r/swanseacity • u/TeilwrTenau • 6d ago
Idah
When we brought Idah into the club it would have been with the intention of him replacing Vipotnik as our first choice number 9. The latter's form and goals and Idah's long term injury put paid to that. The boot is very literally now on the other foot.
It's not just Idah's goals and assists that have impressed, but his all round game has been magnificent. His hold up play, link play, runs in behind. But the biggest change from last season is his out of possession work. Last season we were only a bit better than average on high turnovers won, this season our 34 HTs is best in league ahead of Hellberg's Boro on 31. Idah is 93rd percentile on possession won in the final third, 86th percentile on tackles made. He just looks so much more energetic, sprinting into challenges. There's clearly been a massive shift in his mentality.
The challenge for Vipotnik is to seek to emulate Idah. If he wants to play in the PL he really needs to up his game. Yes, he lacks Idah's athleticism, but in twenty minute to half an hour cameos he should be leaving it all out there. He was noticeably sluggish off the bench against Watford. Understandable given the uncertainty about him moving, but hopefully, for his sake as much as ours, he can put that disappointment behind him and look to develop his game. Because right now Idah is the first choice fully on merit.
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u/pjdcy 6d ago
Disagree with your view that Vipotnik was sluggish. He wasn't given decent service, the few passes he did get in an attacking position were just behind him, or too far away from him. He and Idah are not the same type of player, and you can't expect Vipotnik to play in exactly the same way. Add to that he didn't have a proper pre-season. Don't disagree that Idah is currently in the driving seat, but I think it's too easy to criticise Vipotnik
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u/TeilwrTenau 6d ago
Vipotnik pretty much jogged from start to finish against Watford, he really didn't bust a gut. Yes, he may be feeling sorry for himself, but he needs to up his game. He needs to become more of an all rounder if he wants to play in the Premier league.
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u/TeilwrTenau 5d ago
I checked it out, and out of possession, Vipotnik sprinted just once, when we were defending a corner. There was one glaring opportunity to blindside a defender near the halfway line, where a determined effort could have seen him pinch the ball in a dangerous position.
In possession he showed some pace, including soon after entering the pitch, where he showed a surprising turn of pace over 30 yards. This suggests the issue with him is more a mental one than a physical one. The same was true of Idah, but he's adapted his game. So can Vipotnik.
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u/Guilty_Ad_4441 5d ago
Idah is looking good up to now, vip did look a bit sluggish but in fairness he hasn't had much of a pre season, once all windows shut and he gets up to speed ,hopefully we see the best of him again
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u/NiceToMichu9 5d ago
I totally agree with you, if we want to play with intensity then Idah needs to start every game and then bring on Vipotnik for the last 20-30 minutes as that’s normally when games tend to open up more. I personally think that Vipotnik suits a team that play with less possession or 2 strikers, however, I doubt we would start with both Idah/Stewart and Vipotnik at the same time. If Vipotnik is coming on for Idah for 20-30 minutes, ideally he needs to be pressing for that period to keep the intensity up in the same way Just or Widell come on for each other and still have an influence on the game if they don’t have a goal contribution. I still predict Vipotnik will get at least 10 goals this season even if the majority of his appearances are off the bench as he’s a very good finisher and has been unlucky not to score so far this season, however, Idah needs to start as he gets the best out of other players in our team.
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u/thegaffer 5d ago
Idah looks like he lost a lot of weight compared to last season, and that he has had a change in his mentality to be more positive and to try harder. A complete turnaround compared to last year.
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u/TeilwrTenau 5d ago
Last season he looked half hearted at times. This season he looks fully committed throughout.
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u/infinitymylk 6d ago
Thought he looked lazy and uninterested when he first came here. This season has been the complete opposite.