Michael Duff has delivered a blow to anyone hoping to return to the Swansea Way of the past and says that football has changed in the past twenty years and that the fans need to change with it.
Duff was speaking before his side got their first league win of the season with a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and amidst much criticism of his playing style, or as many would put it the lack of playing style.
With that victory on Saturday, the pressure may have subsided a little, but the Swans’ league standing is still far from ideal as they sit just outside the bottom three heading into the following match, which will be played away at Millwall the following Saturday.
The Swansea Way is a much discussed way of playing games which was hugely evident within several managers starting with Roberto Martinez as the Swans moved from League One to not just the Premier League but also a major trophy and a European campaign.
“Supporters don’t realize that it occurs frequently. But I understand. I won’t have the time if I don’t have it. The players are starting to comprehend that we come from various backgrounds.
“I know ‘the Swansea method,’ but there are other approaches as well. Football morphs. It has been almost 20 years since “The Swansea way.”
At Barcelona ten years ago, Pep Guardiola was the best manager in the world, but all of the players were under five feet tall and constantly passed the ball three yards. Pep Guardiola still has five players that are 6 feet 4 inches or taller, which proves that the game has changed and he is still the best manager in the world. You must adapt to the times and progress.
“It’s about following the procedure. Teams should be built on solid, non-negotiable foundations before adding on to the other aspects.
“However, if people have already decided, they have already decided. If I don’t win enough games, I’ll be fired regardless. Not only myself thinks that. Anyone in football is that.