Vital QPR takes a look at Championship side Swansea City
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FACTS & FIGURES |
Founded: 1912 (As Swansea Town)
Nickname: The Swans/The Jacks
Ground: Liberty Stadium (20,532)
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
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SELECTED HONOURS |
Football League One – Champions: 2008
Football League Third Division (South) – Champions: 1925, 1949
Football League Division Three – Champions: 2000
Football League Trophy – Winners: 1994, 2006
Football Association Cup – Semi Finalists: 1926, 1964
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RECORDS |
Record Attendance: 32,786 v Arsenal, at Vetch Field (FA Cup 5th Round, 1968)
Record league victory: 8-0 v Hartlepool (Fourth Division, 1978)
Record league defeat 1-8 v Fulham (Second Division, 1938)
Record Buy: £800,000 – Craig Beattie from West Bromwich Albion
Record Sale: £2,000,000 – Jason Scotland to Wigan Athletic
Record Appearances: Roger Freestone – 699 – 1989-2004
Record Goals: Ivor Allchurch – 146 – 1950-58 & 1965-68
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PREVIEW |
A bizarre managerial switch at the Liberty Stadium has seen Paulo Sousa depart for Leicester and Brendan Rodgers take his place in South Wales.
The former Watford and Reading boss has had varying patches of success, but by and large it appears at face value that Swansea have taken a step backwards in their race for the Premier League.
Rodgers’ horrendous spell at the Madejski was highlighted by the success of Brian McDermott and the only thing he may add to Swansea is a tad more attacking impetus.
Whether they sacrifice their defensive mentality remains to be seen, despite frustrating at times last season it was solid by and large and this will need to be maintained in view of their lack of fire power.
Season Preview: 13
I would expect City to have taken a step back this season given the managerial appointment, and they will miss the defensive and tactical stability that Paulo Sousa provided.
While not the most enterprising manager, Sousa gave Swansea – as he did QPR – a tough defensive unit, but under Rodgers I would expect there to be more attacking, but less emphasis on the defence.
This appointment is away from the calibre of Martinez or the aforementioned Portuguese boss, and in my opinion it will prove counter-productive for the Swans this time out.
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