Swansea City are already at Wembley both physically and mentally. The management team and that’s not just Steve Cooper have implemented a rigorous and calming approach to today’s game. Utilising their in depth knowledge of players mentality young and old, if nothing else the swans are the best prepared team today.
The only thing that is under discussion today is what formation will Cooper go for ? The successful 442 of recent times or the more attacking 532 (the Cooper wing back system) Followers of the swans are split in their opinions. The usual losers in team selection are Ryan Manning and Conner Roberts, however we get the feeling we will see drama today, and any team that goes ahead in this game will feel the pressure immediately.
Despite two play off finishes in two seasons Steve Cooper does have his dissenters, his playing style when functioning well is perfect, pure football theory meets practicality and the proof is there for all to see.When it doesn’t, much as we saw numerous times this season it can fall apart.Huddersfield away is a good example, that has to be Cooper’s worst experience this season. The nerves will make a difference today of course, the occasion will beat some of the players and they won’t perform as they normally would. And that’s the difference today.
Brentford are the final favourites, and their displays against Bournemouth prove this, however there were chinks in their armour. Defensively like Swansea there are some imperfections for sure.Its how the main men in each side manage this. Ayew or Toney ? That’s what it all boils down to. The calmness, the finishing and the magic. There will be winners today and that’s the final fact. There are dreamers now post kick off, and if the swans against the odds manage to win, the impossible dream will have been realised.
Swansea City v Brentford
Sky Sports preview from 2pm today.