Tag Archives: The Liberty Stadium

Swans safe for another season despite meeting a pack of Wolves

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Who would have expected Wolves to suddenly find their teeth on Saturday at The Liberty?  Certainly not most of the sensible football betters that is for sure as well as our resident Swansea expert, Abi Davies.

Brendan Rodgers made two changes to the Swans side for Saturday’s fixture against Wolves, to that which had picked up 4 points from their previous 2 matches. Andrea Orlandi and Gary Monk were handed rare starts in an experimental 3-6-1 formation, meaning both full backs Taylor and Rangel were omitted.

Despite the formation’s potential, Swansea were too often left exposed at the back as a result of playing three centre-backs. With Gary Monk playing central and Williams and Caulker seemingly unsure of their roles as both played out in wider positions. Continue reading →

Swansea City show they have no respect for reputation or league position

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No Premier League team will have enjoyed their trip to Wales this season thanks to the form of Swansea City who have taken on all comers with their brand of exciting passing football.  Reputations and league position could for very little in these parts as Abi Davies tells us after the visit of Manchester City yesterday.

Having been defeated just 3 times in the league this season prior to Sunday’s fixture, Manchester City should have felt confident that they could retain their place at the top of the division by taking 3 points from a side they beat 4-0 on the opening weekend of the campaign.

However Swansea’s character, determination and growth in maturity was prevalent at The Liberty as the Welsh side played with an air of confidence and belief that meant they were not remotely overawed by their big spending opponents.

In a game where the pressure was firmly off Swansea and solely on their high flying counterparts, Brendan Rodgers side were presented with the games first chance when they were awarded a penalty after Joe Hart brought down Wayne Routledge, following a great move from the home side. Continue reading →

Heartbreak hotel at the Liberty

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There are few more disappointing things in life than conceding an injury time equaliser – well perhaps an injury time winner.  As a Lewes fan I have been used to seeing both this season, but Abi Davies hasn’t had the privilage…until the 93rd minute yesterday.

Heading into the game on the back of consecutive away defeats, Swansea City were hoping to return to winning ways when they welcomed Chelsea to The Liberty on Tuesday night.  Condemned to just a solitary defeat at home so far this season, Swansea should have had optimum confidence going into the fixture against Villas-Boas side.

Having made 10 changes for the weekends FA Cup tie at Bolton, Brendan Rodgers restored the side that started Swansea’s last league game at The Stadium of Light.

The visitors, without John Terry due to a knee injury, lined up with a centre back partnership of Luiz and Ivanovic. A highly perplexing decision given Chelsea’s recent signing of Gary Cahill, who had to settle for a place on the bench despite Villas-Boas stating that the Londoners would be a far greater force to be reckoned with, due to the recruitment of the English defender. Continue reading →

The Strictly Come Passing Show comes to the Liberty

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Strictly Come Passing was the headline of the email Abi Davies sent me last night with her match report and who can argue.  Possibly the finest win the Swans have ever had in front of a global audience of millions will have put them firmly on the map.  Even the usual Wenger moaning after the game couldn’t detract from a fantastic display of football.

Following two successive victories away from home, Swansea City were looking to continue the form that had seen them defeated just once in their last seven prior to Sunday’s fixture.

Given the calibre of Swansea’s performances thus far in the top flight, the majority of Swans fans were optimistic ahead of the game despite the Welsh side being written off by the majority of pundits.

With Swansea possessing mass strength in depth throughout their midfield, Brendan Rodgers had many options at his disposal for Sunday’s game, and opted to reinstate Joe Allen in place of Andrea Orlandi whilst Kemy Agustien and Leon Britton retained their places in the side. Continue reading →

Swans make light work of the Cottagers

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Our very own Abi Davies has returned to the Earth’s orbit after a celebratory weekend toasting the pride of South Wales.

Suffering their sixth defeat of the season at Ewood Park last weekend, I felt Saturday’s fixture against Fulham was an important game for Swansea to win given that their next two games are away from home against incredibly stern opposition. However coming up against a Fulham side full of confidence having claimed a 1-0 victory over Liverpool on Monday night, Brendan Rodgers’ side knew that taking 3 points from Martin Jol’s side would be no mean feat.

The Welsh side were without influential midfielder Joe Allen as he served his match suspension following the red card received last week. Luke Moore was the player to benefit from Allen’s absence as he made his first Premier League start for Swansea.

Having been drafted into the side last weekend in place of the injured Danny Graham, Lita retained his place in the side to face Fulham despite Graham’s availability, meaning Swansea’s top scorer had to settle for a place among the substitutes.

The Swans were bolstered by the return of Steven Caulker who had been out of action since September’s defeat at The Emirates due to damaged knee ligaments.

The visitors got the game under way, and following a slow start the home side began to enjoy the better spells in possession early on as they controlled proceedings, not allowing Fulham to settle into any rhythm. Continue reading →