Will we stifle the Canaries song ?

[ivoralljack]

No, they're really not. Look at Michu. Everyone said "wow, where'd you find him?" like he was living under a rock down Caswell, when actually he was the highest scoring midfielder in La Liga at the time. You'd think that would make him a priority target for half the teams in Europe, but Swansea got him and I don't think there as even any competition for his signature.

True enough but ask WHY did Michu choose us. He has said, many times, it was because he wanted to play under the legend that was Michael Laudrup. It was a black day in our history when Judas Jenkins and his cohorts sacked our best ever means of attracting good quality footballers to our club. There are very few, if any, who'd want to sign specifically to play for Monk, Martin, Sheehan, Duff, Williams etc etc. Cooper signed a few decent loanees because of his success in winning the 'Unders' World Cup for England - the likes of Guehi, Gibbs-White, Brewster, Gallagher etc who took us to the play-offs. But we're just part of the pack now, at best a middling Championship club more likely to be relegated than promoted. No one is likely to get get crushed in the stampede of decent players rushing to join us.

 

[jackodiamonds]

I look around the Championship and I don't exactly see a who's who of glamour and prestige. Swansea have no special disadvantage when it comes to signing players. If anything, the club have an association with reasonably recent success, good football and punching above their weight. The legend of the Prem era Swans lives on, and a lot of the younger players Swansea might sign would have been kids watching that team and creating positive associations with it. There are not many other Championship clubs who can say that.

The only knock I hear from players is that Swansea is too far away from civilisation, but that really means "too far away from the nightlife", and perhaps the team would be better off without the party animal kind of players anyway. Even this supposed disadvantage works as an automatic filter. A team doesn't need a super famous manager to attract talent. Most young players just want a shot at any level, and if Swansea can offer that, they'll come.

 

[ivoralljack]

The only knock I hear from players is that Swansea is too far away from civilisation, but that really means "too far away from the nightlife", and perhaps the team would be better off without the party animal kind of players anyway. Even this supposed disadvantage works as an automatic filter. A team doesn't need a super famous manager to attract talent. Most young players just want a shot at any level, and if Swansea can offer that, they'll come.

On the other hand many players have been charmed by the city and its environs, particularly the spectacular Gower coast. Many players have retired here after their playing days were done and some purchased second homes. Personally I returned here many years ago to escape the rat race of London and bring back some sanity to my life.

I think it was a big mistake for the owners to ditch our top level academy as it had been so successful under Cameron Toshack and Gary Richards (many people tend to forget his part in our success) but I guess they reasoned that that would release some funds to put in the pockets of their investors. Our present set-up, whilst quite reasonable, doesn't attract the quality of youngster as it might. We can but hope that things will change.

 

[KVetch]

I love Cullen, he's been a bit disappointing this season but we saw last year he was an excellent goal poacher. We just need to figure out how to utilize his pace and send him forward with passes from the wings. I saw a rumour Placheta is wanted by a Bundesliga team. Not sure if he wants to play closer to Poland but I hope we keep him.

 

[The Blobster]

With a total lack of imagination we start with the same side that failed to score in last few games until subs came on to make a difference.
I.M.O. Lowe and Walsh deserve a start after their recent showings off the bench .
I can appreciate continuity in selection but the bench players deserve their chance.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Swansea City: Carl Rushworth, Josh Key, Jay Fulton, Ben Cabango, Harry Darling, Matt Grimes (captain), Jamie Paterson, Josh Tymon, Liam Cullen, Ollie Cooper, Ronald.

Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Jerry Yates, Jamal Lowe, Charlie Patino, Mykola Kuharevich, Nathan Wood, Liam Walsh, Bashir Humphreys, Azeem Abdulai.

Norwich City: Angus Gunn, Jack Stacey, Ben Gibson, Borja Sainz, Josh Sargent, Sam McCallum, Christian Fassnacht, Gabriel Sara, Kenny McLean (captain), Shane Duffy, Marcelino Nunez.

Substitutes: George Long, Grant Hanley, Ashley Barnes, Sydney van Hooijdonk, Jacob Sorensen, Danny Batth, Jonathan Rowe, Kellen Fisher, Guilherme Montoya

 

[ivoralljack]

With all the goodwill in the world I just can't see us getting anything today as we have absolutely nothing to play for other than an odd place or two up the table. Norwich on the other hand will be hell-bent on making the top six so will be highly motivated. Mind you, I'd love to see us grab a win if only to create some confidence and momentum for next season. I'd also like to see us finish above Cardiff but that's unlikely as they only need one more point to ensure they stay above us. Pity they had that totally fluke win against Soton last week otherwise we'd still have a chance of being #1 in Wales.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Finishing above Cardiff is what we have to be playing for.

dodged a bullet early on

 

[The Blobster]

Cullen forces a save after good work from Key

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Key playing inside right midfield when we’re going forward. Worked a lovely move to give Cullen a golden chance.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Another early cross. Cullen is stunned by the opportunities coming his way.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Against the Norwich aggressive press we are trying to do a Brighton on goal kicks. Stupid stuff

 

[Victoria Swan]

Cullen, I'm afraid, proving what we had to say about him earlier on this thread - not living up to his supposed fox in the box potential.

 

[Victoria Swan]

Cabango our hero at the moment.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

I want to see big Myk later in the game.

 

[The Blobster]

Wooooohooooo Paterson with the end to a great move Wooooohooooo

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Bang. Get in, Pato drills one on a very narrow angle

 

[Victoria Swan]

Keeper should never have been beaten on the inside post but what a screamer from Pat. Yeeeessss!

 

[The Blobster]

Fulton down , Walsh getting ready

 

[ivoralljack]

Cullen, I'm afraid, proving what we had to say about him earlier on this thread - not living up to his supposed fox in the box potential.

Unfortunately that's true today and he should have taken at least one of those chances to put us ahead. But then all strikers have runs where, no matter what they do, they can't put the ball in the net. Most strikers miss more than they score, Nunez of Liverpool being a current classic example, and they just have to get on with it. That said, in today's game, if Cullen can't deliver then of course he should be subbed for the good of the team. (Lowe scored a very good goal last week and will be eager for more). He'll feel it more than anyone if that happens but he'll come again. To repeat myself, yet again, I have every confidence in the opinions of Lee Trundle, Ian Walsh, Cameron Toshack, Leon, Alan Curtis et al of his ability. Great to see Pato put us ahead whilst I'm typing this and it sounds like a well taken goal.