ZacNaloen Trouble is, in the first half especially, we were too keen to sit back and watch them pass.
No point in chasing after the ball in their half if all they are going to do is pass between their back 4.
It wasn't that we were keen to watch them do it out of any sort of respect. It was simply, what's the point? They are doing it because they are trying to tire out our attackers. We weren't out there to play their game. Just hold shape and if they want to win the game they have to come at us at some point. At which point everytime they did suddenly they got shit in possession because we were all over them. This meant we had more energy in the second half which and could really go at them.
We'd probably have won that game if Tabb was playing in Leigertwoods place, I reckon. He was bloody awful in possession.
Couldn't agree more which is why I don't understand people insisting the first half was poor.
Swansea arrived having gotten the better of us in recent times largely through being the better side but also thanks to some good fortune....................the element of the game that appears to have deserted us entirely this season
On this occasion, however, Brian had a game plan from which other more fortunate clubs and managers would have emerged with 3 points but ended up with merely the one we were so outrageously deprived of against Man City.
He stuck with the 4-5-1 that also saw us leave empty handed from Chelsea when 3pts would have been a fairer distribution of the spoils and it was the "dire" first half that made the "better" second possible.
Yes, having set out to frustrate a very good passing side we could have wasted needless energy (eventually used to better effect in the latter stages as we almost snatched victory from tiring opponents) to pursue their defense as they searched for a way forward and thus creating the gaps required for them to play their normal game
Mercifully, Brian stuck with his game plan
and long before the interval the normally cultured swans were resorting to long shots and the hoofs so despised by much of own fan base.
I heard someone near us berating Kebe for not "getting in the game" or "putting his foot in" yet all I could see was our right midfielder acting as a second right back in order to keep the opposition where they could do little harm to us. At one point I saw Karacan realise he was about to cross the half way line and change tack to ensure it didn't happen. Given the discipline required throughout the team over the last 2 games, does anyone still believe McDermott has lost the dressing room?
Had we been Man City, Chelsea or Newcastle one of Alf's efforts would given us a desperately needed victory and, ultimately, it could be bad luck, unfair treatment that determines our destiny but this was a decent performance.
All managers have their favorites but Brian is better than most in this respect. However, I completely agree that Leigertwood is extremely fortunate to still be starting whilst Tabb's omission, frankly, beggars belief.
Furthermore while we are struggling to find a decent right back it's seems we have 2 very decent options on the other side. I believe McDermott put Leigertwood in front of the back four against City.............................why didn't he give the job to Harte and let Shorey keep his place? Harte's experience could be invaluable in a 5 man midfield whilst Shorey has been too good to leave on the bench.
All I want to see is our strongest side and like many others I can't see why this would currently included Leigertwood who appears out of form/his depth.
He's spent 5mins off the pitch in the last 2 games and look what happened? Shorey may tick more boxes, but somehow we always look better as a team with Harte playing. An absolute Model Pro, which is something you couldnt say about 1 or 2 of our current players who are bizzarly idolised by some sections of our support.
