There's no point making mojitos with fresh ingredients if you're going to put them in a champagne flute...
The mercurial Hazelton Wang returns in excellent form to give his take on all things Swansea City
Buenaaaas! Que tal amigos? Is the Wang! You know I am most guapo centrocampista del Mundo. Is normal I pleasure the peoples with my feet, but today I use my mouth and hands - to talk of new campaign of drama and emotion for Swans. This is pivotal season for us, and could also prove be seminal chapter in our illustrious history.
When I fly to Ibiza yesterday I look down on the world. Even more than normal. This perspective help me think of last season. For me, it was the best season for a decade. Before this, it was all up, up, up. Success feel like it come easy. I take for granted, maybe others do same. Last season we come close to fall from grace and futbol death, but is proximity to death that make you feel most alive. It reminded me of the battles we won through our history. Of Vetch turf cutting up as we fought for our lives before. Of symphonies shaking the North Bank. Of the unity we showed for ten years to succeed on and off the pitch. Feelings returned I have not felt for long time, and I know I was not alone. Jack Army rose up again, in the stands, and with new gaffer Monk on touchline.
Eventually we prevailed last season. We said goodbye to pointless possession in midfield that went nowhere (except Qatar). Instead we become SwansDirect. When we had ball we looked forward and tried feed Bony, to give him many opportunities. Bony goles saved us, and contribution from second most prolific scorer O. Goal was also priceless. We change midfield shape to try and feed Bony through crosses, and this is genesis of playing CM in right wing - because existing wingers struggle to cross. It exposed defenders - especially Rangel, but overall the positives outweighed negatives. We survive with breathing space, after also gracing European stage with fine displays.
Now we are here. A new season is born today. A new Swans travel to el teatro des suenos to battle with loco bastard LVG. Swans chosen to raise curtain before the eyes of the world against futbol giant and chess grand master. They chose us for our panache, our values. There are many reasons for hope in this game, and also this season. I explain why.
First reason is recruitment. Swans have done some business this summer better than Alan Sugar's. Gomis looks to be incredible signing. I doubted him after he would no go out with us last season, doubted his commitment. After see him pre season and in flesh against Villarreal there is no way can doubt Gomis desire. Great mobility, speed and close control of the ball. If fed, he will score many and be Jack Army legend. Gylfi also return to bolster creativity in midfield and pull the strings. We all seen him crack one off from distance before, many times he cover keeper face with disgrace, and will do so again this season. From dead ball he should score ten this season, mas o menos.
Jeff Montero travel from Ecuador to Landore by pedallo. It explains lengthy transaction, and also his desire to be jack bastard. Jeff is complex, but can be world beater on his day. One handed Vorm has been replaced by Fabianski, who is driven to perform to regain international place. When we add Argentinian stopper Fede Fernandez to this mix you know what we have? A new spine my friends. Front to back is internationals with top flight experience. Winners. Competition increase will hopefully help kill the complacency that infect us at times last season. Add promising Kingsley to this and you have ingredients for futbol fiesta.
Second reason is who we retained. Bony is a jack and Huw says this will no change. Ash have not been taken up the Rs by his agent and will lead us again. New deals for Britton whose recent absence probably explain recent results. Is huge shame see Ben leave. His success was model for Future Swans. To have local boy in first XI is worth more than transfer fee: it proved the model. Now we move on and Tayls must show the promise of two years ago.
Third reason is progression of Future Swans to first team. Fulton I love to watch. Treats ball with respect. Enjoys company of ball so much he rarely give away. Sheehan also shows he can translate his promise to first team. King and Bray also bring quality and may feature consistently. These players have understanding and play like slick machine at youth level. They can be the factor that put the zip back in Swans game. They can teach grown ups lessons.
The problem Swans face is how we combine our squad. Is pointless have freshest mojito ingredients and squeeze it in champagne flute. So too Monk has been unable resist temptation to play too many CMs, or play names out of position. Also our philosophy must no be diluted. Ten years ago Swans resolved to play futbol on floor. As Cloughie say, if futbol gods meant futbol to be played in the air they would put turf in the sky. Our success have come through possession, and creating and exploiting space on pitch. Monk's SwansDirect last season does no sit easily with these principles. From upwards of 60% possession we then got low 40s per game. If you no have the ball you are no playing futbol. You are playing the running around. This game hurts. Is also hard to score.
For me, Swans have the attributes for exciting season of success if seleccion is made with balance. We have excellent attacking wingers who hurt anyone. We have strikers who are envy of many. We have powerful midfield with brain and soft feet, and selection of big powerful defenders. Is crying out experiment with 352 in my opinion. No way can Bony and Bafi be kept happy playing one up. These two can forge partnership and offer different qualities in attack. Can also play as part of attacking trident, maybe with Jeff on right. If we play with width then Gylfi have space to create and feed the attack. Gomis looks like he will love the ball into channels and kill defenders, Swans must capitalise on this.
Jeff have pace that no one can live with. Even if his historic trend of make few assists continues, if he stays wide he can do something vital: turn defenders. This makes chaos. When we do this, is possible feed Bony and Bafi not just through cross but through pull back. Better percentages. OK maybe it sound risky have three at back, but we played with defenders gone missing for most of last season anyway. Why not set up in a way that accentuate our attacking beauty? Why not attack? Why not die trying? This is the Swansea Way. Not a system, but a belief system. With commitment, passion, style and intelligence you come from the gutter and reach the stars.
Today against MUFC this system could work. They have new defence. We can cancel them out man for man and it put us on front foot when we have the ball. Alternatively if we play attacking trident we can occupy Man U back line individually with our superior mobility and pace. Then they can no build from back or enjoy comfy possession. One up against three is huge burden for striker, unless wingers join. Man U are still learning 3 5 2, are opportunities for us to exploit their ignorance and make glory game for Jack Army.
Whatever system we play is essential to bring back tempo and ball retention. Against Villarreal when there was no space we give ball away cheaply. Must remember now to make simple passes. Give it and get back, with small movement, creates space and confidence. Is no need throw bath water over the baby and abandon the ball by being too direct. Yes there needs be explosions and attack, we just need know how to change and increase tempo in final third. Possession with thrust. 3 5 2 facilitate this.
Monk shows he is willing experiment. He has earned time from the club to do so through his leadership as player. Is no necessary have certificates when you understand club and values, and have ability give a Pep talk to players too. When Monk finds balance this season Swans will again wield the sword like Zorro. Slay giants. Exceed expectations. And this year we have the missing ingredient to do so. From being futbol pin up many now say we struggle. Is no greater motivation we need.
Jack Army knows we are forged on the anvil of adversity. Is when we are at our best. This season the world will see the best of us. We start this afternoon and turn Old Trafford into theatre of nightmares for LVG. Sing loud Jack Army! Is match day! Is dawn of new era! Rise up and applaud guapo futbols under stewardship of total Jack Bastard.
Yes! Muchos gracias to Hazelton Wang - follow him on Twitter @Wang10Official - for this piece. I'm sure we'll hear more from him as the season progresses.