Michael Laudrup

The only thing Brian could do as well as his brother were those trademark mazy solo runs of his. Michael was not just about that, he dictated the game, he kept play flowing with quick one touch passes until the opening for the killer pass invariably came. Imagine Xavi's vision and passing repertoire floating around the pitch at pace with the majestic grace of Zidane. Ominous. Imperious. Unplayable. It never, ever, went into zombie/dull passing mode. Every time he touched the ball you just shot your load.

Again, differently from Brian, he wasn't really into trying to finish the moves (something that also probably affects his standing in the game) but generously laying the goals on a plate for his teammates. Stoichkov, Romario, Zamorano, they all shone brightest with Laudrup pulling the strings. In fact, they all turned to shit within a season once they had to adjust back to playing football without Laudrup in their side.

He won La Liga four seasons in a row with Barca. In his last season they beat Real 5-0, Romario scored a goal a game and Real came fourth. Once at Real he broke that dominance taking them to the title, leaving Barca fourth (a 20+ point turn in fortunes), more than doubled Zamorano's goal tally and now it was Real beating Barca 5-0.

Yes, Real had changed manager (as usual), signed a young Fernando Redondo (handy, but not in monster mode yet) and Romario was arguably suffering post-WC fatigue (he never recovered from it though, nor had it stopped Barca winning the title without him in 1990-93).

Brian Laudrup could not even dream of having such an impact at the top end of a major league. In fact, very very few players ever would.
 
It's so easy to cite Valencia's poor start to the season as if this was to be expected, but to go to the Mestalla in your first big European awayday and hold 65% of the possession and win 3-0 is pretty much remarkable. Obviously it's been a gradual progression between managers, but Laudrup is doing a fantastic job and Swans are developing brilliantly.
 
I wouldnt call it remarkable at all. But its still good. Valencia are in meltdown just like the start of last season only worse and you can expect another early manager change just as they did last season. Hopefully they'll actually appoint a decent manager this time, as they have failed to do again and again after Emery - let go because he couldn't better finishing 3rd 3 times in a row...
 
OK, we'll have to disagree on the definition of 'remarkable'. But for me, considering Swansea's rise and how many teams have fallen at the wayside when thrown so quickly into European competition, they've already accomplished something pretty special.
 
Well I say that because he's assembled a very good side. I think the young Spaniards he's picked up were genius signings and went a bit under the radar because of the Bony deal. But I'm confident that Pozuelo and Amat will also become regular starters even though they are in their early 20s. Maybe even Alvaro could hit some form and give Bony a run for his money

And I also say that because Valencia are currently dire. They have maybe 2 good players left in sort of decent form, their other good players have been sold or lost form badly and need to be replaced. Their squad is now about 80% dead wood and they wont do anything till they get rid.
 
Well obviously you're approaching the result from a Valencia perspective; I'm coming from the perspective of someone who, when I was 15, saw what is still the worst 90 minutes of my life at the Vetch when Swansea drew 0-0 with Hull in Division Three. As I said earlier, it's obviously been a progression. But for me, the progression from Rodgers to Laudrup has been maybe the most impressive of all. And as shambolic as Valencia may be right now, Swansea winning 3-0 at the Mestalla is 'remarkable'.
 
Ekeke said:
Well I say that because he's assembled a very good side. I think the young Spaniards he's picked up were genius signings and went a bit under the radar because of the Bony deal. But I'm confident that Pozuelo and Amat will also become regular starters even though they are in their early 20s. Maybe even Alvaro could hit some form and give Bony a run for his money

And I also say that because Valencia are currently dire. They have maybe 2 good players left in sort of decent form, their other good players have been sold or lost form badly and need to be replaced. Their squad is now about 80% dead wood and they wont do anything till they get rid.
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I've said it before Pozuelo at £500k looks insanely good business. And Amat gives them good cover for now and could still develop into a starter as he's young.
 
Pozuelo looks like a hell of a player. Laudrup is very good in the transfer market I feel, and he's obviously doing something right on the training ground. Swansea play as a real team, and keep playing according to their principles even with their backs against the walls (see their comeback against Liverpool the other night, they played Liverpool off the park in the second half). And in their ranks, they have some real match winners and some of the top players of the league for me (when you put the megastars from the big clubs aside for a minute): Michu, Chico Flores (who, for me, was one of the best CBs in the league last year), Britton who's very effective at what he does...

Of course you can point out Valencia's flaws, but Swansea's win is nonetheless remarkable.

Posted by Andy Mitten on Twitter: "10 years ago, Swansea just avoided relegation from Football League. Valencia were en-route to becoming Spanish champions for 2nd time in 3 years".
 
Sid Lowe's article said Swansea had 6 Spaniards in their starting XI to Valencia's 4!
Crazy.

But I agree with those above. Pozuelo looks a really really good fit for them so far. As had Shelvey in his early games (Liverpool aside). I like that they continue their passing philosophy under Laudrup, but are direct at the same time. It's a couple of steps up imo from the 'sterile possession' (to use a Wengerism) that they largely seemed to play under Rodgers.
 
LR7 said:
Sid Lowe's article said Swansea had 6 Spaniards in their starting XI to Valencia's 4!
Crazy.

But I agree with those above. Pozuelo looks a really really good fit for them so far. As had Shelvey in his early games (Liverpool aside). I like that they continue their passing philosophy under Laudrup, but are direct at the same time. It's a couple of steps up imo from the 'sterile possession' (to use a Wengerism) that they largely seemed to play under Rodgers.
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Agree with this. When they got back into the PL under Rodgers, they were already a passing side that was pretty pleasing to watch play (continuing what Martinez had begun there, I think?), but it was a lot of sterile possession and they lacked the ability to turn it into real goalscoring opportunities, they didn't really know how to bring the tempo up a notch or two when necessary. At home, they were capable of grinding out some really good wins and were a strong side (weren't we the only team to actually beat them in Wales?). But since Laudrup has arrived, maybe cos of the man himself, there has been more attacking flair, and they remain that attractive proposition they were a couple of years ago, a very technical side capable of playing one touch football with ease, but have really improved up front. Them and Spurs are the teams I enjoy watching the most, I usually try to make time to see the Swans play. Great win for them last night, and it must have been immense for the traveling fans!
 
Rooney in Paris said:
Agree with this. When they got back into the PL under Rodgers, they were already a passing side that was pretty pleasing to watch play (continuing what Martinez had begun there, I think?), but it was a lot of sterile possession and they lacked the ability to turn it into real goalscoring opportunities, they didn't really know how to bring the tempo up a notch or two when necessary. At home, they were capable of grinding out some really good wins and were a strong side (weren't we the only team to actually beat them in Wales?). But since Laudrup has arrived, maybe cos of the man himself, there has been more attacking flair, and they remain that attractive proposition they were a couple of years ago, a very technical side capable of playing one touch football with ease, but have really improved up front. Them and Spurs are the teams I enjoy watching the most, I usually try to make time to see the Swans play. Great win for them last night, and it must have been immense for the traveling fans!
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Yeah, agree completely.

They were confident in possession under Rodgers, and they still are now, but the main difference is that then a lot of their possession was within their own half, where the opposition were quite happy for them to have the ball. Now they seem to be able to get into more attacking positions much easier, more fluidly, and with much more threat. I love watching Swansea too, and Arsenal of late. I remember some time last season (maybe after we beat them at OT) Gary Neville did a MNF about Arsenal's lack of movement in the attacking third - saying that none of the midfielders were making the runs that they used to be known for, to open up space for Giroud. They seem to have completely knocked that on the head, and I think at times now their off the ball movement in the final third is brilliant.

Interesting to see how far Swansea get in the EL this season. I suppose a lot of it will depend on injuries with their squad not being that deep and also how far they get in the domestic cups - as it could end up being a lot of fixtures for them.
 
Just read a transcript of his post match interview, I think the guy is class. He was pretty frank about the quality of the game ('poor game to watch') and said the draw was deserved, with Swansea being too slow in the first half. It was especially on the handball claims he was quite candid, not deflecting the question but answering that it's a 50/50 situation that the ref can give or not, and that they were lucky with the decision. Not only does he have his team playing good football, but I'd say he's one of the most enjoyable managers in the PL to listen to.
 
Easily the most likeable manager in the league.
 
I've hardly had the opportunity to watch Swansea this season though (less and less football in general :(), has Pozuelo been playing? At the beginning of the season, he looked like he could be a good signing, how has he been so far?
 
Rooney in Paris said:
I've hardly had the opportunity to watch Swansea this season though (less and less football in general :(), has Pozuelo been playing? At the beginning of the season, he looked like he could be a good signing, how has he been so far?
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He almost always plays when I catch them, probably because Pablo Hernández has been injured. From what I've seen he seems to be trying a bit too much on his own. He clearly has some technical ability, especially when it comes to a quick turn or flick. He's also shown he can make the final pass, he played a brilliant chipped pass over the top of the defence to get an assist in, I think, one of the Europa League games.
He needs to be better in his decision making and look a bit more to his teammates at times. But I guess those two are related. He has the tools he just needs to put them together.
 
When you have both Barca and Real fans trying to claim you as their's you must be nice guy.

Only a matter of time before he ends up managing one of them if he continues to develop as a manager.
 
Eyepopper said:
When you have both Barca and Real fans trying to claim you as their's you must be nice guy.

Only a matter of time before he ends up managing one of them if he continues to develop as a manager.
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This.

Likeable bloke, good looking (to all the ladies :drool:), top footballer in his day, good manager...FFS, some just have it all :mad:
 
He should probably stay with Swansea for another couple of years - looks like he could be a top manager in the making. Early days though.
 
Maagge said:
He almost always plays when I catch them, probably because Pablo Hernández has been injured. From what I've seen he seems to be trying a bit too much on his own. He clearly has some technical ability, especially when it comes to a quick turn or flick. He's also shown he can make the final pass, he played a brilliant chipped pass over the top of the defence to get an assist in, I think, one of the Europa League games.
He needs to be better in his decision making and look a bit more to his teammates at times. But I guess those two are related. He has the tools he just needs to put them together.
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Thanks Maagge!
Grinner said:
Anyone who would actively sign Jonjo Shelvey for actual money is a bit suspect in my book.
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:lol:
 
The emphasis of course is on our loss and how poor we played and how well the Caf can meltdown and so on, but I think it was a big achievement for him to come and claim a win at Old Trafford yesterday. I don't think Swansea were brilliant, but they capitalized on our mistakes and I think his move to bring on Canas was a good one.

Also, we were discussing him above, Pozuelo looks like a hell of a player, very good buy.
 
Pozuelo looked a good player yep. They did well to win but it has been proven multiple times this season that beating us at Old Trafford isn't a particularly difficult achievement.
 
That's a good point, it seems like it's the perfect season for all those teams that haven't beaten us since 1473 or whatever to come claim a victory at OT! :lol:

Wait, that's actually not funny. :(
 
He's been sacked. Another silly, pointless sacking.
 
Sacked after winning them a cup and getting them into Europe, plus sacking him a few days after the transfer window closes. :lol:
 
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