Swansea City (A) | EFL Cup | Post Match Thread

I enjoyed that.
I was pleased to see a few of the players return - Ait Nouri, Marmoush, Khus - playing time is the only way to build sharpness.
It was good to see Nico G showing the difference he makes.
Lewis is a clever player and linked up well.
Doku worked hard offensively and defensively.
James Trafford is a high-quality keeper.
In Cherki, we have a potential Balon D'or winner. He is blessed with talent. Players like that do not emerge too often and nurtured well, we could see a truly great player. He can do damage at any level of the game.

We were behind the work-rate and desire of Swansea for the first twenty but that often happens in cup games until the opponent runs out of that early steam. From there, they got deeper and deeper and we dominated the ball. Those deep defences make life difficult for wingers, and Bobb struggled to free the shackles, but players find form with minutes on the pitch, as will Khusanov who looked very rusty. Mukasa was a little anonymous but he had a little of an odd role in an area dominated by Cherki. That will have been a learning for him and he has talent.

The changes took us up another level though it was pleasing to see Cherki stay on the pitch. It will take time for some players to work out what he is doing - those give and goes require great technique and speed of thought and if they don't come off you have a dangerous turnover unless the CDM knows exactly where to be.

A great run out against a team that offered some challenges.
 
ONTHERUNWITHTHAKSIN said:
We didn’t look like a team

Just 11 different players not gelling

But we won and give the lads playing a break as some coming back from injuries and others trying to get form back

Thought Cherki was best player on pitch and exciting to watch as he brings something different
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We conceded an early goal and without the spine of our side we came back. Swansea's goal was brilliant. I wasn't at the game, but you could see on TV they were flying at that point and yet a very young City side dug in, and eventually took over.

Pep asked for the forwards to step up in the absence of Haaland and they did. 10 changes from Villa, and yet we looked like a good capable team with no weaknesses.
 
JPAMCR said:
Thought Cherki was great last night. Always looking for the ball and going forward all the time. Reminds me a bit of Tevez, could be a real leader for us when he gets settled in the team.
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I like the leader bit. We were on the half way line row 1 for Wolves and when he came on (at 3 0 I think) he was encouraging everyone around him, very vociferous, very team orientated. I really hope he starts on Sunday, I’d love to see him playing 90 against a more open team like Brighton
 
Marmoush has to start on the right of a front three apart from Haaland he’s the only one who will shoot, Cherri has the ability to see the pass as well let’s hope he can click with Haaland.
 
cleavers said:
What a twat if he said that.
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It's from Slot's post-match press conference. Slot was asked why he didn't put senior players on the bench and he responded by referencing the strength of City's squad at Swansea (he also referred to Chelsea being able to play Estevao).
 
Blue Maverick said:
Marmoush has to start on the right of a front three apart from Haaland he’s the only one who will shoot, Cherri has the ability to see the pass as well let’s hope he can click with Haaland.
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Marmoush's goal was top quality. That was half a chance and he smashed it into the roof of the net.

It's a bit of a conundrum for Pep as to how to harness Haaland and Marmoush as they are both top players.
 
What I thought last night showed as a pointer for the season is that we have 2 brilliant keepers (the one that wasn’t playing is much more of an asset to the defence than Eddie), we have some talented defenders and good to see Khusanov back fit, albeit rusty. I think we have the second best defence in the league, after arsenal. Up front Marmoush clearly needs games for match sharpness but that touch and finish were brilliant. Cherki looks fantastic, and with him, Marmoush, Foden and Doku available to support Haaland we’ve got an exciting season ahead. Where I think our Achilles heel is is in CDM. Last night with Nico G playing I thought we were a lot better, albeit against a championship side. I honestly think when Rodri is fit I’d play them both, the control we would have in midfield with those 2 would be immense, with say 3 of Reijnders, Cherki Foden and Doku ahead of them supporting Haaland. Ideally Doku playing right with RAN providing width on the left. I really think Rodri and Nico G and the midfield control they’d bring are the biggest key to our success.
 
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Marvin. said:
Marmoush's goal was top quality. That was half a chance and he smashed it into the roof of the net.

It's a bit of a conundrum for Pep as to how to harness Haaland and Marmoush as they are both top players.
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He could try 4-1-3-2 or 3-2-3-2 or even the deathly 4-4-2.
 
Wish people would stop harping on about the match day thread after every game.
If you dont like it, dont go there, simple.
Its not for me either really, but I can understand some people getting too emotional during a game, especially when we are playing badly.
 
Considering that was their cup final and they had the crowd behind them and took the lead through a screamer, in proud of the lads for staying calm and professional and getting the job done. Cherki is a baller... Good to have marmoush back too. Want to see Phill foden cherki and haaland in the same team
 
Nico G MOTM for me . Starting to look the part and needs to do it now against the better PL sides. Useful minutes in the legs for a number of players. Cherki looked bright and willing to play riskier balls looking for Marmoush and others but needs to get better before he nails down regular game time (think he will be brought on from bench for most of this season). Routine win in the end and no indicator for rest of season in PL. Great to be still in with a decent chance of another cup.
 
Thought first half we were awful and the balance of the team was not right. Our mid was wide open and I think that this was because we had Rayan and Mukasa in there. If you are playing the young lad you have to put a more defensive / mature player alongside him (even though Cherki was the best player by far). Felt sorry for Mukasa as it did not give him the basis to really try and shine.
Our defence was awful, Rico is not a RB, Rayan looked really rusty (to be expected) and Khus had a mare (again rustiness). Think this lead to the passing and tempo all being off, but Nico and Cherki kept us in it.
Second half when Foden (even though he was not amazing) and Josko came on we looked a lot more solid. Stones also added something and we ran out deserved winners.
Couple of thoughts, Marmoush's first touch needs work! He mis controls way too often.
Worried about Bobb, had high hopes when he came into the squad initially, maybe the injury has really impacted him, but I can't see him making it here.
 
Double R said:
Wish people would stop harping on about the match day thread after every game.
If you dont like it, dont go there, simple.
Its not for me either really, but I can understand some people getting too emotional during a game, especially when we are playing badly.
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Yep you should take it’s as it is reactions to one play one bad play or good play! How often you at a match when there is a bad pass or a miss and there is a groan or Someone shouts that’s shit! Well that’s match day and social media instant reaction!
 
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