I know that Manchester City are deservedly Premiership Champions, and Swansea City are in 17th place, four points above the relegation zone. But that is no excuse for the abject embarrassing performance they produced last Sunday. From the moment they formed a guard of honour for the newly crowned Champions, they resembled Welsh lambs going to the slaughter.
Their body language revealed to me that they were resigned to defeat and their goal (one measly shot from a defender in ninety minutes) was damage limitation. Well, how did that work out for you fellas, 0-5 which could have been double that score if wasn’t for Fabianski in goal.
Carvahal has done a great job since he was appointed on December 28th. They were bottom and five points adrift from safety when he replaced Paul Clement, and currently they are four points above the relegation zone. But to claim it was a good performance when you have laid down and died is delusional.
Didn’t it escape his notice that Liverpool have beaten Manchester City three times this season by defending from the front?In contrast we allowed them to bring the ball up to the halfway line before attempting a challenge. Sheer lunacy!!! What’s the point in playing a back five when none of whom can tackle properly? City have some great playmakers, but they utilize a holding midfield player in the shape of Fernadhino. None of the Swans midfield trio know how to tackle or mark an opposing player.
There’s a reason why City appeared to have 15 players on the pitch compared to the Swans’ pathetic outfield players. They pass the ball accurately, they control the ball instantly, they don’t give the ball away needlessly, they are constantly on the move finding space, they defend in numbers when the opposition occasionally has possession of the ball. It is embarrassing to reveal that City enjoyed 83% possession of the ball.
Neither do I understand a system where the Swans utilized three center backs to mark one player, Jesus, when the main danger was emerging from the flanks. Speaking of which, the full backs Naughton and Olsson, were completely outclassed by their opponents. The Swans’ three midfield players, Ki, Carroll and King were overrun by the ingenuity and skill of De Bruyne and Silva, but what has happened to basic man marking? Ki looked disinterested and was mercifully substituted in the second half. The diminutive Tom Carroll looks totally out of his depth. On the rare occasions he had possession, he continually passed the ball to the opposition.
Now for my pet peeve this season. Americans commentating on football overuse the phrase “in transition.” Definition of transition: ” the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another. Isn’t that what football is all about? Moving the ball from defence to attack is the primary concept of football. The late great Danny Blanchflower once said that football is a simple game where it only takes a second to score a goal. In contrast, American commentators are determined to treat the game as almost a science. What on earth does playing between the lines mean?
I was quite optimistic a month ago that the Swans could preserve their Premiership status, but recent results have cast a grave doubt in my mind. They have not won a game since March 3rd although three draws have yielded 3 points keeping their heads above water.
There are four games remaining to save their season. Chelsea come to town on Saturday, and based on last week’s performance I don’t expect any return. Bournemouth away will follow. They are a good mid table team capable of playing the Swans off the park. Then comes the crunch. The final two games of the season are at home against Southampton and Stoke, both of whom are languishing in the bottom three who will be fighting tooth and nail to take maximum points from the Swans.
It is fairly obvious to anyone who has followed the Swans that the squad is in need of a major overhaul irrespective of whether they are playing in the Premiership or Championship next season. Whoever has been responsible for transfers over the last few seasons should be shown the door before rebuilding is contemplated.
