Swansea City’s current situation seems desperate, but do the fans have any reason to be cheerful?
A look at the Premier League table would certainly suggest that Swansea City fans have little to be optimistic about going into 2017. But how has their campaign actually gone so far? And can they do anything in the coming months to salvage their season? Here is HITC Sport’s look…
Start to the season
The Swans go into 2017 bottom of the table, four points adrift of safety and without a permanent manager. The fact that they have won just three league games all season and have lost their last four – conceding 13 in the process – suggests that things look very bleak at the Liberty Stadium.
Manager’s performance
Paul Clement
The performances of Francesco Guidolin and Bob Bradley have resulted in the Swans going into the new year without a manager in place. BBC Sport reports that Paul Clement is on the verge of getting the job, and he faces an almighty task trying to turn things around.
Team performance of the season so far
The fightback to beat Crystal Palace 5-4 was, of course, impressive, but the game as a whole was comical at times so it is difficult to justify calling it the club’s best display. Instead, the 3-0 win over relegation rivals Sunderland in December should take the honour. With two of the bottom four ahead in their next two games – the latter in the FA Cup – a repeat of that second-half display against the Black Cats would be most welcome to build some confidence.
Star player
Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson
Unfortunately, there are not too many contenders for Swansea’s star player but Gylfi Sigurdsson’s form would be impressive whatever team he was playing for. Five goals and five assists have given the Welsh side some hope, and he will undoubtedly be crucial in the coming months.
Where to strengthen in January
The fact that Swansea’s attacking record is not too dissimilar to the other teams in the bottom-half of the table while their defence has conceded more goals than any other team in the division should confirm to Clement – if he is given the job – that adding more depth at the back is essential.
Likelihood of strengthening in January
It is difficult to imagine that Bradley’s successor will take the job without seeking assurances that there will be some money to spend this month. Swansea looked doomed if they do not get involved in the window.
Challenges ahead
There is no challenge that the new manager should be thinking about other than staying in the division. The FA Cup can be viewed as an opportunity to build some much-needed belief or a chance to rest some key players, but the top flight is surely the only priority.
Predicted end of season finish: 19th
The appointment of a new manager always has the potential to inspire a turnaround, but as things stand, it appears that Swansea will be playing Championship football when 2018 arrives.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
