This week’s T.A.W.E Blog takes a look at this week’s events and what the fans have been talking about, including last match re-cap, news round-up, Michu’s return and the awards do!?
Picture credit: Paul Thomas (@NeathJack1)
Carvalhal hits back at ‘negative football’ criticisms
Carvalhal hit back at claims that he’s adopting negative tactics as his side are now 6 games without a win, and have only scored twice during that run.
He said:
“Where did we lose? At home to Tottenham and Chelsea, away to Manchester United, Manchester City and we lose at Brighton,”
“What do you want better than this?
“When you have a glass of water it can be half full or it can be half empty,”
“It depends on the way you want to see the glass; some guys look and see it as half full, others are half empty, it depends on the eyes you are looking through.
“When we arrived we were five points adrift at the bottom and in last position. In this moment it is in our hands.
“We are playing more games away than at home. So it is not correct to say we are negative, other teams would have been the same in these games. You cannot say we are defensive. Against Chelsea it was almost even, we divided the game.”
Carvalhal does have a point. You can look at it differently, but also you can’t deny that we’ve missed some opportunities in between those tough games to extend our gap from the bottom three. We looked conservative in our approach at West Brom, and yet wasted plenty of chances to beat Everton. We might have played Chelsea last week, but you’ve still got to have the belief that you can get points against the bigger teams. I’m not a fan of the “David and Goliath” comments prior to playing them from Carvalhal, but that’s me – it’s a league where anyone can beat anyone on their day – as the cliche goes.
I hope Carvalhal is watching how Brighton are playing tonight and is taking note. We didn't have to courage to play like this against West Brom, nevermind Manchester United
— Jack Evans (@Jevski7) May 4, 2018
I’d like to see us revert back to a back four, it’s not like we’ve never played it, a back five is something new that Paul Clement brought in. Guidolin tried it once and it was a case of “never again”, now it seems like the norm.
Defensive Football, The New Norm Swansea Fans Have Had To Get Used To?
Mawson linked with Spurs
It was Ki last week who was linked with a move to Everton in the Summer, this week it’s Alfie Mawson who’s been linked with a move away – with Spurs and Manchester United apparently in the race.
Mourinho sent scouts to watch Mawson recently, while Spurs are also apparently interested, with a £40m fee being mentioned. You wouldn’t expect us to reject that sort of offer, if it came in that is.
Match Re-cap
Swansea City 0-1 Chelsea
Another defeat for the Swans, extending our winless run to six. The damage was done very early on as Fabregas punished us after we lost possession in our own half involving Ki and King.
It was a poor showing from us in the first half but we picked things up in the second, but couldn’t find an opening. Pressure mounts again with just 3 games to go.
Match Stats: Swansea City 0-1 Chelsea
Average Positions: Swansea City 0-1 Chelsea
Post Match Fans Reaction On the Message Forum
“Our problem, as it’s been all season, is finding the net.
It’s all very well playing five at the back but if you don’t attack you don’t score, and yesterday we were at it again, sideways and back passing with no attacking intent.” – keith margam
Michu’s Liberty Return!
Former forward Miguel Michu made a return to Swansea before the game though, and of course received a standing ovation from the Liberty crowd as he made his way on to the pitch before kick-off. What a player he was for us…
The Awards Do
MK Dons cancelled their awards do as they were relegated, should we have cancelled ours? It’s up for debate, but Jordan Ayew – winner of three prizes, says he cannot enjoy them until survival is guaranteed.
“I have these trophies but I cannot enjoy them until we are safe,”
“I am really proud and really happy because I have gone through a lot of difficult moments and the awards are a sign that I am improving.
“I am going to make sure we stay in the Premier League. I am sure we are going to do it, but we need to do the job on the pitch.” – Jordan Ayew.
Hard hat here
With the club in a critical position in the league & 3 vital games coming up I think the end of season awards night should be cancelled till the season has ended
We need to be focused on Saturday’s game at Bournemouth #Swans ⚽️
— Paul (@IceWithNoLemon) May 2, 2018
On This Day….13 Years Ago
Swansea City 4-2 Hull City
The Great Escape, The James Thomas hatrick, Football League survival. What a day that was with 9k at the Vetch Field, 13 years ago to the day – May 3rd.
📅 #OnThisDay 15 years ago, we experienced one of the most important days in our history…
THAT fixture against @HullCity. The day the fairytale began! 💫 pic.twitter.com/ERZRo2biUL
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) May 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/Jacobscfc1/status/991993934942560257
Looking Ahead…
Bournemouth away on Saturday, check out our detailed preview below:
