By Mike Woitalla
It’s “blame the Americans” time at Swansea City after another loss by the Swans kept them second-to-last place in the English Premier League. But after only fourgames with Bob Bradley at the helm, it should be much too early to judge.
No doubt about it, the first American to coach in the EPL moved into the job under far less thanideal conditions. That Bradley took over a 17th-place team with a one win, one tie and five losses wasn’t the big problem. In fact, that should have tempered expectations for a quickturnaround.
But Swansea’s majority owners are American, casting a cloud over the hiring such that owner Jason Levien, despite Bradley’s strong resume, had todefend the appointment:
“The reason we appointed Bob is not because he’s American but because we believe he is the best man for the job. … He is a top-class leader, tactically verysmart and has the strength of character we believe will make an immediate impact in the dressing room and on the training ground.”
By halftime of Sunday’s 3-1 loss, Swansea fans werechanting, “We want our club back” and, as The New York Timesreported, “suggested an explicit use for ‘dollars.’” Former Welsh national team defender Danny Gabbidon said before the game he could not take Bradleyseriously because of his accent.
That 3-1 loss came to another one of the six EPL teams owned by Americans, Manchester United — from goals by the world’s most expensive player,Paul Pogba, and one of the greatest strikers of his generation, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
In Bradley’s first game in charge, Swansea lost at Arsenal (anotherAmerican-owned team), 3-2. So the Swans have picked up just one point in Bradley’s first four games in charge.
Swansea results under Bradley
Nov. 6 Swansea 1 Man United 3
Oct. 31 Stoke 3 Swansea 1
Oct. 22 Swansea 0 Watford 0
Oct. 15 Arsenal 3 Swansea 2
A sliver of silver lining from Sunday’s game came with Mike van der Hoorn’s 69th-minute goal, which kept Swansea ahead of last-place Sunderland thanks to abetter goal difference.
With five points from 11 games, the Swans are six points behind deep in the relegation zone. The three teams just above the relegation zone have 11 points.
Bradley will ultimately be judged on whether he succeeds in keeping the Welsh club in the English Premier League. And there are 27 games left to play before three teams drop to the second tier.
Bradley took over during a challenging patch in Swansea’s schedule. Besides facing Arsenal and Man United, he lost away to Stoke team that’s currently on a six-game undefeated run.
After the break for World Cup qualifying, the Swans must travel to seventh-place Everton and there’s also an away game at Tottenham, currently in fifth place, on the near horizon. But five ofthe Swans’ six games in December come against teams that are currently in the lower half of the standings.
Swansea’s Upcoming Schedule
Nov. 19 at Everton (7th place)
Nov. 26 vs. Crystal Palace (16th)
Dec. 3 at Tottenham (5th)
Dec. 10 vs. Sunderland(20th)
Dec. 14 at West Brom (11th)
Dec. 17 at Middlesbrough (15th)
Dec. 26 vs. West Ham (17th)
Dec. 31 vs.Bournemouth (13th)
“The fans were angry with us at halftime and I understand,” Bradley said after the Man United loss. “There’s only one way for us to win the support of the fansand that is to play better and take points.”
That could very well be accomplished by New Year’s Day.