Swansea City’s fair play record so far this season may indicate that they need to be a bit tougher against their opponents.
Nobody wants to be top of the disciplinary charts. To many people it indicates that you are too rough, too dirty and do not deserve and plaudits you receive.
Meanwhile if you finish bottom then there is a chance of ending up in Europe through the fair play rule, which is always a positive. However, when it comes to Swansea City their lack of yellow and red cards may show that they need to toughen up.
It sounds ridiculous, but it is certainly plausible. The Swans have been pushed around and handily defeated a number of times throughout the season, and so far they have accumulated just 15 yellow cards and no red cards throughout the first 11 games of the campaign. Whilst they should indeed be applauded for that in comparison to the rest of the division, maybe it shows something different to what the Premier League want us to believe.
Swansea’s Lee Lucas (L) and Tottenham’s Aaron Lennon in action as Swansea’s Pablo Hernandez looks on
Making those necessary last stitch challenges that earn a yellow card or put a bit of fear into the opponent are still essential in today’s landscape. It can give teams an entirely different perspective on what you are capable of, and maybe it is a technique that Bob Bradley needs to start drilling into his players.
Just look at Watford and Manchester City. Between them they have picked up 50 yellow cards and two reds so far this season, and they currently sit in 8th and 3rd. It may not necessarily be linked entirely to the disciplinary charts, but it is certainly interesting to note.
Swansea City manager Bob Bradley during the press conference
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