Swansea fully deserves all the praise after such an impressive, dominate display against a brave Bradford side that looked like a rabbit in the headlights. The latter were never really at the races today, as it was one-way traffic for the full 90 minutes.
Since getting into the Premiership in 2011-12, Swansea have emulated the league, offering a total brand of football that’s just a sheer joy to watch. In their last campaign, they beat giants Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City before eventually finishing a very creditable 11th position. In the following summer, Brendan Rogers left for one of football’s greats in Liverpool, thus leaving the door open for Michael Laudrup to take over the reins for the Welsh club, keeing their fairytale time in the Prem on-going.
Every real football fan loves watching this team play as its proper football… pass-move-pass-move little triangles, squares, or any other shape they can muster, but they also have an end product to all their impressive build up play too. The buy of the summer was without doubt Michu, who at 2million was an absolute bargain – he has already filled the onion bag 18times and again scored in the 5-nil League cup romp. While we’re on Michu, he’s not all about goals though, as he works hard by putting defenders under immense pressure. To be honest, surely a bigger team will make a large offer for him in the next transfer window, perhaps in and around 20million as I see the price tag.
But don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a one man team. Players like Wayne Routledge have blossomed into a real quality performer that fits the team like a glove. Leon Britton does the unselfish things – making tackles, keeping the ball moving and letting the more skillful players be creative. Ashley Williams is a man mountain at the back – strong in the air, quick, but can play football too. Canadian Johnathan De Guzman has produced many top level performances this season, and scored twice in the final too. I could go through the whole side but these are the standouts for me in a side built to play as a team.
The only downside of the final was Nathan Dyer’s petulant behavior at not being allowed to take the penalty, thus giving him a chance of a hat-trick. For two full minutes he was arguing with De Guzman like a spoilt child. After continuing the sulk, Laudrup eventually replaced him with Roland Laman. Enough of the Dyer nonsense.
As a football fan for over 30 years I love seeing the underdog do well(unless its Spurs!). This team has worked itself up to 9th in the Premiership this season and now have won their first major trophy in their 100 year history. As a non-Swansea fan I enjoyed the final immensely, the way they dismantled their opponents with speed, skill and sheer quality football making for the biggest win in their League Cup history – that’s one way to lift your first major trophy – with such emphatically glorious style.
So where do Swansea go from here? I don’t know, but tonight I hope they fully enjoy this tremendous victory. Well done Swansea, you deserve it!!
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