Comments on: Swans as good as relegated (Update: ARE relegated)

By: Dafis

Dafis — Wed, 09 May 2018 19:16:10 +0000

In reply to Jac. Now they aren't operating at top table, the Yanks might be persuaded to let it go to a consortium or individual more in tune with the nature of the game and the English Leagues (Prem & below ) in particular. Whoever has the club will have to "Commit" otherwise there will be a rapid rush to the bottom and they will not realise value if they exit at a later date. That rule of business applies to all groups who invest in sport. Frankly I'm surprised that bigger bubbles haven't burst already in the crazy world of football finance.

By: Jac

Jac — Wed, 09 May 2018 18:42:41 +0000

In reply to Dafis. "Commitment from those Yanks"!!! Now you are taking the piss!

By: Dafis

Dafis — Wed, 09 May 2018 18:31:20 +0000

I’m not hugely analytical when it comes to round ball but it’s been amply evident for last couple of seasons that the inability to score goals has been a major flaw. Thus flogging Sigurdsson to a team like Everton was very bad business especially as it was evident there was no-one coming in with his flair and motivational powers. His key role in last season’s great escape was clear for all to see. Maybe he wanted out so fair enough, but to leave it to last minute and not have a class replacement or a hungry “beast” to organise and lead on the field showed a naivety that was very likely to lead to an unhappy outcome.

Football is no different to other team games in that it involves team building. Yet many clubs, not just the Swans, seem to pick up odd players on the global market and expect them to gel together in some mysterious way. Sometimes I get the impression that guys are attractive just cos their names are exotic ! and get bought with little or no appraisal of key attributes and how they might fit into a bigger pattern of team play and function.

Rugby also has its similar behavioural characteristics with “big names” proving to be expensive duds when put into harness alongside local lads. Big Boks with unpronounceable names seem to turn into heaps of lard when rubbing up against the likes of AWJ, and fliers from OZ or other farflung sources failed to give or take a pass when inserted into the Pieman’s Blues backline, while boys from Ponty or Aberdare found it hard to get recognition. The improvement in the Blues is much down to more Welsh boys breaking through, even Anscombe finding it hard to get his preferred shirt, or any shirt at times.

Back to the source of your private grief. With a bit of planning and serious commitment from those Yanks the Swans could get back up. Whether they do so a la Bluebirds, QPR, Hull & sundry others i.e up & down in regular repetitive pattern, or manage to build for another 5 – 10 year sojourn will depend on that commitment. To get into the top 8-10 on a sustained basis, which may give access to top 4-6 occasionally requires yet another step change and a bigger financial commitment which seems to escalate yearly.

By: T

Wed, 09 May 2018 09:21:37 +0000

We are relegated because I simply don’t see us being able to score, even against relegated Stoke. As my Friend put it : wrong formation
wrong tatics
no game plan
next to no fight
terrible

Sums up last night

By: Gwilym ab Ioan

Gwilym ab Ioan — Tue, 08 May 2018 23:00:50 +0000

Not a good day at the office for you Jac. I got a bit of a sinking feeling myself, but as a dedicated Llanelli Scarlets man of 50 years or so, I won’t dwell on it, especially as we stand a good chance of being Pro 14 league winners for the second year running.

The Swans had a good run. The fact that they stayed up for what is it? Eight years was a miracle in itself. They can hold their heads up high. Cardiff will probably be back down with them at the end of next season

Cheer up – there’s always politics to put a smile on our faces!