Despite refusing to directly comment on referee Bobby Madley, Swans head coach Michael Duff turned to how he will manage Charlie Patino in the face of ‘giving Madley a decision to make’ yesterday afternoon at the Swansea.Com Stadium.
As in the case of all footballers automatic fines are imposed on players in accordance with club rules when they represent their side. ( Or not ) The same occurred in the case of Jamie Paterson and his theatrics two years ago, however as in that case we expect the manager to intervene and prevent that from occurring.
Choosing to rely upon the positives from the sending off Michael Duff spoke about the player amd the learning that comes out of situations such as he found himself in with Madley. "We have talked about togetherness a lot, in the last few weeks, and that proves it. They are together. We have had a difficult start, so much change in the football club, but the one constant has been the togetherness. There are things we can improve on and there are things we didn't do, but 75 minutes against one of the most attacking teams in the league and I thought we were excellent. We’ll go through it. It’s part of his learning. If you give referees decisions to make… I don’t think either was a yellow card ultimately," he said of Patino's dismissal.
Of course a loan player in his formative years away from his parent club has many things to take on board. The ninety minutes of any game is one area but the whole package is also as important as anything else. Development of a player is a key skill a manager like Duff needs to be able to deliver and assess the outcomes in any situation. "It’s why he’s here, different experiences. Arsenal want him to have these experiences with different teams so it doesn’t happen when he’s playing for them. It’s why we have players out on loan”
Duff is absolutely correct of course.
The way a situation is managed mentally by the player, how he reacts to the advice at hand and then displays his learning is where the real measure of a player is determined. "We’ll talk to him and show him a few clips but it’s character now. It’s an opportunity for someone else to come in and if they step up he might lose his place. But he’s been good, Charlie. He’s had a lot of headlines this week in terms of a bit of noise and things like that but he’s been flatlining in terms of his own ego, keeping it in check and not getting ahead of himself. He knows where he wants to be but he’s prepared to work every day to get there. This will be another part of his learning. Inside he’ll feel like he’s let the team down but he hasn’t let the team down. He’s made a couple of mistakes but it happens”
The team as well as a group will be measured as a result of what was a disappointing game spoilt in its entirety by exceptionally questionable officiating. "It felt us against them. Us against them in red and white and us against them in black at some points. Supporters feel it. It becomes tribal then. I was really pleased we didn't concede."
The week leading up to next Saturday’s away game at Ipswich Town will be a chance to consolidate where Michael Duff and his team are with a third of the season now with us. The learning is beginning to show despite injuries to key players, and it’s encouraging that the poor start hasn’t reflected badly on the Swans league position. It isn’t satisfactory but once the side return from the final international break of the year we will see exactly what Michael Duff’s Swansea City is all about.
Swans Indy fact
This was the second time Patino has been sent off at the Swansea.Com Stadium. Last season he received two yellow cards when playing for Blackpool in their 2-1 loss.
Catch up with all our big game reaction below.