Swansea City were very lucky to beat Arsenal at the Emirates yesterday. Arsenal hit the woodwork three times when it was easier to score, and there was a blatant foul on an Arsenal player prior to the Swans’ equalizer. Having said that, they managed to come back from a goal down and clinch the game with two goals in either half. Scoring more than one goal in a game hasn’t been easy for the Swans this season.
They made six changes from Sunday’s defeat against Spurs which suggested they were resting players for the key clash against fellow strugglers Norwich on Saturday. In fact, the next three games could define their season. They play Bournemouth away the following week and Aston Villa at home on 19th March. Bournemouth are one place above them in the table while Villa are languishing in bottom place. They are “must win” games for the club, and if by some good fortune (not to mention an element of luck) they achieved results in all three games, they would secure their place in the Premiership for another season.
Games against fellow strugglers can also be “trap” games. They are the fixtures the team is expected to win, and the pressure to secure three points is enormous. Norwich, for example , held league leaders Leicester City for 89 minutes on Saturday until a late goal from Leicester’s substitute bagged the three points.
The Swans win was not without further drama. Manager Francesco Guidolin was taken to hospital on the morning of the match with a lung infection, and Alan Curtis stepped into the breach as caretaker yet again. Guidolin had selected the team, but Curtis changed the system when they went a goal down, and made key substitutions at half time to secure a victory. It’s more than likely that Curtis will be in charge for Saturday’s crucial six pointer.
The Swans have 10 games remaining, but it would be rather futile to look too far ahead at the games you deem winnable. There are no easy games at this stage of the season. The top six teams are vying for places in the Champions League while the cellar teams are fighting for survival. Mid-table teams have the luxury of having nothing to lose and can play in a relaxed atmosphere. They also have the incentive of finishing as high as possible to receive more of a pay out from the distribution of money at the end of the season.
Alan Curtis now has a selection problem for Saturday which is welcome news for a change. Some of the performances at Arsenal by younger players called up to rest first team regulars was a revelation. Jay Fulton and Steven Kingsley grabbed their chances with open arms, and shouldn’t be overlooked for Saturday’s encounter.
However, we are Swans and not ostriches sticking our heads in the sand. The current squad is not up to Premiership standard, and securing a seat at the Premiership table for next season will not be easy. It’s going to be an agonizing grind for long suffering supporters, including those anxiously biting their nails to the quick 4000 miles away.
It would settle the nerves a wee bit if we could take 7pts from the next three games which would give us all a reasonably comfortable Easter. Nevertheless, beware the Ides of March!
