Great season, what’s next

So we are putting the finishing touches on another excellent season, and it really is very hard to imagine a better one really. Garry Monk has exceeded pretty much the expectations of the world (probably even himself), and really looked to be an excellent appointment. So where do we go next?

Ideally I’d like to hear some more about the ground being extended, if we want to stay in the Premiership long-term we will need a bigger ground, so any news on this would be great.

Garry Monk needs a new contract, but regardless I have no worries about him doing a Brendan, Garry “really” loves this club

Lets continue our recent excellent run of signings – Jack Cork has been sensational, keep them coming Huw et al.

How we can beat Manchester United

Plan, as to beat one of the biggest football clubs in the world – we, somewhat against what my head has been telling me all week, play both Gomis and Wilfried Bony up front, against their still very dodgy looking central defensive partnership. True we probably wont have our preferred dominance of possession, but their defence will not be able to cope with Bony and Gomis – lets remember two of the better strikers in the Premiership at the moment.

We keep things tight in central midfield – playing Ki right back on the central defenders shoulders, with Sigurdsson in front of him and Routledge tight to his left and Jonjo to his right. All three play disciplined, helping Ki out, but ready to spray long balls through to Gomis and Bony up front. Then if its 0-0 with twenty minutes to go we launch project speed – aka Montero.

Ice-Gem

Can I please assure everyone that saw the recent pre-season performances of their beloved Swans that summer signing Gylfi Sigurdsson will prove to be an absolute pearl, to put it simply he could be out “iced-gem”.

Icelandic international Gylfi Sigurdsson is an exceptional talent, he has an outstanding touch, a great shot and a real creative flair about him….unfortunately he is NOT a winger.

Garry Monk fair play for trying but if you want to get the best out of probably our most creative player – Gylfi – you need to switch him inside. Ideally an attacking midfielder, in the old Michu-role (albeit a very different, imo, better player). Trying to force Gylfi out wide is a waste of his talents. Routledge, Montero, even Dyer and possibly Jonjo are more suited to wide positions. You know what Garry, if you want to play Bony and Gomis (something that I think we might struggle to accommodate), it could work, but then you have to play Gylfi in central midfield…..I know I was a little worried about this defensive work, but you know what Gylfi has discipline and can tackle.

Problem: too many good attacking players

Solution: don’t play Gylfi out wide, possible switch Gylfi and Jonjo, or don’t play Bony and Gomis

Conclusion: its a good problem to have, however, baffling it might be at present (remember the old adage “you can’t have too many good players”)

Jefferson Montero Signs

So there we have it, the much talked-about signing of the summer, that of Ecuadorian winger Jefferson Montero has finally be signed, with the 24-year older winger signing for 4 years.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/24/swansea-ecuador-winger-jefferson-montero

At roughly 4 million pounds, this signing has the potential of being a real steal. Don’t expect a shed load of goals, because he isn’t that sort of winger, but if you like pacy little players that will create plenty of chances for your strikers then Montero could be the one you want.

Montero is absolute lightening, can play on the right or the left (is unbelievably two footed – hard to tell from game tape which he prefers – making his dribbles very rapid) and will instantly upgrade the squad. I see a rotation of Dyer, Routledge and Montero, backed up by Emnes and sometimes Jonjo, giving us real options out wide….all in all a very bright signing.

Michu – What We Should Do

Reports are that Michu is on his way to Napoli, potentially on loan, as he is reportedly unhappy at being at Swansea in the post-Laudrup world.
Should we let this happen? Absolutely not.
How can we stop it, and we don’t want to upset the proverbial apple-cart even more do we? No, but it isn’t that hard.
We talk to Michu, or at least we send whoever is closest to him, to talk to him. Be that Angel Rangel, Wayne Routledge, Garry Monk, or whoever. We talk to Michu, let him know that we love him, remind him of the player he was before Laudrup wore him into the ground and plan for an attack of him, Wilfried Bony and Gomis. Yes I know this looks a little top heavy, but it could work if we played two relatively defensive central midfielders behind Michu’s attacking mindset, and kept the wingers tighter. Michu strikes me as a different sort of individual, one that might need slightly different treatment, more of a personal touch, to get the best out of him. Not all players appreciate the sergeant major treatment, others need a more bespoke-touch, look at Fergie at Manchester United he was the master of that. If Monk can’t do this, maybe Curtis or Pep can.
Why don’t we sell him, as he isn’t happy? Because we will get nowhere near what he is worth. If a freshly fit Michu gets in the team and starts scoring again, which he will as long as he gives at least 80% (and Michu is a passionate man, he will try once out there), then quite quickly we have the player that many tops teams wanted in 2013.
Shouldn’t we at least keep Michu here while we risk losing Wilfried Bony to the African nations cup for most of our winter? …. yes. all I know for sure is that it is far too early to be giving up on Michu. Michu is a Swansea legend and we need to forget his injury-riddled 2014 and think back to the gem of 2013, he can get that back this year, lets not be hasty now.

Bafetimbi Gomis

Strong, dangerous, a 12-cap French international, who has netted 56 goals in 120 league appearances in France, Bafetimbi Gomis is just the sort of signing we should be making if we realistically want to climb the Premiership table next season.

It sounds like Gomis is signing a huge 4-year deal, which will take him to 32 years of age, but this kids worth it. He has a great touch (“yes, for a big man”) and looks skilled enough to potentially be able to play up-front alongside/behind Wilfried Bony. With Bony and Gomis marauding up front for us, opposition defences are massively going to be on the back foot, creating space for our widemena and central midfielders to better express themselves. Of course the fear mioght be that a Gomis arrival might make a Bony exit more likely. Let’s hope not, but why not secure an eventual replacement before any sale is made.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEiCkrpWUDU

World Cup Diary – Day 7-to-13

The World Cup is well and truly into its second swathe of matches, when both the pressure and excitement traditionally build up. Probably the most impressive team seen, thus far, Netherlands kick off the day with a tough fixture against dogged Australia. A particular gem about this match is that it will be one of the most family-friendly fixtures, as it commences at 5pm which is a good excuse to get out of work early – always a good thing. The talents and pace of Netherlands should be too much for Australia too deal with, with their accurate passing football blended with quick attacks likely to result in plenty of goals. My only concern about this match being that the Netherlands might rest a few of their weary squad, but all the same it should be a good game.

Next up is Spain against Chile, at 8pm, which is the must-watch fixture of the day, as reigning champions Spain desperately need a win (if they are to qualify for the knock-out rounds) but are playing against a very talented team, Chile. Spain will be hoping Athletico Madrid star Diego Costa is fitter than he was against Netherlands, as they desperately need goals to get through.

Finally we have Cameroon against Croatia, at 11pm. I expect Croatia to win this game, as their mercurial midfielder Luca Modric demonstrates the art of creative midfieldership to perfection.

Thursday, June 19^th, then sees Colombia –Ivory Coast, at 5pm, which should be a real attacking corker; followed by Uruguay-England, at 8pm, (expect a hard-fought England win); and Japan-Greece, at 11pm.

Friday, June 20^th, sees Italy-Costa Rica, 5pm, (a game that before Costa Rica’s victory over Uruguay, on June 14^th, we would have been certain of an Italian win, now we’re less sure); France-Switzerland, at 8pm, (a potential stumble-in-the-jungle for the French that they should still win); Honduras-Ecuador, at 11pm

Saturday, June 21^st, its Argentina-Iran, 5pm, another chance to see the player many people think is the best in the world Lionel Mesi; Germany-Ghana, 8pm, (déjà-vu? Don’t they always seem to be playing each other, and don’t they have brothers in either squad – the Boatengs); Nigeria-Bosnia, at 11pm.

Sunday, June 22^nd, starts with Belgium-Russia, 5pm, (a must win for both teams); Korea-Algeria, 8pm; US-Portugal, 11pm, (a game that hopefully will see Ronaldo sparkle).

Monday, June 23^rd, is a 4 gamer (so that’s a staggering 8 teams to enjoy) starting with another must win for the 2010 Champions Spain against Australia, 5pm; Holland-Chile, 5pm, (will Netherlands go easy on Chile potentially messing up Spain’s participation?); the two 9pm kick-offs are Brazil-Cameroon and Mexico-Croatia.

Tuesday, June 24^th, the two 5pm kick-offs are England-Costa Rica (our crystal ball says an England win and qualification for the 3 lions) and Italy-Uruguay; and the two 9 pm games are Colombia-Japan and Ivory Coast-Greece.

Key tip, from June 23^rd, as there are two games running at the same time now you might want to use internet streaming to see your preferred choice of a game if it isn’t on terrestial TV; just search in one of your favourite search engines (e.g. Lycos or Ask-Jeeves…other search engines are available) and change the timeframe to last hour (as otherwise the internet-police remove them).

 

 

 

Samba Beat

Tuesday, 17 June, sees Brazil back in action against long-time rival Mexico (kickoff 8pm) in a game that is sure to be exciting. Both team won their opening fixtures, Brazil in somewhat controversial circumstances as the referee awarded a non-penalty, hence they are battling for the honor of winning Group A. If recent experience is anything to go by Brazil will win, and we think they will and hopefully in style, but do not be at all surprised if this is trickier than it looks on paper.

Earlier in the day (kickoff 5pm) its Belgium versus Algeria. This should also be an excellent game, with Belgium a possible long-shot for the tournament as their young squad is very very talented, particularly Eden Hazard – expect him to dazzle tonight.

Finally its Russia versus South Korea, at 11 pm, in the likely battle for the second-spot (and hence qualifying for the next round of the competition) of Group H. I’m hoping Ki does the business tonight, as I’m personally really hoping he’s back playing for us in the Premiership, making an excellent midfield combination with Leon and Jonjo.

World Cup Preview – Groups G (& F)

On Monday, June 16, World Cup Group G commences with an absolute peach of a game – Germany versus Portugal – the only thing distracting from this being a real gem of a game is the potential absence of Real Madrid star Ronaldo. Germany are one of our favourites to lift the World Cup and I expect them to put up a win in this game today (kickoff 5pm London time).

Next up is Iran – Nigeria, from group F this time, kick-off at 8 pm, a game Nigeria should (on a talent basis win) but Iran are a very well drilled team, so don’t be at all surprised if they spring a surprise draw. This game completes the Argentina/Bosnia group, which on Sunday saw a Lionel Mesi inspired Argentina victory, so Nigeria need to beat Iran to keep up with the South American giants.

The day concludes with the other group G game of the US versus Ghana. I’m hoping for a Ghanaian victory and will likely see it, but the US are a difficult (if boring) opponent.

This Time It’s Not going to Penalties

Its Saturday, June 14^th, and the big-guns are on the clock – its Greece versus Colombia, kicking off at 6pm, ……sorry, I meant England are playing Italy, kicking off at midnight.

So that’s the inventors of the beautiful game, England, playing the European team with the most World Cup titles, Italy. This game should be an absolute corker, expect fireworks, expect emotions, expect skill … expect a draw. Yes sorry we expect a draw, this game is too important for either team, hence don’t be at all surprised if it’s a fairly cautious encounter. This doesn’t mean, however, that it won’t be exciting. Think of two boxers, at the peak of physical perfection slugging it out, neither giving an inch, or two aging Russian grandmasters playing chess as if their nation depended upon it. 

From an Italian perspective the keys will be how the explosive, somewhat crazy, striker Mario Balotelli performs (you’ve got to love this kid, talented but with a proper old-school personality, e.g. having to ring the fire service when at Manchester City because he’d let off fireworks in his house) and if Andrea Pirlo can still dictate the pace of the game at the tender age of 35.

For England the keys will be keeping Pirlo busy, a job I think Wayne Rooney’s hair-piece alone will be instructed to do, and the selection out wide, whether it be the brave selection of Raheem Sterling or the more conservative James Milner. If England want to win they should go for Sterling and Welbeck out wide, with Rooney behind Sturridge, or Sterling and Rooney out wide with Barkley behind Sturridge, but I fear the somewhat cautious England manager will plump for James Milner and Wellbeck out wide, with Rooney behind Sturridge up front. 

Anyway, seriously looking forward to this game, hope the kids let me have at least a bit of a lie in Sunday morning.

Saturday’s other game is Uruguay against Costa Rica, starting at 9 pm Paris time. This shouldn’t be written off too lightly, as Uruguay are likely to put on a veritable footballing feast for us all to enjoy, that I don’t imagine Costa Rica will be able to live with for long. Expect a comfortable win, and a big scoreline.

Then on Sunday, lunch kicks off with the Ivory Coast against the land-of-the-rising-sun, Japan. Sit yourself down on the sofa and digest your Sunday lunch to this corker of a game. If you love football, or simply want to enjoy a couple of hours of top-drawer entertainment, decide you are going to support Cote d’Ivoire and let them entertain you.

In Didier Drogba and Wilfried Bony, the Ivory Coast have one of the best strike forces in the competition, supported ably by the very talented Yaya Toure, Gervinho (“please sort your hair out”) and Tiote. We can’t see this being any other than a convincing win for Cote d’Ivoire, or at least a very entertaining can’t-miss match.

Next up is Switzerland versus Ecuador, at 5pm,….if ever there was an incentive to not watch football its this snooze-fest, sorry.

France kick-off at 8pm with a relatively easy, at least on paper, fixture against Honduras; before the day’s likely second best game (another midnighter) between many people’s potential champion’s Argentina and Bosnia-Hercegovina. Argentina are, of course the home to arguably the world’s best player in Lionel Mesi, and many other very very talent players, whilst Bosnia are a collection of lesser names, such as Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko, Senad Lulic and Vedad Ibisevic. Expect an impressive display by Argentina.