I rarely write a match report these days because... well, there are so many out there and most people see the match live or recorded it seems a little pointless.
However I am going to share a few of my thoughts about Swansea's frustrating match against Stoke, which ended 3-3 thanks to another injury time penalty!
Conceding in injury time to the detriment of points is an unfortunate habit that the current Swansea side seem to have fallen into. Swansea fans usually have a lot of patience, but nobody would blame even the most docile fan for getting irate, considering it's happened three times in as many weeks (twice with Kuban Krasnodar and once with Stoke).
Twice it has been a penalty - the one against the Russians was justified, however the one given to Stoke by Robert "The Twat" Madley was little more than a guess on his part and replays show very little to suggest otherwise. He cost Swansea the game. Referees make mistakes, but that really was a tough mistake to swallow.
However - even though he is fully to blame for his stupid decision - we have to look at why Swansea aren't able to close a game out. There must be an underlying reason why concentration lapses and the opposition score and there must be a solution! I'm not saying they need to take the ball to the corner flag at the end
of every game, but whatever happened to the easy passing that would
ensure the team would keep possession until the final whistle? I guess this is a discussion for another blog post though.
Anyway, if we put the annoying ending aside it was definitely a cliched "game of two halves", with the first a complete shambles, similar to many other Swans games we've seen recently, and the second half a perfect representation of what Swansea should play like week-in week-out.
So - were some Swans fans within their right to boo the team off at half-time after that dismal 45 minutes? It's completely understandable that they were frustrated and I believe all fans have a right to voice their opinion. However a muted clap or just silence is probably a more dignified way to let the world know you were not keen on the performance. Boos - while a good way to make yourself heard - are more for clubs who are in a really bad place, like those who want to get rid of a manager or those who are in the relegation places (think of Sunderland recently). Boos aren't really Swansea City.
Finally I will touch upon Chico Flores and his play acting. When the team are doing well nobody seems to mind it (or at least nobody speaks up about it), but yesterday when the team were looking like a Championship side, Chico hamming it up was quite embarrassing. Like boos, play acting and deliberate diving is not really what Swansea are about. Yes, it can be amusing occasionally and was an oddly refreshing change when we first saw it, but ultimately there is no need for it in football and it's becoming a little cringe-worthy. I feel he will stop this - if only from the amount of abuse he got on Twitter yesterday.
The international breaks always seem to come at a bad time for Swansea, but let's hope the team can regroup and rethink what is going wrong - and what is going right - before the away match at Fulham on Saturday 23rd November.
Monday, 11 November 2013
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
Raising awareness: "I'm Swansea and I Know It" - Charity Single
Very often I am emailed asking to help promote something. More often than not it's from a big company who have more than enough money to spend on advertising but would prefer to try to get their message on my blog for free. These messages I usually ignore, or ask them for money - an email which they usually ignore.
However I'm usually happy to help good causes, so this blog post has been written to help raise awareness of the new charity single "I'm Swansea and I Know It (feat. Kevin Johns MBE and Smithy)" which has been made to raise money for Llanelli four-year-old Eva Rose, who has cerebral palsy and is going through procedures to help her walk.
Many of the people living in Swansea will have heard about this single through the usual media channels, but a large chunk of my readers come from America, Australia and Asia and probably don't read the South Wales Evening Post that often, so this may be the first time they have heard of it.
You can download the single - based on the LMFAO hit, "Sexy and I Know It" - for 79p via iTunes or Amazon, knowing that all the proceeds will be going to help little Eva and her dream to walk. Go on, what's 79p these days?
Cheers!
However I'm usually happy to help good causes, so this blog post has been written to help raise awareness of the new charity single "I'm Swansea and I Know It (feat. Kevin Johns MBE and Smithy)" which has been made to raise money for Llanelli four-year-old Eva Rose, who has cerebral palsy and is going through procedures to help her walk.
Many of the people living in Swansea will have heard about this single through the usual media channels, but a large chunk of my readers come from America, Australia and Asia and probably don't read the South Wales Evening Post that often, so this may be the first time they have heard of it.
You can download the single - based on the LMFAO hit, "Sexy and I Know It" - for 79p via iTunes or Amazon, knowing that all the proceeds will be going to help little Eva and her dream to walk. Go on, what's 79p these days?
Cheers!
Saturday, 2 November 2013
The return of the South Wales Derby!!
It's almost here - Swansea City vs Cardiff City: the South Wales derby!
Things have certainly changed since the last time the teams met (where Cardiff won 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium, thanks to a goal from Craig Bellamy).
For starters Swansea are in the Premier League! Where last time the Swans had Gower, Moore and Beattie we now have Michu, Vorm and Bony. Swansea have Michael Laudrup, Swansea are league cup winners and Swansea are in Europe! And Cardiff are in the Premier League.
I was planning to write a comprehensive match preview, but realised there are probably about 40,000 others out there at the moment so, instead, myself and the other ForzaSwansea bloggers are sharing with you a few thoughts ahead of the match in an easy to digest Q&A format!
What's the best thing about the South Wales Derby? Have you missed it?
Jules Price: I've missed the build up! It's great seeing the local papers like the Evening Post and Western Mail competing for the best headlines and interviews for this game. It's almost reaching fever pitch. I don't feel the national media has quite picked up on it yet though. Part of the build up has been looking-back at old games and memorabilia and that is something I really enjoy.
Alec Johnson: The pure intensity of the occasion - it is unrivalled and no other fixture comes close. It’s all about the adrenaline which runs in overdrive for 24 hours either side of the match. It’s never changed and never will.
Jacob Cristobal: Well obviously I'm the newbie to the South Wales derby in the group so I approach it with the freshest of eyes. It just happened to be by the fates of the football gods that before Cardiff and Swansea face off, Seattle and Portland do battle in the MLS Cup playoffs over here. I expect the South Wales derby to be just as intense. I've read the story of Cardiff supporters being chased off into the water and that is just awesome!
Matthew Jacob: The incredible atmosphere created by two sets of fans that want nothing more than to get one over on the enemy. But this isn't just about the fans - this is about two cities, two clubs, and the whole world will be watching. I had to wait a long time for my first derby and I also know I'm included in the thousands of Jacks who will have had a knot in their stomach from last Sunday knowing this game is coming. Excitement, passion, nerves, aggression, all building to the crescendo at 4pm on Sunday when the game kicks off!
Chris Carra: I've definitely missed this fixture - so much rides on it. As Jules said, I don't think the national media know how important a match it is, but they will when it's over! Whether you are watching in the stadium, in the pub or at home, this is the match no-one wants to miss.
In a dream, how will Sunday afternoon pan out for you?
JP: A dream would be Swansea losing 1-0 or 2-0 at half time... Stay with me on this! Then in the second half, Swansea turn on the style (which is the case recently) and we pull level with 10 minutes to go. Finally in the dying minutes of the game the Swans score a winner. The Cardiff fans would feel like they have been robbed! Outstanding!
AJ: A win of course, but the manner is equally as important. We have an opportunity to turn on the style and embarrass them. I am dreaming of a three or four nil humiliation with us bossing from start to finish, with the Redbirds humping it up to our boys at the back. They hate Ashley, Leon, Michu and Routledge most so one goal each for them. The dream will be complete with a deafening boooo around Legoland before Malky gets the boot on Monday morning.
In a nightmare, how will Sunday afternoon pan out for you?
JP: Nightmare for me would be Cardiff City comprehensively beating us to produce a 3-0 or 4-1 type result. This would have major repercussions for me as I work in Cardiff and Monday morning would be dreadful. I could probably just about swallow a 1-0 defeat.
AJ: Don't go there!
MJ: We turn up and don't give 100% for 90 minutes. We need everyone pulling their weight and no lack of effort. I can accept defeat if we've given it everything, but to not do so, and lose, I wouldn't be able to accept that.
CC: As the others say, we could probably take a cruel 1-0 defeat, but being hammered by Cardiff would be terrible. It's a match full of emotion and a red card for someone like Ashley Williams would be horrific.
Who is going to be the key player for Swansea?
JP: Recent performance stats indicate that de Guzman and Chico have been the key players for the Swans so we would need them to maintain that high level of performance. Hernandez made a great impact during his return last week against West Ham so a big game from him could make a difference. Ultimately I feel our striker needs to step up and be counted. If Bony could score one or maybe two goals on Sunday it would go some way to justifying that record price tag.
AJ: People keep talking about the midfield, but like the West Ham game it’s all about the attack and defence for me. They will bypass the middle all game and it’s no coincidence that West ham and Cardiff have the two least completed passes in the league this season. Our back four have to be dominant and Vorm needs to boss the air, unlike last weekend. Our final ball needs to be better to take the chances that we will undoubtedly create.
JC: Battleship Bony. He'll be the difference with a brace as Swansea win 4-1!
MJ: They'll be aggressive, pressing, won't let us settle if they can help it and they'll give maximum effort you can be sure of it. Leon Britton will be key to nullify Mutch and keep the ball rolling for us. Having Williams back is massive for us too.
CC: Everyone has to bring their A game with them on Sunday, but I feel the passion and work-rate of the Spaniards, in particular Michu, will be key to winning it. Leon Britton and Ashley Williams will also know what rides on this game, so their experience will also be relied upon greatly.
Finally, what's the score going to be?
JP: 2-1 to the Swans, one of which will be a penalty!
AJ: I’m in for 2-0 and if we play our game I cannot see us losing.
JC: 4-1 Swansea!
MJ: It's gonna be tight. 1-1.
CC: It's a difficult away game, but Swansea definitely have the quality to win it. I'm going for 2-1 to the Swans!
Things have certainly changed since the last time the teams met (where Cardiff won 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium, thanks to a goal from Craig Bellamy).
For starters Swansea are in the Premier League! Where last time the Swans had Gower, Moore and Beattie we now have Michu, Vorm and Bony. Swansea have Michael Laudrup, Swansea are league cup winners and Swansea are in Europe! And Cardiff are in the Premier League.
I was planning to write a comprehensive match preview, but realised there are probably about 40,000 others out there at the moment so, instead, myself and the other ForzaSwansea bloggers are sharing with you a few thoughts ahead of the match in an easy to digest Q&A format!
---
What's the best thing about the South Wales Derby? Have you missed it?
Jules Price: I've missed the build up! It's great seeing the local papers like the Evening Post and Western Mail competing for the best headlines and interviews for this game. It's almost reaching fever pitch. I don't feel the national media has quite picked up on it yet though. Part of the build up has been looking-back at old games and memorabilia and that is something I really enjoy.
Alec Johnson: The pure intensity of the occasion - it is unrivalled and no other fixture comes close. It’s all about the adrenaline which runs in overdrive for 24 hours either side of the match. It’s never changed and never will.
Jacob Cristobal: Well obviously I'm the newbie to the South Wales derby in the group so I approach it with the freshest of eyes. It just happened to be by the fates of the football gods that before Cardiff and Swansea face off, Seattle and Portland do battle in the MLS Cup playoffs over here. I expect the South Wales derby to be just as intense. I've read the story of Cardiff supporters being chased off into the water and that is just awesome!
Matthew Jacob: The incredible atmosphere created by two sets of fans that want nothing more than to get one over on the enemy. But this isn't just about the fans - this is about two cities, two clubs, and the whole world will be watching. I had to wait a long time for my first derby and I also know I'm included in the thousands of Jacks who will have had a knot in their stomach from last Sunday knowing this game is coming. Excitement, passion, nerves, aggression, all building to the crescendo at 4pm on Sunday when the game kicks off!
Chris Carra: I've definitely missed this fixture - so much rides on it. As Jules said, I don't think the national media know how important a match it is, but they will when it's over! Whether you are watching in the stadium, in the pub or at home, this is the match no-one wants to miss.
In a dream, how will Sunday afternoon pan out for you?
JP: A dream would be Swansea losing 1-0 or 2-0 at half time... Stay with me on this! Then in the second half, Swansea turn on the style (which is the case recently) and we pull level with 10 minutes to go. Finally in the dying minutes of the game the Swans score a winner. The Cardiff fans would feel like they have been robbed! Outstanding!
AJ: A win of course, but the manner is equally as important. We have an opportunity to turn on the style and embarrass them. I am dreaming of a three or four nil humiliation with us bossing from start to finish, with the Redbirds humping it up to our boys at the back. They hate Ashley, Leon, Michu and Routledge most so one goal each for them. The dream will be complete with a deafening boooo around Legoland before Malky gets the boot on Monday morning.
JC: Dream scenario personally for me is Seattle stomps Portland, and across the pond, Swansea smashes Cardiff. Simple as that.
MJ: We humiliate them on their own patch, in front of their fans, with a worldwide television audience. That doesn't necessarily mean we beat them four or five nil, but let's have them chasing shadows all afternoon, silence their stadium because they can't cope with us (and win the game obviously) - that would be enough for me. The Sam Hamman comments about the 'little cousins' down the road will always stick with me, and passing them into submission while putting two or three on them would be a satisfying afternoon. Oh and a goal for Chico, that would be enjoyable.
CC: I'd say it's 0-0 until the last few minutes, then Michu uncorks a 30 yard strike into the back of the net. Swans fans go mental. Then moments from the end, Alan Tate abseils from the roof of the stadium, subs himself on then scores an overhead kick from his own penalty area. Perfect.
MJ: We humiliate them on their own patch, in front of their fans, with a worldwide television audience. That doesn't necessarily mean we beat them four or five nil, but let's have them chasing shadows all afternoon, silence their stadium because they can't cope with us (and win the game obviously) - that would be enough for me. The Sam Hamman comments about the 'little cousins' down the road will always stick with me, and passing them into submission while putting two or three on them would be a satisfying afternoon. Oh and a goal for Chico, that would be enjoyable.
CC: I'd say it's 0-0 until the last few minutes, then Michu uncorks a 30 yard strike into the back of the net. Swans fans go mental. Then moments from the end, Alan Tate abseils from the roof of the stadium, subs himself on then scores an overhead kick from his own penalty area. Perfect.
In a nightmare, how will Sunday afternoon pan out for you?
JP: Nightmare for me would be Cardiff City comprehensively beating us to produce a 3-0 or 4-1 type result. This would have major repercussions for me as I work in Cardiff and Monday morning would be dreadful. I could probably just about swallow a 1-0 defeat.
AJ: Don't go there!
JC: Nightmare is obviously the opposite of my dream
scenario. If my voice and liver are gonna be shot this weekend, it
better be because the two clubs I support handled their business!
MJ: We turn up and don't give 100% for 90 minutes. We need everyone pulling their weight and no lack of effort. I can accept defeat if we've given it everything, but to not do so, and lose, I wouldn't be able to accept that.
CC: As the others say, we could probably take a cruel 1-0 defeat, but being hammered by Cardiff would be terrible. It's a match full of emotion and a red card for someone like Ashley Williams would be horrific.
Who is going to be the key player for Swansea?
JP: Recent performance stats indicate that de Guzman and Chico have been the key players for the Swans so we would need them to maintain that high level of performance. Hernandez made a great impact during his return last week against West Ham so a big game from him could make a difference. Ultimately I feel our striker needs to step up and be counted. If Bony could score one or maybe two goals on Sunday it would go some way to justifying that record price tag.
AJ: People keep talking about the midfield, but like the West Ham game it’s all about the attack and defence for me. They will bypass the middle all game and it’s no coincidence that West ham and Cardiff have the two least completed passes in the league this season. Our back four have to be dominant and Vorm needs to boss the air, unlike last weekend. Our final ball needs to be better to take the chances that we will undoubtedly create.
JC: Battleship Bony. He'll be the difference with a brace as Swansea win 4-1!
MJ: They'll be aggressive, pressing, won't let us settle if they can help it and they'll give maximum effort you can be sure of it. Leon Britton will be key to nullify Mutch and keep the ball rolling for us. Having Williams back is massive for us too.
Finally, what's the score going to be?
JP: 2-1 to the Swans, one of which will be a penalty!
AJ: I’m in for 2-0 and if we play our game I cannot see us losing.
JC: 4-1 Swansea!
MJ: It's gonna be tight. 1-1.
CC: It's a difficult away game, but Swansea definitely have the quality to win it. I'm going for 2-1 to the Swans!
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