It was all a far cry from the relegation post-mortem of recent days when, like Swansea, Stoke had been in a state of deep self-reflection, with the owners and players delivering withering verdicts about where the season had gone wrong.Īnd, like Swansea, Stoke must now consider how they rebuild in the Championship, hoping to return to the Premier League sooner than many relegated sides have managed in recent seasons. The travelling Potters supporters even chanted for the Swans to score the 10 goals to stay up, as it meant former Stoke manager Mark Hughes would be relegated with Southampton. Stoke were coming to terms with relegation after an even longer period in the top flight but, having long been resigned to their fate, the Potters' fans turned to gallows humour in attempt to raise spirits.Īfter an obliging Stoke defence allowed King to neatly roll in Swansea's opener, the visiting fans joined forces with the home crowd to sing "Going down". Where did it all go wrong for Swansea City? Stoke revel in gallows humour The latter captained the side in only his second league start of the season but his 374th appearance for the club, while midfielder Britton came off the bench to represent the Swans for a 537th and final time.Ī chance to show their appreciation for those two Swansea icons gave the afternoon a more conciliatory feel, though the overriding emotion for home fans was one of hurt and frustration as their club's seven-season stay in the Premier League ended. The Swansea City Supporters' Trust, which owns a 21.1% stake in the club, has called for Jenkins to resign, while fans at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday voiced their anger towards him, his fellow directors and the club's American owners.Īs well as fury, there was also a sense of melancholy as the Swans said farewell to two club legends and their longest-serving players - Leon Britton and Angel Rangel. Swansea have been the architects of their own downfall, having flirted with relegation for the past few seasons and failed to learn the lessons from their previous - and often fortuitous - escapes.ĭespite an initial revival under Carlos Carvalhal - appointed in December with the Swans bottom of the table - their recent form has been dismal, now winless in their past nine Premier League games and scoring just three goals in the process.Īs a result, the Portuguese manager's contract will not be renewed when it expires this summer but, according to large swathes of Swansea fans, the club needs change at a higher level. The Premier League table - from August to May external-link.Carvalhal to discuss future with owners.Reaction to the final day of the Premier League season.Whereas Stoke's relegation had already been rubber-stamped, there was still the dimmest prospect Swansea could stay up - but that disappeared as the Potters ended their own miserable season on something of a high. The two sides' relegations made for a day of mixed feelings - and unexpected humour - at the Liberty Stadium, with both sets of supporters singing self-deprecating songs together as they prepared for life in the Championship. That prompted the Swans fans to reignite their hostilities towards chairman Huw Jenkins and the club's American majority shareholders Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien, all three of whom were absent. That goal lightened the mood after Swansea fans' demonstrations had fuelled an atmosphere of anger and revolt, only for Badou Ndiaye's lob and Peter Crouch's header to put Stoke ahead.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |