A 4-1 loss, but at least we know what to do in a fire drill!

Stamford Bridge, a fairly small-looking ground with little character and zero atmosphere generated by the home crowd. Now, I know there are no prizes or points for having the best fans, nor is there a relegation get-out clause for singing the loudest, but I think the traveling Jacks would put a good case together if there were! It really is disappointing to go to the likes of Chelsea and witness 40,000 home supporters on their butts saying naff all.

Before the game we went to The Mitre, a great little pub which used to be my local when I worked in Fulham. We were the only Swans supporters amongst plenty of Chelsea but the atmosphere was friendly and we had a decent chat with some of their supporters.

The ground itself is in a really weird location, where all the fans seem to have to bottleneck to get in and out. A policeman’s reply when asked what would happen in the event of a fire was ‘I don’t know. Run?’ And he was being remarkably serious.

On the pitch the Swans started well, battling for every ball, but after 20 minutes Chelsea had most of the possession and it was really only a matter of time before they scored. A fine piece of skill by Fernando Torres gave the Blues a one-nil lead and a second shortly after following some poor play which lead to a decent break away and finished off by Ramires. It really does go to show that in this league, one small mistake will be punished.

Next up was Torres’ moment of madness. The man is a genius. Or not, as the case may be. Why, five minutes before half time, two-nil up, on the half way line, would you put in such a stupid tackle? Maybe he was terrified at the possibility of Mark Gower skinning him, and the subsequent ridicule by all Swans fans and probably Chelsea too? Or perhaps he needed to get back to the training ground by 4pm in order to master his shooting from the edge of the six yard box? Who knows? Perhaps you could tell us Fernando? Anyway, just for being an idiot, get off the pitch. And why exactly the home crowd thought a potential leg-breaker deserved a round of applause I have no idea.

The second half saw us having a bit more possession of the ball in the traditional Swansea way. Granted, Chelsea were down to ten men, but hey. If Dyer’s deflected effort which hit the bar had gone in, it could have been a very different game. But it didn’t, so it wasn’t.

We can take some positives from the game, and we did score our first away goal which will give the team confidence and at least gave the traveling support something to cheer about (and more to sing about).

Don’t get me wrong, I want the Swans to stay up just as much as the next person, but I’m a realist too. This was Chelsea, away. No, the performance was not fantastic, but the likes of Mata and Ramires did a fine job of snubbing out our midfield, which stopped us playing. A lot of Swans fans often complain that we are not given enough credit by the opposition when we win at home. Usually we’ve outclassed a team and their manager comes out and says ‘we were awful today’ when in fact it was us that made them look awful. Today, Chelsea controlled the game and didn’t allow us to play, even when down to ten men.

Ah well, we should be too despondent about this result or performance. We don’t need to win games like this to stay up. Besides, we did sing the loudest. Do we win a prize?

Next up at the Liberty, Stoke City. It going to be an incredibly tough game against a strong, physical side. Let's hope we can get three points and avoid any more potential leg-breaking tackles.

Jack

A buffoon, a fat man sandwich and 3 goals

September 17th, 2011. More history is made by Swansea City. Sorry, I take that back, we didn't 'make' history. We absolutely SMASHED it! The Premiership's first goal by a Welsh Club, first goal outside England and the first win outside of Englnad... by a Welsh Club!

Leaving the Liberty on Saturday I couldn't help but feel an immense sense of pride in the City, football team and fans. Which sadly, is more than I can say for the minority of West Brom fans who decided to spoil a poignant minute's silence with an idiotic chant. With my benefit-of-doubt hat on, I do think the clowns in question were coming up the stairs onto the concourse, but how they didn't sense they were entering a silenced arena is beyond me. And it's not as if it wasn't heavily publicised that it was happening. I tried to forgive them for this, until the moment they decided to cheer and chant when Neil Taylor was face down on the turf, clearly unconscious. I'm unsure as to where exactly the official 'line' is for football fans (is there one?!) but this definitely crossed it. As did the pillock Odemwinge who decided to wind the Swans fans up, still while Taylor - whom he just clattered - is unconscious in the penalty area. If I am honest, I don't mind players having banter with the crowd. At the end of the day, they take a hell of a lot of abuse, so giving a little back can be expected. But taunting the crowd when there is an opponent on the floor, who's clearly very badly injured, is disgusting and should be sanctioned. Peter Odemwinge, hang your head in shame, you buffoon.

Back to the game now where it must be said that we tore West Brom a preverbal new bum hole. Even though I expected a Swansea win and did in fact predict we'd score 3 or more goals, I expected more from a team managed by Roy Hodgson. I spent a fair amount of time working at Craven Cottage while he was there a couple of years ago and he usually plays with an organised side who actually play some nice football. I saw none of this. I know they were missing two key figures in Tamas and Brunt but they pose any trouble throughout the match. The only time they seemed to have opportunities were when we made mistakes and gifted them the ball.

Swansea on the other hand were a class above. Confident on the ball, precision passing, strong in tackles and most importantly clinical in front of goal! Leroy Lita looked sharp playing the lone striker role (even if he does possess quite possible the worst touch I have ever seen - hang on, not as bad as Rory Fallon) and never gave up. Most importantly, he now challenges Ashley Williams for the biggest guns at the club after his shirtless celebration. Please Leroy, we are aiming for a place in Europe via the Fair Play League, so no more celebrations like that. You can arm-wrestle Ash if you want, but please, keep your shirt on. Thank you.

Leon Britton, take a bow son. Impeccable performance where I don't think you put on foot wrong. Mark Gower, you impressed me lad. After that FA Cup tie against Fulham two seasons ago I wrote you off. I sit here happily eating humble pie after you've shown me that you can cut it at the highest level. No, they weren't Man United or Chelsea, but you cut the mustard son.  Is that even a saying?

This blog post may be descending into a state of madness now as unfortunately I have been forced from my comfortable table-seat on a train to being at the centre of what can only be described as a fat-man sandwich on the back seat of a damp, musty smelling coach. I'm sure First Great Western apologise for the inconvenience, but not half as much as they should be apologising for my decent into a sandwich filling.

However, I'm still feeling somewhat jubilant knowing that Swansea City are out of the relegation zone. Happy days. And West Brom remain rooted to the bottom of the league. Shame.

Final word goes to Brendan Rogers. Brendan, you're the man!

See you all at Chelsea Jacks and Jackesses, where we will keep the dream alive! Not too far for me to travel, 5 stops on the district line. Lovely jubbly.

Jack

Prediction: Chelsea 3 - 1 Swansea

Alan Tate, Arsenal, Wales, Transfer Window - A week without football.

Isn't it funny what can happen in the space of a week? Well, not exactly funny. Not for Alan Tate. Or Arsene Wenger.

Our team of Alan Tate's that we all dream of has been dealt a massive blow as it will not feature the man himself for at least 6 months. The daft bugger didn't break his leg in a crunching tackle against Lee Cattermole or indeed whilst fighting off a grizzly bear in the outback of Australia. No, he somehow managed to break his tibia whilst traveling in a golf buggy, no less. Tatey, you are loathed by some but loved by all Swans fans. Please have a speedy recovery. He will be back, Jacks. And stronger than before.

As far as Wenger goes, he had a great win against Udinese in the Champions League qualifiers on Tuesday and thought everything was rosy. About as rosy as Ryan Giggs' private life.  Then he suffered the unthinkable at the hands of bitter rivals Manchester United. Eight, two. Eight, two. Eight, two. I'm sorry, I have to say that a few times just to confirm that it is actually correct. How embarrassing.

Arsenal's next game is of course... Swansea City. Now, I'd love to be an optimist at this point, but we are definitely facing the Gunners at the wrong time. Not one of that squad will dare play badly for fear of getting the Alex Ferguson boot treatment (although I am surprised none of them received it following their last game!). I honestly think they're going to be up for this game, and although our styles of football are quite similar, I don't think we will have the quality to overcome them. However, with their defensive woes, I would love to think we will put at least one goal past them.  Here's hoping.

I won't be at the game on Saturday, which is quite a sore subject. I have to go to a family wedding in Scotland and if I still want to have my legs next week I've decided it is best that I go. I don't think I'm allowed to write my reaction on a public blog of when I found out that we had Arsenal away on September 10th. Anyway, my ticket has reluctantly been passed on and I'm hoping it's my only non-attendance away from home this season.

This week also saw the closure of the transfer window. Plenty of action up and down the country, but not so much in Swansea. I would have like to see a defensive, yet attacking midfielder brought in. How do I explain that? Players like Joe Ledley or Aaron Ramsey who can both play the defensive midfield role, yet be able to play attacking passes and roles. I love Leon Britton, a great servant and player for Swansea City, but I do think he lacks the ability to play premiership quality attacking balls. I do have faith in Brendan and the team though, and I'm looking forward to seeing what's in store over the next few months.

On a more positive note, I watched Wales playing tonight against England and on Friday against Montenegro, and I must say I was rather proud and excited at what the future holds. We've got a lot of young talent in that team, and I hope Gary Speed can continue to nurture this squad over the next few years. The FIFA ranking of 117 is laughable, so let's show those pillocks that we're better than that. Swansea did it, now let's see the Welsh team do us proud and reach the World Cup 2014. We can hope.

Please Swansea, give us a goal on Saturday. Though not too many, I'm going to miss it.

Prediction: Arsenal 3 - 1 Swansea

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