Swansea City v Newcastle United - Official Build Up / Matchday Thread

hba

 

I too expect to lose there but its not a foregone conclusion. Its a tough call which one you place greater precedence on. I just like the idea of trying to win both by managing the squad. I think it is easier to rest on Wednesday because of the oppo having such a tough schedule and a couple of big injuries in Bony/Michu. It could backfire of course because they are still a very good side.

 

If we kept a balanced head and accepted that both fixtures are tricky and a point from both is probably as good as it gets, then it can't really backfire. I would also just prefer to see the squad managed. Either way, this bubble of ours has to burst at some point - I'll be interested to see how the fans deal with it when it happens...

 

There is of course only one way to deal with it...Pardew out!!

 

He shouldn't be but Pardew is in a no win situation on Wednesday if we don't get at least a draw. Reason being if he doesn't make changes and we lose people will criticise. And if he does make changes and we lose people will still criticise.

He must make changes in my opinion. If he doesn't I'll have a moan. However if we lose, even if we get smashed (I don't think that'll happen) then there should be zero calls for his head etc. He's performed well of late and has proved that he deserves the full season.

A return of 2 or more points would be very, very good. However, there is really no better time to be playing Swansea, they've had 3 games in 6 days and their two main strikers are missing.

 

He can't win but I still hope that doesn't deter him from being brave. I think making changes is the bold thing to do. It suggests you believe in the players not currently playing, and also that you can go to Old Trafford and get something. That may be foolhardy but its a good mentality to have.

 

^^^^^^

Gives the fringe players a bit of confidence knowing that they're not always going to be bench warmers.

 

Completely agree.

The best thing to come out of this winning streak is it allows the supporters to have some balance when we do drop points or perform badly. I'm one of the main culprits at times when we're only 3-5 points off the bottom and we lose and play badly. Panic sets in because people naturally worry about relegation etc.

I'm 100% confident we won't go down this season and as such bad performances/dropped points are not as much of a disaster. They're still a disappointment of course but there's no need for the panic mode to set in.

I'm with you, the bold move would be to bring in Ben Arfa, Anita and maybe even MYM (not sure if 3 games in a week is good for Colo as he's only just returned). Not wholesale changes, but just enough to keep us energetic. It also helps to prevent teams from second guessing us. If we continue to play 4-4-2 with the same 11 every game other managers will find it easier to formulate plans to stop us.

Have to be honest and say as much as 4-4-2 has served us well in the last four games I'd like us to go 4-3-3 for Swansea. It would surpise them and also prevent Moyes from knowing our set up for the Man Utd game. I doubt Pardew will do this though as changing the team and losing people could forgive/understand. If he changed the entire shape and we lost people would really get on his back. It is something I'd like to see us do for this game though.

 

My team would be:

Debuchy--Willo--Mbiwa--Santon
Gouffran--Tiote--Anita--Ben Arfa
------------Cisse--Remy----------

Listening to Pards today though, we sound almost certain to be unchanged.

 

Agree.

And agree.

 

What's he said today?

 

"I have had a few knocks on my door this morning from players who want to play," Pardew said.

"Steven Taylor, Hatem Ben Arfa, Papiss Cisse, Vurnon Anita, Jonas Gutierrez are all not playing at the moment, and they are desperate to play.

"We have got - which we didn't have last year - real competition for places, and that does bode well.

"I have empathy for them, but at the minute, they have got to wait for their chance.

"I wouldn't call them fringe players by any stretch of the imagination. I would class them as first-team players who are actually out of the team at the minute.

"They have an opportunity and, like Williamson has proved, if you get an opportunity, then I will show faith and keep picking the player. Everybody has got an opportunity, an equal opportunity.

"It's the same for Hatem as it is for Steven Taylor, frustrating. Steven came out of the side through injury and now he is finding himself blocked in.

"Mapou has done unbelievably well, in my opinion, and was left out. I was so disappointed to leave him out, and yet in front of him is Williamson, who has been terrific, so it's very, very difficult for players.

"You have just got to hope that the chance comes and you take it, and that's why you have to work hard on the training ground, like we have this morning, with those guys so they are ready and when their chances comes I can show faith in them because the team keeps winning."

 

Ta

Too many games in a short period normally results in a glut of injuries so I hope he does tweak it, even if it's just two players. Having said that though he does see the players every day in training and will/should know their capabilities.

Let's hope he gets it right.

 

In Pards we trust..............

 

You do anyway.

 

Just been gifted a ticket!
Not looking forward to the train down mind.

 

Hell of a site better than the coach journey.

 

.... what about the second half?

 

We'll keep a clean sheet and score another seven in the second half after Pards pep talk.

 

Completly agree. Lets remeber that we are currently above both teams and we want to keep it that way. Not just be content with keeping ahead of the swans but lets npt worry abour utd because they will eventually overtake us. We will never get anywhere like that.