


{"id":12276,"date":"2017-04-11T15:50:50","date_gmt":"2017-04-11T15:50:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.violetsport.com\/2017\/04\/11\/why-losing-likeable-swansea-city-from-the-premier-league-would-be-a-shame-for-the-neutrals\/"},"modified":"2017-04-11T15:50:50","modified_gmt":"2017-04-11T15:50:50","slug":"why-losing-likeable-swansea-city-from-the-premier-league-would-be-a-shame-for-the-neutrals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.violetsport.com\/?p=12276","title":{"rendered":"Why Losing Likeable Swansea City From the Premier League Would Be a Shame for the Neutrals"},"content":{"rendered":"<div readability=\"113\">\n<p>With just six games remaining till the end of the Premier League\u00a0season, things are starting to\u00a0look bleak once again for Swansea City.<br \/>?<\/p>\n<p data-label=\"Drop here...\">Wins for their Saturday opponents West\u00a0Ham and Crystal Palace, and the recent form shown by the previously-considered doomed Hull City, have left the winless in\u00a0<span style=\"background-color: initial; font-size: 1em;\">five Swans in the thick of a relegation dogfight once again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Swans\u00a0have conceded a staggering 67 goals in the league this season which, make no bones about it, is absolutely terrible and many would argue that they are deserving of their place in the relegation zone. Maybe they are.<\/p>\n<p><i class=\"wrapper\" contenteditable=\"false\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-container imageEmbedded\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-ratio=\"16\/9\" data-url=\"http:\/\/90min-images-original.s3.amazonaws.com\/production\/58ecc653dba809ce0e00002e.jpg\" data-licensor=\"GettyImages\" data-description=\"Swansea City's English head coach Paul Clement reacts during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Swansea City at The London Stadium, in east London on April 8, 2017. \/ AFP PHOTO \/ Ian KINGTON \/ RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club\/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club\/league\/player publications.  \/         (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON\/AFP\/Getty Images)\" data-afp_image=\"false\" data-getty_image=\"true\" data-large_url=\"https:\/\/media.gettyimages.com\/photos\/swansea-citys-english-head-coach-paul-clement-reacts-during-the-picture-id666182452?b=1&#038;k=6&#038;m=666182452&#038;s=612x612&#038;w=0&#038;h=F0Gf7QrnnPqCwxhJvRqXO0tGmPI0ZSxfjwS-2ZhQ5ew=\" data-credit=\"IAN KINGTON\/GettyImages\" data-title=\"FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-SWANSEA\" data-date=\"2017-04-08\" data-crop=\"\"x\":0.09904761904761905,\"y\":0.1457142857142857,\"w\":0.900952380952381,\"h\":0.7601785714285715\" data-is-animated=\"false\" data-width=\"undefined\" data-height=\"undefined\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"IAN KINGTON\/GettyImages\" alt=\"FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-SWANSEA\" src=\"http:\/\/media.minutemediacdn.com\/process?url=http%3A%2F%2F90min-images-original.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fproduction%2F58ecc653dba809ce0e00002e.jpg&#038;filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bw%5D=0.900952380952381&#038;filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bh%5D=0.7601785714285715&#038;filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bo_x%5D=0.09904761904761905&#038;filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bo_y%5D=0.1457142857142857&#038;filters%5Bquality%5D%5Btarget%5D=80&#038;type=.jpg&#038;filters%5Bresize%5D%5Bw%5D=578&#038;filters%5Bresize%5D%5Bh%5D=325\" data-licensor=\"GettyImages\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/i><\/p>\n<p data-label=\"Drop here...\"><span style=\"background-color: initial; font-size: 1em;\">However, there&#8217;s a few reasons why it would be shame to lose the Swans from England&#8217;s top flight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-label=\"Drop here...\">Paul Clement&#8217;s appointment on the face of things seemed\u00a0reasonable &#8211; a manager, who once\u00a0won the Premier League as Carlo Ancelotti&#8217;s number two at Chelsea\u00a0with fantastic coaching abilities and a\u00a0pretty decorated CV. He seems like a man that with time in England&#8217;s top flight could get the Welsh club playing the attractive brand of football they were once associated with in the Premier League<\/p>\n<p><i class=\"wrapper\" contenteditable=\"false\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-container imageEmbedded\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-ratio=\"16\/9\" data-url=\"http:\/\/90min-images-original.s3.amazonaws.com\/production\/58ecc74fc4c31a31d000002e.jpg\" data-licensor=\"GettyImages\" data-description=\"LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05:  Manager of Swansea City Brendan Rodgers salutes the fans after the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Swansea City at Anfield on November 5, 2011 in Liverpool, England.  (Photo by Clive Mason\/Getty Images)\" data-afp_image=\"false\" data-getty_image=\"true\" data-large_url=\"https:\/\/media.gettyimages.com\/photos\/manager-of-swansea-city-brendan-rodgers-salutes-the-fans-after-the-picture-id131525581?b=1&#038;k=6&#038;m=131525581&#038;s=612x612&#038;w=0&#038;h=QxPcspKMJud2SIhiZfP1cN3YobYUbij7rgITiXDR5EY=\" data-credit=\"Clive Mason\/GettyImages\" data-title=\"Liverpool v Swansea City - Premier League\" data-date=\"2011-11-05\" data-crop=\"\"x\":0,\"y\":0.03428571428571429,\"w\":1,\"h\":0.8335351089588376\" data-is-animated=\"false\" data-width=\"undefined\" data-height=\"undefined\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Clive Mason\/GettyImages\" alt=\"Liverpool v Swansea City - Premier League\" src=\"http:\/\/media.minutemediacdn.com\/process?url=http%3A%2F%2F90min-images-original.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fproduction%2F58ecc74fc4c31a31d000002e.jpg&#038;filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bw%5D=1.0&#038;filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bh%5D=0.8335351089588376&#038;filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bo_x%5D=0.0&#038;filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bo_y%5D=0.03428571428571429&#038;filters%5Bquality%5D%5Btarget%5D=80&#038;type=.jpg&#038;filters%5Bresize%5D%5Bw%5D=578&#038;filters%5Bresize%5D%5Bh%5D=325\" data-licensor=\"GettyImages\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/i><\/p>\n<p>Swansea have always tried to adopt an aesthetically pleasing style of football and surely they have to be respected for that. It&#8217;s been that way for a number of years, suggesting that there is an in-built ethos at the Liberty Stadium. It is a style that has been know to yield goals, and that&#8217;s what we all want to see from a team, right?<\/p>\n<p data-label=\"Drop here...\">That ethos, instilled by one\u00a0Roberto\u00a0Martinez,\u00a0has evidently done a disappearing act for most of the\u00a0current season, but credit should be given to the board for their sense of urgency in trying to\u00a0 rectify the issue.<br \/>?<\/p>\n<p>Some might argue that Francesco Guidolin and Bob Bradley weren&#8217;t given enough time. As every football fan knows though, it&#8217;s a results business and Clement has proved he can string together a run and get his team playing.<\/p>\n<p><i class=\"wrapper\" contenteditable=\"false\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-container imageEmbedded\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-ratio=\"16\/9\" data-url=\"http:\/\/90min-images-original.s3.amazonaws.com\/production\/58ecc790654e6a383e000001.jpg\" data-licensor=\"GettyImages\" data-description=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Swansea players celebrate after the Capital One Cup Final match between Bradford City and Swansea City at Wembley Stadium on February 24, 2013 in London, England.  (Photo by Michael Regan\/Getty Images)\" data-afp_image=\"false\" data-getty_image=\"true\" data-large_url=\"https:\/\/media.gettyimages.com\/photos\/swansea-players-celebrate-after-the-capital-one-cup-final-match-picture-id162766528?b=1&#038;k=6&#038;m=162766528&#038;s=612x612&#038;w=0&#038;h=6hM2W6ugjrQKuWDVbAZ-kCNbbzkMjxzA8jrzRHVUXlk=\" data-credit=\"Michael Regan\/GettyImages\" data-title=\"Bradford City v Swansea City - Capital One Cup Final\" data-date=\"2013-02-24\" data-crop=\"\"x\":0,\"y\":0,\"w\":1,\"h\":0.8080985915492959\" data-is-animated=\"false\" data-width=\"undefined\" data-height=\"undefined\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Michael Regan\/GettyImages\" alt=\"Bradford City v Swansea City - Capital One Cup Final\" src=\"http:\/\/media.minutemediacdn.com\/process?url=http%3A%2F%2F90min-images-original.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fproduction%2F58ecc790654e6a383e000001.jpg&#038;filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bw%5D=1.0&#038;filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bh%5D=0.8080985915492959&#038;filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bo_x%5D=0.0&#038;filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bo_y%5D=0.0&#038;filters%5Bquality%5D%5Btarget%5D=80&#038;type=.jpg&#038;filters%5Bresize%5D%5Bw%5D=578&#038;filters%5Bresize%5D%5Bh%5D=325\" data-licensor=\"GettyImages\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/i><\/p>\n<p>The 2013 League Cup winners have also become something of a &#8216;second team&#8217;  for many fans around the country, due to their attractive football and underdog story. At least they certainly were before the firing of Garry Monk. They were\u00a0a team with a defined style, who\u00a0you could get behind in previous seasons.<\/p>\n<p data-label=\"Drop here...\">With stars such as Gylfi Sigurdsson, Fernando Llorente, Leroy Fer and youngster Alfie Mawson in their ranks, one gets the feeling of &#8216;they&#8217;re too good on paper to be where they are&#8217;, which is another reason why it&#8217;d be a shame to lose them &#8211; you expect them to be challenging for mid table, as they did under Brendan Rodgers, to top half finishes rather than flirting with relegation<\/p>\n<p><i class=\"wrapper\" contenteditable=\"false\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-container imageEmbedded\" contenteditable=\"false\" data-ratio=\"16\/9\" data-url=\"http:\/\/90min-images-original.s3.amazonaws.com\/production\/58ecc80c205b2eda4b000001.jpg\" data-licensor=\"GettyImages\" data-description=\"SWANSEA, WALES - APRIL 05:  Gylfi Sigurdsson of Swansea City (L) and Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur (R) battle for possession during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur at the Liberty Stadium on April 5, 2017 in Swansea, Wales.  (Photo by Stu Forster\/Getty Images)\" data-afp_image=\"false\" data-getty_image=\"true\" data-large_url=\"https:\/\/media.gettyimages.com\/photos\/gylfi-sigurdsson-of-swansea-city-and-dele-alli-of-tottenham-hotspur-picture-id664941866?b=1&#038;k=6&#038;m=664941866&#038;s=612x612&#038;w=0&#038;h=DhLqL2iEw2-_AuReWWjXqrynJTxqNpAR6w6yD-Y035w=\" data-credit=\"Stu Forster\/GettyImages\" data-title=\"Swansea City v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League\" data-date=\"2017-04-05\" data-crop=\"\"x\":0,\"y\":0.014285714285714285,\"w\":0.8996265172735762,\"h\":0.7553571428571428\" data-is-animated=\"false\" data-width=\"undefined\" data-height=\"undefined\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Stu Forster\/GettyImages\" alt=\"Swansea City v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League\" src=\"http:\/\/media.minutemediacdn.com\/process?url=http%3A%2F%2F90min-images-original.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fproduction%2F58ecc80c205b2eda4b000001.jpg&#038;filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bw%5D=0.8996265172735762&#038;filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bh%5D=0.7553571428571428&#038;filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bo_x%5D=0.0&#038;filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bo_y%5D=0.014285714285714285&#038;filters%5Bquality%5D%5Btarget%5D=80&#038;type=.jpg&#038;filters%5Bresize%5D%5Bw%5D=578&#038;filters%5Bresize%5D%5Bh%5D=325\" data-licensor=\"GettyImages\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/i><\/p>\n<p>From a romance perspective, when a club comes up through the lower tiers of English football as Swansea have, it becomes somewhat difficult to then be OK with that team potentially going back down. As everybody knows, the Championship is a notoriously hard division to gain promotion from, but historically very easy for relegated Premier League sides to end up suffering the very same fate again. Just ask Bolton, Sheffield United, Coventry, Charlton, Blackpool, Portsmouth.<\/p>\n<p data-label=\"Drop here...\">If it is to be a swansong season for the Liberty outfit, it would certainly be a big shame to lose a club of such good intentions, and the Premier League will be losing one of the more entertaining football teams of the past few years from the\u00a0division.?<\/p>\n<p><i class=\"wrapper\" contenteditable=\"false\" readability=\"2.5\"\/><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With just six games remaining till the end of the Premier League\u00a0season, things are starting to\u00a0look bleak once again for Swansea City.? Wins for their Saturday opponents West\u00a0Ham and Crystal Palace, and the recent form shown by the previously-considered doomed Hull City, have left the winless in\u00a0five Swans in the thick of a relegation dogfight [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2239,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12276","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-swansea-city"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.violetsport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12276","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.violetsport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.violetsport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.violetsport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.violetsport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12276"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.violetsport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12276\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.violetsport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.violetsport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12276"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.violetsport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12276"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.violetsport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12276"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}