Roker Report - Sunderland 0-0 Swansea City: As It HappenedSunderland AFC's foremost blog and Podcast!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51357/rr-fav.png2014-09-29T11:29:07+01:00http://rokerreport.sbnation.com/rss/stream/66175322014-09-29T11:29:07+01:002014-09-29T11:29:07+01:00Quick Kicks: Progression Palpable
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<figcaption>Stu Forster</figcaption>
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<p>The point against Swansea came with plenty of positives. Stephen Goldsmith dissects it for us. </p> <h4>What The Gaffer Said</h4>
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<p>I<span> </span><span>think that’s our best performance of the season so far.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>We made it difficult for Swansea today and I thought we were outstanding, the way we defended and stopped them from playing, we forced them to play a different game and we were very brave going forward. </span><br style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span>We created all kinds of chances; unfortunately we were just missing a goal. </span><br style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span>Obviously I’m happier when we win games, but I’m happy after our performance in that match.</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span>We attacked well and we had that little extra threat on the wings; I think the subs came on and showed what they could do. Ricky came on when the game was a little more settled and had the chance to show what he can do and the quality he has with that left foot. </span><br style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span>Everything is in place; we just need to get that first win on the board. We are convinced in the dressing room that everything is going in our favour; I think we just need those extra breaks.</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span>We were just short of that goal; the game was just waiting for someone to take tomorrow’s newspaper headlines.</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span>Connor [Wickham] did well today, he did everything we asked of him and all he was missing was the goal. He held the ball well and was really strong up front; if he had got a goal he would have had the performance of the game.</span></p>
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<h4>Clear Progression</h4>
<p>It's amazing how quickly some folks turn. The view in the pubs and on social media before this game was as pessimistic as I've witnessed in some time. And it was understandable, Swansea are a very decent side who boast as good a front six as you may see outside the top seven or eight clubs.</p>
<p>Yet a palpable amount of criticism has now emerged because we just failed to cross the line in a game we pretty much dominated. Had we played like we did at Burnley, slowly shifting the ball around aimlessly, then I'd be worried. But that's not what happened here.</p>
<p>Despite the agitation of some in the crowd, Sunderland's build up play was quick and always felt like it was leading somewhere. If being hard to beat continues to be the platform for performances like that then we'll be fine.</p>
<h4>Individuals Finally Stepping Up</h4>
<p>This was the first game of the season where a fair few individuals stepped up. I've been suggesting for a while that the inclusion of Billy Jones could be the tweak that made a significant difference to our attacking shape. And it proved.</p>
<p>Complimenting the impressive Patrick van Aanholt on the opposing side of the field, his runs and positional sense helped create space for our midfielders to dictate play more. Santiago Vergini put in a performance at centre half that laid to rest some concerns about his capabilities there - those horror displays in that 352 experiment were still very much fresh in the mind.</p>
<p>Ricky Alvarez looked good. He looked confident and creative, and looks ready to play a big part in these types of games.</p>
<p>Seb Larsson continues to polarise opinion with some suggesting he was poor and others claiming he was man of the match. I pretty much saw it somewhere in the middle of that. I thought while he struggled first half, he was good in the second. The fact someone can turn a performance round like that is commendable in itself, especially when it's a player renowned for going missing in games.</p>
<p>It's just a shame that the extra space created in the middle of the park, the good performance by Larsson and the outstanding performance (again) by Lee Cattermole couldn't be totally taken advantage of by others...</p>
<h4>Key Players Need To Offer More</h4>
<p>Ok, so it's not all rainbows and butterflies. Please don't mistake the tone of this as being ridiculously optimistic. I am disappointed that we couldn't find that goal and that win, and there were some in the side who need to take a lot of responsibility.</p>
<p>Connor Wickham has been given a huge vote of confidence by being allocated as the number one striker. Even before the arrivals of Alvarez and regular inclusion of Buckley, he was given a place in the side despite it having that shoehorn feel about it. And it's easy to see why. His hold up play looks better than lever and his movement pulls defenders around a lot. But he needs to be a goal threat. His final decision making hasn't been good enough at times and the guilt edged chance he missed at the weekend was there for all to see. He's only 21 and I'm sure that will come, but you feel like he should be offering more in front of goal if he's to justify his seemingly tough stance in contract talks.</p>
<p>Jack Rodwell is another who's back I've had. I thought he was arguably our best player at Turf Moor and have pleaded for patience with him continuously. But as mentioned above, this was a game our midfielders were awarded more time and space because of our two attacking full backs and Wickham's hold up play. I feel an imposing performance from Rodwell could have been the difference between the draw and grabbing that win.</p>
<p>I still think he's a great player, but remembering we're a side who blew the majority of our transfer budget on him, he needs to start being more autonomous in the middle of the park.</p>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/9/29/6862581/quick-kicks-progression-palpable-full-backs-stepping-upGoldylad2014-09-29T08:21:01+01:002014-09-29T08:21:01+01:00Talking Tactics: Sunderland Improved But Short
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<figcaption>Stu Forster</figcaption>
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<p>Swansea managed to hold onto a 0-0 draw despite going down to ten men as the Black Cats remain in the hunt for their first Premier League win of the season.</p> <h4>Line Up</h4>
<p><span>Gus Poyet was forced to make two changes to the side that drew away at Turf Moor last Saturday. Will Buckley returned to first team action with Emanuele Giaccherini yet to recover from the ankle injury he sustained last weekend, and Billy Jones was handed his Premier League debut in the absence of Wes Brown.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Sunderland manager’s injury concerns meant a re-shuffle was required. For the first time in four league games the back four was altered, Santiago Vergini filled in at centre-back to plug the gap left by Wes Brown, leaving the versatile Billy Jones to operate at right-back.</p>
<p>Lee Cattermole, Sebastian Larsson and Jack Rodwell created the midfield three, while Will Buckley and Adam Johnson occupied the wide-left and wide-right positions respectively.</p>
<p>Connor Wickham lead the line for the Black Cats, and Steven Fletcher returned to Premier League action with a place on the bench.</p>
<p>As usual, Sunderland set up in Poyet’s favoured 4-1-4-1 formation.</p>
<h4><span>Opposition</span></h4>
<p>Swansea have made an impressive start to the campaign in Garry Monk’s first full season in charge. The Swans have amassed a total of ten points in just five games, but despite this, traveled to the Stadium of Light on the back of two consecutive defeats at home to Southampton and away to Chelsea.</p>
<p>Wilfried Bony served a one-match suspension in mid-week, but the Ivorian failed to return to first team action and had to settle for a place amongst the substitutes. Bafetimbi Gomis was prefered to lead the line for the Swans, with Monk otherwise naming an unchanged side which featured the familiar Ki Sung-Yung in midfield.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Swansea lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.</p>
<h4>Approach</h4>
<p>Although Sunderland held the home advantage on Saturday, there was no doubt that achieving their first win of the season was going to be difficult against a strong Swansea side.</p>
<p>Poyet's footballing manifesto is a fledgling version of the one which has been implemented at Swansea in recent years forming the foundations of their rise to the Premier League, and the game would potentially be decided by which ever side took control of the play and executed their possession-based football to greater effect.</p>
<p>After two somewhat disappointing results away at Burnley in the Premier League and at home to Stoke City in the Capital One Cup, Poyet will almost certainly have called for a positive reaction from his players, and a performance to match.</p>
<h4>Execution</h4>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last week I highlighted Sunderland’s lack of fluidity, imagination and conviction in the final third. This week, we were so close to seeing a complete reversal in a fixture where the Black Cats thoroughly deserved to take all three points.</p>
<p>Right from the first whistle Sunderland’s work without the ball prevented Swansea from ever getting going and posing the attacking threat they usually offer, and this set the tone for most of the game.</p>
<p>In recent weeks we have seen Poyet’s possession-based approach almost completely nullified by heavy pressing high up the pitch, and it was this exact defensive game plan which benefited Sunderland on Saturday. It was clear early on that Connor Wickham was under specific instructions to close down Łukasz Fabiański, and there was an amount of urgency present throughout the Sunderland ranks to pressure every pass and limit Swansea’s time on the ball within their own half.</p>
<p>When in possession, Sunderland looked more threatening than they have done in any other game so far this season. Defeat to Stoke in mid-week has evidently led to a kick up the backside behind the scenes, and the Black Cats demonstrated a large amount of attacking purpose all afternoon.</p>
<p>Although the possession stats on the day show Swansea to have edged it, the game certainly didn’t reflect that fact in any way shape or form. Swansea were barley allowed a sight at goal in what was a very comfortable game for Vito Mannone, and Sunderland without a doubt were the more industrious of the two teams creating better chances and posing more of a threat.</p>
<p>In attacking areas Sunderland were finally showing signs of fluid and inventive movement, and were just one finishing touch away from an extremely impressive win.</p>
<p>Connor Wickham had what was perhaps the best of the Black Cat’s chances with a header that flew over the bar from close range, but despite not getting himself on the score sheet and ending Sunderland’s winless run, I think the 21-year-old had a very decent game.</p>
<p>The youngster was one goal away from a perfect performance. He held the ball up, distributed well in attacking areas and had the better of most of his aerial duels causing huge problems for Ashley Williams all game.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Passes - attacking third</i></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/5073548/Wickham_attacking_third_swansea.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Wickham_attacking_third_swansea_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/5073548/Wickham_attacking_third_swansea_medium.png"></a> <br id="1411922014523"></p>
<p><i>Aerial duels won/lost </i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/5073556/Wickham_aerial_duels_swansea.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Wickham_aerial_duels_swansea_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/5073556/Wickham_aerial_duels_swansea_medium.png"></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Fouls suffered</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/5073564/Wickham_fouls_drawn_swansea.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Wickham_fouls_drawn_swansea_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/5073564/Wickham_fouls_drawn_swansea_medium.png"></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Obviously strikers are judged mostly on their goal return, but I believe Wickham deserves some patience. His goals last season almost single handily saved the side from relegation, and he proved that he holds the finishing instinct required to perform at Premier League level – it’s in their somewhere.</p>
<p>Sunderland continued to push for a goal right to the final whistle, but even against ten men the Black Cats failed to find a breakthrough. Poyet’s men were the better side on the day, but again the Uruguayan is left hunting for his first win of the season.</p>
<h4>Conclusion</h4>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another 0-0 draw, but a much more respectable one in terms of the quality of the opposition and the manner in which Sunderland performed.</p>
<p>The Black Cats demonstrated the kind of qualities in attacking areas that haven’t been present in recent weeks, and were remarkably solid defensively. Poyet will be pleased that there is now strong competition for places right across the back four and in goal. Aside from finding the back of the net, it was an almost faultless performance.</p>
<p>It’s unlikely that the Sunderland manager will be too phased by the lack of goals just yet, there were signs there on Saturday that the side hold a threat, and on another day it could have been a comfortable win.</p>
<p>Notable strong outings from Will Buckley, Sebastian Larsson and Patrick Van Aaanholt. And the introduction of Billy Jones into the side brought a great deal of balance to the Sunderland approach. The 27-year-old is a lot more competent in going forward than Santiago Vergini, and it’s a dimension that wasn’t present at right-back when the Argentinian was occupying the role.</p>
<p>Adam Johnson and Jack Rodwell didn’t exactly excel, but Ricky Alvarez and Jordi Gomez came on and looked comfortable, which would suggest Sunderland possess sufficient depth in midfield.</p>
<p>I hope to see the Black Cats carry the level of this performance into the game against Stoke next week, and a win could well kick-start Sunderland’s climb up the table.</p>
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https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/9/29/6857363/sunderland-talking-tactics-swansea-hAlexander Stebbings2014-09-27T19:04:39+01:002014-09-27T19:04:39+01:00Sunderland 0-0 Swansea City: Player Ratings
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<figcaption>Nigel Roddis</figcaption>
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<p>The Black Cats played well but couldn't score in today's game at the Stadium of Light. Here's what we made of the individual performances.</p> <h4>Vito Mannone - 6</h4>
<p>Wasn't ever troubled in his goal.</p>
<h4>Billy Jones - 7</h4>
<p>Felt that Jones offered a great deal when he was moved to right back against Stoke, and he continued that bright start on his league debut. His runs caused Swansea a lot of bother down the right hand side, and did well defensively against the threat of Nathan Dyer.</p>
<h4>Santiago Vergini - 8</h4>
<p>Made his first start of the season at centre half and was superb. Dealt with every Swansea ball into the box, made a number of key interceptions, and was always looking to start a Sunderland move. Wes Brown may have a hard time getting his place back in the team when he returns from injury.</p>
<h4>John O'Shea - 7</h4>
<p>Swansea didn't create a single chance of note, and O'Shea was instrumental in that.</p>
<h4>Patrick Van Aanholt - 8</h4>
<p>Looking better with every game. The two full back's look like they're going to be key for Sunderland, and it's no coincidence that our most promising performances of the season came with both Van Aanholt and Jones playing for the first time, or that our best outlet was down the wings, with the two on the overlap.</p>
<h4>Lee Cattermole - 9</h4>
<p>The greatest footballer of all time.</p>
<h4>Jack Rodwell - 5</h4>
<p>Completely anonymous. Don't want to be too critical, as Rodwell was always one we had to be patient with, but he's yet to really impose himself on a game, and it was no surprise that he was the first man taken off. He's shown occasional glimpses that he could be a very good box-to-box midfielder, and we've lacked a ball-carrier in midfield over the past couple of season, but Rodwell hasn't shown enough quality yet.</p>
<h4>Seb Larsson - 7</h4>
<p>Larsson is one who's often criticised by fans, noted as 'the weak link' in midfield. It's a view I've always found a little harsh, and I personally thought Larsson was very good today. Delivered a series of excellent set pieces in the first half, and created our best chance of the match when he crossed for Connor Wickham.</p>
<h4>Adam Johnson - 6</h4>
<p>Looked decent in the first half, producing a couple of good crossfield balls and troubling Fabianski with a shot from a tight angle, but didn't do a lot in the second forty five.</p>
<h4>Will Buckley - 8</h4>
<p>Another excellent display from Buckley. He's tricky, always looks to take defenders on, and is the sort of player that 'gets bums off seats'.</p>
<h4>Connor Wickham - 6</h4>
<p>Step aside Adam Johnson, someone else has taken your 'most frustrating player ever' crown. Wickham's overall contribution was good today. He held the ball up well, won a lot of fouls, but the one great chance he had, he blew. His decision making is still a problem, and on a day where elsewhere on the pitch we were very good, it proved once again to be up front where we're let down.</p>
<h4>Jordi Gomez - 7</h4>
<p>Bringing Gomez on proved to be another positive substitution from Gus Poyet. I've been critical of Gomez so far, finding him sluggish on the ball, and passive in the game, but he made a difference when coming on today. Made a few key passes in the final third.</p>
<h4>Ricky Alvarez - 7</h4>
<p>After struggling against Spurs, Alvarez came off the bench today, and looked more like the player we were hoping for. Drifted around the final third, took players on, and showed that he has some final product with his delivery for Fletcher's chance. Everything he did appeared effortless, and he was probably the best player on the pitch while he was on. Let's hope for more of the same.</p>
<h4>Steven Fletcher - 6</h4>
<p>The donut scoffing, bald Scotsman looked as sharp as he's been all season after coming on. Probably should have done better with his chance, but actually got himself in good positions and won his headers, which is something we haven't see in a while. Keeping feeding him Krispy Kremes and he might actually get a goal.</p>
<h4>The Lee Cattermole Award For Man of the Match: Lee Cattermole</h4>
<p>I love Lee Cattermole. I love everything about him. I love him when he times a tackle to perfection. I love him when he plays a sumptuous crossfield pass to the wings. I love him when he drives forward from midfield with the ball, or when he just seems to motivate the team to do something, and I'll probably love him even more the next time he gets sent off for two daft yellow cards in quick succession. He did all of these things today (except for that last one; but even if he did do that, I'd still give him Man of the Match, and if I'm being honest, probably because of it), and did them very, very well.</p>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/9/27/6854209/sunderland-0-0-swansea-city-player-ratingsLuke Bowley2014-09-27T17:01:20+01:002014-09-27T17:01:20+01:00Sunderland 0-0 Swansea City: Another draw For Cats
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<figcaption>Stu Forster</figcaption>
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<p>Sunderland had to settle for another point as the wait for a Premier League win goes on.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/">Sunderland</a> and Swansea played out an uneventful draw at the Stadium of Light, but the Black Cats should have had all three points.<p></p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>The first half started with both teams passing the ball around each having a share of the possession. Chances were few and far between during the early stages with the only chance of the first 20 minutes falling to <span>Adam Johnson</span> as he saw his low drive well saved at the near post.<p></p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>As you’d expect, Swansea tried to play their possession game by trying to cut through the Sunderland defence with threaded through balls, however the Black Cats were industrious in midfield and allowed Swansea’s creative players no time on the ball.<p></p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>As the half wore on it was the Black Cats who were dominating proceedings but they weren’t creating too many clear cut chances. Fabianski was called into action on 36 mins with an outstanding save to deny <span>Santiago Vergini</span> after he headed <span>Seb Larsson</span>’s shot towards the bottom corner.<p></p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>From the resulting corner Wickham’s shot was blocked and half chances fell to <span>Billy Jones</span> and Patrick Van Aanholt, however there was no breakthrough for Sunderland.<p></p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>A fairly uneventful first half was brought to an end with Sunderland dominating proceedings without breaking the deadlock as <span>Vito Mannone</span> remained a spectator.<p></p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>The second half started as tense and cagey as the first with neither side wanting to give anything away. The first chance of the half fell to Sigurdsson on 55 mins but his effort was straight at Mannone.<p></p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>On 71 mins Will Buckley saw his low cross flash across goal after a good run down the left. Two minutes later Alvarez flashed a ball across goal but nobody was able to put the ball in the net.<p></p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>Angel Rangel</span> saw a second yellow on 81 mins as Sunderland were increasing the pressure down the left wing. The resulting free kick was whipped in by Seb Larsson but was saved by Fabianski.<p></p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Sunderland were now in the ascendency and <span>Steven Fletcher</span> should have opened his account this season but he saw his header go agonisingly wide. Minutes later Gomez shot straight at Fabianski.<p></p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Sunderland threw everything at Swansea during the last ten minutes but they couldn’t find a way past the Swansea defence.<p></p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span>Sunderland </span></b><b><span>(4-3-3)</span></b><b><span>:</span></b><span> Mannone, Jones, van Aanholt, Vergini, O'Shea (c), Cattermole, Larsson, Rodwell (Gomez 57’), Johnson (Alvarez 65’), Buckley, Wickham (Fletcher 77’).<p></p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span>Subs:</span></b><span> Pantilimon, Bridcutt, Gomez, Mavrias, Alvarez, Altidore. Fletcher<p></p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span>Goals: None<p></p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span><p> </p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/swansea-city">Swansea City</a> </span></b><b><span>(4-3-3)</span></b><b><span>:</span></b><span> </span><span>Fabianski, Rangel, Taylor, Williams (c), Fernandez, Ki, Shelvey, Sigurdsson (Richards 82’), Dyer (Montero 65’), Routledge, Gomis (Bony 72’).<span><p></p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span>Subs:</span></b><span> Tremmel, </span><span>Montero, Emnes, Bartley, Bony, Carroll, Richards<span><p></p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span>Goals: None<p></p></span></i></p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span>Sent Off: Rangel (81’)<p></p></span></i></p>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/9/27/6853975/sunderland-0-0-swansea-city-another-draw-for-the-black-catsDavid McColgan2014-09-27T14:05:58+01:002014-09-27T14:05:58+01:00Sunderland vs Swansea City: Confirmed Line-Ups
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<figcaption>Nigel Roddis</figcaption>
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<p>The teams are in for the tricky-looking game against Swansea. </p> <p>Gus Poyet has made plenty of changes for the visit of Swansea City at the Stadium of Light.</p>
<p>Injuries have ruled out Wes Brown and Emanuelle Giaccherini, so Santiago Vergini gets another chance to impress in his preferred central defensive position with Will Buckley coming in on the flank.</p>
<p>There is another start for Billy Jones at right back, but Jozy Altidore's cup goal in midweek wasn't enough to get him another start here. Connor Wickham has returned up front.</p>
<p>The headline news for Swansea was Wilfried Bony only making the bench after his suspension. Bafetimbi Gomis starts. Ki Sung-Yueng starts in midfield.</p>
<p><b>Sunderland (4-3-3):</b> Mannone; Jones, van Aanholt, Vergini, O’Shea; Larsson, Rodwell, Cattermole; Johnson, Buckley, Wickham.</p>
<p><b>Subs:</b> Bridcutt, Fletcher, Gomez, Altidore, Mavrias, Alvarez, Pantilimon.</p>
<p><b>Swansea City (4-2-3-1): </b>Fabianski, Rangel, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Ki, Shelvey; Sigurdsson, Dyer, Routledge;Gomis.</p>
<p><b>Subs:</b> Tremmel, Richards, Bartley, Montero, Carroll, Emnes, Bony.</p>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/9/27/6853467/sunderland-vs-swansea-city-confirmed-line-upsmichaelgraham2014-09-26T09:42:41+01:002014-09-26T09:42:41+01:00Fan Focus: Flapping Around With 'The Swansea Way'
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<figcaption>Paul Thomas</figcaption>
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<p>We usually do alright against the better sides, don't we? Swansea's great start to the season has buoyed <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSwanseaWay" target="new">Scott Mackay</a> from '<a href="http://theswanseaway.co.uk" target="new">The Swansea Way</a>', the premier fan blog for the Welsh side. I gave Scott a bell and caught up with him in order to find out what Gus Poyet's winless wonders are in store for this coming Saturday...</p> <p><strong>GH: So Scott – it’s been a fairly successful start to the season, despite losing the last two league games. What have you made of Swansea’s start to the season thus far?</strong></p>
<p><em>SM: Pretty damn good so far, being completely honest. We've only really come undone against an excellent <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> side and even then it took some tinkering from Mourinho to get Chelsea back in the game, as for the first half hour we were easily the better team. Against <a href="https://stmarysmusings.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Southampton</a> we were again the better side early on, though this time we had <span>Wilfried Bony</span> to thank for getting our opponents back into the game. Even with us reduced to ten men Southampton struggled to create, and couple those results with our three prior league wins, and the two in the League Cup, and 2014/15 is going very well so far.</em></p>
<p><strong>GH: <span>Garry Monk</span> was appointed as manager after the relationship with Laudrup turned sour. Is the future looking bright under his leadership or do you feel the club should have looked elsewhere when making a permanent appointment?</strong></p>
<p><em>SM: It's definitely looking bright. Monk has been at the club for so long he's seen every incarnation of our "tiki taka" style, and if he's got anything about him (which most definitely seems the case) he'll be able to use that to take the positives from each manager he worked under. So far we've seen a return to the zippy, fast paced passing in the centre of the park, but we've also seen more intense pressing in the final third which is something Monk is obviously keen on. I'm confident that in time Monk's influence on the Swans (as manager) will be an overwhelmingly positive one.</em></p>
<p><strong>GH: It’s been a successful decade or so for the Swans – what would you say the greatest moment of that period has been?</strong></p>
<p><em>SM: Definitely getting promoted to the Premiership for me. That's assuming you're excluding the 4-2 final-day win over Hull in the old Third Division in 2003, which saw us stave off relegation to the conference anyway. While there'll never be an atmosphere like there was on that day at the Vetch, winning promotion to the big time was something I never expected, and to be honest I still have to pinch myself that we're in the Premier League competing against the world's best players.</em></p>
<p><strong>GH: Ki Sung Yeung has found his way back into the setup at Liberty Stadium having found himself surplus to requirements under the previous regime, and <a href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sunderland</a> fans know all about the qualities he brings to the side having loaned the midfielder last season. He steadily improved throughout last season – has he come back to Swansea as a better player in your opinion? Are you a fan of the Korean international?</strong></p>
<p><em>SM: It's probably a bit early to be saying whether he's come back a better player, but I'd say he's definitely returned a player intent on proving a point. I was against him leaving on loan as I'm a big fan, and so far this season he's impressed. There were rumours in his first season here, and towards the end of his spell with you guys, that he wasn't 100% committed so the jury remains out for a lot of people, but we gave him a new four-year contract this summer and he seems determined to make his mark.</em></p>
<p><strong>GH: <span>Ashley Williams</span> was earmarked as a top target for Gus Poyet at the start of the summer but he inevitably stayed at Swansea and signed a new contract. Did you ever think that there was a danger of him leaving? Just how good is he?</strong></p>
<p><em>SM: To be honest, I was never worried he'd go to Sunderland. His agent Jamie Moralee is developing a bit of a reputation for himself (seemingly controlling half our players' movements), and it was all down to money. Ash was due a new contract, every other Premier League club would pay more than we do, so it was about creating enough speculation in the press to force the Swans to their absolute limit. As with any of our players, if a "top four" club comes in we'd never stand in a player's way, but from a career point of view there wouldn't have been much sense in taking a sideways move at that stage in his career. As for how good he is, he's looked back to his best of late. He's perhaps lost some pace but that's largely due to his continually expanding girth (gym girth, not fast-food girth), so it's not necessarily a negative, and he obviously loves it here. He's a great captain for us, and hopefully he'll be here beyond the end of his playing career.</em></p>
<p><strong>GH: On our books are former Swans <span>Danny Graham</span> and Jordi Gomez, neither of whom have made a massive impact thus far as Sunderland players since arriving – although, Graham does seem to be finding his way back into the first team picture somewhat and Gomez has yet to start a league game. Do Swansea fans hold fond memories of the two?</strong></p>
<p><em>SM: I'd say most fans will definitely have fond memories of Jordi Gomez given his winner against Cardiff whilst on loan here, but if I'm honest I don't rate him at Premier League level. I'm happy to be proven wrong but when I say Poyet had signed him it did send alarm bells ringing, because in my opinion Sunderland should be aiming to sign much, much better players than Gomez if they want to improve as a team. As for Graham, I always felt he'd been a little hard done by given he scored 13 league goals in his only full season with us, but there were lots of rumours of off-field problems and he did seem quite...rotund in the launch photos for our new kit the season before last. He'd clearly enjoyed his summer! I think in a one-up-top system he's definitely got the potential to be a Premier League striker, but I do think he needs a run of games, and to be "the main man" in order to succeed.</em></p>
<p><strong>GH: Onto the weekend – who in the Swansea side should Sunderland fear?</strong></p>
<p><em>SM: The easy one would be Bony, who I'd imagine would start at the expense of Gomis following his one match suspension. The undoubted main man though is Gylfi Sigurdsson, who has been an absolute revelation since re-signing for us. To be honest with the way we've started the season it'd be hard to discount our wingers too - Dyer, Routledge & Montero (when he's featured) have all been excellent and we have a LOT of pace out wide now.</em></p>
<p><strong>GH: On the flip side, who from the Sunderland side do you think may cause problems?</strong></p>
<p><em>SM: Is Steven Fletcher available? Personally I think he's <b>world class</b>.</em></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/5060828/cm.PNG" target="_blank"><img alt="Cm_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/5060828/cm_medium.PNG"></a> <br id="1411647573841"></p>
<p><em>He always seems to give us massive problems. If he could stay fit, he would be absolutely magic.</em></p>
<p><strong>GH: We’ve yet to win a game but we aren’t really losing league games. Swansea seem to win big when they do win – which way can you see this one going?</strong></p>
<p><em>SM: In all honesty I'm pretty confident. We've got a good record against Sunderland and given the way we've been playing so far this season we should be heading to the North East confident of a result. Obviously it's an even match, but I think our midfield holds the key and if we can retain the ball, our forwards will cause you lots of problems.</em></p>
<p><strong>GH: Finally, a score prediction...</strong></p>
<p><em>SM: I like 3-1 Swansea (and seem to predict it most weeks) but I haven't been right yet this season and surely that has to change soon enough! Sunderland 1 - 3 Swansea, with an inevitable goal for either Danny Graham or Jordi Gomez for your lot.</em></p>
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https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/9/26/6843233/fan-focusEditor Gav