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Author Topic: Soaring Swans Epitomise Martinez's Premier League Ambition  (Read 1105 times)

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Offline JDB

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Soaring Swans Epitomise Martinez's Premier League Ambition
« on: February 15, 2009, 05:56:41 PM »
Soaring Swans epitomise Martínez's Premier League ambition

Posted by Stuart James Saturday 14 February 2009 15.39 GMT

Swansea's flowing football, a hallmark of their renaissance under Roberto Martínez, was a delight to watch against Fulham

Earlier this week I asked Roberto Martínez whether he thought that Swansea City, playing his brand of expansive, free-flowing football, could hope to survive in the Premier League were they to win promotion this season. The Spaniard did not hesitate. "Many little things can influence whether you are successful or not so, without a doubt, we can be successful playing that kind of football without having the financial power that everyone else has, even in the Premier League."

Some might scoff at the Swansea manager's response but anyone who has watched the Welsh club over the past 18 months cannot have failed to be impressed with their renaissance under Martínez. Shrewd recruitment combined with an unwavering belief in how the game should be played helped to propel Swansea into the Championship in his first full season in charge and there is no reason to believe that another promotion is beyond them this term.

They were certainly more than a match for Fulham during an opening 45 minutes that Swansea dominated – but somehow they ended up going in at the interval behind following Garry Monk's unfortunate own goal. So fluent was Swansea's movement that, at times, it was difficult to discern the Championship team's formation. It was actually 4-1-2-3, the system that Luiz Felipe Scolari favoured during his brief reign at Chelsea. Either Martínez is better at getting his message across than the Brazilian or Swansea's players are more open-minded.

Either way, there was much to admire in the way that Swansea retained possession with their neat triangles before opening Fulham up with a probing final ball. No more so was that apparent than in the 25th minute when Swansea completed 13 passes – and remember this is against a Fulham side that sit 10th in the Premier League and had lost only twice in their previous 15 matches – before Angel Rangel broke free on the right. The full-back's low cross was met by Mark Gower, who had struck the post in the fourth minute after linking adroitly with Jason Scotland. This time Mark Schwarzer was forced to scramble across his line and save. It was a passage of play that typifies everything Swansea represent under Martínez.

If there was one criticism in the first half it was that Swansea did not have a cutting edge to complement the rat-a-tat passing in the middle of the field that was so easy on the eye whilst making life visibly uncomfortable for Fulham. Not that taking chances seemed such a problem seven minutes into the second half. Scotland, fed by the effervescent Gower, produced a wonderful piece of skill to flummox Aaron Hughes on the edge of the penalty area before arrowing a true left-footed shot beyond Schwarzer.

It was the Trinidad & Tobago striker's 12th goal in as many games and provided further evidence of Martínez's ability to spot a player. "We had to forget about the nationality and bring quality players," explained the Swansea manager, who signed Scotland from St Johnstone in 2007. "We wanted players who were all married by the same beliefs, which is wanting to be successful and being at an age when you are hungry for success. The recruitment has been vital in that respect."


Whether those players would be capable of performing at the same level in the Premier League remains to be seen – Martínez argues that it is easier to play football the higher you move up the ladder – but after watching their impressive display here, allied to the convincing victory at Portsmouth in the previous round, it makes you think that the Swansea manager at least deserves a chance to test his theory.
« Last Edit: February 15, 2009, 05:59:45 PM by JDB »
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Offline Big Magician

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Re: Soaring Swans Epitomise Martinez's Premier League Ambition
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2009, 06:43:28 PM »
ah real likw to watch Swansea...Martinez and he staff real real good..
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Offline royal

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Re: Soaring Swans Epitomise Martinez's Premier League Ambition
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2009, 07:20:44 PM »
For a championship side they really stand out. 

Offline Quags

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Re: Soaring Swans Epitomise Martinez's Premier League Ambition
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2009, 08:45:33 PM »
Hopefully when the get promoted ,they ent do like Sunderland and breakup the team .To bring een "better players " ,who doh know the style.

Offline Bakes

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Re: Soaring Swans Epitomise Martinez's Premier League Ambition
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2009, 09:17:46 PM »
Finally saw some quality highlights on FSC today... Gower gave Fullham fits whole game.

 

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