saintant

It would have got a little nervy if their bloke had scored instead of hitting the post from a yard out but we got the job done and deserved the 3 points. RM is always looking to learn so I'm sure he'll have taken a lot from this game both positively and stuff that we can improve on.

I doubt many are 'Jack haters' and I know I'm not. For me he is not good enough to slot in and play the style of football we are becoming so accomplished at. He has always been one who dithers and dwells on the ball and is not good enough or calm enough to integrate into the way we play out from the back. This leads to uncertainty in his fellow defenders and, what was a fluid transition, becomes disjointed and far less effective. He's obviously a great pro but I have little confidence in him and get nervous when he's on the pitch.

I take my hat off and congratulate RM on masterminding this record breaking run. I had big doubts about him after the 4 losses on the bounce but fair play to him, his coaches and the players because this is quite a ride we're on and long may it continue.

He came on today and got caught up in how good the defence has been during this unbeaten run so was attempting to play passes he shouldn't have been trying and put us under so much pressure. We need far better and the fact that he's our captain is a concern if, as seems to be the case, RM is giving him game time he doesn't merit. He will cost us points unless this is managed well.

Agree, Baz pulled off some very good saves near the end to keep our 2 goal lead intact when those in front of him decided to have a collective brain fart instigated by Stephens.

Brilliant first half and deservedly led 3-1. Second half I thought a touch of complacency bordering on arrogance crept into our play compounded by bringing on Stephens who was awful - the square ball he played across his own penalty area was just horrendous and it gave encouragement to Swansea and lifted their crowd. Funny game and you could make a case for Baz being our man of the match despite our total domination in the first half. Stephens certainly emphasised the gulf in class and ability between him and THB. It's a great win and brilliant to break the record but plenty there for RM to work on because really we should have won that game by a bigger margin yet, in the end, were hanging on.

He did say better team in the second half and he's probably correct.

How soon we forget [ best defence in the Prem at that time.

We have a new hipster phrase as this analysis mentions something called Field Tilt. What next I wonder?

So the only time we should hear from JW should be an annual fans forum?

I think this thread is worth a bump because there hasn't been much chat about JW since the two heavy defeats to Sunderland and Leicester (after which I commented that he probably wouldn't sleep easy) followed by two more losses. This worrying spell of course led to the current unbeaten run. JW seems content to stay in the background which is probably a good thing but it would be interesting to hear his views on the evolution of the team bearing in mind the long unbeaten run. It's got me wondering whether he has had much, if any, input into any tweaks in our set-up and style of play. RM is clear that they speak most if not every day. JW strikes me as someone who invests 100% into improving the side and with his undoubted knowledge and enthusiasm coupled with a burning ambition he must be delighted at how we are performing. I'd love to see a fly-on-the-wall type film of his typical working week. It would be good to learn more about his overall role as, whatever influence he has, it is certainly paying dividends so I'm chuffed that we have Jason in our camp.

But if we'd lost 3 and drawn 1 of our last 7 games I doubt you'd be talking about an unbelievable run. Ok, they have a good record over the season but their current run is ordinary at best.

Yeah, agree,

Is that the unbelievable run that has seen them lose 3 and draw 1 of their last 7 games?

Only if Man City, Liverpool or Arsenal sign him.

I'd think he would be competition/cover for the likes of Stu Armstrong and Charlie Alcaraz.

To describe him as a defensive midfielder is wrong imo as I think he is attack minded. Just watched his skills video from when he played at Blackburn and I couldn't believe how easily he glides past opponents sometimes getting past 3 or 4 at a time. He may have lost some of that ability but would suggest people look at that video because it is an eye opener. If he can recreate some of those skills for us he'd be a huge asset. Let's see.

Still confident we'll finish above Ipswich. We are a much better side and they will drop more points than us between now and the end of the season.

Shame.

Arma has been brilliant all season- plays his position superbly with a healthy combination of goals and assists. Very pleased for him.

Nah, they're wide open at the back 🙂

Sunderland one up 🙂

Just watching Man City - is Pep trying to copy us?

So presumably the play after that when we scored the 3 goals must have been like watching Brazil at their best 🙂

3 points gained on Leicester plus a swing of 6 in goal difference. Nice.