The Swans started the season in strong fashion. Just 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge was enough to get people talking about them and they continued their fine form in the following three matches.
Seven points from matches against Newcastle, Sunderland and Manchester United brought them to the fourth place in the Premier League. Despite this, their scintillating form has seen a drop following the international break.
Swansea shocked the travelling support at Vicarage Road where they lost 1-0 to newly promoted Watford. The lacklustre display gave the Hornets easy opportunities in what was a comfortable win. Overall, Swansea seemed daunted, lacking attacking zest and succumbed to the atmosphere of the stadium the home fans.
Last weekend, in-form Everton travelled to Wales and had ample opportunity to win at the Liberty Stadium, but the goalless draw seemed fair. The Jacks’ captain Ashley Williams and defensive midfielder Jack Cork showed improvement against the Toffees, yet the whole team will have to improve if they are to win at Southampton.
Ronald Koeman’s side lost at home to Manchester United, the team Swansea beat just before the international break. Southampton looked a lot better than in previous matches, harming the Red Devils with long balls and swift crosses. Sadio Mane, Dušan Tadić and Graziano Pelle were back to their best, showing the form that saw Southampton placed in the top four spots on the table for the most part of last season.
Swansea to find new penetration
In order to get back on track and start winning again, Swansea will face a real test. Garry Monk’s team needs to bounce back. Andre Ayew and Jefferson Montero seemed unrecognisable in the last two matches, with Gylfi Sigurdsson continuing to struggle since the opening match at Stamford Bridge. Nevertheless, the Swans were still a threat to Everton on Saturday, firing more shots on target than the opposition.
Garry Monk’s players need to find a new means of penetrating teams. In the opening matches, Swansea had Jonjo Shelvey, Ayew, Montero and Bafetimbi Gomis all combining to unlock defences. However, Ayew had a terrible game against Everton, unable to either create chances or be a direct threat to the opposition’s goal. Gomis’ stellar form suffered at the same time. Without a great deal of pace and movement, his strength makes him effective when poaching between centre-backs. This is a trait we have seen every time he has scored this season, but the service he needs must be at a high level.
Pelle and Tadić a new test for the defence
Defensively, Swansea looked rock solid against the Toffees, which they need to replicate at Southampton if they are to help Lukasz Fabianski keep a clean sheet intact. Kyle Naughton was a lot better than at Watford and while Neil Taylor had some problems with Gerard Deulofeu in the final 15 minutes of the match, he was generally solid. The central partnership of Federico Fernandez and Williams were immense, leaving the ample threat of Romelu Lukaku subdued.
The centre-back duo will have to put in another fine performance in order to stop Pelle, who is improving rapidly as the season progresses. Tadić was also good against Manchester United, so good in fact that Louis Van Gaal substituted Mateo Darmian at the half time, trying to find another solution for the Serbian international. Tadić’s display was great, creating three chances and adding another two crosses into the box.
This is the first time I’ve seen Darmian playing like Valencia. He’s finally found his match in Tadic.
— Red (@ThatBoyGiggsy) September 20, 2015
Swansea need to start winning away from Wales
In three away games this season, Swansea have only really performed well in one. The 2-2 draw against Chelsea was inspiring and, at that point, somewhat unexpected. Yet, the team’s results away from the Liberty Stadium have seen them draw twice and lose once. The 1-1 draw at Sunderland and obvious shortfall of their current campaign. The Swans could’ve also scored a goal or two more against Watford, so improving their away form must be a target.
Southampton haven’t started well either. They have only one victory to their name, and the 3-0 home loss to Everton was indicative of their early form. Midfield has been the key to Swansea’s results and they must prevail in that area if they are to get back to Wales with three points. If Shelvey and Cork get to control the middle of the pitch, Sigurdsson and Gomis could profit once more. The French striker was on a great run of nine goals in 10 Premier League matches but now goalless in two, Gomis will be as hungry as ever to grab a goal.
Swansea must prove that they are not just fast-starters and there is substance to their side in what should be a clash of two talented sides at Southampton.
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