Nathan Lewis returns to take his weekly look at the last four fixtures between the Swans and this weekend's opponents Stoke
Stoke vs Swansea has, historically, been a match-up that represents a clash of footballing philosophies, between a Spanish-Welsh blend of pretty passing, and Tony Pulis-style Hoofball. Matches between Stoke and Swansea tend to provide plenty of entertainment, and we can expect more of the same in front of the Sky cameras on Sunday. How have we performed against the Midlands side previously? Let’s take a look:
29th September 2012 - Premier League
Stoke City 2-0 Swansea
Michael Laudrup got off to an excellent start as Swansea manager, beginning the season with three games unbeaten. A 5-0 demolition of QPR on the opening day, and a 3-0 stroll against West Ham was followed by an entertaining 2-2 draw at home to Sunderland. This hot form was not continued in the following three games, with this 2-0 defeat in Stoke-on-Trent capping three losses in a row.
Tony Pulis’ side ended an 11-game streak without a win, and rarely looked troubled in winning. Poor defending from a corner allowed Peter Crouch to head home unchallenged, before scoring his side’s second goal from a speculative cross. The ease with which Pulis’ side won this game stood in stark contrast to the possession statistics. We had 74% possession, but unfortunately could not find any way past a resolute Stoke defence. One of those games, then. All the ball, no cutting edge, no goal.
19th January 2013 - Premier League
Swansea 3-1 Stoke City
It was a very, very different story back home in the Liberty. Our favourite consistently inconsistent Jonathan De Guzman gave one of his more sparkling performances in a Swansea shirt. The first-half performances of both sides left little to get excited about - Swansea had the better of the chances, but seemed unable to find the final pass to cement their dominance. Ben Davies provided a moment of excellence to give us the lead, beating two men down the left and coolly slotting the ball past Begovic in the Stoke goal.
The dominance of the Swans was in full-swing, and Jono scored our second with a beautiful curled free-kick, after Michu was brought down on the edge of the box. The best was saved for last, however. One of the nicest passing moves we've seen at the Liberty in recent years ended with Danny Graham playing de Guzman in, who slotted home to finish the move, secure all three points, and cap off a dominant performance. Michael Owen provided a consolation goal for Stoke, scoring his first goal in the red and white stripes.
10th November 2013 - Premier League
Swansea 3-3 Stoke City
Oh Robert. Robert, Robert, Robert. Mr Madley the referee was unfortunately the most notable player in this six-goal thriller. The Swans seemed to continue their poor Autumn form by going 2-0 down in the first half an hour, and morale seemed to be on the floor following the South Wales Derby defeat and two last-minute draws with Kuban Krasnodar in Europe.
The man who ended up as the Swans player of the season, Wilfried Bony, was the spark that ignited a comeback in the second half, nodding home from close range. Nath Dyer scored the second from a Routledge pull-back, and it seemed the comeback was complete when Big Wilf finished from a Jonjo Shelvey cross. A much-needed boost in confidence and points was ruined by a controversial last-minute penalty, cruelly given for a supposed Routledge handball. Everyone’s favourite man Charlie Adam converted the penalty and further ruined the morale in South West Wales.
12th February 2014 - Premier League
Stoke City 1-1 Swansea
To say it was windy in Stoke-on-Trent is a massive understatement. The match was delayed due to high winds, eventually starting fifteen minutes late. Garry Monk’s second match as Swansea manager wasn’t as obviously pleasing as the South Wales Derby, but it was positive in a different kind of way. This had the feel of a game in which, under Laudrup, we may have crumpled and lost. Instead, under Super Garry Monk, we fought back to rescue a valuable point.
Peter Crouch (who has a habit of scoring against us, it seems) opened the scoring after he passed to Peter Odemwingie, whose shot rebounded off the post back to the lanky striker’s feet. Crouch’s shot then somehow made its way through 4 or 5 Swans defenders, bouncing up and over Angel Rangel’s outstretched foot. We played well, dominating possession, and were finally granted an equaliser when Chico met Pablo’s cross to head past Asmir Begovic. The only question is whether we could have claimed all three points, with Wilf going close a couple of times. But this was undoubtedly a well-earned point away in the Midlands for Garry Monk and his side, as well as a valuable point closer to Premier League safety.
Overall record (last four games)
Wins: 1
Draws: 2
Losses: 1
Goals scored: 7
Goals Conceded: 7
A decent, if unspectacular record for us against Stoke, it seems. The Britannia is not an easy place to go to, as our inability to win there shows. Stoke are a side that we would probably see ourselves on the same level as, if not higher. As seems to be case with any side outside the top seven, three points is well within our grasp. Whether we grab the win, is a completely different question, of course.
My prediction: 1-1.