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Swansea's lack of cutting edge indicative of obsession with possession, says Graeme Souness

West Ham United's English midfielder Mark Noble (R) vies with Swansea City's Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson
Image: West Ham United's English midfielder Mark Noble (R) vies with Swansea City's Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson

Swansea's lack of cutting edge up front is indicative of the problem of modern day football's obsession with possession, according to Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness.

The Welsh side dominated possession at the Liberty Stadium during their 0-0 draw against West Ham claiming 73% but managed only two shots on target.

The Swans have now scored only 15 goals in 17 Premier League games and will spend Christmas in the relegation zone.

Since Swansea were promoted to the Premier League in 2011, they have been renowned for their possession-based game but Souness insists it is not just about how much of the ball you have but what you do with it that counts.

"They don't move it quick enough," he told Super Sunday, where he was joined by John Barnes.

"They had 681 passes today and only had two shots on target, that ain't good enough to have all that ball. Watford had 260 passes and scored three goals. It's two different ways of playing. Would you rather watch Swansea or would you rather watch Watford? You would pick Watford all day long.

Swansea held by West Ham
Swansea held by West Ham

Swans stay in relegation zone after goalless draw

"There is things to like about them (Swansea). They are neat and tidy, you can see lots of them have really nice technique but they're falling into a trap which lots of teams do. They are happy to keep the ball, they are happy to go square with it and they are happy to go back with it because it's all about possession.

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"When John played on the training ground with Ronnie Moran, all  you would hear is 'look forward, look forward'. You play possession in training but you look forward.

"The modern game appears to be happy to make passes just for the sake of making passes. 681 passes with two shots on target emphasises that point. That's not good enough. You have to be more threatening."

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