Swansea Oh Swansea. He gives his views on the
game, Scott Sinclair, Luke Moore and much more. You can also find Steven on
Twitter at @StevenSOS1987
With the Swans lifting the
Capital One Cup, and finishing a decent 9th in the league, last season must have
been pretty special?
Yeah it was fantastic. We had some memorable results such as
winning at Arsenal in the league and obviously knocking out
Chelsea to reach the Capital One
Cup final was unreal. The first aim as ever is to stay up so finish in the top
half and win our first major trophy was obviously a massive overachievement. It
will be difficult to replicate that success this term but we've made some good
signings in the summer so hopefully we can have another good campaign
Any low point of last season, a
match or moment you would rather forget?
From March until the end of the campaign. Too many players
were on their summer holiday with survival already secured. We couldn't complain
as the objective had been achieved but it became very dull.
Hero of last season?
Michu - who else? The signing of the season scored a number
of important goals and cleaned up at the end of season awards do. If he does
half as well this term we'll be chuffed.
Villain of last season?
Might be slightly harsh to say villain but I wasn't a fan of
Itay Shechter. A striker who only had four shots at goal all season and
understandably has only one goal since October 2011. Thank God he didn't make
his loan deal permanent.
Most amusing ‘terrace chant’
heard last season?
Sloop John B Tune - "Robin Van Persie, We Thought You Were
Dead" After Fergie claimed Ashley Williams could've killed his star striker at
the Liberty
last December.
It’s often claimed that the
Europa League can be an unwelcome distraction for Premier League teams… are the
fans and club embracing the competition and can you achieve success in it?
I'm embracing it. At the end of the day we may well never
qualify again so we have to make the most of it. Michael Laudrup took
Getafe to the quarter finals so
hopefully he can do something similar with us. Realistically I think we can get
through the group and then it all depends on the draw. The priority as ever
remains the Premier League though.
What have the club’s transfer
dealings been like this summer and are you happy with them?
We've made a number of signings and the stand out one would
have to be Wilfried Bony the striker who cost us £12 million. We badly needed a
striker and it looks like we've got a very good one. Jonjo Shelvey has also come
in from Liverpool and he
looks like a good addition. The rest of the new arrivals are more likely to be
squad players but keep a look out for Alejandro Pozuelo, he's only 21 but could
well make an impact from the bench.
The Swans have started the new
season with two successive but perhaps expected league defeats, what have
performances been like?
Against Manchester United I thought we weren't bad but two
goals in two minutes killed us. After that it was game over but 4-1 wasn't a
fair reflection of how the game went. At Spurs we weren't so good but we
probably would have lost there anyway, it's one of the hardest fixtures of the
season though as is United at home.
Thoughts on
Albion’s new loan signing and former
Swansea winger Scott Sinclair?
He was brilliant in the championship but in the Premier
League he wasn't so great. He did score 8 goals in the top flight with us but
half of them were penalties and he flattered to deceive if I'm being honest, I
was amazed when Manchester
City
bought him and wasn't at all surprised he barely featured for them. His best
position is on the left of a front three where's he's more of an inside forward
that a out and out winger and likes to cut in and shoot as well as arrive late
in the box onto crosses from the other side. He could be a good acquisition for
you but I don't think he's as good as people make him out to be.
Former Baggie Luke Moore
recently left Swansea, he had an awful time at The Hawthorns, did he do any better for you?
I wasn't a fan to be honest. I once described him as the
least enthusiastic person I've ever seen on a football pitch as in he looks like
he'd rather be anywhere else. His work rate was shocking and he barely
contributed much to the team. However towards the end of last season he had his
best spell at the club with three goals from March onwards including one at the
Hawthorns. He's a bit hard done by after his performances picked up but long
term wasn't good enough for us.
Player to watch this season?
Wilfried Bony. 4 goals so far this season in just two starts
indicates we could well have a goal scorer to take the pressure of Michu at
last.
Prediction for
Swansea’s
season?
I think we'll finish about 12th, I'd say higher if we weren't
in Europe as that's bound
to cost us a few points.
Prediction for
Albion’s season?
Similar for you guys I think. Can't see you finishing as high
but you won't be in relegation trouble. I'll say 11th.
Premier League Champions?
Very tough question. I usually tip Manchester United but
without Fergie and any new arrivals I can't see it this time. Close call but
I'll go with Chelsea,
Manchester City aren't high in ,my thoughts after their result on Sunday!
Relegated?
Crystal Palace seem very weak so
I'd be amazed if they stayed up. I've got to say Cardiff haven't I? My other tip
is Newcastle. You just never know what's coming next with Mike Ashley in charge
and they've been hopeless in the transfer market.
Prediction for Sunday’s game?
I'll go for 1-1. I'd take that gladly considering we're in
Romania on Thursday
night.
