Why Can't we play like Swansea ?

[Wycombe Royal]

Anyone would think that Swansea are running away with this league and we are fighting against relegation if they hadn't seen the league table.

[SteveRoyal]

Just a thought - in a way, Reading's set up is, at times, the same as Swansea. Swansea occasionally like to get it to the wings and cut inside/cross into the box, which is our main tactic. However, Swansea often stay wide, keeping their position and using the full width of the pitch, something I'd like to see us do more often, as it stretches the opposition and leaves more room in the middle for that killer pass (ie. get Marek in).

[Great Knolly]

If we played with both wide players staying wide - i.e. standing on the touchline, the way the Swansea players were - then we would have to play 4-5-1 or we'd get overrun in midfield.
I think our defeat at Swansea was largely down to tactics. Once Marek came on and we played a sort of 4-5-1, we did start to compete.

One other thing. Swansea were great to watch against Fulhman and were unlucky not to win. But they didn't win, and still may end up going out.

[Bucks Dave]

I thought Dyer had a great game yet he is on loan from Southampton because they didn't rate him as a regular team player. What he oozed was confidence as did the rest of the Swansea team and just like we did for two seasons recently.

I think we sometimes do not rate the confidence factor high enough for professional footballers since I simply do not agree that player for player Swansea are better than us. And that is what the best managers instill. Coppell in the past has been superb at this, not just with us but at Palace, Brentford and even Brighton, which is why he can take non stars and create a team where the whole is better than the parts. Armstrong for example could not get a regular game with the Blades.

Can he still do it? If we get promoted, yes, if we don't, then no and despite the club wanting to keep him I think he'll move on. I am more than happy to give Coppell another chance.

[loyalroyal4life]

we should of gone in for dyer, would of been a decent acquisition.

Maybe we can bring him and surman in the summer

[Geekins]

This is from Peter Beagrie and talking about which of the two side of the top 3 will go up...

http://www.skysports.com/experts/expert ... 04,00.html

If you look at recent results it would appear that the pressure is starting to mount on the top three in the Championship.
Reading have only won one game in their last four, Birmingham have won one in six and Wolves have only picked up one victory in their last eight league games. In comparison to early-season form that's a pretty poor series of results.
But all three clubs can seek solace in the fact that they have all had a dip in form at the same time and they are still in touch with each other.
Yes, there are a few warning signs and the managers at all three clubs will be looking to put things right as soon as possible. But with the prize being so great, there was always going to be a period in the season where these three teams wouldn't have everything their own way.
In such a competitive division the lower-placed teams can often beat the top teams - and can even take Premier League scalps as we've seen in the cups.
Those three are there to be shot at, but I will still be really surprised if the automatic promotion places aren't filled by two of them at the end of the season.
There is strength in depth in all three squads and the managers have the ability to freshen their sides up if they need to, a luxury the chasing pack don't have.
You could argue that the leaders Wolves are the least well equipped to cope with the pressures of getting over the finishing line because they're a much younger squad. Birmingham and Reading have players who've been in this situation before and have been involved in big games both in the Championship and the Premier League.
I've written in this column on numerous occasions how important it was for Reading to keep hold of their talismanic striker Kevin Doyle and the influential Stephen Hunt. Their reward for retaining those matchwinners will be a better points tally.
Doyle has scored goals in a promotion-winning team before and has also achieved in the top flight, so the next time a ball is passed to him in a good position he won't be worrying about the size of the prize. With experience you get focus and you tend to make the correct decisions - that could be imperative in the run-in.
Birmingham also have a lot of experience and, on paper, the two chasing teams are better equipped, but rarely are things quite so black and white.
People often talk about the value of experience in these situations, but the rawness and energy of youth can also be invaluable. Sometimes young confident players don't over-think about things and go into games with no fear.
Mick McCarthy has groomed a young team, but he realises the need to strike a balance and I has added a little bit of experience, particularly at the back.
But as Sir Alex Ferguson has famously proved, you can win big titles with young players. Until the last match of the season we won't know whether Wolves can once again disprove the idea that "you don't win anything with kids".
Armoury
Personally I think Wolves have enough in their armoury to go all the way. They have a tough away game at Burnley this weekend, but they have some breathing space over their rivals and I think they will have enough because of the pace and youthful exuberance in the squad.
The two wide players Matt Jarvis and Michael Kightly give them an extra dimension and the fact they have committed their futures to Wolves, along with Andy Keogh, might turn out to be a decisive factor.
Those three young players have shown faith in the management and in the club and clearly think they are going to be playing in the Premier League with Wolves. That could have the same impact as a new signing and might give Wolves the shot in the arm they need to secure promotion.
At the moment I'm tipping Birmingham to miss out. They've got the most experience and the biggest squad, but there is still something missing. I don't see the fluency at Birmingham that I see in the other two.
Furthermore, I'm a winger, I'm a crowd-pleaser and I like to see entertaining football. I would like to see the entertaining play of Reading and Wolves rewarded so perhaps I'm speaking with both my head and my heart when I tip those two for promotion.

[Ian Royal]

depends what league we're in.

[cmonurz]

Swansea have won 4 out of 14 games.

[Maguire]

Swansea have won 4 out of 14 games.

Two out of 13 in Nov and Dec.

LOL@ this love-in. They're not fricking Brazil. They're not even as good as us.

[CMRoyal]

Swansea are like us in the first 8-12 games - attractive but fragile, and prone to drop silly points as a result. They do go some way to explaining why SC has seen fit to start grinding out results as the season's progressed.

Having said that, if they keep hold of Martinez and the best players, they could storm the division next season, as we did in '06.

[Archie's penalty]

Swansea have won 4 out of 14 games.

Two out of 13 in Nov and Dec.

LOL@ this love-in. They're not fricking Brazil. They're not even as good as us.

An emphatic +1

[Alan Partridge]

Sorry, but I must say if you can't appreciate how they go about the way they play more than anything then you can't be a football fan. Any fan of the game wold enjoy the way they try and play. It might not be the most effective way of playing in this division (as they aren't in the top 2.....yet) but in terms of entertainment and skill, it's right up there with any other team around.

[Archie's penalty]

Sorry, but I must say if you can't appreciate how they go about the way they play more than anything then you can't be a football fan. Any fan of the game wold enjoy the way they try and play. It might not be the most effective way of playing in this division (as they aren't in the top 2.....yet) but in terms of entertainment and skill, it's right up there with any other team around.

True. I think they play nice football. But they do not play amazing football and we do not play awful football.

Some. perspective. please.

[Alan Partridge]

Sorry, but I must say if you can't appreciate how they go about the way they play more than anything then you can't be a football fan. Any fan of the game wold enjoy the way they try and play. It might not be the most effective way of playing in this division (as they aren't in the top 2.....yet) but in terms of entertainment and skill, it's right up there with any other team around.

True. I think they play nice football. But they do not play amazing football and we do not play awful football.

Some. perspective. please.

I don't think anyone said Reading play awful football, it's more effective than Swansea's has been because Reading are 11 points clear of them. It's also confidence and Swansea's is bound tobe up because they haven't lost in a while, they also have no expectation so it's easier for them to play with total freedom. There is far more pressure on Reading and Birmingham being ex Prem sides.

I think as fans we should appreciate and applaud the way Swansea have gone about their business this year but that's it really. I don't think it's realistic to expect Reading to play the same way as them, I must say I envy it a little having seen it firsthand on Saturday but ultimately it's a results game. If Reading finish in the top 2 and above Swansea after 46 then they area better team,simple as that. I do think however Swansea would be far suited to Premiership football more thanmost, Reading included.

[Hoop Blah]

Swansea have won 4 out of 14 games.

Two out of 13 in Nov and Dec.

LOL@ this love-in. They're not fricking Brazil. They're not even as good as us.

As much as I don't believe in the plethora of stats appearing on here recently, in all competitions since the turn of the year they've played 8, won 6, drawn 2 and lost 0.

Over the season they've obviously not accumulated as many points as us so far, but they do have the look of a very able and confident side...especially when compared to us!

[Maguire]

Swansea have won 4 out of 14 games.

Two out of 13 in Nov and Dec.

LOL@ this love-in. They're not fricking Brazil. They're not even as good as us.

As much as I don't believe in the plethora of stats appearing on here recently, in all competitions since the turn of the year they've played 8, won 6, drawn 2 and lost 0.

Over the season they've obviously not accumulated as many points as us so far, but they do have the look of a very able and confident side...especially when compared to us!

Form is temporary, class is permanent. Blah blah.

I'm not saying they're a bad side, but good football is winning football, and we've done more winning this season than they have.

People can knock one out over intricate triangles and patient play from the back if they like, and I admit it's pleasing on the eye, but it doesn't compare to sticking the ball in the back of the net.

[West Stand Man]

Form is temporary, class is permanent. Blah blah.

I'm not saying they're a bad side, but good football is winning football, and we've done more winning this season than they have.

People can knock one out over intricate triangles and patient play from the back if they like, and I admit it's pleasing on the eye, but it doesn't compare to sticking the ball in the back of the net.

Thank God for that. I was beginning to think that I was the only one who felt that way. Points make prizes, beautiful football doesn't guarantee points. I'll settle for the points and league position if there has to be a choice - and it seems that whatever the view is of Swansea's style they are still behind us in that reckoning.

[Hoop Blah]

Agreed on the effective/winning football side of things, just pointing out the REAL FACTS for those who are looking at the 2 wins in 14 or whatever it was you two were quoting.

The one thing I would say is that I've always believed that the best way to suceed is by playing 'better' football that is harder to perfect as it in turn becomes harder counter. We've been very effective for most of this season but I think our results have flattered our performances many times this season (as they probably have for many sides) and if we were capable of playing a bit more football like Swansea so we could mix it up with our more functional and direct approach we'd be a better side for it.

[Stranded]

A lot of what is being said about Swansea here reminds me of comments made by other sides about us in our first year in the Prem.

Just waiting for someone to call them a breath of fresh air.....

[Sun Tzu]

The one thing I would say is that I've always believed that the best way to suceed is by playing 'better' football that is harder to perfect as it in turn becomes harder counter.

The Arsene Wenger school of thought ?

I actually think that the best teams are able to strike a balance between 'pretty' and 'effective'. Man Utd have that balance pretty well Arsenal try too hard to play perfect football and Chelsea have become a bit too 'functional'.

Isn't one problem that there is no one definition of 'better' football. Wimbledon didn't play beautiful football but they were incredibly successful. Half the Championship play nice triangles and create long passing moves but don't win games.