Swansea v Norwich

[jackaway]

Hooray! After a months break we’re back in action this afternoon and it’s a home match against Norwich. They are in 5th place and are one point ahead of us in this very tight league table, with only four points separating ten clubs from 4th to 13th place.
Our form over the last six matches is:
W1 D4 L1 F7 A6
and Norwich’s form:
W2 D2 L2 F8 A7
We welcome back our World Cup players Joe Allen, Ben Cabango, Ollie Cooper, and Olivier Ntcham, but Michael Obafemi is out with a hamstring injury picked up during ROI’s recent 1-2 home friendly defeat to Norway.
Swans last match was a 0-0 draw at Huddersfield on 12 Nov.
Norwich’s last match was a 1-2 home defeat to Middlesborough.
Chile International midfielder Marcelino Nunez is doubtful with a hamstring injury.
ROI internationals, forward Adam Idah (knee) and defender Andrew Omobamidele (ankle) return to the Norwich squad after injury.
USA International forward Josh Sargent is 50/50 to play after returning from the World Cup with an ankle injury.
Sam Byram, Jon Rowe and Jacob Sorensen are also out injured.

[Estoban]

Brrrrr, it’s brass monkey weather, -1c at the moment, high of 4c at 3pm, and back to -1c later in the evening, so thermals are required if you’re going to the match, watch out for the icy roads.
I hope Russ has been working on our defence during the break, how many times have we had to come from behind in matches.
I’m forecasting a score draw but hoping for a win.

[Iolo]

Alright butt, freezing where I am too, will be leaving shortly. They should fit heated seats in the stand for freezers such as myself, I’m even cold in the summer!
I’m looking for the win today to get us back on track. Previous international breaks, first match back has not gone well for us, let’s break the trend this time, at least that Grant Holt is not with them anymore.

[jackaway]

Swansea 0 - Norwich 1 (Pukki 1’)

Swans: Steven Benda, Nathan Wood, Kyle Naughton (Oto-Flex 81’), Ben Cabango, Joel Latibeaudiere (Allen 71’), Jay Fulton, Matt Grimes (c), Ryan Manning, Jamie Paterson (Ntcham 58’), Luke Cundle (Cooper 58’), Joel Piroe.
Subs: Andy Fisher, Harry Darling, Joe Allen, Olivier Ntcham

It was Martin’s policy of silly passing back and fore in defence that he teaches which was our downfall again.
Kick-off, pass back to defence, a poor pass from the worst ever wing-back Latibeaudiere to the marked Cabango, Cabango just about managed to get it back to Latibeaudiere who gets dispossessed.
Norwich player subsequently misses a sitter, ball goes for a corner.
Ball comes over to the far post, Pukki gets in front of Naughton to score an easy goal, one minute gone, awful defending.
Game over, Swans incapable of scoring against a big solid defence.
We were weak, it was only the last half an hour that we threatened. A month to work on our defence but it was schoolboy defending once again, and blunt up front, did Piroe win even one header.
Martin needs a wing-back in January, Latibeaudiere is a liability, and he’s too short for a centre-back, get rid. We also need a goalscorer, our players are afraid to shoot, preferring to pass the ball on to someone else or pass it to death until they’re dispossessed.

[jackaway]

Highlights -

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4SU_Xc2c93I

[Iolo]

Well boys that was a hard watch. Jack Army silenced within a minute. Norwich were no great shakes but we were clueless as to how to break them down. Martin continues to play players out of position and confusion reigns.
The transfer window is almost upon us but do we have faith in Martin signing players who’ll improve us. His latest signings Fisher and Darling can’t even get a game. Mid-table mediocrity looks the likely outcome this season on this showing.