S25/26 | The Official Match Thread | Swansea 2 Middlesbrough 2 | Att: 18,168 | 6th April | The EFL Championship | The Swansea.com Stadium

[JackSomething]

Forgot to say in my earlier post that I thought we were great at the 'dark arts' of the game today. Played the referee much better than usual and got the decisions we should have, rather than obvious dives that we've seen too much of this season.

Our players were doing really well at making contact with them without giving away free kicks, knocking them out of their rhythm and making things difficult for them without making it too obvious. We've been overly naive in this area in the past, so hope this continues.

 

[Londonlisa2001]

Matos ethos is all about fitness Lisa, I think Fulton will be released and maybe Franco (controversial).
Basically I think Matos will come into his own next season with a free hand on signings (Portugal/ Spain)

Fulton has just signed a new contract and I don’t think anyone else will match what he’ll be on with us.

Franco may be. Personally I’d (unpopular) probably cash in on Galbraith rather than Vipotnik if that’s the choice. We have better midfield cover than forward cover. Plus it’s easier to get a midfielder than a forward!

I wouldn’t have said that even a couple of months ago, but Vipotnik’s overall game is improving rapidly. His lay off play has improved beyond recognition for example, so I’m seeing how he can fit in more than I could even a month or so ago.

Fitness though isn’t enough to get us anywhere. It is against the lesser teams but not against those who are more proficient. We can see that in our results to be fair.

At Liverpool it could work as that Klopp team had a large number of technically fantastic players, who could control and pass and find space at speed. Even when pressed they could find a ‘out’ to get away from it.
Finding those at our level is difficult. We have some technically good players but combining that with speed and the other team pressing and it falls apart and we end up lumping it or being badly caught in possession. There was one occasion today when it happened with Franco and we almost paid for it.

Running around with loads of energy and press won’t get us past the best teams in this division. We need something more as well. Finding the right blend will be difficult but next season should give us a much better idea of what we are trying to do.

 

[Londonlisa2001]

I'm in line with the edge of the 18-yard box at the South Stand end of the stadium, so wrong end for a good view of the penalty decisions. During the game, I thought our first penalty was stonewall, a stupid challenge by the Boro player. I thought I saw contact on Eom's leg for our second and was telling my son how stupid the goalkeeper was to do that, having got him away from the goal already. For their penalty, I thought their player initiated the contact and that it was incredibly soft.

I wondered how much of that was my bias as a Swans fan. Having just watched the highlights, I think I was correct on all three. It says something that we got two penalties yet still ended up being screwed over by the officials.

I think you were spot on with all three.

 

[Menston4128]

Agreed; I feel too many of our fans have made their minds up on Ronald and he can no longer do anything right in their minds.

A few games recently I’ve thought he’d been good. But the same fans just kept bashing him.

Ronald just frustrates when on the ball. Prime example his the tendency to run right into the player rather than knock the ball past the player (basically invites the player to win the ball), I can't understand why he keeps doing this!!

 

[jack_lord]

we don't have a penalty for ever and we have 3 in two games and then the ref gives Middlesboro a point. Entertaining today but also a bit scrappy and Boro are not good enough for the automatics but then again we would have said that at the start of the season when we were unlucky not to get anything up there. They have a couple of great players but Ipswich have had the momentum at the right time.

How many do we want Southampton to score tomorrow?

 

[Whaleoilbeefhooked]

His pace and pass accuracy stood out to me. His first game with us I believe in a year. I think we got to keep playing him there now till end of season. Maybe not have Cullen. Ronald seemed to do well with him. Matos was over the moon when Parker came off with his performance.

My only question, why have we waited so long to play him? Even in the pre match Sky interview matos said it was in the club’s ethos, to use the academy players.

 

[Michu78]

Ronald just frustrates when on the ball. Prime example his the tendency to run right into the player rather than knock the ball past the player (basically invites the player to win the ball), I can't understand why he keeps doing this!!

Ronald is the first player for me that needs to go in the summer. Every attack in which he is a part of ends up in groans.

 

[malc]

Ronald made a big difference when he came on .
Brought a balance to the the team that was badly missing .
Yes he is frustrating to watch he does everything the boss wants of him ,
Keeps the width helps out the fullback ,
Yesterday did well offensively a couple of crosses into the box .
Involved twice into the attack which saw Cullen bring out a good save from the keeper .

 

[malc]

Good to see Ricardo Santos in the squad yesterday .
Hope he has some game time before the end of the season with a World Cup to look forward to if selected .
We could play a back 3 with a chance to play Vp & Idah .

 

[Whaleoilbeefhooked]

Ronald made a big difference when he came on .
Brought a balance to the the team that was badly missing .
Yes he is frustrating to watch he does everything the boss wants of him ,
Keeps the width helps out the fullback ,
Yesterday did well offensively a couple of crosses into the box .
Involved twice into the attack which saw Cullen bring out a good save from the keeper .

At least one fan rates him.

 

[malc]

Good to see the young Jacks having a good time , we'll done all who took part ,
I'm sure a special day to remember .
The Family Stand looked full , great offers for youngsters .