Bob Bradley is in danger of becoming the latest victim of the Premier League’s thirst for instant gratification and success. After only ten games in charge, detractors of the Swansea City manager have decided that he is not up to the task of keeping them in the Premier League, with some even pointing to the 58-year-old’s “Americanisms” as a reason why he shouldn’t make it to Christmas in a job he took only in October.
While jarring, his abbreviating of penalty kick to “pk” in discussing the second of Álvaro Negredo’s two goals for Middlesbrough is hardly a sacking offence. But two victories in ten games and the manner of some of his six defeats could well prove to be.
Goal difference separates Swansea from the foot of the table and, after another abject away display, their slim hopes of extending their stay in the top flight rest increasingly on a run of home form to rival that of the top six.
The Welsh side recovered to finish mid-table after occupying a place in the relegation zone this time 12 months ago, but on this showing a repeat looks unlikely. They have taken one point from a possible 24 on their travels since the opening day win away to Burnley to leave them little room for error at home.
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They were fortunate not to concede half a dozen goals to a side who had been the Premier League’s lowest scorers. Aitor Karanka said that it was his side’s worst performance of the season, but it was more than adequate to secure victory. “It hurts,” Àngel Rangel, the Swansea defender, said. “We know how bad it is, it’s the same story.”
Salvation could still come amidst home comforts, where Swansea have won their past two home games, scoring eight goals. West Ham United and Bournemouth visit next, before a key trip to Crystal Palace.
“We’re not in a good situation but we have plenty of games left to make sure we pick up points at home,” Rangel said. “We need to rely on that to try to stay in this division and we still believe we can do it.”
Many of those in the away end at the Riverside Stadium added their voices as Bradley was serenaded with “you’re getting sacked in the morning” by home supporters. Bradley insists he is building for the future and will not countenance resignation, no doubt a welcome message to Swansea’s relegation rivals who feel they will benefit the longer he remains in charge. He said: “We’ve got to stick together to fight the fight.”
Marten de Roon’s second-half volley to round-off a 16-pass move sealed the rout as the hosts pulled four points clear of danger, after Negredo found the net twice as Middlesbrough scored three in a game for the first time this season.
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Negredo swept home an Adam Clayton centre before sending Lukasz Fabianski the wrong way with his ‘pk’. Bradley claimed the hosts were incorrectly awarded a throw in the lead-up to Jordi Amat’s foul on Adam Forshaw, as his transatlantic description of the spot-kick led to a collective rolling of eyes. He has not yet used that most unacceptable of US sports adjectives: ‘winningest’.