This weekend Palace travel to South Wales to take on Swansea City so we had a chat with Guto Llewelyn from the popular podcast The JackCast.
Q. How have you got on since your trip to South London?
The goalless draw at Selhurst Park has been part of a slow but reassuring improvement in performances and results for the Swans. Immediately after the Palace match results took a turn for the worse. We were unlucky to lose at Old Trafford, got embarrassingly punished for disrespecting the FA Cup against Oxford United then morale dropped massively after the controversial loss to Sunderland, but two hard-fought and at times scrappy wins against Watford and Everton have settled nerves to a large degree.
Q. What were your thoughts on that game?
It was a welcome boost because our away form has been dreadful for most of the season. The game was far from a classic. Palace had the majority of possession but looked tired after the Boxing Day fixture a few days earlier. The Swans on the other hand had made wholesale changes so while at times the organisational side of our game was poor, we looked more fresh and energetic in the second half. There were limited chances and I think the draw was a fair result.
Q. What do you make of your signings so far this transfer window?
We rarely do much business in the January transfer window but this year we have badly needed reinforcements. The club has admitted that strengthening the side has been difficult. Transfer fees keep getting more and more loony, player demands have been unrealistic and we have faced stiff competition for some targets. Much of the money gained from the Jonjo Shelvey sale (which Swansea fans almost universally agreed was great business) was spent on Alberto Paloschi from Chievo. Strikers were the priority and while the Italian’s goal scoring record has not been prolific, he should offer us more options up front.
Q. Do you expect more new additions? If so, where do you need to strengthen?
At the time of writing this, we are being linked with several players as the window approaches its closure. Dwight Gayle is one of the most realistic possibilities and he has divided opinion. As a speedy, smaller striker he would be difficult to what we have had in the past, but plenty of fans have called for a Gayle-type striker to give us more options, but others are worried about his lack of games, there are still questions about whether he is good enough for the Premier League and despite him costing Palace around £5 million, his reported £7 million price tag has raised eyebrows.
Q. It has been a tough season for the Swans after relative success in the Premier League. What has changed?
Nobody can put their finger on what exactly has gone so wrong this season after such a brilliant campaign last year. The decision to start the season with just two strikers in Bafetembi Gomis and Eder was surprising but apart from that most fans were satisfied with the summer transfer business, especially the acquisition of Andre Ayew. We started the season brilliantly and everybody thought we were in for another great year. Things slowly unraveled, we stopped scoring, stopped creating chances and when the defence faltered, constantly conceding sloppy goals, we sensed something was wrong. Results and performances worsened and despite his legendary status it soon became apparent Garry Monk would not be able to turn things around and devastatingly he had to go. The months since his sacking have been the most tumultuous the club has known in years but things are slowly returning to a degree of normality, but we have got some way to go still.
Q. The big question is, will you stay up?
Had you asked this question after the depressing defeat to Sunderland (aided by the worst refereeing performance you will see in the Premier League this season), I would have said no. At that point all our rivals were picking up points at a faster rate than us and the Sunderland result drained the club emotionally. However, things change quickly in football and the recent wins against Watford and Everton have boosted confidence. The gap between those chasing the title and those battling against relegation has never been smaller and as a result everybody is taking points off each other and therefore a record number of points could be needed to stay up this season. The gritty nature of our recent victories have got me believing again that we will stay up.
Q. What are your thoughts on Palace this season?
I was majorly impressed with Palace in the first half of the season. You were among a number of smaller clubs who stormed the highest reaches of the table and did it in an entertaining way. Yohan Cabaye was an incredible signing and he stood out whenever I watched Palace play. As a Welshman I am also delighted that Wayne Hennessey has been given a chance as your number one, even though mistakes have crept in recently. Since Christmas your league form has clearly dipped but you have nothing to worry about in terms of relegation so I would not be too concerned if I was a Palace fan. The FA Cup offers you a big opportunity and despite Spurs being tough opponents in the fifth round, if you take it seriously, who knows where it could take you.
Q. Name a player from each side that the opposition should be concerned about.
Yannick Bolasie is always the Palace player I fear most. I have been an admirer of his since you were in the Championship and when on top form I think he is brilliant to watch. Our full back positions have been sources of weakness at times this season so an in form Bolasie would tear us apart if was fit. Our biggest goal threat will probably come from Andre Ayew. He has been played out of position in recent weeks and asked to do things he would not usually have to do but he has carried out his duties well. We lack a genuine goalscorer and Ayew is the closest thing we have to that.
Q. Your prediction?
Games between us and Palace tend to be very tight and I doubt this will be any different. A point would not be the worst result for either side. 1-1
Q. Please tell us a little about what you do and share anything that you are currently working on.
I am a contributor to The JackCast, the Swansea City fan podcast, and you can hear our views on the Palace game in a bit more depth in our latest episode, which should be posted on Thursday night.
