HomeZ OLD CATEGORIESEPLLeon Britton | Architect of Swansea City Masterclass | Opta Stats

Leon Britton | Architect of Swansea City Masterclass | Opta Stats

Sometimes in football, you have to witness something with your own eyes just to assure yourself that what you just saw actually did happen. I refer of course to Swansea City’s complete demolition of a streetwise and experienced Barclays Premier side in the shape of Fulham, who entered yesterday’s game at Craven Cottage having won six out of their previous eight home matches in the League, scoring an impressive 21 goals in the process, suggesting that Martin Jol had turned his particular home in west London into the type of fortress that all managers dream of.

When I arrived at the ground I was asked my prediction for the game ahead by a travelling fan from South Wales, “Swansea win” was my instant reply. My response was a little bullish based on their excellent win the week before against the big spending Manchester City, which followed hot on the heals of a very solid performance in a victory at Wigan, but in reality, I actually felt that leaving Craven Cottage with a point would be an excellent result for Brendan Rodgers’s travelling Swans, such was the Cottagers strength at home.

But just as I was taking my seat to consider the afternoon’s prospects, I learned of the news that Swansea’s star performer against Manchester City, and a player who has been the very bedrock of Swansea’s courageous assault on the Premier League this season, Ashley Williams, would be absent with a virus. My optimism changed instantly, and I have to confess, I then feared even a draw might have been out of reach for Swansea.

Leon Britton challenging Clint Dempsey in Swansea's comprehensive victory over Fulham

I thought that, not because Williams’ replacement, Gary Monk, would let Swansea City down – far from it, he never has – but I was far more concerned by the fact that Monk and his young defensive partner, Steven Caulker, had never shared central defensive duties in a Premier League game. This untried partnership would now have to deal with the threat offered by the new Russian sensation, Pavel Pogrebnyak, who in his first five matches since signing from Stuttgart had scored five goals from his ten shots, and that of his experienced strike partner, the dynamic Andrew Johnson. Communication and understanding is paramount in any defensive partnership and my pre-match fear was that those particular attributes would not necessarily be as strong as they usually are when Williams and Caulker line up together.

Next Page: Leon Britton analysis…

Davebrayley
Davebrayley
David Brayley is a freelance sports writer from Swansea who specialises in comment based columns across the whole spectrum of professional sport. He is also a published author having written "There's Only Two Tony Cotteys" with former Swansea City footballer and Glamorgan and Sussex cricketer Tony Cottey. David also visits schools to inspire and engage young children into literacy, and his book published in 2010, "Believing is Achieving", was hailed in educational circles for the impact it had in raising literacy standards with Year 6 children.
More News

4 COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here