Opposition view – Swansea City

Since we last played the Swans the ‘guys in the locker room’ have returned to being the ‘lads in the dressing room’ and things are looking a lot more optimistic at the Liberty. We’re currently 2017’s winningest Premier League team but ahead of the second half of our road trip double header I caught up with Steven of Swansea Oh Swansea and asked him a few pertinent questions (not ones where he has to do the math).

Swansea’s uplift since the appointment of Paul Clement has been remarkable. What are the main changes he’s made to produce it? 

He’s been a lot more consistent than Bob Bradley who would regularly change tactics and personnel, often 3/4 players per game and I think the players didn’t understand what he wanted. Clement knows what he wants and along with a few new faces his arrival ensured an upturn in performances and results.

Are there any parallels with Leicester/Ranieri, ie is there any resentment towards the Swansea players for not performing under Bradley but turning it on for the new manager?

Not really to be honest. There’s no doubt quite a few have performed a lot better under Clement than Bradley but I think because of what’s gone on behind the scenes a lot of the players have probably had an easier ride than they deserve.

Common wisdom is that Swansea score goals by aiming crosses at Llorente and that’s it? Surely there’s more to them than that?

If you watched the Middlesbrough game then it certainly looks like that. There’s an element of truth in that statement but Gylfi Sigurdsson is our other main threat, we’re usually relying on him to either create a chance for Llorente or score himself. Not many others chip in with goals.

Tom Carroll has got a good press since his move. How has he done?

He looks to have improved from his first spell here which was quite average. He seems to have gained confidence and offers more of a threat going forward than before and has shown he can whip a good ball into the box. I was sceptical over him rejoining us but it looks like a good bit of business so far.

Alfie Mawson is catching a few people’s eye. Is he a good player?

Yeah Alfie has been excellent since becoming a regular in the side. He has real potential but he could really do with a better partner as centre half to help him even more. Encouragingly for us he’s also a threat going forward and it’s a long time since I’ve said that about one of our centre halfs.

Any thoughts on Spurs? Any particular players you think your lads may struggle against?

Spurs have had another good year, only issue is most of your signings from the summer haven’t really improved your starting eleven in my opinion which must be frustrating. However it looks like you’ll finish in the top four which would be another good season and with many of the side still young you should improve again next term.

No Kane, Wanyama, Lamela, Winks, Rose….probably Janssen and Sissoko starting and a switch from our favoured three at the back. Do you fancy your chances?

It’s probably as good a time as any to face you but you’re our worst opponent since we’ve been in this division and if Llorente doesn’t play I struggle to see us scoring. So in short no I’m not very optimistic!

And finally, a score prediction please.

Spurs to win 2-0.

Many thanks.

Related Topics