This stadium has been a long time coming and it was still very surreal setting off for new surroundings today having spent so many years travelling to the Vetch on matchdays. A new parking space, a new walk and even a new cashpoint machine were the order of the day as the crowds flocked to White Rock as the fans seem intent to call it for the opening game - The Alan Curtis testimonial against Fulham.
Gates open at 12pm - what is all that about but it was entertainment before the game. Well a few people sung, a few people talked and a few balloons hit the sky anyway.
It wasn't always a case of a who's who in the entertainment world but a who is that? but that's the way it goes and frankly I don't really care who opened the stadium so long as it opened and open it did.
| Fulham's Choice of Kit was not up to much but boy could their fans sing! |
Clean toilets, clean seats and the odd ticketing crisis was in there but would we have expected any different as the teams emerged from the tunnel come 3pm, Swansea led by their 342 mascots all proudly wearing the shirt emblazoned with "7 Curtis" on the back. A tribute to a true Swansea great.
And so onto the real action of the day, the Swans opening their new stadium. Fears of no atmosphere were soon dumbfounded with the first rendition of 'Swansea Till I Die' and if that is the noise that a 12,000 crowd can make what can be generated with a 20,000 crowd? The mind boggles.
And Jackett's first line up at White Rock? 4-3-3 as promised
Gueret
Tate Iriekpen Austin Ricketts
Britton Martinez O'Leary
Forbes Akinfenwa Trundle
Subs: Plenty of them!!
Now I don't know about you but friendlies usually pass me by in a blue such is the underwhelming competitive nature of them and indeed, there were few tackles flying in in midfield - backed up by the only people to receive any treatment in the first half were the goalkeepers both flattened by aerial chances.
And with that in mind maybe observations are better than actual reports. Akinfenwa is a man mountain. He holds the ball up so well and his distribution is good. Caught offside a few times to the amusement of the white Rock crowd as the new offside rule comes into force. For those that don't know you can be flagged offside now several seconds after the initial offence when you touch the ball. You only become 'interfering with play' when you touch the said ball. That aside, Bayo's touch is good for a big man and there were signs there that a partnership could develop between him and Trundle.
| The real entertainment is about to get underway! |
Forbes beat the man a few times with a cross. That's right I did just say that and I hope I say it more often in the coming season. And for his efforts he was rewarded with the first on target shot for the Swans at the stadium - a drive from just outside the area.
At the back, Tate was very good at right back. I have been a fierce critic of his in the not too distant past but this could be the position in which we see him excel. His play going forward was good, his defensive work equally as good and distribution making for an all round game. Keep it going Alan. Izzy and Kev in the middle did not put much of a foot wrong against what is supposed to be a good Fulham attack. Whether they had an off day or whatever they looked distinctly average and it would be no surprise to see them struggle in the Premiership this season.
The middle though remains a concern to be. O'Leary won his balls, Martinez seemed quiet but placed some great challenges and Britton looked a danger going forward, It was noticeable that we looked much better in this area when Robinson came on and let's hope Kenny took note.
It's difficult to see any pattern in the second half with so many substitutions including the standing ovation for Curt with his ten minute cameo at the end. But having said that Goodfellow is a must start in the season, he took his goal with the utmost cool, lifting a Robinson through ball over the keeper whilst he struck another shot against the post having slid it under the keeper. He will score goals this season and it works. Nice one!
McLeod also looked an improvement on the player we saw last season and long may that continue. I really think that a forward line of Trundle, Bayo and Goodfellow backed by a midfield of McLeod, Robinson and Forbes could work. Maybe?
| Forbes makes the most of the spring in the new turf |
The only disappointment on the pitch was that Fulham scored first - Malbranque catching Willy out at his near post but maybe we shouldn't talk about that.
A great day and a welcome to a new world. Two weeks to the season, more Premiership opposition next weekend but the stadium is open and the Swans officially have their new home. And what a home it is. The mid terrace has been upgraded for a lovely detached residence.
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