Swansea City manager Paul Clement insists that the scoreline did not fully reflect the story as he watched his side go down 4-0 to Manchester United.
A late blitz of goals from United made the game look thoroughly one-sided, but for long stretches, while the score was still 1-0, Swansea conducted themselves admirably.
“We were competitive for long periods of the game – right up until the second goal,” Clement said.“The difference between the sides for a long time was a set-play. Although we had to defend more than they did, I thought our shape was good and we didn’t let them have any real clear-cut chances.
“We are disappointed about the way we defended the set-play. We have a really good record defending set-plays – we only conceded one after I came in last season – so to concede in that fashion was disappointing.
“But there were enough good things in the first half for me to say at half-time that we were still very much in the game and must not let our confidence get affected.
“That was the case right up until the second goal.
“Whereas last week at Southampton I was more disappointed with the performance than the result, today I am more disappointed with the result rather than some of the things we did.
“I think the supporters felt that way too. I think they were happy with some of the things they saw up until the second goal.”
However, Clement admitted that his side could have done more to prevent their late capitulation as United ran away with it thanks to a quick-fire triple from Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial.
I don’t want to be a coach who is happy losing 1-0, so I made some offensive changes,” Clement added.
“But the second goal we gave them was a gift. We missed a couple of tackles in midfield and then we were out of position at the back and they punished us.
“The third goal was a loose pass. They are so strong on the counter and they showed it again.
“The first goal is always important in this league. Jose (Mourinho) has shown over the years that when his team go 1-0 up, they manage games so well.
“They know the other team will have to come out and in the end they punished us.”
Sunday 20 August 2017
Saturday 19 August 2017
Paul Clement admits Swansea need quality after United defeat
Swansea City manager Paul Clement was under no illusion following his side's 4-0 defeat to Manchester United, admitting that the club 'absolutely need to sign quality players.'
A late flurry of United goals heaped the misery on the Welsh club at the end of a week which has seen them one of their finest-ever players, Gylfi Sigurdsson, depart for Everton.
Without the Icelandic playmaker's craft and guile, Swansea struggled to create. They are also still missing last season's top-scorer Fernando Llorente, who is still injured, and Clement admitted that he needs to sign players.
“We absolutely need more quality players to come in, so we have a chance of being competitive this year,” Clement said.
“The sooner we can do it the better. It could go later in the window but the necessity is there. It’s clear.
“We were competitive for long periods of the game. Up until the second goal the difference was a set-play and generally, the shape was good.
“I made some offensive changes because I don’t want to be a coach happy to lose 1-0 at home, but we ended up playing to their strengths and they punished us.”
A late flurry of United goals heaped the misery on the Welsh club at the end of a week which has seen them one of their finest-ever players, Gylfi Sigurdsson, depart for Everton.
Without the Icelandic playmaker's craft and guile, Swansea struggled to create. They are also still missing last season's top-scorer Fernando Llorente, who is still injured, and Clement admitted that he needs to sign players.
“We absolutely need more quality players to come in, so we have a chance of being competitive this year,” Clement said.
“The sooner we can do it the better. It could go later in the window but the necessity is there. It’s clear.
“We were competitive for long periods of the game. Up until the second goal the difference was a set-play and generally, the shape was good.
“I made some offensive changes because I don’t want to be a coach happy to lose 1-0 at home, but we ended up playing to their strengths and they punished us.”
“Today I’m more disappointed with the result than some of things I’ve seen. I was happy with some of the things defensively, not so happy offensively.
“We went a goal down and tried to do something about it but we got punished and it’s hard to take.”
Next up for Swansea is an EFL Cup tie against MK Dons before travelling to Selhurst Park next week to face Crystal Palace, who have opened their season with two straight defeats.
Wednesday 16 August 2017
Swansea braced for disappointment as Stoke refuse to sell Joe Allen
Swansea's pursuit of Joe Allen may be an exercise in futility with Stoke City refusing to entertain offers for the Wales midfielder.
According to Sky Sports, Stoke have directly informed Allen's former club that he will remain with the Potters beyond this window, indicating that the player himself is happy and settled in Mark Hughes' first-team.
Allen helped establish Swansea as a Premier League side before scoring a lucrative move to Liverpool. He spent four years at Anfield before joining Stoke last summer, going on to have one of the finest seasons of his career.
Stoke boss Hughes had appeared to pour cold water over any potential deal, too, saying that Allen is simply not for sale.
"My understanding is there was a tentative inquiry and that was it.
"We rebuffed that, didn't give it any encouragement whatsoever, and that's where we are with that one, not for sale."
According to Sky Sports, Stoke have directly informed Allen's former club that he will remain with the Potters beyond this window, indicating that the player himself is happy and settled in Mark Hughes' first-team.
Allen helped establish Swansea as a Premier League side before scoring a lucrative move to Liverpool. He spent four years at Anfield before joining Stoke last summer, going on to have one of the finest seasons of his career.
Stoke boss Hughes had appeared to pour cold water over any potential deal, too, saying that Allen is simply not for sale.
"My understanding is there was a tentative inquiry and that was it.
"We rebuffed that, didn't give it any encouragement whatsoever, and that's where we are with that one, not for sale."
Paul Clement admits Swansea's transfer business may cut it fine on deadline day
Swansea City manager admits that the club's quest to complete their recruitment for the new season may bring them right to transfer deadline day.
Clement watched his side draw 0-0 with Southampton on Saturday but knows that bolstering his squad is absolutely imperative if they are to steer clear of the relegation zone. The expected departure of Gylfi Sigurdsson, their most influential attacking player, has placed further emphasis on the need for new signings.
The manager will have funds at his disposal with which he is expected to make moves for Wilfried Bony – the former Swansea striker who is deemed surplus to requirements at Manchester City – West Brom's Nacer Chadli and Joe Allen of Stoke City.
However, Clement – in a subtle warning to fans expecting announcements this week – has implied that it may be a struggle to conduct all desired deals before the deadline.
“For me, I want players in as soon as possible but the reality is it could go to the last day in terms of ‘ins’,” he said.
But we want the time to be able to do the negotiating, and if it is on the last day it is hard to do it or you pay way over the amount, and we don’t want to do that either.
“We’ve identified targets, but you don’t know if you can get the first choice on your list.”
Clement also expressed his wish for the transfer window to shut before the season starts as to not unsettle players such as Diego Costa, Virgil van Dijk and Philippe Coutinho whereby they are not available for selection.
“It is frustrating here and I am sure Southampton and Liverpool are frustrated too. That’s why the window needs to close before the season starts so you can get on with football,” he said.
“Our club would support that decision. In our managers’ meeting at the Premier League last week we spoke about it, it was discussed and I think the majority of clubs are in favour of it.
“I think we all have to be in favour of it for it to go through."
Clement watched his side draw 0-0 with Southampton on Saturday but knows that bolstering his squad is absolutely imperative if they are to steer clear of the relegation zone. The expected departure of Gylfi Sigurdsson, their most influential attacking player, has placed further emphasis on the need for new signings.
The manager will have funds at his disposal with which he is expected to make moves for Wilfried Bony – the former Swansea striker who is deemed surplus to requirements at Manchester City – West Brom's Nacer Chadli and Joe Allen of Stoke City.
However, Clement – in a subtle warning to fans expecting announcements this week – has implied that it may be a struggle to conduct all desired deals before the deadline.
“For me, I want players in as soon as possible but the reality is it could go to the last day in terms of ‘ins’,” he said.
But we want the time to be able to do the negotiating, and if it is on the last day it is hard to do it or you pay way over the amount, and we don’t want to do that either.
“We’ve identified targets, but you don’t know if you can get the first choice on your list.”
Clement also expressed his wish for the transfer window to shut before the season starts as to not unsettle players such as Diego Costa, Virgil van Dijk and Philippe Coutinho whereby they are not available for selection.
“It is frustrating here and I am sure Southampton and Liverpool are frustrated too. That’s why the window needs to close before the season starts so you can get on with football,” he said.
“Our club would support that decision. In our managers’ meeting at the Premier League last week we spoke about it, it was discussed and I think the majority of clubs are in favour of it.
“I think we all have to be in favour of it for it to go through."
Swans v Man United Preview (19/8/17)
Considering last season's early loss at St Marys, we can
only think of last weekend's stalemate at Southampton
as a positive.
Yes it was dull, yes we failed to register a single shot on
target and yes we sat back for a point - but we got that point. It's hard to
imagine many teams will leave the south coast with anything more than a
beating, so let's keep our heads high.
It's very much a case of onto the next one now.
Unfortunately, the next one is one of the toughest around in Manchester United.
The Reds are flying high after their 4-0 smashing of West Ham on Sunday and
£75m striker Romelu Lukaku appears absolutely lethal.
This same fixture last year prompted a chorus of boo's from
the Liberty as
Bob Bradley led the Swans to a limp 3-1 home loss. Pogba and Ibrahimovic's
goals had finished us off within half an hour and we sat delicately poised in
19th spot on just FIVE points - joint with Sunderland !
Realistically, that should remind us just how poor the
situation was before Paul Clement arrived. With Clement in charge here, things
will surely be different.
This IS a Man United squad who are stronger than they were
this time last year, but it's also a Swansea
squad rejuvenated. The likes of Van der Hoorn, Barrow and Borja won't be seen,
while Olsson, Abraham and Ayew will give offer much more quality.
This current back four has let in just one goal in their
last four league games and must continue to shine against a scary Man United
forward line. Given our strength rests mostly in our defensive ability and
structure and the fact that Gylfi Sigurdsson, Ki Sung-yueng and Nathan Dyer
will all definitely be missing, it's hard to envision a crazy game full of
goals. With Fernando Llorente also probable to miss out, it's hard to imagine
any Swans goals at all.
The focus will be on keeping things tight and not getting
beat - in doing that, you create a couple of chances yourself and possibly take
the game. Keep this United side quiet and we've had a good day. We'd be happy
with a 0-0 at 12/1 with Paddy Power, but a 1-1 seems more realistic at 9/1 with William Hill. The draw is 10/3 with Sky Bet, while a Swans win (dare we dream?)
is 9/1 with Paddy Power.
Tuesday 15 August 2017
Swansea City sign former Coventry youngster Courtney Baker-Richardson
Swansea City have confirmed the signing of Courtney Baker-Richardson from non-league side Leamington FC.
The former Coventry City academy product will link up with the club's U23 side on a two-year contract after impressing in the National League North last season, where he scored 21 goals.
The 21-year-old started his career with the Sky Blues but only made two first-team appearances before moving on. He also had spells with Tamworth, Nuneaton and Redditch.
“It still has not sunk in,” said Baker-Richardson.
“The welcome I have had has been superb and I feel this is a move that can benefit my career and help me push me on. I am very excited to get started.
“I have had to take a few knock backs in my career, but whenever people tell me I am not good enough, it only motivates me to prove them wrong.
"I had a good 18 months at Leamington and I feel I can deliver at this level.
“I watched the game on Friday (against Liverpool U23s) and thought we were unfortunate to lose 2-0.
“I am looking forward to getting started.”
The former Coventry City academy product will link up with the club's U23 side on a two-year contract after impressing in the National League North last season, where he scored 21 goals.
The 21-year-old started his career with the Sky Blues but only made two first-team appearances before moving on. He also had spells with Tamworth, Nuneaton and Redditch.
“It still has not sunk in,” said Baker-Richardson.
“The welcome I have had has been superb and I feel this is a move that can benefit my career and help me push me on. I am very excited to get started.
“I have had to take a few knock backs in my career, but whenever people tell me I am not good enough, it only motivates me to prove them wrong.
"I had a good 18 months at Leamington and I feel I can deliver at this level.
“I watched the game on Friday (against Liverpool U23s) and thought we were unfortunate to lose 2-0.
“I am looking forward to getting started.”
Monday 14 August 2017
West Brom boss Tony Pulis not ruling out Chadli to Swansea
West Brom manager Tony Pulis has confirmed that the club is willing to listen to offers for winger Nacer Chadli, with Swansea believed to be one of the interested parties.
The Belgium international, who joined the Baggies from Tottenham Hotspur last summer in a club record £13million deal, is a key target for Swans boss Paul Clement, who is actively pursuing targets in preparation for Gylfi Sigurdsson's expected departure to Everton.
Clement admires Chadli's pace and creativity and believes he would be a strong addition at the Liberty Stadium as he can be played in the centre or out wide.
"It's been publicised that Swansea are interested in Nacer – if they are, we'll deal with Swansea," Pulis told the Birmingham Mail.
"At the moment Nacer is with us and I hope he stays with us."
Chadli was left on the bench for West Brom's 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday after reportedly falling out with Pulis during pre-season. However, the Baggies boss poured cold water over any suggestion of discord.
The Belgium international, who joined the Baggies from Tottenham Hotspur last summer in a club record £13million deal, is a key target for Swans boss Paul Clement, who is actively pursuing targets in preparation for Gylfi Sigurdsson's expected departure to Everton.
Clement admires Chadli's pace and creativity and believes he would be a strong addition at the Liberty Stadium as he can be played in the centre or out wide.
"It's been publicised that Swansea are interested in Nacer – if they are, we'll deal with Swansea," Pulis told the Birmingham Mail.
"At the moment Nacer is with us and I hope he stays with us."
Chadli was left on the bench for West Brom's 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday after reportedly falling out with Pulis during pre-season. However, the Baggies boss poured cold water over any suggestion of discord.
"You have your ups and downs like every family, but Nacer has trained hard this week and he's worked well," Pulis said.
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