Tottenham Opposition Scouting Report: Swansea

By Ryan Wrenn | Dec 1, 2016

SWANSEA, WALES - NOVEMBER 26: Swansea City manager Bob Bradley celebrates as Fernando Llorente of Swansea City scores his winning goal during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Crystal Palace at The Liberty Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images) /

If Tottenham are looking for a guide of what to expect this Saturday, they should look no further than Swansea’s win last weekend over Crystal Palace.

That was the Swans first win in all competitions since August, and was suitably wild. The visiting Eagles held a 4-3 lead as the clock reached 90 minutes, only to see Swansea striker Fernando Llorente score two goals a minute apart in stoppage time. Unlikely as it may seem, that 5-4 result could provide some insight for Tottenham.

Those four goals dropped Swansea’s defensive record to one of the worst in the league, but in a way that’s not surprising. Even before this match Crystal Palace had one of the best goalscoring records outside of the top four. With this result their tally actually exceeds the total number of goals scored by Tottenham.

Swansea’s defensive record before hosting Alan Pardew’s side was already dismal as well. They had conceded multiple goals in nine out of the 12 matches they played in the Premier League. The Manchester clubs and Stoke beat them by two goal margins.

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If Swansea were expected to concede and concede often, they were not expected to score five goals for themselves. Their record prior to this match was less than a goal per match, making them one of the worst attacks in the league.

Such problems on both ends of the pitch reflect a team in turmoil. Gone are the days under Brendan Rodgers or Michael Laudrup where the Swans could be considered that rare underdog who attempts and occasionally succeeds at emulating or even beating bigger sides. Under Gary Monk, Francesco Guidolin and now Bob Bradley, the club are struggling to find an identity.

The American is beginning to piece together with the parts he has available a potentially viable way out off rock bottom. This is still a team that retains the services of Gylfi Sigurddson, Leroy Fer and Lukasz Fabianski after all. With Bradley’s aggressive approach, they might be able to build off this most recent haul against Crystal Palace.

Will that trend be sustained against Tottenham though? Unlikely. While Swansea have scored against each of the current top four teams in the Premier League, they haven’t yet beat any of them. The departure of Ashley Williams in the summer cost them the defensive solidity that made Palace’s scoring spree so rare in the past. Tottenham will be anxious to sharpen their dulling blades against the Swans’ backline.

Mauricio Pochettino will worry about Swansea’s advantage in the gap between Tottenham’s midfield and defense. Sigurddson and Fer are tricky in those areas, and it might take more than just Victor Wanyama patrolling in defensive midfield to keep them quiet.

Even if they do find a way through to Tottenham’s backline, their choices of targets are slim. Llorente might have saved the day last weekend, but the Spaniard is likely past his prime. He shouldn’t trouble Eric Dier and Jan Vertonghen at White Hart Lane.

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Heung-min Son and Dele Alli should revel at the chance to cause the same problem on the other end of the pitch, while Harry Kane might be bolstered by his newly minted deal with the club.

All of which is to say that this will be a welcome fixture after facing Chelsea last weekend. Tottenham can trust in their regulars to deliver a result.