United front from Rangel as win helps ease worries
ANGEL Rangel reckons Swansea City's victory over Wigan has helped silence talk of unrest within the squad.
Preparations for Saturday's match against the Latics had been somewhat disrupted by reports that there was disharmony at the Liberty.
But after Roberto Martinez's side were beaten 2-1, Rangel thinks Swansea can move on from that episode.
"It was vital we got the three points, we especially wanted to win for the manager," said the full-back. "We wanted to show there was no problem in the squad with the manager and I think on Saturday we showed spirit.
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"We scored the second goal and we thought it was game over, but that never happens in the Premier League.
"They scored one, but we showed unity. The players worked hard and in the end it paid off."
After a tight first half of few opportunities, Swansea went in front on 65 minutes when Pablo Hernandez scored his first goal since completing a move from Valencia.
That lead was doubled just two minutes later as Michu headed home his sixth Premier League goal.
In a frenetic four minutes, Emmerson Boyce then pulled a goal back for Wigan, but Swansea held on for victory.
"I said from day one that Pablo was going to make an impact at the Liberty because he's a top-class player," said Rangel. "All game he was fantastic, he was always a threat, he had a few chances and in the end he had his goal.
"He is still settling, but he is just getting better and better and I think that is important for the squad.
"We wanted to have more of the ball and keep possession, but we played against a good side.
"It was probably not our best performance of the season, but the most important thing was three points."
Gaining three points was all the more important with difficult games against Manchester City and Chelsea — either side of a Capital One Cup clash with Liverpool — to follow.
But as victory over Wigan moved Swansea seven points clear of the drop zone, Michael Laudrup has some breathing space.
"We play some of the top teams now and we don't know what's going to happen," added Rangel.
"If we play with the right mentality maybe we can get something.
"The most important thing is that we beat teams in our own league like Wigan.
"That gives us confidence now to go to Manchester City, which is a tough game.
"But we have a different perspective. We want to win, but we will be relaxed.
"Hopefully we can go there and get something. We know that last year we lost 4-0 but that was a little bit harsh."
Comments
by daiswan
Monday, October 22 2012, 9:15AM
“Interesting to see that Rangel and Vorm seem to be our spokesmen (politicaly incorrect but they are men!) off the field. Great ambassadors for the club and always feet on the ground comments. Surprised to hear in one artice that Vorm suggested changing the corner kick strategy but then again guess the best advice on that should come from the goalkeeper. Gomez should have been sent off for denying Vorm a clear scoring opportunity at the end! (ha ha!). Who are we!”