Theee new Swansea City players made their home debuts yesterday afternoon. Ronald Martins, Charlie Sagoe Jr and Przemysław Płacheta all took to the pitch and contributed to the numerous chances missed throughout the game. None were responsible for those missed chances, but they all created something that added to the hope in yesterdays fixture.
Przemysław Płacheta, came with mixed reviews, generally a player who had run his course at Norwich City. The Swans took over his contract on deadline day and agreed to him staying at the club until, June 30th this year. A fine opportunity for him to earn a new contract at the Swans. Unfortunately for him it won’t be at the current salary he expects until his contract ends at Swansea. That is around sixty thousand pounds a month (Source Norwich City) His first showing yesterday displayed a player who most certainly likes the touchline as Luke Williams stated on Friday. He found space difficult when on the ball but did provide another threat on the left wing. More than we have seen this season, coupled with Josh Tymon who for us was man of the match. When captain material is spoken about, really the Swans should look no further. He is bedded in now, it took five months but he is currently playing his best football for the Swans.
Placheta created chances, somehow the Plymouth defence survived a siege on their goal, but this is the rub with this player. He was interested, wanted to show what he could do, and as his substitute appearance showed, he has got something about him.
Charlie Sagoe Jr came on for Ronald in the second half. This time we saw him on the right side. He didn’t have the impact probably some would have liked, but the nineteen year old had an opportunity to level when he took on a shot which the Plymouth keeper just about saved. This was his first professional league game, and he didn’t look to have too much fear. He is another who will need time but he will make an impact before the end of the season. And yet again we have a player who is far better than we had, mind you a few will say we didn’t have one in the first place.
Ronald Martins had already stirred up a few Jacks with some promise at Leicester City away on Tuesday night. The million pound plus signing didn’t disappoint yesterday. Unfortunately the ponderous efforts of Grimes, Fulton and Naughton just didn’t see him when a chipped ball over the top would have put him in on goal. Ronald was visibly annoyed this didn’t happen. These are experienced players but they seem too comfortable and happy to play bit parts this season. Too caught up in the old regimes tactics, resulting in a slow passing game which frustrates when clear openings are there for all to see. Ronald displayed electric pace in the first half and the nouse to put in a decent ball. Unfortunately everything he did resulted in missed chances. Ronald displays the type of player the Swans haven’t had for years, in recent times trying to ponderously pass the ball in to the net was the preferred option.
These new players are a positive.
It really does tell us that there is an old guard at the club that needs to be looked at in the summer. If not to try and move them on due to contracts, at least bring in the strength and quality that fits this Luke Williams system. Players you can’t refuse but to play, regardless of others and their perceived position as automatic picks. We’ve seen what fresh blood can deliver, the only thing missing is someone, anyone - to step up and put the ball in to the net. I hear a certain Ukrainian is keen to give it a go.
Can’t be any worse than we saw today up front.