The Official Swansea City Thread

[Legend83]

SwanJack said:

Well that was much better, we have a team good enough to get out of this mess, feeling optimistic. You have to wonder why FF was replaced by Bartley, who didn't even make the bench, and what had Amat done to Monk?? Why was Dyer shipped out, he's clearly better than Barrow?

Still toothless in attack, West Ham were there for the taking and we needed a confidence boost which we will now have to get at West Brom with the pressure on.

FF is a good player but has made a few mistakes this season which have cost goals (including Bony's goal at City) - wonder if Monk was trying to get him to buck himself up.

Glad to see Amat on the bench - I thought he had fallen off the planet.

There are rumours surrounding the Dyer loan which I won't print here to avoid risk of libel - let's just say it was Dyer that wanted to leave.

Also concerning are the rumours about Shelvey - apparently involved in a spat with Siggurdsson on the training pitch culminating in Shelvey head-butting him! Hence the fake 'injury' and sudden disappearance from the match day 11.

Manager? Short money is on Di Matteo (not inspired by that) but I still think it might be Sampaoli.

[Legend83]

A sorry tale:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35156858

[Legend83]

SwanJack said:

I've read about the rumours, I find it hard to belive, a most unlikely pairing if you ask me

££££ is all I can think of...

[Legend83]

I'll take any win however it comes!

[Legend83]

SwanJack said:

New man in to work with Curt http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35339215 good thing IMO, hopefully another masterstroke by Huw, he needs all his magic for the next few months.

Just hope it's not too late.

[Legend83]

SwanJack said:

Fantastic crowd tonight, havent experienced that for a while!! And to think Monk was willing to let Leon go at the start of the season.....

I know he wanted to try different ways of doing things at the Swans (i.e. crap football) but I wonder if he will ever accept the huge mistake he made in side-lining Britton.

I just wish Leon was 25 again! What a player.

[Legend83]

moanthebairns said:

So that's 4 Falkirk players now sold to Swansea... Botti Biabi, Stephen Kingsley, Jay Fulton and Ryan Blair.

Firstly anyone seen them play? If so what are they like now.

I cannot get my head around this, these players are good players....in Scotland. I've seen every game these lads have played and Id say in a few years they'd be Scottish Premier league standard or championship at best. I Just cant understand Swansea paying a fair whack to take on boys that, well, are unlikely to ever make it. Or is it just a case of get them in, take a chance, if not punt them on to a championship side for what you paid?

Moan - don't get me started on Swansea City's recruitment system. I think the three stooges we have as our 'scouting' team must get a discount on Falkirk season tickets.

Fulton and Kingsley have been on the very peripheral of the first team - Fulton looked like he might break through but his progress stalled and then we brought Jack Cork in.

Kingsley looked decent against Oxford in the cup and I wonder if we gave him a chance like we did Ben Davies he might step up.

Biotti is languishing in the u-21s.

I can't name one player the recruitment staff have recommended that has been a success since we were in the Championship.

All our successes have been mostly manager's own contacts or where agents have touted players on us - Leadbitter our chief scout didn't want Bony! His kind of player is Leroy Lita or David Ngog.

Hopefully the Guidfather will have the final say on signing going forward and might even try and get his own scouting staff in but I doubt it at the club best known for 'jobs for the boys'.

[Legend83]

Not much chat on here unsuprisingly given how garbage we have been recently...but what a fantastic and much needed win last night, with arguably a weakened side.

Kingsley, Amat, Fer, Fulton when he came on - take a bow lads.

Jack Cork MOTM by a country mile.

Gomis....meh.

[Legend83]

moanthebairns said:

How did kingsley and fulton get on?

Moan - Kingsley was understandably nervous, it being his league debut at the Emirates! Plus he was up against Joel Campbell who was by far Arsenal's most dangerous player. He struggled a bit in the first 15 but came into the game as it went on....and you know what? Overall he was very very promising at this level. He is a big strong lad (think he is a CB converted to LB) and has a good turn of pace - wasn't afraid to get forward and put in a decent cross (which is more than can be said for our first choice Taylor).

He also doesn't shirk - while in the wall he purposefully got his head in the way of a Sanchez free kick which diverted it onto the bar rather than the back of the net. How often do you see a footballer have a natural instinct to put his head on the line?!

I would honestly consider him to start against Norwich, although Nathan Redmond looked dangerous against Chelsea.

Fulton did what Fulton does - he was solid, worked hard, positionally was good and pressed Ozil out of the last 20 minutes. He will never be a wow player but he is tidy and decent back up as a defensive midfielder.

[Legend83]

moanthebairns said:

Thanks for that, I'm often amazed that players like such, who are good players don't get me wrong, can even start or play in the premier league. I've seen every game these lads have played for Falkirk, every one, and you know what, they never really stood out in the Scottish first division. No wow as you say, maybe the gap isn't that great, maybe they have came on so much more. Good to see though.

I guess if a player has potential it's more likely to manifest itself if he spends his time on the training ground / match day with top players who can impart their experience and help bring them on e.g. I know Ashley Williams plays a big part in bringing on the young defenders and was barking support to Kingsley last night.

I understand Leon Britton, probably the most underated defensive midfielder in the Prem, was also tasked with mentoring Fulton and King.

[Legend83]

Ashley Williams has played 28,252 of Swansea’s 28,980 league minutes since their League 1 promotion in 2008.

Machine.

[Legend83]

The Nur said:

Where did you get this stat?

https://www.dreamteamfc.com/c/does-this-ashley-wil...

[Legend83]

hornetrider said:

That is some stat. Missed the grand total of 11 games in 8 years and risen through the ranks too. Respect.

I have nightmares about the day he retires...

[Legend83]

I was so ecstatic after the win against Chelsea...and then I was angry! Worrying times for the club.

[Legend83]

hornetrider said:

I don't like it either.

I ask myself, how many US owned clubs have actually improved since they were bought? The US just doesn't get football IMO.

And this guy Levien has apparently ruined DC United.

Not for me thanks.

[Legend83]

Unbelievable Jeff!

So Huw Jenkins evidently signed heads of agreement on behalf of all directors (except the Trust) on 15th December. The trust - the second largest shareholder - was not informed until 29th March!

Two of the directors HJ signed for were allegedly unaware and are allegedly unhappy...

After all the hard work, success and goodwill generated during his tenure, with one sly move to cash in his chips he has left his reputation in tatters.

[Legend83]

Gutless.

Every single fan who made that journey should be refunded out of the player's pockets.

[Legend83]

Thanks Glover, always good to hear your reports.

I look forward to seeing how Connor develops and with Kyle Naughton currently our first choice RB I can see Roberts getting a real chance!

Not heard anything on the grapevine but I would love to see Aaron Lewis or Joe Rodon come to you - two very promising defenders.

Owain Jones would be a coup for you but I imagine (no offence!) he would go to a Championship club as he is quite the striker.

[Legend83]

GloverMart said:

ETA: This was the Swansea squad that night (4th August 2015, you lost 3-2)

Swansea City Under-21s:
1. Josh Vickers 2. Connor Roberts (Capt) 3. Raheem Manley 4. Jay Fulton 5. Stephen Kingsley 6. Joe Rodon 7. Ryan Hedges 8. Josh Sheehan 9. Owain Jones 10. Henry Jones 11. Mo Barrow

Swansea Substitutes:
12. Keston Davies (64 mins for Joe Rodon) 13. Oliver Davies 14. Dan Alfei (72 mins for Connor Roberts) 15. Kyle Copp (80 mins for Henry Jones) 16. Dan James (72 mins for Ryan Hedges) 17. Alex Samuel (46 mins for Owain Jones)

So Rodon played an hour, Jones played a half and Lewis didn't.

Edited by GloverMart on Monday 9th May 18:15

Yes Lewis only stepped up to the U21s from the U18s this season and was one of the stars of the campaign that saw us unfortunately lose the promotion playoff semi against Villa.

Kingsley, Fulton and Barrow are now first team squad.

I would be pleased for you if you get Lewis, Rodon, Dan James, Owain Jones, Alex Bray or Oliver McBurnie. The rest are not likely to make it.

Down the line you should get Darren Way to tap us up for young strikers Liam Cullen and in particular Jordan Garrick who has been ripping up the U-18s league and is a good a prospect as I have ever seen at the Swans.

[Legend83]

Guidolin's Jack Army!