Two weeks ago Swansea City created history by defeating Manchester United for the first time at Old Trafford. They won the 3rd FA Cup tie with a late goal from their 12 million pound strike Wilfried Bony. United are a very mediocre outfit these days compared to the dominating teams of the Ferguson era, and were without their two best players Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie. The Swans weren’t very convincing either, but their possession game was enough to stifle the threat from United’s hapless strikers, and Bony finally took advantage of United’s vulnerability in the air.
A week later the Swans returned to Old Trafford for a Premiership game and were predictably and comfortably defeated 2-0 by a United side still lacking quality but good enough to sweep aside an inept Swansea. Putting sentimentality and tradition aside I would much prefer three points from the Premiership game than a win in the FA Cup. Take Wigan Athletic for example. Last season they won the FA Cup but were relegated from the Premiership.
No self-respecting Swans supporter should accept a piece of silverware in the trophy cabinet in exchange for a place in the Premiership. And I’m afraid continual involvement in the FA Cup in addition to the poison chalice, alternatively known as the Europa Cup, is dragging the Swans dangerously near to the relegation zone. It is known fact that the Europa Cup has a draining effect on a club’s resources. Matches are played on a Thursday and the Premiership game is arranged for a Sunday which leaves little recovery time from traveling and injuries.
Swansea’s squad is decimated with injuries: Michu, Michael Vorm, Hernandez, De Guzmann, Tiendalli, Jose Canas, Roland Lamah and Dyer are currently on the sidelines. Last season’s talisman, Michu, is a huge loss particularly his goal contribution.
Yet Michael Laudrup refuses to recall Ki Sung-Yueng from Sunderland who was loaned to them at the beginning of the season. Laudrup’s intransigence is baffling. He paid 51/2 million pounds for the player in 2012, but after one season off loads him to Sunderland where reputedly he is their most consistent player. His apparent refusal to give a player like Donnelly a chance in the absence of Michu rather than persist with the ineffectual Vasquez is also a source of frustration.
Let’s face it: some of Laudrup’s more expensive signings have not been very impressive. Pablo Hernandez cost 5 million pounds and has spent more time on the treatment table than on the pitch. Ki Sung-Yueng arrived with a big reputation from Celtic, but struggled to gain a regular place in the first team. At the beginning of the current season, Laudrup decided to replace him with Jonjo Shelvey, paying Liverpool 5 million for his services. Shelvey is an enigma to me.
He is highly rated in some quarters, but I believe he lacks the nous and consistency required of a midfield player to succeed in the Premiership. I shudder to think of the consequences if he continues to dictate the play for the rest of the season. Wilfried Bony cost 12 million pounds and arrived from Holland with a big reputation as a goal scorer. To my mind he lacks pace and is a touch on the lazy side.
To be honest the Swans style of play is comparable to a mid- table team in La Liga which is where Laudrup previously spent most of his time managing a football team. Yes they pass the ball around in ever decreasing circles, but most of the time it lacks tempo and purpose. What’s the point in have the lion’s share of possession if you don’t make attempt to score? Furthermore what’s the point in playing with wingers who can’t cross a ball properly?
Swansea are seven games without a victory in the Premier League and have seriously struggled to pick up points recently. In fact, they have only won three games at the Liberty since February last year. Their opponents on Saturday are Tottenham Hotspur who are currently in the midst of a revival under new manager Tim Sherwood. If current form is anything to go by the Swans will do well to salvage a point. But what they really need is a win and 3 points to begin climbing away from the relegation zone.
