Swansea City are on an impressive run of form and undefeated matches. Albeit the previous two games really should have been wins increasing the total points tally by four. That aside the swans go in to this game as confident as they have been all season, and determined to finish the season well.

Middlesbrough have far more to play for with their sights on the play offs, however not scoring in the last four games is an issue. Score no goals you get no wins is a simple theory, and Chris Wilder seems to have run out of that wonderful period of time all new managers have, the honeymoon is over. Not with every Boro fan of course, but many now are frustrated with no goals and no wins since April 2nd.

Speaking to a Boro fan living in Sketty, Grant Sharpe he thinks the low travelling support numbers are down to that lack of faith that Boro have the ability to make the play offs let alone win them. January Swansea target Folarin Balogun has played sixteen matches with a three goal return, his loan period from Arsenal not as successful in his goals scored that everyone hoped.

It’s pretty much a game that Middlesbrough have to win, we can expect goals, not only because of that fact but because the swans defence can go to sleep at a moments notice. We saw that at Reading on Monday. With all that put aside the home side have been scoring goals, the last time they drew a blank was over a month ago against Birmingham City at the swansea.com. That was six games ago, and twelve goals have been scored in that time.

Swansea City technical development coach Matt Gill talking about the game tomorrow said “We have watched the game back from Monday, the first sixty / sixty five minutes was outstanding and that is something we have spoken about, being the team we want to be away from home, and you have seen that in the recent games against Millwall and Cardiff. But there is a lot to learn from that final thirty minutes and we’ve felt a lot of pain over last couple of days. But we will learn from it and become better from it. It does not make it easier to take, there have been sleepless nights since, but you do learn when you go through these things.”

It’s good to hear the squad are reviewing what was a pretty horrendous last thirty minutes in that 4-4 draw.

Chris Wilder this morning said “ We haven’t been mullered by anybody, we’ve got the ball in a position we want it to be, but we haven’t been brave enough to take the shots. Tension grows, pressure amounts, there’s enough good play in those last four games to show we are not out of form. We’ve been all right, but the crosses have been ridiculous. The longer it goes on people tighten up, we have to get over that”

On the way his side will travel to Swansea Wilder was slightly annoyed the way his players are treated,mot may be how they don’t see the privileged position they are in. “In a way, we will have talks about discipline. We are in an incredible position, they get treated with honesty. We are demanding, we all fall short. Me included. They play football in the top end of the championship, so get on with being a player. We are too precious about what the players think. Their kit is laid out, they get fed, they train on manicured pitches, they get more nice food, then get on a plane and fly to Swansea. They get picked up by a coach, go to a beautiful hotel that’s all they have to do. Get the performance right. We are far too precious about the players, how do they feel ? How do they think ? I couldn’t give a flying ( expletive ) just be a good player and get on with your job”

Indications of a lack of harmony at the club ?

“I’m looking at the body language, look at Chris Waddle, he looked like he didn’t care, if my players didn’t care they wouldn’t be playing for me. It’s not brilliant at the moment, there’s still a hell of a lot to play for. The players have to find their moments, we need to take a little bit more courage”

The swans have some proving to do for this game after the collapse at Reading, and by the sounds of things Chris Wilder will explode if he gets the same type of attitude from his players tomorrow.

Swansea City v Middlesbrough kicks off at 3pm at the swansea.com stadium tomorrow afternoon.

Photographs open source

Badlands added 14:24 - Apr 22 The defence can go to sleep but more relevant is the fact our effective defensive midfield is usually only one player and the wing backs forget the back section of their job description.
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