Andrew Winfield returns to the Indy with his views on the summer and the days ahead. Andy has been a regular contributor to the Indy, his writing provides an educated insight in to the Swans, and this is no different.
A RECKONING OF WHERE WE ARE
The first international break provides an opportune time to review the summer transfer window and the Swans' position after four games. The window closed with eight signings in and ten out. Of the incoming, there were a variety of signings from abroad: Eom Ji-Sung, Goncalo Franco, Zan Vipotknik, (below) Florian Bianchini, and Nelson Abbey (loan via Olympiakos). Lawrence Vigoroux comes via Burnley, John McLaughlin provides the goalie cover for Andy Fisher’s long-term injury, and Myles Peart-Harris arrives on loan from Brentford.
Conducting business in foreign football markets offers good value for money and shows promise. So far, in particular, we’ve seen more of Eom (below)and Franco. Eom is bringing some flair and skilful attacking quality, while Franco is showing grit in the midfield and good skill in moving the ball and joining attacking movements. Their potential is yet to be fully realised, but it's a promising start.
It’s still early days and all the above need time to settle into the squad and receive more instruction and guidance from head coach Luke Williams. Patience and support are essential as they adapt to their new environment.
One win, one draw, and two defeats give four points and sixteenth in the table. It’s been a bit of a mixed bag. I didn’t see the Middlesborough game, but by all accounts, we were outplayed by a team expected to do well this season. Preston showed the Swans putting in one of our best performances for some time. Yes, Preston may be a weakened team that has lost its way, but the Swans played some excellent football.
The derby against Cardiff showed the Swans dominating the first half but displaying their longstanding weakness of being unable to turn this into goals. This must be one of the biggest concerns for Williams and Swans fans—how do we better convert possession, control, and dominance into goals, wins, and points ?
A related issue is where the goals are going to come from. Our Vipotnik and Liam Cullen strike force is a depleted, bare-bones attack. This was highlighted in the WBA game. Cullen missed the game due to injury, and Vipotnik had no luck or service up front and was substituted in the 62nd minute for Bianchini. Without any other central striker backup, Williams resorted to Ollie Cooper to lead the line, supported by Eom, Ronald, Bianchini, and later Peart-Harris. Using a ‘false nine’ is a useful variation for a coach, but on this occasion, it was deployed out of desperation rather than as a tactical ploy.
Hopefully, as the squad improve their understanding of each other and what Williams is asking for, the promising glimpses seen in the Preston game will become more consistent. It will also be interesting to see how Cooper, Eom, Bianchini, and Peart-Harris chip in with goals and link up with Zipotnik and Cullen (below)
Extracts from Williams’ WBA post-match comments were interesting.
"The players … were probably intimidated. "We have quite a number of players with quite limited Championship experience and young players who don't have a lot of experience full stop. To come here against very good opposition … is tough for them, and it showed. "But then the second half our response was incredible. I was so happy with the lads because I asked them to stop playing timidly and within themselves because the opposition and the atmosphere caused them anxiety." These comments seem fair enough at this early stage in the season, with so many new players in the squad, many of whom have never played in the Championship. But the issue of being intimidated is one we saw last season. In a competitive and physically challenging league, matching physical toughness and aggression is essential.
The final quote about the team playing timidly and within themselves is also a fascinating observation. It brought to mind the current Indy thread on Jerry Yates, who appears to be settling in well at Derby while on a season-long loan from the Swans. This was in contrast to when Yates played for the Swans last season when some fans rounded on him for his alleged lack of effort and ability.
Within this thread, Keith and Dr Winston described the "robotic process of players playing within themselves to meet the current coach’s demands… coaching freewill and creativity out of the squad.”
This posed the question that the players and the team’s performances could be misfiring because the systems of play imposed by the coach are stifling natural playing creativity. Does the coach recognise the strengths and shortcomings of the players available to him and work with the material he has at his disposal, or is he trying to impose a style that his squad lacks the skills to implement ?
Or could it be both ?
Williams understands his squad’s strengths and shortcomings but is coaching them to improve and play in his desired style. Answers to these questions will be clearer by December.
Another excellent insight in to the Swans, thanks Andrew, much appreciated.