Bob Bradley says his team were ‘too slow’ in their 3-1 defeat to Stoke on Monday evening and admits he hasn’t worked out his best XI just yet.
Swansea City boss Bob Bradley says his side were ‘too slow’ against Stoke and admits he still doesn’t know his best team as he prepares his side to take on Manchester United this weekend.
The Swans were comfortably beaten by Stoke City on Monday night and the loss set alarm bells ringing after the weekend’s results left them five points from safety.
Wilfried Bony and Joe Allen made easy work of Swansea’s disjointed midfield and back-line to ensure Stoke continued a good run of form and the loss left Bob Bradley looking rather concerned.
Swansea City manager Bob Bradley during the press conference
Reflecting on the match ahead of this week’s clash with Manchester United as published by WalesOnline, Bob Bradley said: “What I see is that on the surface, the group does a good job with everything.
“They understand the opponent and how to handle it, but in games situations develop quickly and the ability to recognise situations, smell danger, react, make plays in moments that really count, that is – for me – the area is missing the most.
“That’s what I mean by lack of confidence. You can go through a game doing a solid enough job, but the moments that count was the difference on Monday.”
Stoke City’s Wilfried Bony scores their first goal
Swansea welcome an out-of-sorts Manchester United to the Liberty Stadium this weekend but with Jose Mourinho desperate to get his men back in-form, it’s set to be a tough test for the home side.
Speaking about Manchester United, Bradley added: “There have been games not as strong as you might expect, other games there have been signs it’s starting to come together (for Manchester United).
“Maybe they haven’t completely found their best team – They have a lot of talent, but trying to find a balance in the team is what every manager in the world looks for. Jose has had a lot of people to figure out but I don’t think anybody who has watched them would say it’s been as consistent or as good as can be.”
Jose Mourinho will be in the stands for the fixture after receiving a one-game touch-line ban from the FA this week.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho
After speculating on whether Jose Mourinho has found his best team at Old Trafford, Bradley admitted he’s struggling himself in knowing his best XI. He said: “I’m trying to figure it out every week.
“But when you have a team that’s gone through a stretch of results like we have, what it means is that you have guys in up and down form and even guys who have played well in the past, they are not at their top level.
“You look every day at different combinations. In terms of tactics, it’s not pulling something different every day, but to have a flexibility, having an understanding of different ways to arrange players and have a versatility.”
Swansea City manager Bob Bradley
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