Traditional meets modern at Ashton Gate
Nigel Pearson welcomes Russell Martin to Ashton Gate with their two respective sides posting a total of one point from their opening two games. Swansea City have caught the eye with Martin’s unique possession based style of play and enjoyed a rousing 3-0 win over Reading in the League Cup first round last midweek. Pearson’s Robins finished 2020/21 in horrific form and were knocked out by League Two’s Forest Green Rovers in the League Cup, their hopes this season are looking bleak and interest circulating around youthful attacker Antoine Semenyo cannot help matters.
Background
Despite making the play-off final last term, the new dawn under Martin is very exciting. The club have prioritised coaching skills in their managerial appointments in recent years and the former Norwich City defender feels like a good fit at the Liberty Stadium, having enabled Milton Keynes Dons to play some breathtaking football for third tier level last term. This is a battle of traditional motivational and disciplined style of management in Pearson, to a real philosopher in Martin, it will be interesting to see how the two matchup on the night.
As the weeks go on, the squad will begin to adapt and familiarise themselves with the new manager’s ways and they have an excellent opportunity to get their first league win on Friday. The Swans have enjoyed the lions’ share of possession in every outing so far this season, suggesting the Robins will need to be effective on the counter attack to have any success. The likes of Andreas Weimann, Kasey Palmer and Nahki Wells could be devastating if they can penetrate the spaces in behind.
The Swans have the upper hand here despite the home advantage for the Robins, players are relishing the chance to play in front of supporters be it on their own patch or not in the opening exchanges of this campaign. Swansea, despite the loss of Andre Ayew, still have a side of the calibre of top six pushers, the hosts certainly do not and are surprise favourites with the bookmakers in my opinion.
This could be a selection to jump on immediately as I cannot see such a big price on the Swans come kick off, Bristol City could be set to sack a manager for the third season in a row as they look to arrest the slide that has been continuing at a rapid rate in 2021.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Joel Piroe scored the only goal of the game.