Let’s see what future has in store
ON THE face of it, Swansea have little to play for in the final weeks of the season, but that isn’t strictly true.
With the historic South Wales Derby “double” in the bag, one would expect the players and coaches to have one eye on their summer holidays for the rest of the campaign.
After all, the Swans are hovering around mid-table, 25 points clear of the bottom three. And while the playoffs aren’t a mathematical impossibility, there is no realistic chance of making the top six.
The final seven games therefore seem meaningless in the grand scheme of things, with nothing to decide other than their status as an upper or lower mid-table side.
Russell Martin’s men won’t be involved in any relegation or promotion battles, but the next month is still a big opportunity for the squad to end the season on a high and start preparing for the next campaign.
Often at this time of year, clubs look forward to playing sides in Swansea’s position because in theory they should already be on the beach. With nothing to play for, they’re expected to be a softer touch than those who are fearing for their lives or fighting for promotion.
But if the past two games are anything to go by, that won’t be the case for the Swans. Last week they battered Cardiff 4-0, outclassing their biggest rivals in a show of force nobody could have foreseen.
An “after the lord mayor’s show” type performance was anticipated by many as they travelled to Millwall on Tuesday night. How could the Swans possibly match the energy, focus and clinical edge seen at the Cardiff City Stadium, after such an incredible occasion?
Well, there was no sign of any derby day hangover as the Swans produced one of their most confident and assured performances of the season.
Their passing and movement was stunning as they consistently played their way around Millwall’s energetic and physical press.
An instinctive, but fierce, Joel Piroe finish ensured the three points travelled west from one of the toughest grounds in the division. Nobody had lost fewer home games than Millwall this season, until Tuesday night.
Swansea’s season has been one of ups and downs, but arguably their two best displays have come in the past week.
Many of the building blocks for the victories against Cardiff and Millwall have been there all season. The high possession stats and incredible passing accuracy have been present all along. The same can probably be said of the creativity and finishing touches in the finals third, seeing as only Fulham and Bournemouth have scored more goals from open play than Swansea this season.
But during the past two games we’ve also seen new attributes which have been in short supply for most of the season.
Swansea’s passing was sharper and speedier, with more purpose. The team still lacks raw pace, but they compensated for that by moving the ball faster while retaining a high degree of accuracy.
The team has been guilty at times of keeping the ball well without moving it in a way which causes problems for the opposition. That definitely hasn’t been the case this week.
The team has also retained a defensive solidity and focus which has been sorely lacking at times under Russell Martin.
All too often we’ve watched the Swans’ backline exposed, stretched to breaking point by the simplest of opposition attacks. At times, we have shot ourselves in the foot with poor judgement at the back and a lack of protection from those further up the pitch.
Against both Cardiff and Millwall the defence was well-structured and assured. Whenever their opponents managed to beat one defender, there was always a covering player ready to tidy up.
The defence was switched-on, ready for any physical battles and read the game brilliantly, meaning Andy Fisher received excellent protection in the Swansea goal.
Things seem to have clicked since the international break and the Jack Army is now brimming with positivity.
The next task will be to sustain this form over the coming weeks.
I have always felt that finishing a season strongly helps boost morale for both the squad and supporters ahead of the following season. It really makes a difference if players depart for their holidays in high spirits and return for pre-season full of positivity.
Almost all their remaining games are against teams who still have a lot to play for, whether it’s Derby, Barnsley and Reading, who are all battling for survival, or Middlesbrough, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest, with their eyes on the Premier League.
Swansea will be able to test themselves against a variety of teams who will all be desperate to win. These matches are great opportunities to build on the success of recent games.
After a long season of ups, downs, false dawns and nearly moments, there is a fresh feeling that the jigsaw pieces may be falling into place.
It’s now up to the players to make sure the final month of the campaign is put to good use.
Without any pressure on their shoulders, they can now work on further perfecting the brilliant football witnessed in the last two away games.
Starting today against troubled Derby County, the Swans have the chance to finish on a high and give supporters a feeling that there are exciting times ahead.