Patience paying off for Swans and Ntcham
PATIENCE has been the key for Swansea City fans so far under Russell Martin.
The faith shown by the Jack Army is beginning to be rewarded as the Swans have now won four of their last five matches having previously secured just two victories from their first 11 league fixtures.
The road ahead remains a long one, but Martin’s XI is looking settled at present following three disrupted months due to a combination of fitness, injury and Covid-19 issues.
Olivier Ntcham is now in a position to become a permanent fixture in the starting line-up, although the Frenchman has and will continue to be treated with kid gloves.
Fitness issues along with a hamstring injury suffered at Fulham have hampered the 25-year-old’s progress at the Swansea.com Stadium so far this term.
Ntcham is yet to complete a full match for the Swans. He has been withdrawn in seven of his 10 outings for the club while he was sent on from the bench at half-time in his other three appearances.
His impact as a substitute in each of the matches against Luton Town, Cardiff City and West Brom was telling.
Ntcham produced a vital goal-saving tackle when Swansea were 3-0 down at Luton before going on to play a starring role which included scoring his maiden goal for the club as Martin’s men staged an astonishing comeback to claim a point.
He also helped Swansea maintain their high levels of control against the Bluebirds after being summoned from the sidelines before once again dazzling in the second half as his side came from behind to beat West Brom 2-1.
“Oli is someone who straight away probably puts a bit more fear into an opposition team,” Martin said after the comeback triumph against the Baggies.
“He’s technically so gifted, he’s physically very gifted, he has everything he needs to play at the very top, he’s just had a difficult year.
“We’re lucky we’ve got him here, it’s about getting him fit and ready to play 90 minutes as quickly as we possibly can. He’s had no pre-season. He will get better and better.”
Martin’s promise of Ntcham’s inevitable improvement has well and truly rung true.
However, the key remains to get the attacking midfielder in a position to play 90 minutes week-in week-out.
Ntcham has not played the duration of a match since featuring for Celtic in their 4-1 Europa League defeat to Sparta Prague on November 26 last year.
That in itself significantly improves his record of two goals in 10 matches for Swansea, with his strikes against Luton and Peterborough now meaning his tally works out at a rate of one goal in every 3.1 games.
“I know Olivier from my time at Man City and I can certainly vouch for all of those characteristics in terms of him as a person, and his playing record is there for everyone to see in terms of the level he’s played at,” said sporting director Mark Allen in September.
“He ticks those characteristics of athleticism, pace, power, all of those things that we want to try and acquire under Russell’s management.
“I think he’s got everything here. I think it’s a perfect fit for him.”
Fans already think “special” Ntcham is electric thanks largely to the unexpected things he’s done on the pitch following his free transfer from Celtic.
The club have long had their minds made up about the ex-manchester City, Genoa, Celtic and Marseille man, and, after needing more time, the Jack Army are only too aware that there’s lots and lots to see from the number 10.
WALES defender Chris Mepham looks set to play at left-back for Bournemouth against Swansea tomorrow after insisting he was willing to play “anywhere for the good of the team”.
The 23-year-old international, a centre-back by trade, lined up on the left of defence in place of the injured Jordan Zemura during the Dorset club’s 2-1 defeat to Preston at Vitality Stadium.
Mepham has not started a game for Scott Parker’s charges since a 0-0 draw with Hull City in August. He has played right-back earlier in the campaign against Nottingham Forest, Birmingham and Blackpool.
Asked about stepping in at left-back, he said: “Obviously it’s not my natural position but anywhere for the good of the team, I will play.
“The manager spoke to me before the game, said he was going to put me there and that he’s got confidence in me playing there. “That was good and I’d rather play than not play. “There had been a lot of games this season where I have come on and tried to help us see games out.
“I got given a start on Wednesday, albeit out of position, but I think wherever you are given an opportunity it’s important you try to take it and give a good account of yourself – that’s all you can do.”
Goals from Ben Whiteman and Ali Mccann ensured the Cherries were handed their first league defeat of the Championship campaign.
The Dorset side are now two points clear at the top of the table, ahead of Saturday’s visit of Swansea.
Mepham told the Daily Echo: “The fact we had been 15 games unbeaten is a massive achievement. There has been a lot of hard work that has gone into that.
“Now it’s just how we react from Wednesday. If we let our heads drop and feel sorry for ourselves – that’s the worst thing we can do.
“We will just use this as a learning experience, an opportunity for us to get better. We have got a perfect opportunity on Saturday to put things right.
“It’s been an unbelievable start to the season but this is our first test, a test of character and I know we’ve got a group of lads that will brush it to one side and move on.”