Black Swans

Very good career you have here mate, decent first season with the cup double, how you getting on in Europe this year?

I agree with you that by now, that's a perfect start (almost ).

So far in Europe, I've managed to snatch 3 wins (2 vs. Panathinaikos and 1 vs. CSKA Sofia) and I've lost an away game vs. Twente.



We're leaders in group I, and I'm pretty sure that we'll advance to the next stage of the competition which will be a great success for us.

Looking very good in Europe too mate

Unlucky in the community shield and the capital one cup buddy! However keeping a run in Europe is vital for finances and in the league to secure european football again next season! Wellington Nem is shaping up to be a good player, as so many people are finding out!

Yes, he made a great start of the season, scored 7 in the first 5 games, until the game with CSKA Sofia, when he got injured for 6-8 weeks. I just hope he'll get back in form quickly enough.

As for the Community Shield, Liverpool proved to be one of the toughest opponents for us, regarding the last season and after the CS game, I just thought that we'll never be able to get a good result from them. In the following away game at Anfield, I've tried a very slow paced wide game with long passing focused on the flanks and it worked out. We've played most parts of the game on a Defensive mentality and as you can can see a good 3:1 win followed.

After the away win in Greece, we've entered November in a good shape and I was very excited about the following four games, three of which were far from home, but against three struggling teams.


First game of this cycle was against a underperforming Newcastle side that are finding themselves in the bottom part of the table. We managed to take the lead after a header from Kyle Bartley. The youngster has been in a superb form recently and proved to be a great cover for the injured captain Alan Tate. Although they scored immediately after the game was restarted, we've dominated the game but couldn't capitalize our chances. After the draw, Newcastle's boss got fired.

The visit at Villa Park was a particularly easy away win, against a team that lost its identity. We played a good Counter mentality game utilising the speed of our wingers. Nem scored a 30 yard free kick.

The away draw against Wolves was a disappointing result for me. Wanderers are far behind in the table, but we failed to score our chances. Both our strikers, Michu and Danny Graham had an awful game.

The last November game was a home match against relegation candidates Norwich. After failing 1:2 in the end of the first half and a pretty aggressive team talk from me, the lads managed to come back in the second after a stellar performance by Pablo Hernandez.

December is one of the toughest months in British football. For the period of 23 days, we've played 7 games, including a very tough away games against Tottenham and Chelsea. In addition to 5 Premiership games, we had to play the final 2 games of League Europa Group stage.


It was a slow start with two goalless draws vs. CSKA Sofia and Wigan. I was happy that we registered the clean sheets because it was a boost in Vorm's morale right before the away game at White Hart Lane.

I've entered the Tottenham game with the my usual preparation for big away games. Defensive/Counter mentality and trying to narrow the play, so Tottenham can't utilise their wings. One of my most consistent performers, Neil Taylor scored a rare goal after a mistake by their goalie in 2nd minute which boosted the confidence of the team in the first minutes of the game. I've tried to hit again and put Attacking and Shoot on Sight instruction, but it didn't worked out. They got one back at the end of the first and were the better side in general, creating a lot of chances, but wasting tons of them. An inspiring goal by Nem gave us back the lead and near the end of game Michu sealed the deal.

The following three games were at Liberty Stadium and I was hoping for three wins. The 4:0 win vs. Twente came easier than I was thinking as we totally overplayed them in each end of the field. Michu and Nem continued their scoring run, as Michu hit the net again against Blackburn and twice vs. Everton.

The last game of the cycle was a visit at Stamford Bridge. The morale at Liberty was high, while the opposite was happening at Chelsea as they have just lost heavy against City (1:5). The match ended as a thrilling draw. First half ended 1:1, as they scored just before the whistle. Before 55th minute, we managed to score two and make it 1:3 for us. Gabi was playing an amazing game. Then they reunited and hit us back for 4:3 before a late equaliser from Nem.

During the month the League Europa and FA Cup draws happened. I'm satisfied by both as we'll play respectively SC Heerenveen (and Chelsea or Rennais FC in 2nd Stage) in Europe and Sheff Wed in England.



Before the game against Tottenham, I was browsing through their team and I saw that they have Gylfi Sigurdsson in the transfer list as they're barely using him. Price was great, 4.9M and I had 11M left from my season budget so I decided to give it a go, since he had good memories with playing for Swansea last season. His 60+K wage demands were a bit wild for my current finances, although I had around 300K left for salaries, but I decided to give it a go. He agreed and will be coming back to Liberty at the beginning of the winter transfer window.
What are your thoughts on this transfer?

fantastic couple of unbeaten months buddy! really pulling together a fantastic team it seems!

During the two month cycle of January and February, we recorded our first loss in the last 20 games (since 7.11.2013), although we're still on an unbeaten run in the Premiership and well advancing in Europe. Both English cups are no more.



The new year started with a home against high-flying United and their new star Neymar. We had the game in our hands after a comfortable second half lead of 3:1, after two quick goals from Pablo and Nem and I was sure we'll end up with the home win. As we were already celebrating Neymar hit us twice in the 89 and 91 to make it 3:3. Still I'm very pleased by the performance.
January results may not look that impressive as they're mostly 2:1 or 2:0 wins, but I think we played one of our best football in these games - a lot of ball possession, no errors and we continued our unbeaten run.

We entered February with a home draw against struggling Stoke, we played a very slow tempo game against a good opponent and there were not a lot of opportunities for both teams. After, we all got hyped because of the upcoming South-Wales derby vs. newly promoted Cardiff. We pulled out a good win, as we scored two in the second half. They scored a late one, but it was everything they could pull off this day.

In the following away game at Emirates, we played a disasterous first half and we started the second trailing the two. After a stern and encouraging talk, the lads totally changed their perception and managed to get two goals back. We even got a real goal disallowed (I went harsh on the referee and the FA don't even warned me) and Gylfi hit the post in the 90th from a free kick.

Although we lost the next game against a very strong Brighton team, who totally outplayed us at their field and it was our first loss since 7th of November, I don't feel it something bad. We have one less competition to carry about and we can focus and stay more healthy for the last stages in the Premiership or League Europa - we're advancing there after a so-so win against Heerenveen - We managed to pull out two even games, but we're advancing on away goals. In the next stage, we're meeting Premiership rivals, Chelsea.

I'm not sure what to do with Ademilson. I managed to get him in the first season, he's currently a wonderkid, but I'm not playing him a lot, because I think the current chemistry in the team is perfect. Should I sell him or wait more?

Yes. We're really highflying.
We managed to continue the unbeaten run through January, and finally lost a game in the Cup.

I'm very satisfied by the team - I think the chemistry we managed we build this season is amazing. I hope we can carry it on into the third season.

doing exactly with the swans

March wasn't our best month result wise, although we managed to sneak past Chelsea in the EURO Cup and we're meeting Liverpool in the Quarterfinals to continue our battle against Premiership clubs in Europe.



We started the month with a slow, but important away victory against QPR and entered the first leg of EURO Cup on high confidence. We welcomed Chelsea at Liberty Stadium with an attacking mentality, push-up defence and hassle play and totally outplayed them. Danny ended up his goalless months and by now is finding a regular starting spot in the team, due to Michu recent bad performing.

Premiership leaders and most probably champions destroyed us at they stadium by 4 goal difference, as we barely made any highlights. Although we recorded our first Premiership loss in a lot of time, I'm not disappointed as the Europe run is going on, since we survived a tough game in London and we're to the Quarterfinals, without allowing Chelsea (They're really underarchieving in the Premiership, finding themselves below 7th palce) to beat us.

For the following home games against Wolves and Newcastle, I was hoping to get at least one nice win, but we failed to capitalize a lot of chances in both games. Still I'm happy we didn't lost any of them.

April will be a tough month - 3 games vs. Liverpool (2 at home, and 1 at Anfield) and generally, we're struggling against them.

Looks like the month started brightly but a tough ending though. However progression in the Europa League is a bonus! keep it going!

April was a tough and very slow month. We played 9 games, squad rotation was a must, but lads did great. I feel so proud, that we made it to EURO Cup final against Schalke on 14th of May, after handling Galatasaray after Chelsea and Liverpool.



Nathan Dyer started the month in outstanding form as he scored in 3 consecutive games. We took a slight 1:0 home win vs. Liverpool in the 1st stage of the Quarterfinal. Although we lost the second game at Anfield (2:1), the goal we managed to score at their stadium advanced us to the Semis, where Galatasaray was awaiting us. In between the EURO Cup games, we played another game vs. The Reds at Liberty and a goal thriller with Villa again at our stadium. I was happy that Michu and Gabi were finding again their best form, cause I needed them for the EURO Cup clash.

The first game was in Istanbul and we managed to upset them with a very good performance with slightly deeper defensive formation and a lot of possession. Michu netted in 15 minutes and until the end we really outplayed them, although without scoring again.

The following loss against the last and already relegated Blackburn was an upset, but I'm pleased as we already secured our Top 6 finish in the table. I hope we can get in Top 4, but the last 3 games of the year will be tough. (Tottenham (H), Chelsea (H), Everton (A)).

Sad news are that in the second game vs. Galatasaray, Nathan Dyer got injured for 3 months approximately, so he'll miss the end of the season, which is a big loss for us.

Season ending was stormy and full of ups and downs. Our form in the Premiership went down as in the last 4 games, we managed to get just one point. On 14th of May, Swansea played the first European cup final and their history, and we WON IT! Lads were superb, snatching a 4:2 win against Schalke, capitalized by a hat-trick from our top goalscorer this season, Michu.


In the last game of the season, we were close to upset Everton as we were going down by 2 in the first half, then Pablo and Nem got back two in the second but a late winner by Jelavic gave them the win. With the lack of good results, we dropped down and finished 5th for a second straight year, which means EURO Cup again in next season. United took the title in the last minutes, as they were second and hosted City at Old Trafford in the last week. They won and got the title.

It was a very good season for our finances, as we finished with a profit of around 30M and the board gave us around 40M as tranfer budget for next season, also around 700K for wages.



For the next season, I'll try to sign a new striker for the team, as Danny Graham will mostly leave the team (we're currently considering offers from Reading and West Brom). I've already entered talks with Luuk de Jong (Luuk de Jong Attributes) from Gladbach. He's on the transfer list with asking price of 21.5M and seems like a good option. Do any of you have experience with him?

Also, I have Younes Belhanda as one of my other transfer targets for this season.

Also, there're some regens that I'm interested in: Roberto Ojeda (DC), Mitja Diterle (DL), Grzegorz Witek (DMC/MC), Oktay Koyun (ST/AMR/AML).

After the great success in the previous season, the squad status keep growing and for the first time I've been thinking on some big money spending. We were in a need of a better striker, which we found in the presence of Luuk de Jong. The core in the midfield is build around Spaniards, so I've went to search for another one and winger Pablo Sarabia (Pablo Sarabia stats) from Getafe looked like a great option. Local talent is important in England and Luke Shaw from S'hampton and Will Hughes from Derby were signed too. Danny Graham, Nathan Dyer and James McClean left the team.

Sorry for the lack of story updates. I didn't have much time to play or write in the recent week. I'm posting now a big update, of the last 3 months we've played. I'm currently almost in the end of December and I'll post a new update very soon.



We've started September in an awful manner with 4 consecutive games without a win. We were totally outplayed by Blackburn in the Capital One Cup and we're out of the competition. It's been a second consecutive year for us, when we leave it that early, after winning the trophy in my first season.

Three away wins managed to boost the morale of the team and then a home loss against relegation candidates stunned us again. I'm noticing that we're really struggling at Liberty Stadium, while we're winning most of our away games. During November, Nem and Luuk de Jong really found their best form and are performing great right now, same can be said for Pablo Hernandez who is literally caring the team on his shoulders in December.

After the game with Tottenham, I've started considering looking for a change of Vorm. The situation is like this - we're allowing our opponents very little amount of chances, but almost all their shots in target are being scored. Rating wise, Vorm is playing well, but he's not bringing me the security I need in defense. I'm considering John Ruddy as a good option for the goalkeeper. Any suggestions?

We shamefully lost the game with Tottenham. After they got a man sent-off in the beginning of the game, we owned the first and second half, but Lloris saved the day for them and after three counter-attacks they made it 0:3. We scored two late goals, but wasn't enough. And the game was again at Liberty.


For a second consecutive year, we've played in EURO Cup and we've advanced into the Knockout Stage, after finishing first in our own group. We've won 5 out of 6 and draw one more, but we conceded too many goals. In the first Knockout Stage, we've been scheduled to play against our old friends Schalke, which we beaten in the final last year.

Great work with Swansea

From those prospects you have shortlisted, Oktay Koyun looks awesome, you should probably try to get him

Were you trying to sell Nathan Dyer or just sold when the bid came?

Quality that mate. Convinced me to have a go with them.

@Mausicek — He was demanding a new contract with a pretty big wage. It's true, he was one of my major performers during the second season, but we the acquisition of Sarabia, the spot got occupied and instead of giving him huge wage I decided to offload him and rely on Sarabia + a decent youngster I have coming up from the Under 18s.

@Tshape - Give them a go. I'll be curious to hear how is it going for you.

December means 27 days - 9 games. Premiership results weren't the best we could get - 2 wins, 2 draws and we lost twice.



After beating Braga in Euro Cup after a late, 14 minute hat-trick by Michu, who came in as a substitute. He has been lethal in Euro Cup so far and he scored again in the home win against Steaua. We managed to get three clean sheets at our gome games in the Premiership which will boost Vorm's morale. He's been playing good, rating wise, but allowing a lot less clean sheets than the previous two years, so I hope these ones will help him get more. The home win against Chelsea was well-welcomed. Chelsea are really underperforming, finding themselves between 8 and 11 place in the table.

So far it looks like we'll finish again around 4-6 place in the table for third straight year. I'm considering focusing more on Euro Cup, trying to win it a for a 2nd consecutive year. It will bring at least a lot of income.

We've started the new year in good form, with three consecutive home wins and allowing just one goal. It's true that Vorm is playing very good football recently, but I went on the market to find a new keeper for the next season. I've ended up with signing Jason Steele (Jason Steele Stats) from M'brough. He's young, he looks promising and he was cheap, on the transfer list.


Nothing surprising with the results in January. We have advanced into FA Cup 5th Round after beating Doncaster and West Ham. City destroyed us at their stadium, totally outplaying us on both ends of the floor. I think we managed to record 2-3 shots at most or something like this. It's tough up there in the league table as they, United and Tottenham are close to each other and each one can end up with the title. And after it's Newcastle, Arsenal and us, fighting for the precious 4th spot.

February and March were good for us as we've advanced into EURO Cup Quarterfinals, playing against Ajax after beating Schalke and Spartak Moscow. FA Cup is done, but it's not a big deal, good luck to Norwich tho.


Starting in January, de Jong found his form and he has scored 15 goals in the first 3 months of the year, as he had just 9 in the end of 2014. Both him and Michu are been lethal in EURO Cup (Michu with 10 goals in 8 games, and de Jong with 8 goals in 10 games. In addition to them, Pablo Hernandez have 9 assists and 5 goals in 9 games). I hope de Jong can keep the form going and Michu can keep being the golden substitute for us.

doing brilliantly with swansea mate, they look good on other people save