| Should we be smart, or noble? 02:47 - Apr 28 with 1083 views | Dr_Parnassus |
Now we have cemented ourselves in the play-offs with 2 games to spare, we have the luxury of looking ahead to our most favourable match ups and trying to achieve them.
I think the obvious one we want to avoid is Bournemouth who look likely to finish 4th, their squad is unbelievably strong and we haven’t even managed to score against them this year... in fact we haven’t scored against them in our last 6 meetings, losing 9-0 on aggregate accords those 6 meetings.
We cannot realistically face Barnsley, who we have done the double over this season and have an excellent record against.
Which leaves Brentford, who look likely to now clinch 3rd (meaning we have to finish 6th). Brentford’s squad is similar to ours in terms of depth and for me although we would be the clear underdog there, it’s a far more favourable match up than Bournemouth over 2 legs.
Whilst it’s frowned upon to not give your all, there is a clear argument there that it is better to finish 6th than to finish 4th or 5th and think ourselves and Barnsley may have that in mind. Barnsley currently have the upper hand in this “race to the bottom” as we have an 8 goal advantage over them.
It’s going to be an odd end of the season and how we approach it. I’m all for heavy rotation at this stage with a view to get what seems like a more favourable route to the Final. |  |
| |  |
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 06:44 - Apr 28 with 1042 views | jack247 |
I wouldn’t deliberately try to finish 6th to avoid Bournemouth. Would put us at a psychological disadvantage if we end up facing them. As a fan, I’ll happily admit they are the team I’d least like to play over two legs, I’m just not sure that’s the right mentality for Cooper to adopt.
At the same time, I’d want our ‘cup final’ team fully fit and rested for the 17th. I can’t imagine much more galling than Ayew, Guehi or Grimes picking up an injury in an effective dead rubber. I’d also be in favour of rotation. We’ve got enough Smiths, Latabaudieres, Whittakers and Dhandas to put out a reasonable team, Cullen probably needs minutes and it’s an ideal opportunity to blood a couple of youngsters. Hopefully both Coopers get game time. |  | | |
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 06:55 - Apr 28 with 1037 views | RonaldStump |
Why do everybody think Muff are football giants
A very ordinary Brentford beat them with 10 men last weekend.
We'll beat whoever is put before us
bookmark this | |
| |
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 09:17 - Apr 28 with 982 views | jack247 |
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 06:55 - Apr 28 by RonaldStump |
Why do everybody think Muff are football giants
A very ordinary Brentford beat them with 10 men last weekend.
We'll beat whoever is put before us
bookmark this |
This is the attitude I hope we take into the playoffs.
Re. Bournemouth, I’m just basing it on their two games against us and their recent form. I don’t watch their games, so don’t know what f they’ve been as good as their results suggest. | | | |
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 09:28 - Apr 28 with 970 views | MrSwerve |
I think it's too close to try and be smart and try to 'fix' who we play in the semis. It's a lottery at this stage.
Resting key players is a priority I think, with the odd cameo to keep them fresh. |  |
| |
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 09:35 - Apr 28 with 966 views | 34dfgdf54 |
Be smart. According to Cooper Ayew has had a set back, but I would imagine this is just playing the media game and to stop other clubs blaming him when we don't play Ayew for next two games. |  | | |
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 09:41 - Apr 28 with 962 views | sP7qupUf |
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 09:17 - Apr 28 by jack247 |
This is the attitude I hope we take into the playoffs.
Re. Bournemouth, I’m just basing it on their two games against us and their recent form. I don’t watch their games, so don’t know what f they’ve been as good as their results suggest. |
They were much better than us at Dean Court and, on the surface, at the Liberty. Yet at the Liberty they came into the game as big scorers on a great run whilst we have virtually all our defence out injured. Despite the possession stats they had one shot on target and Woodman was untroubled. | | | |
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 09:53 - Apr 28 with 952 views | Catullus |
We should be smart, but not the smart you espouse. We should be smart with team slelection, make sure the most important players get a break, have recovery time so they are fresh for the play offs.
All the rest of it will take care of itself. | |
| |
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 10:11 - Apr 28 with 945 views | jack247 |
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 09:53 - Apr 28 by Catullus |
We should be smart, but not the smart you espouse. We should be smart with team slelection, make sure the most important players get a break, have recovery time so they are fresh for the play offs.
All the rest of it will take care of itself. |
Cooper has just come out and said Ayew had a slight reaction after the Reading game, but should be fit for the playoffs. Taking that at face value, I’d have left him out of the next two games anyway.
Whittaker has flattered to deceive a bit for me, after an encouraging start. In fairness, he was brought in as one for the future. I’d like him to be told he’s starting the next two regardless and see if he steps up. I’d also like to see Oli Cooper, especially if he’s playing behind Cullen. We’ve got a lot of utility forwards, but would be nice to see how we do with a #9 and a #10. | | | |
Login to get fewer ads
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 10:14 - Apr 28 with 944 views | jack247 |
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 09:41 - Apr 28 by sP7qupUf |
They were much better than us at Dean Court and, on the surface, at the Liberty. Yet at the Liberty they came into the game as big scorers on a great run whilst we have virtually all our defence out injured. Despite the possession stats they had one shot on target and Woodman was untroubled. |
I agree. They were clearly the better team on both occasions though.
Maybe we don’t have to read too much into the game at the Liberty. It was three or four months ago and they’ve changed their manager since then. | | | |
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 10:40 - Apr 28 with 935 views | Badlands |
Rest a couple or three but work on partnerships if possible and planned subs.
Brining in Smith for Hourihhane with a few minutes left and defending a lead was asking for trouble.
Taking regulars out for youngsters / fringe players could backfire by putting extra pressure on the regular who do play. |  |
| |
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 10:41 - Apr 28 with 933 views | Joe_bradshaw |
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 09:53 - Apr 28 by Catullus |
We should be smart, but not the smart you espouse. We should be smart with team slelection, make sure the most important players get a break, have recovery time so they are fresh for the play offs.
All the rest of it will take care of itself. |
Yes, we should be. Cooper should be careful about what he says to the squad from now on. He needs the players that are about to get a chance to believe that if they put in outstanding performances then they will be in with a chance of playing in the play off games. He shouldn’t give the impression that we’re resting players for the play offs and there’s no chance of anyone else being considered whatever happens in the Derby and Watford games. |  |
| |
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 14:08 - May 1 with 770 views | KeithHaynes |
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 10:41 - Apr 28 by Joe_bradshaw |
Yes, we should be. Cooper should be careful about what he says to the squad from now on. He needs the players that are about to get a chance to believe that if they put in outstanding performances then they will be in with a chance of playing in the play off games. He shouldn’t give the impression that we’re resting players for the play offs and there’s no chance of anyone else being considered whatever happens in the Derby and Watford games. |
Smartly noble I would say.
Swansea City: Freddie Woodman; Connor Roberts, Ryan Bennett, Ben Cabango, Jake Bidwell; Korey Smith, Yan Dhanda, Matt Grimes (captain); Morgan Whittaker, Liam Cullen, Jamal Lowe.
Substitutes: Ben Hamer, Ryan Manning, Jay Fulton, Conor Hourihane, Wayne Routledge, Joel Latibeaudiere, Kyle Naughton, Ollie Cooper, Brandon Cooper.
Derby County: Kelle Roos, Craig Forsyth, Graeme Shinnie (captain), George Edmundson, Kamil Jozwiak, Martyn Waghorn, Tom Lawrence, Nathan Byrne, Colin Kazim-Richards, Matt Clarke, Jason Knight.
Substitutes: David Marshall, Max Bird, Louie Sibley, Eiran Cashin, Patrick Roberts, Lee Buchanan, Festy Ebosele, Kornell McDonald, Louie Watson. |  |
| |
| Should we be smart, or noble? on 15:55 - May 1 with 708 views | Dr_Parnassus |
Barnsley losing to Preston 2-0
Bournemouth losing to Wycombe 1-0
Going to be tough from here to get a favourable route with Barnsley facing Norwich last game of the season. [Post edited 1 May 2021 16:11]
| |
| |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
