Houston, we have a problem

[Yankee_Jack]

With the return of Allen and the departure of Downes we now have a core of our own home bred U23 to start: Cabango, Grimes, Fulton, Allen, Benda. If Martin forgets his pets and let’s B Cooper establish also so much the better. Grimes Fulton Allen is a midfield 3 to rival any in the league. We don’t need Ntcham - play Congreve or Oli Cooper. This group of players haven’t yet had the Swans Academy washed out of them by Martin. They know how to play. Only a few years ago our U23 would routinely beat L1 and L2 teams in various cup competitions … quite handily.

 

[CroJack]

 

[ivoralljack]

You've highlighted two talented players that for some reason, best known to himself, Martin doesn't rate. Benda is arguably our best keeper whilst Cullen is an excellent natural finisher providing A) he gets REGULAR starts in his best position and B) gets decent and consistent service in there.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Swansea City: Andy Fisher (Steven Benda 61); Joel Latibeaudiere (Jordon Garrick 76), Nathan Wood (Brandon Cooper 91), Harry Darling (Nathanael Ogbeta 91), Kyle Naughton (Ryan Manning 76); Matt Grimes (Ollie Cooper 91), Jay Fulton (Dan Williams 91); Cameron Congreve (Jamie Paterson 61), Joel Piroe (Olivier Ntcham 76), Matty Sorinola (Lincoln Mcfayden 76); Michael Obafemi (Liam Cullen 76).

By the looks of the subs, Garrick is being used as a RWB.

Cullen was only used for the last 30 minutes - kid can't get the benefit of a break.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

By the way Martin is using the practice matches and the subs, he really doesn't have a coherent reserve line-up in mind. He's throwing subs in almost as an after thought. Giving somebody 30 minutes or less in a game like this doesn't do much for anybody

 

[ivoralljack]

All this conjecture about our back 4/5 and I wonder why? Back 5 could be Nauts (natural position), Darling, Cabango, Wood and Sorinola. If you want a back 4 then one of the 3CBs can drop to the bench. So, what's the problem with that? Someone will tell me no doubt!

 

[Yankee_Jack]

@ivoralljack ... Why Sorinola and not Ogbetta at LWB. I though Ogbetta looked ok when he appeared against Argyle and better defensively?

Looks like Bennet has been relegated to polishing boots

 

[CroJack]

 

[ivoralljack]

@ivoralljack ... Why Sorinola and not Ogbetta at LWB. I though Ogbetta looked ok when he appeared against Argyle and better defensively?

Looks like Bennet has been relegated to polishing boots

I think I meant Ogbetta . I'm losing track of all these 'strangers' turning out for us. Darling looked ponderous on the turn when he gave away the penalty and Cullen with another one-touch goal.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

I noticed that about Darling .... had no pace about him at all. You can also say the same for B Cooper. He looked a tad slow on a number of occasions

And Benda still looked the better keeper

 

[The Blobster]

And we still concede to yet another simple ball over the top of our defence .
Seems the only one attacking with pace and intent is Naughton !

 

[CroJack]

Seems the only one attacking with pace and intent is Naughton !

The trouble is he's got no pace , but sure he's willing to attack. Naughton actually has a good shot, so why not playing him in a more advanced position?

 

[CroJack]

Was that Garrick on the right flank?

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Was that Garrick on the right flank?

Late in the game he sub’d for Lati, so I presume so.

 

[The Blobster]

And he proved his left foot is for standing on , not for shooting or crossing!

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Talking about left feet … in the first game Piroe shanked a left foot shot from 15 yards. Somehow it came back to him, he hit with his right and was fouled for the penalty in the process. He took the penalty, left foot/best foot, and it somehow crept under the keepers body. He needs to sharpen up.

Congreve’s goal was superb - tackled, won the ball, carried a few yards, bang, back of the net. He’s a big lad and has to get bigger at his age. Going to be a key player this season. Looks like he hit the bar a little later

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Piss poor defending by Darling on that penalty … surely Cooper and Bennett are better technically than that

 

[CroJack]

Good atmosphere at the training ground. Obi and Piroe look sharp, Joe and Ben look good as well.

 

[ivoralljack]

Just had a nasty thought and surprised it didn't occur to me sooner! When Rooney played for DC many on here suspected that funds were being diverted from transfer sales to pay his salary. Now Rooney has been appointed as their manager and we sell Downes....... Just saying.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

That's a sickening thought ... but hopefully Downes' departure paved the way in budget terms for the arrival of Allen, which IMO is an upgrade - short term at least.

From what I've seen so far, with the lack of pace of Darling ... we play with Cobango and A.N.Other Naughton at RB. Ogbeta at LB. Grimes / Allen / Fulton. Obafemi in front of Piroe #8 and Congreve #10. This will give us enough latitude to let Naughton or Ogbeta get forward as far and as often as they can.

But I'm sure Martin will push his favs in there somehow. And Martin has been pushing Naughton as LWB/LB in pre-season with Lati on the right.