
They won't be relegated.
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Probably not I agree but I'd still like Bannan. He was a Scottish international and had about 27 caps which is further proof of his ability. I think he'd get our midfield buzzing by putting them to shame with their pedestrian plodding about the field. His energy might prove infectious and he has more all round skill than most of out lot and is a creator. He's also a damned good defender when needed - as I said, a box to box man.
 
Yankee_Jack

Yankee_Jack

Key Player
Swansea City: Carl Rushworth, Ben Cabango, Joe Allen, Matt Grimes (captain), Jamie Paterson, Josh Tymon, Przemysław Płacheta, Liam Cullen, Nathan Wood, Kyle Naughton, Ronald.

Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Josh Key, Jay Fulton, Harry Darling, Jerry Yates, Jamal Lowe, Charlie Patino, Ollie Cooper, Azeem Abdulai.
 
KVetch

KVetch

Key Player
I think Key will become the regular RB again, that's an accurate statement. Naughton is better defensively but won't be as attacking as Key.
 
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