A Swansea City Fan Perspective of Swansea and QPR
Many thanks to Chris Carra of http://www.forzaswansea.com/
And many thanks to QPR Report's MaudesFishnChips for this and all other Fan Interviews
How long have you supported Swansea?
I've followed them since a teenager (I'm 26 now), but was never more than a causal supporter until about five years ago when I took more of an active interest!
How did you get to your blog? Has it evolved how you would of expected?
I began the blog just under two years ago as a test to see if I could write something interesting on a topic that I certainly wasn't an expert on back then! It gathered a following quite quickly and was recognised by the national media. It's gone to plan and better if I'm honest!
You have a new inexperienced manager in Laudrup, are Swansea fans happy with this appointment? What are their feelings regarding Rogers departure?
Swans fans in general seem happy with the appointment of Laudrup despite his inexperience at this level – he has a good vision and hopefully he can implement it. As for Rodgers, we were all disappointed when he left; however disappointment soon turned to irritation after his false promises were broken as he began chasing players.
With the loss of Brendan Rogers do you think Swansea’s style of play will be any different this season?
Thankfully Michael Laudrup is going to continue the pass-and-move philosophy that we've had at the club over the past few years so I don't think the style will be very different. We should see more goals though (at both ends) as Laudrup seems to have a more attacking plan in mind.
Are you happy with your team and how things are to date? spending/selling this so far?
The team is looking good at the moment. Laudrup got rid of some dead wood, and the club did great business receiving £15million for Joe Allen. We've also had a few decent looking signings in this transfer window, including Michu and de Guzman, and Flores who was needed in a defence lacking depth.
How do you think Swansea treats its fans? Appreciates them? Listens to them?
Swansea generally listens to the fans – it helps that the supporters trust owns part of the club!
Who are you Dangermen/Most valued/most overrated/most underrated players?
I don't think Swansea have many over-rated players or under-rated players as we are all pretty on the ball when it comes to praising/scorning players here at Swansea. Danger-men are certainly Nathan Dyer on the wing who can trouble to any defence, while Leon Britton is hard to control in the centre and pulls the strings.
Are you happy with your youth set up? Is your club doing enough to bring young/local talent through the ranks?
The club has a good youth squad, though few make it into the first team very often – usually just for cup matches or friendlies.
What is your prediction for Swansea City this season?
It's not going to be easy this season. While I don't see Swansea getting drawn into a relegation battle, they'll need to be sharp from the first game and start taking points immediately. If we can keep up the passing style of play, with a bit more emphasis on attack, there's no reason Swans can't finish near the top ten again. More realistically though, I think about 14th.
What is your view and the general Swansea view of QPR ?
Hmm. Personally I think QPR are a decent side and thoroughly deserved to win the Championship a few years ago. However, I'm not a fan of some of the players as individuals – Barton, Bothroyd and Taarabt aren't particularly nice characters and tend to bring down the reputation of your club. This tends to be the general view of the other Swans fans from what I gather! Still, we like you more than Liverpool!
Your score prediction for QPR v Swansea City?
Swansea never win their opening game and never win away at Loftus Road, so it doesn't bode well for us on Saturday. I'm going to say a draw though: 1-1.
What, realistically, do you think Swansea are capable of achieving in the next five years?
If we can hold onto a manager for enough time and can keep the passing, attacking philosophy we can draw better players, a bigger stadium and grow from a small club to a bigger one. I think the aim would be to establish ourselves in the Premier League for consecutive seasons, then maybe think about grabbing a spot in Europe (the FairPlay league seems our best way in at the moment!)
THANKS AGAIN VERY MUCH.to Chris Carra of http://www.forzaswansea.com