Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Editor’s Note: Article written before Saturday’s Premier League action
Here we have it, it’s that time of the season where we have got ourselves a good old ‘relegation 6 pointer’ as Swansea play host to champions Leicester. Yes that is quite the misnomer as the defending Premier League champions find them now involved in a battle to beat the drop at the end of the season.
Today Claudio Ranieri’s men will look to put an end to a run of four straight defeats as they travel to South Wales and The Liberty Stadium to face a resurgent Swansea side who have had a new lease of life injected into them since the appointment of Paul Clement.
Since Clement came into replace the much maligned Bob Bradley, Swansea have picked up three wins from five matches. 9 crucial points which at the start of the weekend had seen them move out of the relegation zone at the expense of Crystal Palace.
Last time out they were unfortunate to come away from The Etihad empty handed after an injury time Gabriel Jesus goal broke Swans hearts (or should that be wings?) but what was more frustrating for Swansea would have been the contentious nature of the winning goal.
Firstly the free kick that was awarded to Manchester City should never have been given and then Gael Clichy took the kick with a rolling ball and 10 yards more central. It may not mean a lot but when you are clawing for every point those minor indiscretions make all the difference.
Disappointment after another spirited Swansea performance but they will look to put that behind them and put Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester to the sword this Afternoon. These two started the weekend on the same points with Leicester a place ahead by virtue of Swansea’s miserable goal difference.
That is something that could prove costly at the end of the season as goal difference is almost as good as an extra point at the bottom, so Swansea don’t just have to match teams points tallies but also better them if they are to have any hopes of beating the drop.
If Leicester are to have any hope of beating the drop then they need to find a winning habit again. Their Champions League exploits may be resuming shortly but the immediate focus must be having to halt this almost nosedive like drop down the table.
Manager Claudio Ranieri has been given the full confidence of the clubs owners and he went some way to repaying that after Leicester got the better of local rivals Derby County in the 4th Round of the F.A. Cup in midweek. It may have been a near reserve side but the hope is now they can use that result as a springboard for the rest of the season.
It seems as if cup football is a welcome distraction from matters in the league as their last league outing did not make for easy viewing. A quickfire blitz of goals either side of the break for Manchester United saw them ran out 3-0 winners and for many it was the point where many felt Leicester were officially in the relegation battle.
Kasper Schmeichel was not holding back after the game with his comments to Sky Sports. The Danish ‘keeper said that his side’s defence of the title was ’embarrassing’ and to be honest it would have been met with a lot of agreement up and down the country.
Are this Leicester side to good to go down, on current showing no they are not. The fact that they are defending champions offers them absolutely no extra protection and just solitary point from the last 15 available shows the plight that they are currently in.
What makes the situation all the more worrying is that they are still yet to win away from home this season, their trajectory is a downward one while Swansea who at one point were the laughing stock of the division are on an upward curve.
This is the sweet spot where the two axis meet and will the trend continue this Afternoon. A win for Swansea over what is now one of their relegation rivals would not only give them a massive boost but create even more turmoil for Leicester.
And to be honest I think with the Swansea are playing as of late they will go into this game as favourites and rightfully so. Leicester may have a cup win under their belts as momentum but I don’t think it’s going to count for anything later Today.
I think Paul Clement is going to be able to mastermind a 4th win in 6 for Swansea and make it 5 straight league defeats for The Foxes. Swansea’s great escape picks up pace while the Champions crash course continues. A home win for me.
