Swansea City (H) League 1- Saturday 25th August 2007

[Burnside]

Let's not hide behind the linesman.

It was goal. Plain and simple.

They dominated 75 minutes of the game and had enough chances/

[OldPenkSaddler]

I think Bernie has completely stolen my words, I agree with him ad verbatim.

Boertian is a class above anything else we have.

In my opinion we should forget Byfield, we need to improve our central midfield pair as a priority. The game passed Sonner and Dobson by as they were up against quality players like Robinson and Pratley.

As Pedro says, its going to be a long old season unless players are brought in before 31st August.

Reality has set in. :shock:

[Neuromantic]

I think Bernie has completely stolen my words, I agree with him ad verbatim.

Boertian is a class above anything else we have.

In my opinion we should forget Byfield, we need to improve our central midfield pair as a priority. The game passed Sonner and Dobson by as they were up against quality players like Robinson and Pratley.

As Pedro says, its going to be a long old season unless players are brought in before 31st August.

Reality has set in. :shock:

Its true, wheres the 'Exciting strike force' ???????


Anyone know ?

[latviancheese]

Ishmel looked much more effective up front than on the wing, where he received almost no service. He again showed how right DD was to leave him out for 49 matches last season. NOT.

Why did you have to bring that up? Its boring now, stop going on about it.

Since you mention it then I will explain. Thank you for giving me the opportunity.

Ishmel showed he was good enough to play in the first team two years ago when he made 18 starts and was clearly as good as anyone else in the team.

Last season DD left him out of the first eleven for the first 49 matches, even from the Paint cup and also from the pre-season friendlies. When he actually gets a chance he shows that was a ridiculous nonsense to leave out a player with speed, skill and real potential.

Im not disagreeing or agreeing with you.

I just see why you cant GET OVER IT. You cant change anything. Stop being bitter.
That is why I am not going to stop going on about it.

[Purple Toucan Saddler]

Just got back. My thoughts as follows:

Ince - Didn't really put a foot wrong. No chance with any of the goals
Weston - Waste of space. At fault for first two goals. Not picking up his man, or getting the tackle in
Dann - Didn't deserve to be on the losing team. Usual immense performance by the youngster
Roper - Good, the bad and the ugly today. Why he decided to haul the player down for the penalty is beyond me
Boertin - Good game again. Caught in possesion once or twice, so may be has to keep an eye on when to get rid first time, and when to try an play.
Sonner - By far the better of the two centre mids, but still not able to control the game. Some nice passes though
Dobson - Pants, I would rather see someone else in there.
Wrack - Slow to attack, held the ball for too long at times, and the dreadful pass which ended up gifting them a penalty summed him up today
Hall - Useful at times, and a good assist for our goal, but an invisible man for much of the game
Ishy - Good game for the young un. Couple of wayward corners though
Butler - could have scored 3 or 4 today if he got a bit more power on his shots

Sonko - awsome volley saved off the line, but invisible for much of the time
Carnero - Again, did not show a lot
Fox - didn't have a lot of time to get into the game, but got forward well on at least one occasion

[WFC_Rob]

I feel like I've been here before. If we don't get a midfielder and a striker this week, we're doomed as far as I'm concerned. We set ourselves out to get a lead and keep it - if that fails, we haven't got a clue - see Dobson being replaced in consecutive weeks.

Ince - looked very dodgy. Came out of his area when he needn't have twice. We were lucky those mistakes didn't cost us. Flapped at a couple of corners. Clayton has my support and backing as he earnt it last season, but I have to say, he was far from convincing today. Having said that, there wasn't a lot he could do about the goals. The first two were very unfortunate but came about due to inept defending - simple as. The second one definitely crossed the line too.
Weston - Came up against a really lively winger today and was made to look like a poor defender. Last week I thought he was impressive. This week he looked out of place, much to the delight of the Swansea fans. Got done for the second goal.
Dann - Didn't do a lot wrong but looks like he can't trust Roper. Plays better alongside Gerrard in my opinion.
Roper - One of the worst performances I've ever seen from him. I hate to say it but I think his time is almost up. Won a few routine headers, but his decision-making and distribution puts us under constant pressure. He's too slow off the mark and consequently gives away avoidable fouls. Darren Wrack owes him an apology for his red card, but there was no way I was applauding Roper off the pitch after the performance he put in today.
Boertein - The only player who looked like he could cut it against a quality winger. My Man of the Match.
Hall - Decent enough but hasn't got the pace he once had, which leaves him often isolated in wide positions. Did well to set up Butler for the goal.
Dobson - I'm a Dobson fan but he might as well have been at home. Won a few good tackles early on but got walked all over by their midfielders after that. If he's not going to play all the time, take the captain's armband away from him. He struggles to play alongside Sonner as many predicted he would.
Sonner - another one who played well when he was given time on the ball, but they had pace all over and closed him down early. He just couldn't cope. Having said that, the number of times he had the ball but had no-one to pass to was embarassing.
Wrack - Made a few decent runs but you didn't really notice him on the pitch most of the time. Owes Roper an apology as his suicide ball put Roper in a position he couldn't handle.
Ishmel - Started brightly but did nothing after the first 10 minutes. They sussed him out and marked him tightly. We just didn't have enough quality in the side to make space for him to run into and supply him with the ball.
Butler - Worked hard but didn't really make an impact on the game. I'm not going to criticise him because we just weren't good enough to give him the ball. We're going to have to bring someone better than him in though if we're going to stay up.

Subs aren't really worth mentioning. Fox was hacked down after he did well to beat their fullback, Carneiro did absolutely nothing and Sonko had a brilliant volley well blocked on the line but generally didn't do anything else.

The worrying thing is that we've been made to look pedestrian by every side we've played so far. I'd rather take a gamble on a raw youngster from Blues, Villa, Albion or Wolves than see the likes of Carneiro making us a laughing stock.

Frustratingly, Money's hands seem to be tied. I can't believe that he wanted Carneiro and Sonko - Paul Taylor signed them. Until the manager is given a reasonable amount of backing from Bonser, we'll struggle. It's simply unforgivable for us to be put in the same position as we were in 2 years ago.

[GoNzO]

from todays performance if you ask me we need to sign some new players a forward,creative midfielder and maybe another right back

[ws3]

I feel like I've been here before. If we don't get a midfielder and a striker this week, we're doomed as far as I'm concerned. We set ourselves out to get a lead and keep it - if that fails, we haven't got a clue - see Dobson being replaced in consecutive weeks.

Ince - looked very dodgy. Came out of his area when he needn't have twice. We were lucky those mistakes didn't cost us. Flapped at a couple of corners. Clayton has my support and backing as he earnt it last season, but I have to say, he was far from convincing today. Having said that, there wasn't a lot he could do about the goals. The first two were very unfortunate but came about due to inept defending - simple as. The second one definitely crossed the line too.
Weston - Came up against a really lively winger today and was made to look like a poor defender. Last week I thought he was impressive. This week he looked out of place, much to the delight of the Swansea fans. Got done for the second goal.
Dann - Didn't do a lot wrong but looks like he can't trust Roper. Plays better alongside Gerrard in my opinion.
Roper - One of the worst performances I've ever seen from him. I hate to say it but I think his time is almost up. Won a few routine headers, but his decision-making and distribution puts us under constant pressure. He's too slow off the mark and consequently gives away avoidable fouls. Darren Wrack owes him an apology for his red card, but there was no way I was applauding Roper off the pitch after the performance he put in today.
Boertein - The only player who looked like he could cut it against a quality winger. My Man of the Match.
Hall - Decent enough but hasn't got the pace he once had, which leaves him often isolated in wide positions. Did well to set up Butler for the goal.
Dobson - I'm a Dobson fan but he might as well have been at home. Won a few good tackles early on but got walked all over by their midfielders after that. If he's not going to play all the time, take the captain's armband away from him. He struggles to play alongside Sonner as many predicted he would.
Sonner - another one who played well when he was given time on the ball, but they had pace all over and closed him down early. He just couldn't cope. Having said that, the number of times he had the ball but had no-one to pass to was embarassing.
Wrack - Made a few decent runs but you didn't really notice him on the pitch most of the time. Owes Roper an apology as his suicide ball put Roper in a position he couldn't handle.
Ishmel - Started brightly but did nothing after the first 10 minutes. They sussed him out and marked him tightly. We just didn't have enough quality in the side to make space for him to run into and supply him with the ball.
Butler - Worked hard but didn't really make an impact on the game. I'm not going to criticise him because we just weren't good enough to give him the ball. We're going to have to bring someone better than him in though if we're going to stay up.

Subs aren't really worth mentioning. Fox was hacked down after he did well to beat their fullback, Carneiro did absolutely nothing and Sonko had a brilliant volley well blocked on the line but generally didn't do anything else.

The worrying thing is that we've been made to look pedestrian by every side we've played so far. I'd rather take a gamble on a raw youngster from Blues, Villa, Albion or Wolves than see the likes of Carneiro making us a laughing stock.

Frustratingly, Money's hands seem to be tied. I can't believe that he wanted Carneiro and Sonko - Paul Taylor signed them. Until the manager is given a reasonable amount of backing from Bonser, we'll struggle. It's simply unforgivable for us to be put in the same position as we were in 2 years ago.

Are you getting sonko mixed up with someone else? I thought he contributed a fair ammount when he came on. At least he was getting stuck in.

[Neuromantic]

Frustratingly, Money's hands seem to be tied. I can't believe that he wanted Carneiro and Sonko - Paul Taylor signed them. Until the manager is given a reasonable amount of backing from Bonser, we'll struggle. It's simply unforgivable for us to be put in the same position as we were in 2 years ago.

At last, some sense!!!! TOTALLY AGREE 100% the emboldened part especially.

[WFC_Rob]

I feel like I've been here before. If we don't get a midfielder and a striker this week, we're doomed as far as I'm concerned. We set ourselves out to get a lead and keep it - if that fails, we haven't got a clue - see Dobson being replaced in consecutive weeks.

Ince - looked very dodgy. Came out of his area when he needn't have twice. We were lucky those mistakes didn't cost us. Flapped at a couple of corners. Clayton has my support and backing as he earnt it last season, but I have to say, he was far from convincing today. Having said that, there wasn't a lot he could do about the goals. The first two were very unfortunate but came about due to inept defending - simple as. The second one definitely crossed the line too.
Weston - Came up against a really lively winger today and was made to look like a poor defender. Last week I thought he was impressive. This week he looked out of place, much to the delight of the Swansea fans. Got done for the second goal.
Dann - Didn't do a lot wrong but looks like he can't trust Roper. Plays better alongside Gerrard in my opinion.
Roper - One of the worst performances I've ever seen from him. I hate to say it but I think his time is almost up. Won a few routine headers, but his decision-making and distribution puts us under constant pressure. He's too slow off the mark and consequently gives away avoidable fouls. Darren Wrack owes him an apology for his red card, but there was no way I was applauding Roper off the pitch after the performance he put in today.
Boertein - The only player who looked like he could cut it against a quality winger. My Man of the Match.
Hall - Decent enough but hasn't got the pace he once had, which leaves him often isolated in wide positions. Did well to set up Butler for the goal.
Dobson - I'm a Dobson fan but he might as well have been at home. Won a few good tackles early on but got walked all over by their midfielders after that. If he's not going to play all the time, take the captain's armband away from him. He struggles to play alongside Sonner as many predicted he would.
Sonner - another one who played well when he was given time on the ball, but they had pace all over and closed him down early. He just couldn't cope. Having said that, the number of times he had the ball but had no-one to pass to was embarassing.
Wrack - Made a few decent runs but you didn't really notice him on the pitch most of the time. Owes Roper an apology as his suicide ball put Roper in a position he couldn't handle.
Ishmel - Started brightly but did nothing after the first 10 minutes. They sussed him out and marked him tightly. We just didn't have enough quality in the side to make space for him to run into and supply him with the ball.
Butler - Worked hard but didn't really make an impact on the game. I'm not going to criticise him because we just weren't good enough to give him the ball. We're going to have to bring someone better than him in though if we're going to stay up.

Subs aren't really worth mentioning. Fox was hacked down after he did well to beat their fullback, Carneiro did absolutely nothing and Sonko had a brilliant volley well blocked on the line but generally didn't do anything else.

The worrying thing is that we've been made to look pedestrian by every side we've played so far. I'd rather take a gamble on a raw youngster from Blues, Villa, Albion or Wolves than see the likes of Carneiro making us a laughing stock.

Frustratingly, Money's hands seem to be tied. I can't believe that he wanted Carneiro and Sonko - Paul Taylor signed them. Until the manager is given a reasonable amount of backing from Bonser, we'll struggle. It's simply unforgivable for us to be put in the same position as we were in 2 years ago.

Are you getting sonko mixed up with someone else? I thought he contributed a fair ammount when he came on. At least he was getting stuck in.

He looked better than Carneiro and did show a couple of decent touches. The fact of the matter is, a coule of decent touches isn't good enough. Especially if you're going to hack someone down and get booked. He's shown more promise than his Portuguese team-mate, but I'm not going to settle for second-rate, which is what I get the impression he is. His opposite number (so to speak) Leon Britton was a class above. Mind you, you get what you pay for.

[loop]

IMHO we played very poorly today, Ropes wasn't at the races neither was anyone else to be fair, do agree though that i thought Sonko was ok when he came on.

Very fustrating game and we definately need a pacey midfielder and a decent striker this week.


:cry:

[WFC_Rob]

Frustratingly, Money's hands seem to be tied. I can't believe that he wanted Carneiro and Sonko - Paul Taylor signed them. Until the manager is given a reasonable amount of backing from Bonser, we'll struggle. It's simply unforgivable for us to be put in the same position as we were in 2 years ago.

At last, some sense!!!! TOTALLY AGREE 100% the emboldened part especially.

I'm glad you agree because we've got more to lose this time round. We have a decent manager as well as possibly the most valuable assets we've had for a while in Dann and Ishmel. I'm not saying I enjoyed us getting humiliated by whichever 11 players we came up against under Merson, but at least we were put in a position where we had to et rid of him. Even he was given more backing than Money's been given. Staunton, Kinsella, Devlin, Timm and the 46 other players he had to choose from are evidence of that.

As supporters, we're completely powerless until the people who matter wake up and smell the coffee.

[Wyrley_saddler]

To be honest, I like the look at sonko. I think he showed glimpses of what he can do. he was very unlucky not to score.

[Deano_Saddler]

very poor today, Weston was at fault for the 1st to goals, i'm a Wrack fan but has to be said he was the worst player on the pitch today. I thought Boertien was unlucky to be on the losing side. If we would have taken the chances we had we might have been able to get something out of the game. Ishmel was decent, he should imo be in the starting 11 next week again.

[BathSaddler]

From the O/S:

"as Carneiro came on in place of Hall, the game ended...."

Too right, it did :roll:

[ws3]

From the O/S:

"as Carneiro came on in place of Hall, the game ended...."

Too right, it did :roll:

:D

Mind you the reality is worse than that. The game ended about half way through the first half

[Codsall Saddler]

Frustrating at the moment as I feel we are a couple of players away from being comfortable in this league. I echo other views on the midfield - too slow and weak. teams will know this and outplay us there. Need a partner for Butler who did OK and played well in the heat after being ill.

Still created loads of chances against a good team. The penalty was the killer, although Ropes had been struggling against their front 2 all game. Scotland looks a class act - shows what you get for a bit of cash.

Not despondent yet though.

[Darlosaddler]

Frustrating at the moment as I feel we are a couple of players away from being comfortable in this league. I echo other views on the midfield - too slow and weak. teams will know this and outplay us there. Need a partner for Butler who did OK and played well in the heat after being ill.

Still created loads of chances against a good team. The penalty was the killer, although Ropes had been struggling against their front 2 all game. Scotland looks a class act - shows what you get for a bit of cash.

Not despondent yet though.

We could have signed him aswell but out of money's budget.

Can't see why though been as we had Samways, Merson, Kinsella, Osborn and Walker here a few years ago all on big money.

our tight arse chairman won't take a gamble and put his hand in his pocket!!

[WFC_Rob]

Frustrating at the moment as I feel we are a couple of players away from being comfortable in this league. I echo other views on the midfield - too slow and weak. teams will know this and outplay us there. Need a partner for Butler who did OK and played well in the heat after being ill.

Still created loads of chances against a good team. The penalty was the killer, although Ropes had been struggling against their front 2 all game. Scotland looks a class act - shows what you get for a bit of cash.

Not despondent yet though.

I think that's a sensible assessment. The fact that Dennis Lawrence and their left back were on the winning team says it all - I thought they were complete donkeys.
Your second bit supports what bitterly disappoints me. I can deal with Swansea paying more for players than us. I can't accept us being prmoised quality new signings and an "exciting strike partnership", both of which are yet to arrive though.

[Darlosaddler]

Frustrating at the moment as I feel we are a couple of players away from being comfortable in this league. I echo other views on the midfield - too slow and weak. teams will know this and outplay us there. Need a partner for Butler who did OK and played well in the heat after being ill.

Still created loads of chances against a good team. The penalty was the killer, although Ropes had been struggling against their front 2 all game. Scotland looks a class act - shows what you get for a bit of cash.

Not despondent yet though.

I think that's a sensible assessment. The fact that Dennis Lawrence and their left back were on the winning team says it all - I thought they were complete donkeys.
Your second bit supports what bitterly disappoints me. I can deal with Swansea paying more for players than us. I can't accept us being prmoised quality new signings and an "exciting strike partnership", both of which are yet to arrive though.

100% Agree but we all know why we have had false promise's don't we.

[Salford_Saddler]

Sonner and paul hall were well off the pace and should never put on a walsall shirt again.

lack of commitment from the pair of them!

Not good enough.

[Bristol Fan]

I'll go against the grain and say we weren't awful today, we simply came up against a very good team at this level and were punished for silly mistakes. Ince had his worst game for the club, Roper was utterly awful and Hall and Wrack were poor, but considering everyone says we didn't create chances, I'm sure we created about three or four times as many as Swansea (who will be right up there at the end of the season, for sure), we just didn't take them, through a combination of lack of composure and an excellent opposition keeper. Ishmel was truly exciting, especially when up front when he caused them all kinds of problems (mostly created entirely by himself since nobody else was doing it) before he was moved to the wing and didn't cause them so many problems. It's pretty depressing, because we lost quite heavily (and it should have been more heavy, with the number of Ince clangers and the absolute stonewall penalty the referee didn't give them when it was already 3-1) despite me thinking we weren't awful. I thought Sonko looked quite promising, Boertien was a class apart once again, Butler did alright, Demontagnac was excellent, Dann was solid again, and if we hadn't made silly individual mistakes we wouldn't have lost.

[Registered Saddler]

Agree with a lot of what was said above. In one way we were a bit unlucky to lose. Their goals were gifts, either via lucky deflections (first two) or the Wrack/Roper comedy hour in the second half. We had a whole host of chances - two off the line, one off the woodwork, Butler could have had four (and should have had more than one), their keeper made too superb saves. The ref didn't help - we should have had a late pen for handball, Scotland wasn't booked for diving and he bottled out of giving any decision against Lawrence when he hauled Ishy back in the first minute.

On the other hand, we need to learn from our mistakes and quick. Nearly scoring isn't good enough and for two matches in a row we're left kicking ourselves about missed opportunities. I also felt very let down by a couple of the performances today. Roper was not at the races at all, still looks too slow and not sharp enough, and how on earth he replaced Gerrard is beyond me. I thought Sonner was appalling today. I don't remember him playing a single incisive pass and the amount of times he gave the ball away was criminal. Worst of all, he just does not work. He never chases back, is second to everything in the tackle and spends the whole time falling over or trying to foul people. Unacceptable, Danny, and I would much rather see Dobson and Wrack in the middle if that's the best he can offer.

Still, I'm not too downbeat. I'm still fairly confident we'll finish in our midtable position I predicted in preseason. Ishy had a good game, Dann did ok, Boertien is classy and Weston is more than able at this level. We've had a look now at three of the better sides in the division (although I agree with Stu that Swansea's defence isn't anywhere near good enough to mount a promotion challenge). And I think we know now what we need to improve on to start winning. It'll come together, I'm sure of it.

[Stephen]

1-3.

Swansea will win. Dobson for Walsall.

I didn't mean it :oops:

[gray]

So dissapointed with the performance today. The first and third goal were mistakes that should have been dealt with simply. I'm not sure whether the ball was over the line for the 2nd and i don't think the linesman knew either.

Boertien looked fine and Dann,Ishy and Butler had good moments but apart from that it was very average. I have know idea what Roper was thinking when he hacked Scotland down......surely it would be better to let them score or take the chance that Ince would come out and tackle the striker, which we see him do a lot.

Also I think that Sonko did more in his 10 minutes than Dobson and Sonner did in the whole of the game. Worth a longer a look at I think.

Please sort out these simple errors lads and DD and we might have a chance of doing something this season. Otherwise it looks like we could easily make a quick return.

UTS

[Atomic Rooster]

have now watch carlisle and swansea and the big worry is the difference between them and us we are to slow the teams attack and pass the ball far quicker than us we look a yard slower than them we have got no pace in the centre of midfield no pace up front and if we dont get pace in our team we are in for long hard summer

[sack]

OK folks, in the after match press conferance today DD was asked if he would be bringging anyone in this week, and he sed NO thats NO, he sed i have faith in this group and i believe in them to turn it around. he also sed he would only have been able to bring in loans anyway and thats not over for weeks yet. o and he did mean it, you think he was kiding on if you like but he didn't look like he was lauthing to me.

[gray]

OK folks, in the after match press conferance today DD was asked if he would be bringging anyone in this week, and he sed NO thats NO, he sed i have faith in this group and i believe in them to turn it around. he also sed he would only have been able to bring in loans anyway and thats not over for weeks yet. o and he did mean it, you think he was kiding on if you like but he didn't look like he was lauthing to me.

fair enough I guess. If DD reckons the squad is good enough I'll give him the chances to show it. The most important thing in my opinion is to stop being so clumsy and making so many basic mistakes. No team in the World can cope with not defending properly and defenders getting sent off for the sake of it. I'm pretty pessimistic at the moment. We need to get back to our defensive roots of last season and work from there.

[Shy Tall Knight]

Team of mediocre journeyman donkeys beaten by an average league1 team. Collective brains and legs too slow particularly against a team that closes us down quickly. Going to be a real slog to avoid the 'R' word.

[BathSaddler]

OK folks, in the after match press conferance today DD was asked if he would be bringging anyone in this week, and he sed NO thats NO, he sed i have faith in this group and i believe in them to turn it around. he also sed he would only have been able to bring in loans anyway and thats not over for weeks yet. o and he did mean it, you think he was kiding on if you like but he didn't look like he was lauthing to me.

If that is the case, then it will be yet another short sighted decision which will come back to haunt the club.

If true, a terrible decision IMO, rendering the achievement of last season a total waste of time. :evil:

Unless it's a double bluff, of course...