Leroy Fer was a common subject of debate on social media after Swansea City’s heavy 4-1 home defeat against Norwich City as many fans criticised his first half performance.
Graham Potter brought the skipper off at half time along with Jay Fulton and it isn’t the first time that the manager has had to take him off after a poor first half display. The Aston Villa away game was another example where the pair weren’t up to standard together.
You shouldn't be needing to sub your captain off at half time.
— Vital Swansea (@VitalSwansea) November 24, 2018
Your captain has to be a 45-46 game a season manager (or 37-38) in the Premier League. Ashley Williams was and vice captain Mike van der Hoorn is too. A captain is there to lead and is expected to play 90 minutes for most games and lead by example, but Leroy Fer really isn’t do that this season and you have to concede that the decision to give him the armband hasn’t worked out for Graham Potter.
It makes you wonder if that’s the only reason that he’s in the first team – he’s the captain because his performances surely don’t warrant a starting place every week.
Leroy Fer is not my captain. Captain Mike is my captain.
— Scott 🦢 (@littlebuster6) November 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/swanabi/status/1066419621799124992
That leads us on to another point that the fans were making after the game – the need to get Matt Grimes out from left back and into the centre of midfield in place of Fer. He’s far more reliable on the ball and he impressed there in the 2-0 home win against Reading. When Olsson came on and he moved to his strongest position we did look better balanced.
Good points on Grimes. I think GP needs to persist with a Grimes / Fulton starting midfield partnership between now and January, at least. Olsson & John should be the only considerations at LB.
— Andy T (@andytidy_80) November 24, 2018
Time to stop grimes at left back and roberts right wing, also sad to see bony like that today! Fer was absolutely hopeless
— Anthony Lewis (@tonylew) November 24, 2018
Olssen left back and Grimes in the centre instead of Fer against West Brom for me #Swans
— Charlie (@Neathjack9) November 24, 2018
I just hope Potter not using Olsson at left back is down to fitness and nothing else because we look far more balanced when he's there and Grimes is in midfield rather than Fer.
— Vital Swansea (@VitalSwansea) November 24, 2018
Repeat after me. Matt Grimes is not a left back. #Swans #SwaNor
— Mark (@crazycraven) November 24, 2018