Patience is paying dividends
SWANSEA have built up an impressive run of form. They’ve lost just one league game since August, lead the league in clean sheets and just recorded back to back wins for the first time under Russell Martin. They also happen to be an immensely fun team to watch.
Fans have been very patient since Martin’s arrival just a few days before the new season began, tolerating the mixed start to the campaign as a new manager and a raft of new players bedded in.
There were some questionable performances, disappointing results and no shortage of general teething problems but the Jack Army stuck by Martin and gave his project their full support. The past week saw that faith mightily rewarded.
Last Sunday the Swans demolished their bitterest rivals Cardiff City with a stunning 3-0 thrashing which flattered their hapless opponents. Even with five centre-backs on the pitch, the Bluebirds were torn to shreds by the energy, sharpness and creativity of their superior neighbours.
It was the kind of derby day mauling which Swansea fans dream of, securing three points while also handing the old enemy a footballing lesson. The smugness levels inside the Swansea.com Stadium last weekend were off the charts, a fanbase brimming with pride and schadenfreude in equal measures.
After such a thrilling performance, many fans feared a lull against a West Brom team who are among the favourites for promotion.
Less than a minute into the contest and it definitely felt like a case of “after the Lord Mayor’s show” as carelessness at the back led to an early opener for the team sat second in the Championship at kickoff.
But Swansea showed their character, persevered and turned it around in the second half with a flamboyant but feisty display against their much more direct and brutal opponents.
Against both Cardiff and West
Brom it was a case of beauty versus the beast and beauty triumphed on both occasions.
These were seriously impressive results but they were also so much fun to watch.
Swansea’s outrageous ball retention and pass completion stats have been well-publicised but for much of the season they struggled to convert this possession into goals. That’s no longer the case. They have players throughout the side who can make things happen, producing moments of brilliance to break down even the toughest defences.
The likes of Jamie Paterson and Joel Piroe have rightly stolen the headlines of late but throughout the team we’re seeing individuals express themselves.
The midfield has looked dynamic as well as solid, while the advanced runs of Jake Bidwell and in particular Ethan Laird give Swansea a constant passing option out wide.
Even the centre-backs are playing a valuable role in attacks. Kyle Naughton is pulling strings from the middle of defence while the more natural centre-backs also try to stretch the play. Nothing summed up the transformation in Swansea’s approach quite like Ben Cabango’s jinking run from the halfway line to the edge of the West Brom box, dodging countless tackles before eventually winning a free-kick in a dangerous position.
The results alone show us that Martin is building a side which can get wins in big games but he’s also building a team brimming with fun and for many fans that’s every bit as important as the results.
Steve Cooper, who’s had a phenomenal start to life as Nottingham Forest manager, did brilliantly in his time at Swansea, steering the club to consecutive top-six finishes. But he never seemed to get truly embraced by fans in the same way as other successful Swansea bosses. This was largely down to the functional, risk-averse style of play.
Martin came in with a clear goal to change that style. It’s taken time to develop a winning formula but there’s no doubt he’s brought entertainment back. Swansea supporters put a lot of emphasis on the way they want their side to play. We’ve been spoiled over the years so aesthetics are incredibly important to the fan base.
But they are not alone in their desire to see cultured, intelligent and creative football, as West Brom fans made clear on Wednesday night.
It was only the Baggies’ second defeat of the campaign but it was enough to unleash a wave of frustration among fans, who seem underwhelmed by their team’s style of play.
Manager Valérien Ismaël developed a winning formula at Barnsley last season where he unexpectedly led the Tykes to the Championship play-offs.
He’s brought these tactics with him to the Hawthorns and with 25 points from his first 13 games, it’s been pretty effective so far. But with the lowest pass completion rate in the division, the third most headers and the fifth most fouls committed, it’s fair to say the Baggies faithful haven’t been watching champagne football so far this season.
West Brom’s approach isn’t pretty but fans will tolerate it if their team is winning. However it invites criticism when wins turn to defeats and it often only takes one defeat for those pent up gripes to emerge. Rightly or wrongly, modern fans are much more patient with managers who strive to entertain than those who go down the uglier route.
Fans across the world want to be entertained. Winning in any fashion is great but there’s something extra special about doing it in style.
There will still be ups and downs and despite the two excellent wins against Cardiff and West Brom, Swansea fans shouldn’t get too carried away yet. But there is a definite sense that the fun factor has returned.
The Swans are playing some delightful football and scoring beautiful goals. Players and fans seem united in their enjoyment and a feeling is brewing that more great memories could lay ahead.