Eric Imhof on a growing debate - when Nelson Oliveira should get his first Swansea City start
To be clear, Garry Monk has a good problem on this hands. Does he continue to start Bafétimbi Gomis on Wednesday against West Brom, knowing that Gomis was previously frustrated about lack of playing time, and knowing that Gomis hasn’t been playing particularly poorly (Monk himself reminded everyone that it took Bony seven or so games to really get going); or does he rest the Frenchman in favor of Nélson Oliveira, knowing that Oliveira surely would like playing time and that Oliveira, too, hasn’t been playing particularly poorly?
In fact, many would say that Oliveira is due a start strictly on the flashes of smoothness and assuredness he’s shown in the past weeks, contrasted with Gomis’ continual misses (his supposed newfound allegiance to Monk notwithstanding). With Gomis having run a full 90 only two days ago, does it make sense to rest him anyway for United’s visit this coming weekend?
Yet, on the other hand, some consistency would be nice. It seems like Swansea never start the same lineup twice in a row these days, and while rotation is necessary given the ridiculously arduous schedule, fluid soccer is a result of communication and anticipation, neither of which can be built without some semblance of stability. Shelvey and Gomis have just started to figure out where the other is most likely to be on any given play; why ruin a budding relationship?
The only issue - but it’s a big one - that I can see with continuing to start Gomis is that so far Monk has exceeded at building competition at almost every position by rewarding good performances with playing time. Barrow, Montero, and even Gomis (yes, even he) have seen, or should have seen, a consistent, transparent trend: if one works hard, puts in good shifts, and plays for the team, then one will gradually move up the depth chart. Oliveira looked good enough to me on Saturday to warrant some more time, and conversely, if he continues to be used only as a last-gasp substitute, then he may start to wonder just why exactly he was brought over on loan to begin with.
Some resentment on Oliveira’s part is all fine and good if Gomis continues to progress, and it’s even better if Gomis immediately starts putting away chances. But if Gomis doesn’t do either, not to mention if he gets injured, then Monk will have two disgruntled strikers on his hands and Swansea can ill-afford any question marks in attack down the stretch, with their struggles to find that second goal so recently conspicuous. Other than the Tranmere anomaly, the last time the Swans scored more than one goal was at home against QPR in December. If you take those two matches out, then the stat looks even more miserable: 14 matches in a row without scoring more than one goal.
To solve this long-term problem, Monk needs to solve his short-term one. If you were in his shoes, would you start Gomis on Wednesday? It's a big call, and I can't wait to see which way he goes.
Thanks to Eric as usual for his latest piece - follow him on Twitter @AustinJackArmy. I have to say I'd be in favour of Oliveira starting, and this could be the perfect opportunity. The gamble is Gomis shooting off and doing another interview on French TV about how he can't believe he's been dropped, but it seems he's over that for now.