Post by QPR Report on Aug 18, 2009 6:59:48 GMT
I wonder if there are some who actually WANT him to fail at Swansea....Not just are disinterested cos he's no longer QPR...And of course Holloway Deserves all the luck as well
Sousa accepts pressure on Swansea to claim first win
Aug 18 2009 by Blair Wood, Western Mail
SWANSEA CITY boss Paulo Sousa has admitted the pressure is on his troops to open their Championship account against Reading tonight.
But, despite starting the season with back-to-back defeats, the Portuguese legend insists he isnât feeling the heat at the Liberty Stadium and still has every confidence his players will soon turn things around.
After a highly disruptive summer, in which key players were either lost to the Premiership or the treatment room, Sousa has always maintained Swans fans will need to be patient as his side find their feet this season.
But, with his team bottom of the table and the only one in the league without a point, frustration has already started to grow in some quarters.
While itâs a ridiculous situation for a new manager to be in after just two league games, itâs one Sousa has to deal with.
And, following an opening day defeat to Leicester and a 3-0 loss at home to Middlesbrough, itâs one he will be desperate to put an end to as soon as possible.
With that in mind, itâs natural tonightâs clash with the Royals will take on an increased importance for everyone involved at Swansea.
The club never lost three games on the trot under previous manager Roberto Martinez, so defeat would complete an unwanted hat-trick at the start of his successorâs reign.
Despite the extra pressure Sousa has remained calm and upbeat in the build-up to Readingâs visit.
He knows Swansea are better than their past two performances and is adamant it wonât be long before they are showing it.
âWe need to get points on the board and itâs always important to win games,â he conceded.
âBut we still have confidence and the playersâ reactions after Saturdayâs game showed me they still believe in themselves.
âWe want to get our first win on the board though.
âThatâs what we are looking for.
âI also want a good response from my players because we need to continue the good work from the first 30 minutes against Middlesbrough.
âIf we can do that and not concede anything to our opponents, we can get the three points.
âMentally we went down after the second goal on Saturday but we always need to be fighting, even when things donât go so well for us. We need to continue the good things we did because the goals will come if we keep the same intensity all the time.
âI am confident about what my players can achieve and we have a long way to go this season. We will see where we finish in the end.â
While he may be confident the Swans can turn things around, Sousa had never made a secret of the fact they will need some fresh faces to do it. And, after seeing Joe Allen and Jordi Lopez join Darren Pratley and Ferrie Bodde on the treatment table, he had been keen to bring in a loan player to bolster his depleted midfield against Reading.
Things looked to be sorted, with an unnamed player due to arrive at the Liberty yesterday.
But, typifying the bad luck the Portuguese has been having since taking over, the deal fell through when the club involved suffered an injury crisis of their own.
âThere wonât be any loan players,â Sousa explained. âWe had someone coming yesterday but his club had two injuries in the same sector and he needs to stay with them.
âWe had a midfielder lined up but he wonât be coming now.
âIâm not too disappointed because football is like that and sometimes things go well for you, sometimes they donât.
âWe need to rise above these problems and use the players we have got here.
âWe need to find the way forward with that team.â
As well as the injury problems within his own camp, Sousa knows Readingâs quality could also provide a stumbling block as his team look to return to winning ways.
After a tough trip to newly-promoted Leicester and hosting Middlesbroughâs squad of former Premiership stars, a visit from a team that finished fourth last year is further proof the early fixture list hasnât exactly been kind to the Swans.
Sousa refused to accept that as an excuse though. And, while giving Reading plenty of respect, he was confident his team had the quality to get three points in the bag.
âItâs a tough start but thatâs football for you,â he said.
âIt gives the chance to grow quicker than we might have done.
âReading are a good team and I think they will do well.
âThey have young players with good quality that have played for important clubs.
âThey are a team that plays very good football with a great dynamic. So they will bring some difficulties for us.
âWe will need to be at our best to beat them.
âBut that is what I expect from my players.â
www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/swansea-city-fc/2009/08/18/sousa-accepts-pressure-on-swansea-to-claim-first-win-91466-24463545/
Western Mail
Swans track ex-United striker Danny Webber
PAULO SOUSA has confirmed former Manchester United striker Danny Webber is one of his top targets as he attempts to bolster Swansea Cityâs depleted frontline.
After weeks of speculation, Sousa believes the Swans are now âvery closeâ to signing some attacking reinforcements.
The former England Under-20 striker (pictured below) is a free agent after being released by Sheffield United.
After his last campaign was blighted by a series of injuries, Webber fell down the pecking order at Bramall Lane and the Blades decided not to renew his contract.
But, with Premiership and Champions League experience to his name, the 27-year-old is one of the better players available on a Bosman transfer this summer.
âYes, yes, yes, yes,â was the Swans bossâ emphatic response when asked if he was any closer to signing a striker.
âThere has been movement and Danny Webber is one of the players we are looking at.
âHe is a player we are considering with others.â
While any signing will have to wait until after tonightâs clash with Reading, Sousa also revealed former Liverpool forward Besian Idrizaj ia with them on trial.
The 21-year-old Austrian, who has also played for Luton and Crystal Palace, is another free agent.
âBesian came here last week,â Sousa explained. âI know all about him and he is someone we expect a lot from.â
www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/swansea-city-fc/2009/08/18/swans-track-ex-united-striker-danny-webber-91466-24462917/
Blackpool Gazette - Evo delighted with career best
By Steve Canavan
IAN Evatt reckoned his goal against Cardiff was the best of his career â though it's a good job he didn't listen to the advice of his defensive partner.
As Evatt skipped forward to join in a Seasiders attack just before half-time, he could hear his fellow centre-back Rob Edwards screaming for him to come back.
Fortunately Evatt ignored him, stayed up front ... and curled in a beauty from 18 yards, a goal which secured the Seasiders a point.
"It was probably the best of my career," said Evatt, whose last goal came in October against Crystal Palace. The funny thing was that Rob was shouting at me to get back. But the gaffer has encouraged me to pass and follow, and that is what I was doing up there.
"As an academy player who came through the ranks at Derby that was the way I was brought up â to try and pass it.
"I gave it to Stephen Crainey, followed my run, Brett laid it off and I couldn't have hit it any better. I don't think the keeper even dived.
"It was just on the edge of the box and I don't think I've scored from that distance before.
"I did used to score quite a bit at Chesterfield but at Blackpool goals haven't been easy to come by.
"But I got one pre-season, I'm creating chances for myself and it was a good goal on Saturday. "Thommo (assistant boss Steve Thompson) has given me a target of seven or eight this season and if I can hit that I'll be more than happy. I don't think I'll score many better than that, though."
Holloway was delighted to see his centre-back chip one in from the edge of the box, though he admitted he was a little surprised.
"It is is a bit strange to watch your centre-half bending one in from the edge of the box," said the boss.
"But it did come from a set-piece, so he was still up there in the danger area. Well done to Evatt. He is slimming down and shaping up.
"People tried to get him to say nasty things about me when I first came here (the pair worked together previously at QPR). My wife might say a few nasty things but I don't think any players I've ever worked with would."
As for Evatt, he was happy with a point but, like his manager, felt it could have been more.
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Evo-delighted-with-career-best.5559199.jp
Sousa accepts pressure on Swansea to claim first win
Aug 18 2009 by Blair Wood, Western Mail
SWANSEA CITY boss Paulo Sousa has admitted the pressure is on his troops to open their Championship account against Reading tonight.
But, despite starting the season with back-to-back defeats, the Portuguese legend insists he isnât feeling the heat at the Liberty Stadium and still has every confidence his players will soon turn things around.
After a highly disruptive summer, in which key players were either lost to the Premiership or the treatment room, Sousa has always maintained Swans fans will need to be patient as his side find their feet this season.
But, with his team bottom of the table and the only one in the league without a point, frustration has already started to grow in some quarters.
While itâs a ridiculous situation for a new manager to be in after just two league games, itâs one Sousa has to deal with.
And, following an opening day defeat to Leicester and a 3-0 loss at home to Middlesbrough, itâs one he will be desperate to put an end to as soon as possible.
With that in mind, itâs natural tonightâs clash with the Royals will take on an increased importance for everyone involved at Swansea.
The club never lost three games on the trot under previous manager Roberto Martinez, so defeat would complete an unwanted hat-trick at the start of his successorâs reign.
Despite the extra pressure Sousa has remained calm and upbeat in the build-up to Readingâs visit.
He knows Swansea are better than their past two performances and is adamant it wonât be long before they are showing it.
âWe need to get points on the board and itâs always important to win games,â he conceded.
âBut we still have confidence and the playersâ reactions after Saturdayâs game showed me they still believe in themselves.
âWe want to get our first win on the board though.
âThatâs what we are looking for.
âI also want a good response from my players because we need to continue the good work from the first 30 minutes against Middlesbrough.
âIf we can do that and not concede anything to our opponents, we can get the three points.
âMentally we went down after the second goal on Saturday but we always need to be fighting, even when things donât go so well for us. We need to continue the good things we did because the goals will come if we keep the same intensity all the time.
âI am confident about what my players can achieve and we have a long way to go this season. We will see where we finish in the end.â
While he may be confident the Swans can turn things around, Sousa had never made a secret of the fact they will need some fresh faces to do it. And, after seeing Joe Allen and Jordi Lopez join Darren Pratley and Ferrie Bodde on the treatment table, he had been keen to bring in a loan player to bolster his depleted midfield against Reading.
Things looked to be sorted, with an unnamed player due to arrive at the Liberty yesterday.
But, typifying the bad luck the Portuguese has been having since taking over, the deal fell through when the club involved suffered an injury crisis of their own.
âThere wonât be any loan players,â Sousa explained. âWe had someone coming yesterday but his club had two injuries in the same sector and he needs to stay with them.
âWe had a midfielder lined up but he wonât be coming now.
âIâm not too disappointed because football is like that and sometimes things go well for you, sometimes they donât.
âWe need to rise above these problems and use the players we have got here.
âWe need to find the way forward with that team.â
As well as the injury problems within his own camp, Sousa knows Readingâs quality could also provide a stumbling block as his team look to return to winning ways.
After a tough trip to newly-promoted Leicester and hosting Middlesbroughâs squad of former Premiership stars, a visit from a team that finished fourth last year is further proof the early fixture list hasnât exactly been kind to the Swans.
Sousa refused to accept that as an excuse though. And, while giving Reading plenty of respect, he was confident his team had the quality to get three points in the bag.
âItâs a tough start but thatâs football for you,â he said.
âIt gives the chance to grow quicker than we might have done.
âReading are a good team and I think they will do well.
âThey have young players with good quality that have played for important clubs.
âThey are a team that plays very good football with a great dynamic. So they will bring some difficulties for us.
âWe will need to be at our best to beat them.
âBut that is what I expect from my players.â
www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/swansea-city-fc/2009/08/18/sousa-accepts-pressure-on-swansea-to-claim-first-win-91466-24463545/
Western Mail
Swans track ex-United striker Danny Webber
PAULO SOUSA has confirmed former Manchester United striker Danny Webber is one of his top targets as he attempts to bolster Swansea Cityâs depleted frontline.
After weeks of speculation, Sousa believes the Swans are now âvery closeâ to signing some attacking reinforcements.
The former England Under-20 striker (pictured below) is a free agent after being released by Sheffield United.
After his last campaign was blighted by a series of injuries, Webber fell down the pecking order at Bramall Lane and the Blades decided not to renew his contract.
But, with Premiership and Champions League experience to his name, the 27-year-old is one of the better players available on a Bosman transfer this summer.
âYes, yes, yes, yes,â was the Swans bossâ emphatic response when asked if he was any closer to signing a striker.
âThere has been movement and Danny Webber is one of the players we are looking at.
âHe is a player we are considering with others.â
While any signing will have to wait until after tonightâs clash with Reading, Sousa also revealed former Liverpool forward Besian Idrizaj ia with them on trial.
The 21-year-old Austrian, who has also played for Luton and Crystal Palace, is another free agent.
âBesian came here last week,â Sousa explained. âI know all about him and he is someone we expect a lot from.â
www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/swansea-city-fc/2009/08/18/swans-track-ex-united-striker-danny-webber-91466-24462917/
Blackpool Gazette - Evo delighted with career best
By Steve Canavan
IAN Evatt reckoned his goal against Cardiff was the best of his career â though it's a good job he didn't listen to the advice of his defensive partner.
As Evatt skipped forward to join in a Seasiders attack just before half-time, he could hear his fellow centre-back Rob Edwards screaming for him to come back.
Fortunately Evatt ignored him, stayed up front ... and curled in a beauty from 18 yards, a goal which secured the Seasiders a point.
"It was probably the best of my career," said Evatt, whose last goal came in October against Crystal Palace. The funny thing was that Rob was shouting at me to get back. But the gaffer has encouraged me to pass and follow, and that is what I was doing up there.
"As an academy player who came through the ranks at Derby that was the way I was brought up â to try and pass it.
"I gave it to Stephen Crainey, followed my run, Brett laid it off and I couldn't have hit it any better. I don't think the keeper even dived.
"It was just on the edge of the box and I don't think I've scored from that distance before.
"I did used to score quite a bit at Chesterfield but at Blackpool goals haven't been easy to come by.
"But I got one pre-season, I'm creating chances for myself and it was a good goal on Saturday. "Thommo (assistant boss Steve Thompson) has given me a target of seven or eight this season and if I can hit that I'll be more than happy. I don't think I'll score many better than that, though."
Holloway was delighted to see his centre-back chip one in from the edge of the box, though he admitted he was a little surprised.
"It is is a bit strange to watch your centre-half bending one in from the edge of the box," said the boss.
"But it did come from a set-piece, so he was still up there in the danger area. Well done to Evatt. He is slimming down and shaping up.
"People tried to get him to say nasty things about me when I first came here (the pair worked together previously at QPR). My wife might say a few nasty things but I don't think any players I've ever worked with would."
As for Evatt, he was happy with a point but, like his manager, felt it could have been more.
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Evo-delighted-with-career-best.5559199.jp