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

[Phil_G]

Sonner and Dobson are too similar and far too slow, but to be fair were given no support at all by Wrack and Hall whose contribution rhymes with their surnames (Wrack Hall).

[PT]

First 15 minutes we were great and only a great save from a fantastic Ishy effort stopped it from being 2-0 and we'd have had a completely different game.

They score with virtually their first attack. Weston had a mare (a super-mare even) and was at fault for the first two goals-allowing far too much time to his man.

I thought Sonner worked hard - I'm not surprised a Swans fan thought he was decent he carries our midfield. Talking of which it is time that Darren Wrack took some real responsibility. He shirks tackles, drifts inside (often depriving us of an attacking option and/or leaving us horribly exposed) and is an absolute panic merchant on the ball. I wish that I could have put in one good year at work and then had the subsequent nine years on the ale with a pat on the back for my loyalty.

Confused as to why Ishy moved wide after causing their centre halves real panic while he was down the throat. If I were them I'd have been delighted to see him sent out there.

I'm still fairly balanced about the season. We have created enough chances to win all of our games this season, so parts of our play must be up to scratch, we are just having some panic stricken moments in the areas that really matter.

It was actually a highly entertaining game of football that we came out the wrong side of. We will have days when the opposite happens, but my lasting memory of the day will be the heartfelt tribute both sets of players and fans paid to a lad who would have loved just one chance to show-case his talent on that pitch, with those players in front of those fans.

[Registered Saddler]

We have created enough chances to win all of our games this season, so parts of our play must be up to scratch, we are just having some panic stricken moments in the areas that really matter.

Perfect summary.

[Bernie]

DD has already given twelve month contracts to seven new players this season - Mooney, Sonner, Hall, Carneiro, Sonko, Weston and Boertien.

DD has always known his budget and chosen to spend it on two full backs, three midfielders and two forwards. Last season's second year apprentices were all given pro-contracts and of course two good prospects, Ishmel and Scott Dann were given extended deals.

We have been told that his budget this season was going to be the same as it was last year when we were in the division below, with no provision for inflation. Nine contract players left during the close season: Wright, Taylor, Pead, Keates, Westwood, Sam, Lyall, Cederqvist and Bedeau. I suppose it is reasonable to assume that the savings on those contracts have been taken up by the seven new signings plus the money spent on the young players.

There is no point in moaning about lack of investment. The club cannot spend more money than it earns, and needs to pay off some more of its debts this year.

[King Crimson]

For what they're worth, my player ratings:

Boertien - 5. Nothing going forward at all and occasionally caught out of position when Swansea attacked down our left. Better option than Fox though.

Roper - 6. Decent performance until the sending off. Not the quickest on the turn but never looked in any real trouble. Given no chance when sent off, but maybe should have just let the guy go (he could have fluffed the chance).

I'd love a more detailed breakdown on how Roper had a better game than Boertien. I thought Boertien was the classiest player we had on show today.

By the way, I could do a Carneiro: grow my hair and fail to score across Europe.

Best team won today. We need to learn why, fast, and move on.

[Geordiesaddler]

I would sum up today thus (having missed my first league game of the season).

"Walsall weren't at their best, UTS was at its worst"

Onward to Gillingham, and then Vale, games that will give us a very real indication or our problems should there really be any.

Moaners enjoy your week like pigs at the trough, I'll just see you at Priestfield via the Livingstone Arms.

[redsaddler]

My player ratings and thoughts from today:

Ince: Looked uncomfortable on crosses in second half and kicking was wayward at times. Unlucky with their first two goals and had no chance with the penalty. 6.

Weston: Found Robinson a bit of a handful especially in the first half. Improved slightly after the break but backs off too much. 5.

Roper: Frankly, he was all over the shop. His passing and tackling was nervy to say the least and a terrible lunge on Duffy led to him seeing red. 4.

Dann: Sponsors MOTM and probably so. Did things the simple way, cleaned up a couple of Roper errors and saw a goalbound header cleared off the line. 8.

Boertien: Caught out a couple of times in the first half, but improved a little after the break. However, he did very little going forward. 6.

Hall: Set up the goal and saw a looping header hit the corner of crossbar and post. Apart from that he contributed next to nothing despite playing up front after the break. 6.

Dobson: Why on earth does he keep looping the ball into the channels where most of the time there is no one there to race after it? Again, he was off the pace. 5.

Sonner: Mis-timed tackles and mis-placed passes were all too frequent and his reactions seem to be really slow such as looking for a pass or ball forward. 5.

Wrack: Seemed to cover every inch of grass but to no avail. Clumsy in possession and more or less set up their third goal with an awful square pass. 4.

Ishmel: A decent first half in which he mixed some good running and trickery before fading after the break. Went close with a fierce shot early on. 7.

Butler: Finished off a good move with a well-taken goal early on but apart from that contributed little. A couple of late chances went begging. 6.

Subs:

Sonko: Had a fierce shot blocked on the line. Otherwise did very little. 5.

Fox: Had little impact despite making a couple of decent runs. 5.

Carneiro: Had very little time to do anything when the game was already lost. 5.

Referee: A bit of a mix. Got the penalty decision spot on but why didn't he book Scotland for his theatrical dive in the area late on? Couldn't see whether Scotland's shot had crossed the line or not but the linesman seemed adamant it had! 5.

Overall, it was a bit of mixture of poor defending, slow reactions by the midfielders and a bit of bad luck which contributed to this defeat. Still, let's not be too downbeat, because we've got to pick ourselves up for a couple of very important games in Gillingham and Port Vale as a quick glance at the league table suggests these games are six-pointers even at this stage of the season.

Up The Saddlers!

[sack]

as i've sed we don't even compete with clubs with similer attendances anymore, and our commercial activity were supose to mean we better them, all clubs have some debt you know, its simple where and what does this club want to be, if thats a pathetic bottem third league 1 club, then just be honest about it and i'll for 1 sod off else where. this team just isn't good enough in my opinion so i'm saying so and if thats not popular tough, i want better and truly believe walsall can afford it, i'm just not sure if the people at the top still want the same any more. there guttless and weak and thats y we are in this mess in the first place. y do players like neil killkenny go to flaming oldham when we are just down the road, its not just him local managers never let there promising players come here, odd for a club thats supposed to have all its fundamentls right and in place. we are considered a joke by most, and it breaks my heart to say i'm starting eventually to see y. carry on being nieve if you like but you will see it in the end. thank you and good night.

[danksy9]

lets just sum this match up in one word 'shambles'

Ince - clueless with what was happening and at times wasn't commanding enough

Weston - Never a fullback in a million years spent most of the match in the center of defence hence why the winger had all the time in the world.

Sonner's only got one speed and thats extra slow , his passing never change's it either goes sideways or straight to the oppostion.

Butler - other than his goal did hardly anything , i couldn't even say he was 2nd best to everything cause he wasn't , missed to guilt edge chances as well when we was 3 - 1 down.

Dobson - Looked F****d

Hall - showed he's still got a few tricks up his sleve but hasn't got the pace to beat his man with them.

The linesman was a complete joke who hadn't got a clue what planet he was on and the same goes for the ref.


As has been said RM is now happy with his squad and thinks this team will keep us up and compete in the league , all i can say is you live by the sword and you die by it and unless something changes and very soon we'll be back where we started last year

[Plastic Hawk]

For what they're worth, my player ratings:

Boertien - 5. Nothing going forward at all and occasionally caught out of position when Swansea attacked down our left. Better option than Fox though.

Roper - 6. Decent performance until the sending off. Not the quickest on the turn but never looked in any real trouble. Given no chance when sent off, but maybe should have just let the guy go (he could have fluffed the chance).

I'd love a more detailed breakdown on how Roper had a better game than Boertien. I thought Boertien was the classiest player we had on show today.

By the way, I could do a Carneiro: grow my hair and fail to score across Europe.

Best team won today. We need to learn why, fast, and move on.

Seems most people were in agreement with you, but I thought that Boertien took the easy options today. He didn't appear to be as stretched as the rest of our defenders because he wasn't ever going out of his comfort zone. Roper looked clumsy a couple of times when he dived in putting his body on the line for the cause - but, apart from the red card, not actually fouling (Scotland dived when he got booked). He made at least one excellent block early in the second half as a Swansea player lined up a shot (from Boertien's zone actually). Boertien seemed more concerned with making sure nothing that went wrong could be pinned on him individually (hence not going forwards, even when we were losing, so he wasn't out of position - although he still was a couple of times). Personally I'd rather have someone in there who's prepared to risk a little damage to their own ego for the team.

As I say, that's just the way I saw it - and judging from the comments I seem to be in the minority...

[PT]

i'll for 1 sod off else where

Well, I for one wouldn't.

WFC forever (and I mean it)

[Walsall_fan1992]

I thought todays game was an acceptable performance, considering the tragic death of Anton which would of caused alot of distress and lack of preperation , it had a lot of positives.

Swansea were very lucky with all 3 of there goals, a deflection, a lucky shot which hit ince, and a terrible pass by wrack.

We had two shot cleared off the line, hit the bar and and many chances where we could of scored.

If only butler could of finish, he had 3 great chances aswell as the goal.

Sonko looked ok from what i saw, great volley and Boertein looked very good.

Dann was brilliant today and i think roper needs to get used to playing again, he's usually bad at the beginning of seasons.

Wrack just seems out his depth, no pace, no skill, just there.... along with the rest of midfield, we were just 2nd too the ball all the time. Hall, Sonner, Dobson and Wrack - All slow and 2nd too the ball.

Ishmel was superb today, made some great movements and passes and his defencive side of the game of improved.

If only we had some-one who could finish...Deeney anyone?

[Duke]

My thoughts.

Ince - although the first goal took a deflection , I felt he should have done better otherwise steady.

Weston - at fault for first 2 goals , very slow at closing down and challanging opposition forwards. to be fair to the man he's not match fit and improved in the 2nd half.

Boertien - Quality .

Dann - Quality .

Roper - very much an UnRoper like perfomance , not at his best

Hall - started very brightly , but faded out of the game /

Dobson - not at the races , poor .

Sonner - nice touches , but never stamped his authority on the game.

Wrack - very poor , not just because the 3rd goal never in the game ,poor distrabution

Butler - had enough chances to have at least double his tally , nice to have him back.

Ishmel - very good start , but as Hall faded , his best position in on the flanks imho.

Subs,

Sonko - first time i've seem him . liked him look forward to see more of him.

Fox - couple of nice runs , would like to see more of him in a central midfield role , the Dobson/ Sonner in midfield is not working and Wrack is not the answer.

Overall i'm not hitting any panic buttons just yet, individual errors cost us , plus none of the big decisions went our way.

[WFC_Rob]

Fox - couple of nice runs , would like to see more of him in a central midfield role , the Dobon/ Sonner in midfield is not working and Wrack is not the answer.

I don't think he should be ruled out this early. The only chances he's had to play there this season have been when we've been losing and chasing the game. I'd be tempted to give him a start. After all, Money has all but admitted things aren't right in there by taking Dobson off 2 games in a row.

[Plastic Hawk]

Fox - couple of nice runs , would like to see more of him in a central midfield role , the Dobon/ Sonner in midfield is not working and Wrack is not the answer.

I don't think he should be ruled out this early. The only chances he's had to play there this season have been when we've been losing and chasing the game. I'd be tempted to give him a start. After all, Money has all but admitted things aren't right in there by taking Dobson off 2 games in a row.

Wrack's done nothing to justify selection anywhere on the pitch for about five years. Surely the last thing we want to be doing is putting him somewhere where his posing can do any more damage than it did today.

[Duke]

Fox - couple of nice runs , would like to see more of him in a central midfield role , the Dobon/ Sonner in midfield is not working and Wrack is not the answer.

I don't think he should be ruled out this early. The only chances he's had to play there this season have been when we've been losing and chasing the game. I'd be tempted to give him a start. After all, Money has all but admitted things aren't right in there by taking Dobson off 2 games in a row.

Wrack's done nothing to justify selection anywhere on the pitch for about five years. Surely the last thing we want to be doing is putting him somewhere where his posing can do any more damage than it did today.

so very glad someone else feels exactly the same as me , 1 good season when he first joined us .he's still living off that.

[coxy_saddler]

Right..

Dobson and Sonner - Awful..They got battered by Swansea's midfield, Swansea's number 8 was a class act he was just strolling at times and still too good for sonner and dobson. Way too slow they was.

Wrack - Terrible..That ball he gave away for when roper had to bring the chap down..Who in the hell passes a ball stright across to a swansea player when he had options to his left ?

Paul Hall did alright up front had a few chances.

Ishmel - Superb when he was up front set the goal up looked dangerous..Money put him to left midfield and we never saw much of him again.

Weston looked alot better last week robinson had him most the game.

We missed mooney i think..Some of the chances butler had he should of burried second half. We need something soon..

[Duke]

I said before the season started that this squad isn't good enough and was shot down in flames when idiots were saying that we were gewin up. lets face facts we are in for a struggle and please don't shout at me and the likes of tinned for telling the truth rather than blind optimism. we have been here before and desperatly need to strengthen the squad.

Blind optimism we had at the start of last season , blind optimism we had through our bad run last season , Its not blind optimism its called having faith in our manager.
You see things differently to me fair enough , thats doesn't make you right and doesn't make me an idiot.

UP THE SADDLERS

[colcfa]

I think that probably every team we play against will ensure that their game will be based on pace, movement off the ball quick passing and supportive running by the midfield, because we can't cope with this.
When our midfield players move forward, they cannnot get back quick enough to cope with the inevitable counter-attack,
this means that that our 'slowish' central defenders will always get turned and runs can be made into the spaces.
Given the players we have and select, our game has to be based on winning the ball, posession and moving it wide for either the full backs or wide men to create chances to get a cross in for the forward players in the box.
Unfortunately our distribution particularly from the centre of defence is not good or accurate so most of our attacks and their origin will be sussed out by opposing managers.
It doesn't bode well.

[SaigonSaddler]

Fox - couple of nice runs , would like to see more of him in a central midfield role , the Dobon/ Sonner in midfield is not working and Wrack is not the answer.

I don't think he should be ruled out this early. The only chances he's had to play there this season have been when we've been losing and chasing the game. I'd be tempted to give him a start. After all, Money has all but admitted things aren't right in there by taking Dobson off 2 games in a row.

Wrack's done nothing to justify selection anywhere on the pitch for about five years. Surely the last thing we want to be doing is putting him somewhere where his posing can do any more damage than it did today.

so very glad someone else feels exactly the same as me , 1 good season when he first joined us .he's still living off that.

Sorry, nonsense.

[Ned_Kelly]

Fox - couple of nice runs , would like to see more of him in a central midfield role , the Dobon/ Sonner in midfield is not working and Wrack is not the answer.

I don't think he should be ruled out this early. The only chances he's had to play there this season have been when we've been losing and chasing the game. I'd be tempted to give him a start. After all, Money has all but admitted things aren't right in there by taking Dobson off 2 games in a row.

Wrack's done nothing to justify selection anywhere on the pitch for about five years. Surely the last thing we want to be doing is putting him somewhere where his posing can do any more damage than it did today.

so very glad someone else feels exactly the same as me , 1 good season when he first joined us .he's still living off that.

Sorry, nonsense.

Sound's like he must be very good at pulling the wool over succesive managers eye's

[SaigonSaddler]

I would sum up today thus (having missed my first league game of the season).

"Walsall weren't at their best, UTS was at its worst"

Onward to Gillingham, and then Vale, games that will give us a very real indication or our problems should there really be any.

Moaners enjoy your week like pigs at the trough, I'll just see you at Priestfield via the Livingstone Arms.

Fricking too right mate, trust me moaners; watching Walsall can get a lot worse than this! Why not save some of the really embarrasing, humiliating public panic for when things get really bad? :lol:

Here's a option: Why not treat defeat with defiance and brush it off without attacking the very fabric of the club?

[Burnside]

Yesterdays tripe beats some of the dross ive seen over the last 19-20 years.

[Maverick]

Yes we have problems,yes we were exposed,but for crying out loud we are just a few games into the season,new league,partially new squad,do we need to panic to the extent we are.I saw enough from yesterdays game(hopefully) to not worry just yet.

UTS

[Registered Saddler]

as i've sed we don't even compete with clubs with similer attendances anymore, and our commercial activity were supose to mean we better them, all clubs have some debt you know, its simple where and what does this club want to be, if thats a pathetic bottem third league 1 club, then just be honest about it and i'll for 1 sod off else where.

byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I, for one, will support this pathetic club for the rest of my life.

[Ned_Kelly]

as i've sed we don't even compete with clubs with similer attendances anymore, and our commercial activity were supose to mean we better them, all clubs have some debt you know, its simple where and what does this club want to be, if thats a pathetic bottem third league 1 club, then just be honest about it and i'll for 1 sod off else where.

byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I, for one, will support this pathetic club for the rest of my life.

Very true Reg. We can all moan and groan, some more than others. But could i sit at home every saturday and not go to a match or even worse, go somewhere else. Not a chance

[tape66]

I would sum up today thus (having missed my first league game of the season).

"Walsall weren't at their best, UTS was at its worst"

Onward to Gillingham, and then Vale, games that will give us a very real indication or our problems should there really be any.

Moaners enjoy your week like pigs at the trough, I'll just see you at Priestfield via the Livingstone Arms.

Fricking too right mate, trust me moaners; watching Walsall can get a lot worse than this! Why not save some of the really embarrasing, humiliating public panic for when things get really bad? :lol:

Here's a option: Why not treat defeat with defiance and brush it off without attacking the very fabric of the club?

Hear Hear.

After the initial disappointment from watching yesterday's game, I now feel on reflection that this team can do something in this league. We created plenty of chances, OK to they amounted to nothing but chances they were. Three games in and "the moaners" are already spreading their doom and gloom.
When this team gels (oh and booing them will really help their confidence) they will be more than able to hold their own against most of the trams in this league. Three games in and I have not been impressed by any of our opposition yet, and certainly feel that we have not been played off the pitch.
Keep the faith, keep the spirit, give your support.

[Ned_Kelly]

Hear Hear.

After the initial disappointment from watching yesterday's game, I now feel on reflection that this team can do something in this league. We created plenty of chances, OK to they amounted to nothing but chances they were. Three games in and "the moaners" are already spreading their doom and gloom.
When this team gels (oh and booing them will really help their confidence) they will be more than able to hold their own against most of the trams in this league. Three games in and I have not been impressed by any of our opposition yet, and certainly feel that we have not been played off the pitch.
Keep the faith, keep the spirit, give your support.

You've still got Roper's speed in your mind ain't ya :D :D

[Goose277]

i'll for 1 sod off else where

Well, I for one wouldn't.

WFC forever (and I mean it)

I know I've been away for a couple of weeks but did I slip into a time vortex or something?? I was under the impresion we're only 3 games in.

Lost against the current league leaders, drew against second place and lost to Swansea (as usual) and you're on about sodding off. I'm going to presume this was a knee jerk reaction but if not.....close the door on your way out.

I'm with you PT......WFC FOREVER

[tape66]

Hear Hear.

After the initial disappointment from watching yesterday's game, I now feel on reflection that this team can do something in this league. We created plenty of chances, OK to they amounted to nothing but chances they were. Three games in and "the moaners" are already spreading their doom and gloom.
When this team gels (oh and booing them will really help their confidence) they will be more than able to hold their own against most of the trams in this league. Three games in and I have not been impressed by any of our opposition yet, and certainly feel that we have not been played off the pitch.
Keep the faith, keep the spirit, give your support.

You've still got Roper's speed in your mind ain't you :D :D

He ay that fast :D