Swansea 1 United 0 - report/ratings

[Bell4]

Christ on a bike

We’ve played 2 league games and the transfer window has two weeks to go

Keep Calm and have a beer (or summert)

 

[Maurice Maurice]

The fall from almost Europe in 1975 to Div 4 was fast but this current debacle is way way faster.

Previous slides down the pyramid have almost always involved a real lack of funds
But this season we have a £40m parachute plus the proceeds of selling Souza , Anel & Moore , plus getting Brewster's wages off our books.

There is no excuse.

In a few short months we will either be in L1 or struggling along with all the other Championship clubs who don't enjoy parachute payments or the indulgence of a sugar-daddy benefactor.

The future is very very dark if we don't go up - so why are we not straining every sinew this window to build instead of demolishing ?

It makes not one ounce of sense.

Very good point about the money. The owners are reputed to be big money men, the EFL background checks should have confirmed that. I know at least one of them is a gambler so you'd think 'speculate to accumulate' would be good with him. As to the rest I can't see why successful business men would shell out a load of cash that they can't afford in a sport that's only profitable at the highest level. OK they've cut the wage bill and got some cash in, and with the parachute payment we surely can't be skint so what the fuck's happening?

I remember the fall in the 70's very well and I also remember other similar collapses along the way. Unless something big happens in the next two weeks I fear the worst. I wonder if the new owners are Pigs and bought us purely to destroy us. Multi millionaires and self made men (made on the backs of others) are predominantly a bunch of cunts so I'm scratching my head as to why I'm surprised.

UTBFTP

 

[Bladesince59]

For the optimists among us we just have to hope this is rock bottom and things improve.

Well it's certainly rock bottom

 

[Pollingtonblade]

We’ve played 2 league games and the transfer window has two weeks to go

Do you genuinely think we will get deals done?

Selles said after Bristol 1 or 2 In this week? They aren't here

 

[Bell4]

Do you genuinely think we will get deals done?

Selles said after Bristol 1 or 2 In this week? They aren't here

Don’t know

But let’s wait and see

 

[luffenhamblade]

Christ on a bike

We’ve played 2 league games and the transfer window has two weeks to go

Keep Calm and have a beer (or summert)

Good job points don’t count until then window closes! We just sacked a manager after finishing third it’s going to be a real issue for Selles if he doesn’t start picking up points as autos must be the expectation this year. Of course if board don't back him the I guess these first games don’t really matter.

 

[reedy63]

At the moment, appointing Seles and allowing Anel to leave, and no replacement has backfired badly. They must do the right thing, get at least two centre-backs, a good right back, a good defensive midfielder who can get the ball off the opponents and pass to our best player, Hamer, and tell the manager to have better tactics so the players know what they are doing, or do nothing, that will guarantee relegation with our friends from the dark side of Sheffield. Up to you, our new owners, our future is in your hands.

 

[joe casey]

The radio Sheff comms team, Oxley and Asaba I think, pointed out that we have the best player in the divusion and our game should be based around getting him on the ball as much as possible. Hamer was a spectator for much of the game. Campbell too.

With the loss of Souza and Anel, we seem to have lost the ability to play the ball calmly out of defence. We can't cope with the opposition press.

Our inability to play out also not helped by the fact arguably our best two passing midfielders are currently out injured for god knows how long. Considering this I'm amazed another Centre Mid wasn't a priority early this summer.

 

[Deadbat]

Our inability to play out also not helped by the fact arguably our best two passing midfielders are currently out injured for god knows how long. Considering this I'm amazed another Centre Mid wasn't a priority early this summer.

A lot has been made of poor defending and gaps etc but other than 15 mins v Bristol City, teams have completely controlled games. This has been down to ball retention and possession. A lot talk about qualities of Peck, Hamer, Burrows, O Hare but none are particularly great at keeping the ball. Hamer is one of the worst of the lot but you live with it as he tries things.

We are desperate for an experienced midfielder who just keeps the ball. As much as Souza was seen as a defensive protector- he was very good at nicking it away and keeping it simple. Ditto for Blaster.

Peck has barely played a forward pass of accuracy this season. Not sure many others have. If we don't keep the ball, we ain't getting up the pitch and are not going to create anything regardless of the other end.

My issue is I felt this was coming last season when poor teams were dominating possession quite a bit. We got away wirh it as would find big moments and I think had a lot of luck (we were outplayed in so many games we somehow won). This year we aren't.

 

[joe casey]

A lot has been made of poor defending and gaps etc but other than 15 mins v Bristol City, teams have completely controlled games. This has been down to ball retention and possession. A lot talk about qualities of Peck, Hamer, Burrows, O Hare but none are particularly great at keeping the ball. Hamer is one of the worst of the lot but you live with it as he tries things.

We are desperate for an experienced midfielder who just keeps the ball. As much as Souza was seen as a defensive protector- he was very good at nicking it away and keeping it simple. Ditto for Blaster.

Peck has barely played a forward pass of accuracy this season. Not sure many others have. If we don't keep the ball, we ain't getting up the pitch and are not going to create anything regardless of the other end.

My issue is I felt this was coming last season when poor teams were dominating possession quite a bit. We got away wirh it as would find big moments and I think had a lot of luck (we were outplayed in so many games we somehow won). This year we aren't.

Oh how I long for the days of Paul Coutts

 

[Revolution]

My issue is I felt this was coming last season when poor teams were dominating possession quite a bit. We got away wirh it as would find big moments and I think had a lot of luck (we were outplayed in so many games we somehow won). This year we aren't.

This revisionism is getting silly now. I expect better from you.

We won 28 games. How many were we outplayed in? How many is so many?

I am sick of last season being dismissed as a gigantic fluke. Top two aside there was a huge gulf between us and everyone else.

 

[Chimpan-A]

This report is spot on in every detail. Interesting that the commentators were going on about Hamer running his socks off, which I didn’t see and clearly neither did you.

What worries me (and was illustrated either way the goal) is how disjointed the defence and midfield are: when we block or clear, you know for a fact an opposing player will pick up the loose ball just outside the area. Also how easily they could split the lines with a simple pass.

As for the ref, he may have got the Cannon penalty decision right, but if it’s not a pen it’s a corner, which no one seemed to care about. Also, why did he give Swansea the ball back after the so called head injury - we were in possession!

 

[Tom Bott]

a sport that's only profitable at the highest level.

Though only for three out of twenty PL clubs in 22/23.
Never assume a massive turnover equates to showing a profit.

Though I don't think any Championship club showed a profit.

 

[Deadbat]

This revisionism is getting silly now. I expect better from you.

We won 28 games. How many were we outplayed in? How many is so many?

I am sick of last season being dismissed as a gigantic fluke. Top two aside there was a huge gulf between us and everyone else.

It wasn't a gigantic fluke. I never said that? I said we had some run/luck in some games and got more points than the XG metrics would have had us on by a fair bit. There were a decent number of games we won, where we could have drawn or lost. It felt like this happened more than the occasional game. It was an odd season for us to get so many points but rarely play outstanding.

We had a way of getting results and of course it's a results business but the performances were rarely at a high level but rightly wins are all important. But after Xmas only Boro/Coventry off top of my head did we play well and all season we were on our arses after 70-75 mins in many games. The final showed what we had feared for much of the season and symbolic of what we we were seeing.

Off top of my head Plymouth home, Sunderland home, Bristol City home and away, Swansea away, Pompey home and away, Cov away, WBA away, Luton away...all games we took around 22-24 points from but we're arguably 2nd best in all of them I'd say. So many teams should have been out of sight, Plymouth/Pompey home/Sund home/Swansea away/Luton away. They missed some glaring chances. Like sitters.

All games we took points from that on play and control we easily could have lost/drawn. Of course we didn't. I think some of the fine margins went in our favour but couldn't be luck if it kept happening. That is huge credit to Wilder and the team but the regression since Xmas statistically is there and we got worse, not better as the season went on in performances and points despite Wilder being given a lot of backing.

We finished 3rd with 90 points but never did I think, we are a really good side that is blowing Champ teans away - in the way Leeds and Burnley did. Statistically the drop off from us to 4th may have been greater but the playoffs showed there was little between us, Sunderland and Coventry when it mattered the most and no gulf at all really.

I feel we should have kept Wilder and there are huge concerns spread about Selles but I'm not convinced we wouldnt have had a drop off regardless. Obviously not of this scale so far but you get rid of 5 starters from the final game of the season and several other subs/back ups, it's going to be a drop off.

I think the bigger issue is the whole structure of the club and the lack of football people on the board. If they sack Selles (they might) then what? Wilder is not coming back so any replacement may be of a similar type. Young continental coach. You would just hope the players are able embrace any change better, if it happens again.

 

[Youngand70]

Cant add anything other than the signs were there in the second half against Bristol. The system isnt working and the players heads are down. They lack fight and there is an absence of leaders. It was obvious pre season the opposition would run through us. 3 games in and thats exactly whats happening. Peck is a shadow of his former self and just doesnt release the ball quick enough preferring to play his own game of twists and turns that take him nowhere.

The Board are responsible for the current mess. They can stop the rollercoaster towards relegation, because thats where we are heading, by bringing in 4 quality championship standard players. The manager needs supporting but what is alarming is his inability to mix it up keeping to the same formation despite the turgid display on the pitch, a criticism he has had from other teams supporters.

We've said it till we are blue in the face but the owners are oblivious to it. "we need a football man in now at Board level to save the season". I hold out little hope this will happen. Top performing organisations make rapid decisions and take action when things are clearly not working where revenue is seriously compromised. I used to work for two of them.

Im afraid its going to get worse before it gets better as the inability of the owners to exact change at pace is apparent as decisions appear to be made on a committee basis.

Too many players have let their heads go down far too early. Peck Hamer Robinson are all playing as if they want out and deserve the criticism they are getting.

Its a mess and even though its only 2 games the drop off in performance since the first 45 minutes against BC is alarming. Yet there is continuing silence from the owners. At least come out and say you're supporting your man and get the signings over the line pronto.

Its going to be a long season unless there is a significant shift in approach this coming week.

Couldn't agree more I'm as blue in the face as you are but the Bettis and cronies show goes on with some people thinking he is the best thing since sliced bread. The stagnation and lack of a serious footballing brain at board level continues with the main "dead wood" being Bettis. I have no doubt McCabe gave him a glowing reference to the Prince and I'm sure the Prince did the same to COH.

 

[fleckagainagainagain…]

It wasn't a gigantic fluke. I never said that? I said we had some run/luck in some games and got more points than the XG metrics would have had us on by a fair bit. There were a decent number of games we won, where we could have drawn or lost. It felt like this happened more than the occasional game. It was an odd season for us to get so many points but rarely play outstanding.

We had a way of getting results and of course it's a results business but the performances were rarely at a high level but rightly wins are all important. But after Xmas only Boro/Coventry off top of my head did we play well and all season we were on our arses after 70-75 mins in many games. The final showed what we had feared for much of the season and symbolic of what we we were seeing.

Off top of my head Plymouth home, Sunderland home, Bristol City home and away, Swansea away, Pompey home and away, Cov away, WBA away, Luton away...all games we took around 22-24 points from but we're arguably 2nd best in all of them I'd say. So many teams should have been out of sight, Plymouth/Pompey home/Sund home/Swansea away/Luton away. They missed some glaring chances. Like sitters.

All games we took points from that on play and control we easily could have lost/drawn. Of course we didn't. I think some of the fine margins went in our favour but couldn't be luck if it kept happening. That is huge credit to Wilder and the team but the regression since Xmas statistically is there and we got worse, not better as the season went on in performances and points despite Wilder being given a lot of backing.

We finished 3rd with 90 points but never did I think, we are a really good side that is blowing Champ teans away - in the way Leeds and Burnley did. Statistically the drop off from us to 4th may have been greater but the playoffs showed there was little between us, Sunderland and Coventry when it mattered the most and no gulf at all really.

I feel we should have kept Wilder and there are huge concerns spread about Selles but I'm not convinced we wouldnt have had a drop off regardless. Obviously not of this scale so far but you get rid of 5 starters from the final game of the season and several other subs/back ups, it's going to be a drop off.

I think the bigger issue is the whole structure of the club and the lack of football people on the board. If they sack Selles (they might) then what? Wilder is not coming back so any replacement may be of a similar type. Young continental coach. You would just hope the players are able embrace any change better, if it happens again.

Yeah the stats back this up - the xG and xPoints table shows we were only the 5th or 6th best team (tied with Sunderland) on balance of play. We outperformed our xG against because teams missed lots of chances against us they would usually score. Partly that’s probably us having a good keeper but also luck that wouldn’t last forever.



Also looking at the table after Christmas, again we were only the 4th or 5th best team on all metrics including actual points gained. The team that built us that points lead and the chance of automatics (ft. Souttar, Arblaster etc.) was long gone by the spring, and Wilder himself couldn’t bring it back.

The trajectory of the team under Wilder was downwards and it’s hard to see how it would’ve changed if he’d stayed - particularly with us going from 3rd biggest budget in the division to 5th, 6th now?