With 14 clean sheets last season Swansea had the fourth best defensive record in the Premier League – a superb return for a newly promoted side. The form at the Liberty Stadium was key, with Brendan Rodgers successfully translating the passing game and possession football to the top flight, earning plaudits and admirers that included his new employers at Anfield. In the latest of our “Burning Question” articles our contributors run the rule over new manager Michael Laudrup’s chances of emulating the defensive resilience of his predecessor…
With Laudrup’s experience as a manager in Spain at Getafe and Mallorca, and with the Dane an admirer of the Spanish passing style that Swansea have adopted in recent years, Swansea’s board are hoping that they witness a seamless transition on the pitch.
It came as no surprise to see Swansea’s defence suffer a price hike as a result of last season’s achievements but despite that, the likes of Michel Vorm, Angel Rangel and Ashley Williams remain on the Watchlist, as the early fixtures fall nicely for the Swans. However, having shipped seven goals in their last three pre-season fixtures, in addition to conceding two against Colorado Rapids earlier on, there are mounting doubts that Laudrup’s side can get close to last season’s defensive returns.
Mark says…
The pre-season would indicate that it looks very unlikely. If the results over the summer are anything to go by, Laudrup appears to have unlocked a new potency up front but, on the flip side, they seem to be more vulnerable at the back. The loss of Joe Allen won’t help matters – he put in a lot of work and work his fair share of tackles alongside Leon Britton and you have to wonder whether Laudrup can find a similar blend in the engine room. Jonathan de Guzman will be earmarked as Allen’s replacement but faces an unenviable task. With Sigurdsson departed and Sinclair unsettled, there will be real concerns surrounding Swansea’s ability to withstand that “difficult second season”. Arguably, Laudrup has one of the toughest tasks in the League ahead of him: expectations will be fairly high after last season’s results and I just don’t see him getting close. Survival will be the priority and I feel Laudrup may seek to attack as a priority in order to achieve that. I see them struggling to reach double figures for clean sheets, with perhaps a few more goals being notched at the other end. A very kind opening set of fixtures will at least give Laudrup the opportunity to settle and get points on the board and, with that run in mind, I’m still very tempted by Angel Rangel as an attacking full-back with the potential for assists.
Paul says…
In a word, no. Granted, Laudrup is generally expected to maintain Brendan Rodgers’ 4-3-3 passing game but the Irishman had spent years in the domestic game refining his tactical approach before finally getting it right at the Liberty Stadium. Not only has Laudrup yet to prove himself as a top-class managerial talent, he has no experience of the British game, either as a player or a manager, and all his signings so far have come from foreign leagues – Michu and Jonathan de Guzman arrive from La Liga, while Chico makes his way from Serie A. With Gylfi Sigurdsson no longer on the books and Joe Allen also departed, Laudrup will be without the services of three key players in Rodgers’ slick possession-based system, with Steven Caulker returning to parent club Spurs after his season-long loan spell. Daniel Agger’s potential departure from Anfield could also see Rodgers return to the Liberty to tempt Ashley Williams, too, leaving the new Swans’ boss with a real defensive headache. Allied with the fact that Laudrup’s new acquisitions will need to quickly adjust to the rigours of the Premier League and it looks odds-on that the Dane will struggle to replicate the 14 clean sheets of 2011/12 next time round.
Anorak says…
A new manager, with the new ideas and signings that he brings can be a double-edged sword for most sides, especially when they are asked to follow the relative success of a predecessor, and even more so when that predecessor imbued such a specific style on the team. However, in the appointment of Laudrup, the board at The Liberty Stadium have clearly sought a man whose footballing principles align to the resources they have at their disposal. In addition to his stellar playing past in La Liga, he has maintained his interest and (like Rodgers and Roberto Martinez before him), is a student of the Spanish game, and with bona fide experience in managing both Getafe and Mallorca for single, relatively successful seasons, he has had ample oppurtunity to test out these skills.
Turning thoughts to the Swansea defence, then, there is nothing to suggest that Laudrup cannot extract the same organisation and ball-playing skills as Rodgers done through 2011-12. After all, the goalkeeper, three quarters of the back four and the deepest lying, metronomic midfielder, Leon Britton – are all still present and correct at the club. Provided that the new signings and perhaps the returning Alan Tate are integrated fully, then I don’t see any reason why ‘Fortress Liberty’ cannot continue to boost their points tally to the benefit of Fantasy managers.
