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Post by QPR Report on Sept 4, 2009 11:23:00 GMT
Read on our sister WATRB board that Swansea fans are not happy with Sousa. And speculation on WATRB board that won't last much longer.
I haven't actually read the Swansea messageboards. Certainly doesn't come across from the local Swansea media that I've seen.
Unless Swansea are really terrible, would think Swansea would stick with him.
Thinking back to the campaign against Sousa (Questions STILL remain unanswered so looking forward to reading the answers in Kelly's book out very shortly)
[To state the obvious: How Sousa is doing at Swansea (or did at QPR) has nothing to do with how Sousa was gotten out of QPR! But it's interesting to see.]
Of course I'm waiting for the criticism of Briatore and Paladini in the hiring of Dowie and Sousa (if they were bad hires!)
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Post by swansrus on Sept 5, 2009 21:57:54 GMT
Hello from sunny Swansea!
As a season ticket holder at the Liberty, here's an update on Sousa's tenure so far down here.
We (mostly) were glad when he agreed to come to us as it would give a continuity to the European footballing approach that Judas Martinez brought - get the ball on the floor keep possession, focus on technical skills, build from the back and create chances rather than hit and hope.
What we also hoped was that he'd have a plan B - when teams got used to our possession football last year we got shut out a lot and consequently drew 8 games in a row.
We can see that Sousa has got this plan - we are quicker getting forward and will try a long ball now and then to mix things up.
Problem he has had is losing nearly 40 goals from last years side with loss of Scotland and Gomez to Judas's Wigwam. Also had bad luck with injuries plus 3 suspensions - last league game we had 11 first team players out.
But a few of our local Neanderthals have been posting in capital letters saying he hasn't got a clue as we have only won 1 of first five games.
But any jerk can see how we are improving, how the players respect Sousa - and now with some interesting signings and some key players coming back we are really optimistic that Sousa can take us forward.
He does wear suits that Huggy Bear might have liked - but he seems to be able to carry that off, he growls articulately and I bet he does a mean Barry White on the Karaoke.
So in brief - he's had a tough time with squad not being available, made some (hopefully) good signings, including £800k for Beattie from Shef Utd - a lot for us considering our previous transfer record was £400k - the chairman is down to earth and lets Sousa get on with it, and the most of fans are more happy with our future prospects - I personally think he will turn out better than Martinez, and would not be suprised to see him in the Prem with or without us in 3 years.
Good luck for season -
PS what do you think of Jordi Lopez? Can't quite make him out - does some good things - but then goes missing for most of the game - maybe not fit?
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Post by Zamoraaaah on Sept 5, 2009 22:21:27 GMT
Thanks for that Swansrus.
Given time I think Paulo will do very well for you. Like many I was appalled at the way he was treated by our lot but that's another story!
Although lacking match fitness Lopez did well for us and most of us were p!ssed off we didn't sign him. It seemed like a no brainer but since then we brought in Faurlin who looks a pretty decent replacement plus Ben Watson on loan.
As it stands we have a dozen midfielders and it wouldn't surprise me if Sousa came in for 1, Hogan Ephraim.
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Post by cpr on Sept 5, 2009 22:48:44 GMT
Don't give him any clues to pass on zed!  Excellent summation swansrus on sousa, he knows his stuff. Our capital letter neanderthals, along with a particularly nasty snide campaign from elsewhere did for him with us before he had a chance to get his own team together but as said, that's another story. Lopez is a quality player but yes, fitness is definately questionable but give him some time, just like the manager. Far too much short term ism in football these days. Good luck for the season, anyone that hates Cardiff is alright by me, stick with it and be patient. ;D |
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Post by QPR Report on Sept 5, 2009 22:52:45 GMT
Many Thanks Swansrus Sounds like just maybe some of those "Wishing and hoping and thinking and praying" that Sousa's flopping at Swnasea are a little off the mark. (Assuming you're not the Swansea perennial optimist!  ) Anyway many thanks for the update. And be interested how he does through the season (assuming he lasts the season!) And I'd have no problem with Swansea going up this season (along with QPR, of course! ) |
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Post by Zamoraaaah on Sept 5, 2009 22:54:08 GMT
I have to add that your summary, if a couple of names were swapped, looks identical to dozens written on our boards under Sousa.
We also had a few block caps neanderthals who couldn't see the bigger picture.
It will be very interesting to see the reception Paulo gets back in the Bush.
Good luck for the season.
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Post by QPR Report on Sept 5, 2009 23:55:43 GMT
One other question, Swansrus is you're still here (or if you return): Did John Harbin, our ex-fitness trainer, join or Swansea or not? Cos I saw nothing on your Official Site, but obviously could have missed it. Thanks
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Post by swansrus on Sept 6, 2009 10:47:21 GMT
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Post by eusebio13 on Sept 6, 2009 11:05:33 GMT
thanks swansrus....Harbin is a shrewd addition to the backroom staff. You may already know but he was a Dowie appointment and our fitness during his time was as good as I can remember (especially following a season we kept giving away goals in the last 10 mins). Sousa clearly saw Harbin's talent and appreciated it, Magilton (if he made the choice) did not. As for our money, we have none but our owners do and they intend to hang on to it. I think we all appreciate that as a club we've spent more than we've done in a long time but much of that is salaries and has been wasted in giving long contracts to mediocre players and paying huge salaries on loaned players who turn out to be not up to it. Our talent recruitment has been very hit and miss and we seem to want to promotion on a budget (I have no problem with this) while spouting rhetoric about being in the champions league in 4 years (we're in year 3 now). Ground looks tidy but the overall experience at the ground has been disappointing and the football has never reached the dizzy heights promised, meanwhile we sack perfectly good monkeys but don't deal with the incompetent organ grinder. |
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Post by QPR Report on Sept 6, 2009 11:08:54 GMT
p.s are you as rich as rumours have it? Personally? Our owners have money. Mittal and Ecclestone especially And we've clearly spent money. (And the QPR debt has increased). But, for better or worse, their money is not our money. Again many thanks for your info. Come back any time. I remember Swansea under John Toshack racing through the Divisions... Thanks also for the photos  |
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Post by klr on Sept 6, 2009 11:36:28 GMT
Hello from sunny Swansea! As a season ticket holder at the Liberty, here's an update on Sousa's tenure so far down here. We (mostly) were glad when he agreed to come to us as it would give a continuity to the European footballing approach that Judas Martinez brought - get the ball on the floor keep possession, focus on technical skills, build from the back and create chances rather than hit and hope. What we also hoped was that he'd have a plan B - when teams got used to our possession football last year we got shut out a lot and consequently drew 8 games in a row. We can see that Sousa has got this plan - we are quicker getting forward and will try a long ball now and then to mix things up. Problem he has had is losing nearly 40 goals from last years side with loss of Scotland and Gomez to Judas's Wigwam. Also had bad luck with injuries plus 3 suspensions - last league game we had 11 first team players out. But a few of our local Neanderthals have been posting in capital letters saying he hasn't got a clue as we have only won 1 of first five games. But any jerk can see how we are improving, how the players respect Sousa - and now with some interesting signings and some key players coming back we are really optimistic that Sousa can take us forward. He does wear suits that Huggy Bear might have liked - but he seems to be able to carry that off, he growls articulately and I bet he does a mean Barry White on the Karaoke. So in brief - he's had a tough time with squad not being available, made some (hopefully) good signings, including £800k for Beattie from Shef Utd - a lot for us considering our previous transfer record was £400k - the chairman is down to earth and lets Sousa get on with it, and the most of fans are more happy with our future prospects - I personally think he will turn out better than Martinez, and would not be suprised to see him in the Prem with or without us in 3 years. Good luck for season - PS what do you think of Jordi Lopez? Can't quite make him out - does some good things - but then goes missing for most of the game - maybe not fit? Fair play to you mate. Stick with him & you will progress, look at the bigger picture, Sousa is a pragmatist & needs time to get players round to his systems & way of thinking, stick with him & you will progress, this is my summation. IN SOUSA WE TRUST.  |
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Post by The Godfather on Sept 6, 2009 11:56:34 GMT
thanks swansrus....Harbin is a shrewd addition to the backroom staff. You may already know but he was a Dowie appointment and our fitness during his time was as good as I can remember (especially following a season we kept giving away goals in the last 10 mins). Sousa clearly saw Harbin's talent and appreciated it, Magilton (if he made the choice) did not. As for our money, we have none but our owners do and they intend to hang on to it. I think we all appreciate that as a club we've spent more than we've done in a long time but much of that is salaries and has been wasted in giving long contracts to mediocre players and paying huge salaries on loaned players who turn out to be not up to it. Our talent recruitment has been very hit and miss and we seem to want to promotion on a budget (I have no problem with this) while spouting rhetoric about being in the champions league in 4 years (we're in year 3 now). Ground looks tidy but the overall experience at the ground has been disappointing and the football has never reached the dizzy heights promised, meanwhile we sack perfectly good monkeys but don't deal with the incompetent organ grinder. I totally agree. It's a real shame Harbin didn't stay at Loftus Road. The team's fitness improved so much during his spell with us. I think he'll do a good job at Swansea. I also used to really enjoy his column in the match day programme. It gave fans a real insight into Dowie's/Sousa's training techniques. |
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Post by Zamoraaaah on Sept 6, 2009 21:11:03 GMT
Also agree. Harbin did a great job for us.
Anyone else think a few of our players came back a bit porky?
I know hoops aren't flattering but...
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Post by QPR Report on Sept 7, 2009 7:37:00 GMT
It's been suggested (on WATRB) that we have a replacement for Harbin. If so, the replacement hasn't been named; announced or noted on the Official Site. (But maybe there was something in the programme?)
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Post by QPR Report on Sept 8, 2009 7:58:06 GMT
Meanwhile on the Swansea transfer front, following the kind of players Sousa is signing (and presumably Swansea is a little bit more of a hard sell to many players overseas than is LondonWestern Mail
Swansea close to completing van der Gun deal
Sep 8 2009 by Blair Wood, Western MailSWANSEA CITY are closing in on former Ajax forward Cedric van der Gun following “positive” talks at the Liberty Stadium last night. The skilful Dutchman was in Swansea yesterday to meet manager Paulo Sousa and take a look at the club’s facilities. And, with the two parties much closer to reaching an agreement after Swansea improved their initial offer, his agent Karel Jansen is hopeful a deal will be concluded today. Van der Gun, who is a free agent after leaving FC Utrecht when his contract expired this summer, underwent a medical at the Liberty last night. Providing there are no further hold-ups, he will put pen to paper on what is understood to be a two-year contract this morning. Should they secure the former Holland Under-21 international’s signature, it will be a significant coup for the Swans. The in-demand 30-year-old, who has also played for German giants Borussia Dortmund, has already turned down European football with several top Dutch clubs and at least two other Championship teams have inquired about his services. After almost a week of negotiating and positive reviews from his former ADO Den Haag team-mates Ferrie Bodde and Dorus de Vries, Swansea look set to win the race for his signature, despite reported interest from Reading. “We are still talking and we had a good meeting yesterday,” Jansen told the Western Mail. “You never know what can happen in football, but it looks positive. I am hopeful the deal can be concluded. “We are much closer to reaching a deal and Swansea are the club we are focusing on. “There have been other interested clubs, but Swansea are the only one we are talking to now. “Cedric has been shown round the club and the training ground and he really liked what he saw. “He also had a good conversation with the manager and liked what he had to say. The whole day was very positive. “You can always encounter problems in football so we have to wait until the contract is signed. But it looks good at the moment.” Van der Gun was not the only new face at the Swans’ training ground yesterday. Sousa has also taken another Dutchman, midfielder Dominique van Dijk, and Congolese international striker Matt Moussilou on a week’s trial.Moussilou, in particular, represents an interesting prospect for the club. The 27-year-old has previously played for Marseille, Saint-Etienne and Lille before being released by Nice this summer. The front man, who scored on his international debut to earn Congo a 1-1 draw with Morocco last month, has also had a loan stint with Al-Arabi in Qatar. He will now look to impress Sousa and show that he is worthy of competing with the likes of Stephen Dobbie, Craig Beattie and Lee Trundle in the Swans’ striking department. The experienced van Dijk, on the other hand, has played for the likes of Sparta Rotterdam, FC Groningen and FC Volendam in the Dutch Eredivisie during his time in Holland. Both players will have the chance to make their mark during tomorrow’s reserve team game against Swindon Town at the Gnoll. www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/swansea-city-fc/2009/09/08/swansea-close-to-completing-van-der-gun-deal-91466-24629618/
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Post by QPR Report on Dec 12, 2009 12:13:39 GMT
As I recall, someone on another board was offering odds re Sousa leaving Swansea before Magilton left QPR. Have to say that doesn't look too likely!
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