Bradford City vs Swansea City, Capital One Cup Final: Open Thread
“With starting odds of 1,000-1 as a minimum, Bradford’s achievement of reaching the Capital One Cup Final really can be considered a once in a millennium opportunity. In an era in which the selected elite dominate both domestic league and cups, a Bradford vs Swansea City final is a refreshing change to the usual mundane hierarchy,” writes Dave Waterhouse for the website Three And In. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
There are few Bradford or Swansea City supporters reading this. The vast majority of you are neutrals in this cup tie, but since it’s the first cup final this year, I would highly recommend that you watch it. Bradford has been incredibly exciting to watch in the tournament this season. And we all know how well Swansea can play.
For viewers in the United States, the game will be shown live on beIN SPORT beginning at 10:55am ET with commentators Ian Joy and Ross Dyer. If your TV provider doesn’t offer beIN SPORT, you can listen live via radio at Talksport.com or Talksport.co.uk.
Swansea starting XI: Tremmel, Rangel, Ki, Williams (c), Davies, Britton, de Guzman, Routledge, Dyer, Hernandez, Michu
Bradford starting XI: Duke; Darby, McArdle, McHugh, Good; Thompson, Doyle, Jones, Atkinson; Hanson, Wells.
The surprise team selection is that Ki Sung-Yueng has been picked to partner Ashley Williams in centre defense for Swansea. The Korean midfielder has been picked instead of Kyle Bartley and Garry Monk, which will come as a blow to both of those footballers who were hoping that one of them would play instead of the injured Chico Flores.
It’s a brave decision by Swansea manager Michael Laudrup, but it’s a sound one in my mind. Both Bartley and Monk are still having nightmares after their weak performance against Liverpool from last Sunday. And Ki offers the height and strength in the back. He’s played in that position before for Swansea.
It’s an intriguing matchup between two contrasting styles. May the best team win.
Enjoy the League Cup Final.
64 Responses to Bradford City vs Swansea City, Capital One Cup Final: Open Thread
Swansea fans singing away, filling Wembley with their songs. Come on you Swans!
Cheers,
The Gaffer
I bet the Gunner fans wish they had been there.
Is this being shown anywhere in the states?
Bein Sports.
Audio on talkSPORT…….and no Gus Johnson.
Sam Matterface and Stan Collymore?
Don’t know. Good commentary about the limitation on tickets to the fans of both teams and the empty seats.
No surprise it was the same when we played Bolton. Corporate wankers only interested in the top 6 teams. No wonder the phrase Against Modern Football is increasingly used.
The Swans in Europe next year with a win today. Cardiff doubtless on its way up.
The Welsh dragon is definitely in the ascendant within the football world.
Best of luck to your guys, Gaffer. I tend to root for the underdog when neutral but both of these teams are underdogs in a way.
“The Welsh dragon is definitely in the ascendant within the football world.”
Not in the Europa League.
Listening to the game on Talksport Live. The size of the pitch favors Swansea and early on Swansea are keeping good possession. Bradford are finding it difficult to keep possession.
Yes, Swans!!
Gaffer:
And breathe. . . . .
Nothing like an early goal at Wembley to ease the tension.
Excellent goal by Nathan Dyer, but Michu’s shot was spot on to give Dyer the opportunity.
When Dyer moved to Swansea from Southampton, he was on the scrap heap. He had a troubled time both on and off the pitch at Southampton. Fair play to the lad. All his hard work over the years has paid off.
Still a long way to go though.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
No Gus Johnson…No Ray Hudson…No Arlo White.
An Alka Seltzer moment..”Oh what a relief it is!!”
Only you, me and jtm get that one, Fog.
Guy
you are so right it hurts.
It’s not over yet, but brilliant pass by Hernandez and Michu was so cool, calm and collected. Swansea 2-0!
My only concern so far is Ki Sung-Yueng’s yellow card. He has to be careful.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Game over! I cannot see Bradford coming back to win this one. The score could end up 4 or 5 to nil.
Will be good to see Swansea in Europe next season.
the fairy tale ends for the Bantams well done and the phoenix continues to rise for Swansea.congrats Gaffer hope your side will be able to hold on to ML.
The match is far from over. One goal for Bradford and it’s an entirely different game.
Despite all of Swansea’s possession, it doesn’t mean anything unless we can win the game. It’s looking good right now, but Bradford have been able to beat Arsenal, Aston Villa and Wigan, so it’s not over ’til it’s over.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Cup rounds are not the se as a final, this surface at Wembley alone coupled with Swansea playing style meant it was always going to be a struggle for the league 2 side.
This result isn’t a surprise… A great win all the same!
The difference between Swansea and all the other Premier League teams that Bradford have played?
Swansea have shown them respect and been nothing but professional in their approach.
Swansea will do well to hold onto Laudrup.
Gaffer, I know you want to be cautious, but I believe you can break open your adult beverage of choice.
might be more than one well done SWANS!
Dyer spoiling a great day for the Swans. Grow up.
can anyone explain to me why the manager doesn’t decide who is going to take a penalty?
it would avoid situations like this so an imbecile like Dyer wouldn’t cause all sorts of problems.
De Guzman is the designated penalty taker for Swansea. Dyer was acting petulantly.
IanCransonsKnees is correct. Guzman is the penalty taker. Dyer just wanted the hat trick, thinking that the game was already out of reach of Bradford, so why not give him a go, Dyer thought.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
yeah, I understand. But acting so petulantly like that is unbecoming. And arguing so vehemently is basically like arguing directly with the manager. If I was the manager I would have considered yanking him out right then and there.
3-0 up against a league 2 side down to 10 men? The game was definitely over.. De Guzman should have given Dyer the penalty and not been a selfish git.
What was Dyer being?
The only way for Dyer to erase those disappointing moments in arguing with Guzman is to get another goal to get his hat trick.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
It might erase it for him but it won’t for me. That was poor.
I agree. He’s looking out for himself instead of the team’s best interests. I like his hunger to score more, but that was disappointing behavior from Dyer.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
I’ll be interested to see if Dyer apologizes in any way for detracting from a great moment for the Swans.
in a word NO!
Shock…..Horror….. This was not close, the road to Wembley is always full of surprises but on the day, the big occasion the bigger team almost always wins.
The gulf between league 2 and the prem is clearly on display…
Congratulations to Swansea quite the 10 year turn around! Especially when you consider how many players have left…. A great story.
Beyond the occasion day Bradford made a mockery of that ‘gulf’.
I think the BPL clubs that played Bradford did Bradford & the cup a diservice, cup ties are where anything can happen..to a point.. Finals are completely diff in my opinion.
Finals are rarely taken as lightly.
The Laudrup Sweepstakes are now officially open.
Chelsea or if they want to really affect change Arsenal.
Swansea story should be inspiration to all clubs… Bradford’s story should be a warning of what poor devision making can do…
I guess Tottenham have a lot to learn.
We will see what happens to your club when fergie leaves… We will see
When Sir Alex to you sir leaves we will still be in the top 4 have no fear.
Swansea in Europe! Excellent!
If anyone now considers this a real Cup competition after THAT final. well. you are clearly a Swansea fan.
Come off it. It was real enough for Villa, Wigan, and Arsenal fans to be pissed off when Bradford beat them.
Swansea can only beat what was put in front of them and they did that, which is more than can be said for the other Premier League teams.
A pathetic response which simply oozes jealously. I’m sure your lot will show their classlessness against Spurs tomorrow despite the poingancy of the occasion.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21551211
Jealous? no, mad that we are out of the FA Cup hell yeah, it was ours to take and we blew it. We fields 6 development players in the match, and 4 reserves. So jealous no.
Look what I’m saying isn’t new. And I’ve been saying this for years on here back to CFC v Arsenal. So it is hardly sour grapes or jealousy just reality… No one cared. The match of the day was City V CFC. and even if it was City v CFC in the League Cup final, fans would have rather have had the 3 points with a win. Sorry to introduce ideas outside of the Swansea bubble that has become EPL Talk… but do you folks read anything else?
Trickybrkn, you said that no one considers the League Cup a real competition after ‘that’ final. That’s an absolutely ridiculous thing to say.
If no one cared, nobody would have posted on this thread.
Did you even watch the game?
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Sour grapes, Trickybrkn. If that had been West Ham winning today, you would have changed your tune.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Seriously?……West Ham fans showing their class again…. Bitter Bitter Bitter…..
I hope we stuff you tomorrow…
COYS
Dust
i hope your Spurs punish the Hammers so the one Hammer fan will be pissed off what a Jacka$$. what was the last Silverware your side won?
COYS!
Says the only person who is more hated than Dust…
Congratulations Swansea City! It’s the proudest day in the history of the club. And, for me, being a Swansea fan for 35 years, it’s the proudest footballing day in my life.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Happy for you Gaffer, it surely must mean a lot. Swansea are a well run club and are certainly deserving of the success they’re having. Just uhh, don’t get behind the wheel tonight!
Great win Gaffer. Europa League can be trying (Kharkiv Thursday night, 1330 match Sunday can’t be too fun), but the extra money and European exposure should help in the Summer transfer window. Loic Remy should be looking for a new club since QPR look doomed. Looking like the new French connection is going to keep the Toon up and in much better shape than before the new year.
You guys with the “thumbs down” on a comment like The Gaffer’s make me laugh. Don’t even know what the “L” on your forehead stands for.
It is brilliant to win things but even better to win them the “right” way. Well done by the Swans, now let United win easily and we will be happy too hehehehe!!! On a very serious note Swansea have been brilliant this season and of all the games this year only the last Liverpool game was a real stinker. I am looking forward to you guys playing us again Gaffer, should be fun.
Congrats Gaffer & Swansea supporters worldwide.
A job well done. One to remember.
Cheers.
The Gaffer
Congrats on your side and the steps from oblivion to silverware and European football. hope you have a great evening you have been thru a lot of crap to get to this moment.ENJOY!
Thanks jtm371 and everyone else for the congratulations!
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Well done Swans. What a show they put on today a 5-0 whacking.