Speaking after Swansea had beaten Arsenal 3-2 at the Liberty Stadium last Sunday, Man of the Match Nathan Dyer said “We’re strong throughout and I feel we’ve got players who can match anyone in the Premiership.” Praise indeed for his fellow team-mates and worthy praise too, given the strength of their performance against an Arsenal side containing household names such as Robin van Persie and a certain Mr Thierry Henry.
The Swansea faithful and manager Brendan Rodgers wouldn’t have been surprised at the football displayed by his team in the thrilling 3-2 win; that’s the way they’ve been playing ever since Rodgers took the manager’s job in July 2010. What was more impressive from the south Welshmen was the spirit and character they showed in fighting back from 1-0 down to take a real stranglehold on the game and run out deserving victors. Deserving to the extent that they dominated possession and out-passed Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal – the man who seemingly brought this footballing philosphy to the Premier League.
Now, let’s not get carried away too much. The Swans are still riding on the crest of a wave following their promotion through the play-offs last season. Surely the momentum will eventually slow down and catch up with them with a good five months of this campaign remaining? For example, Blackpool did much the same in the 2010-11 season – Ian Holloway’s men comfortably sat mid-table halfway through the season only to fall away in the final months.
There’s something about Swansea that marks them out from their suitors. First of all, they’ve kept to their principles – continuing to play an organised and measured passing game against high quality opposition. It would be easy for them to try and win ugly when facing the elite in the Premier League – a bit of rough to get the job done. Not so for the Swans and credit must go to Rodgers for refusing to changes his players’ mindsets.
Additionally, where other teams have struggled defensively in the past (Burnley and Blackpool before them played good football but conceded a lot of goals, which ultimately proved costly) Swansea have prospered and run a very tight ship – proven with only six goals conceded at home. A huge chunk of credit must go to keeper Michel Vorm who signed in the summer from FC Utrecht – the big Dutchman has been a revelation and will surely eventually go on to a bigger club for a grand fee.
The only slight snag for the Swans is on the goalscoring front and this is an issue which must be addressed in the January transfer window. They have found the net only 23 times this season despite displaying some quality attacking assets in Nathan Dyer, Danny Graham and Scott Sinclair – all of whom have played a pivotal part in the club’s excellent home form. They must start to show more balls and ambition away from the Liberty Stadium too. Their only win on their travels came recently in an impressive 2-0 win at Aston Villa – a platform on which they must build.
Speaking after the win over Arsenal, Rodgers commended his side’s ‘resolve and courage’ in coming from behind to win. He could also add other superlatives such as skill, guile and craft into the mix such was the quality of their display. Sustainability is the key though, they must take this performance and momentum into their next game with Sunderland. Win that, go on a run – who knows where they’ll end up. Top eight? That might be a bit out of reach. Top ten though? Certainly not beyond the realms.
Source: BBC
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Really impressed with Swansea this term. I saw glimpses of them when Martinez was in charge and remember thinking they looked a decent outfit back then, but under Rogers the look better still. This is how a ‘smaller’ Premier League team should play; without fear and with their tails up.