Planet Swans ArchivesApologies for the delay but Keiron is away because of a family bereavment, so welcome to my first attempt of a match report 😉 With Watkin back in the side (in place of Verschave) the Swans looked to have a target man again and therefore the mindless balls forward had a chance of being retained for at least one or two passes anyway. Howard made a welcome return to left back and Jenkins was brought back in into midfield at the Keegan.
The Swans were battling well in the first 30 mins with Watkin an obvious improvement to Veshave in holding the ball up giving the team a lot more balance than a kick and chase team. The Swans midfield again looked weak and were easily out powered by a strong Reading midfield. This wouldn’t have proved too bad if their distribution was up to anything but they relied on the defence to pass them out of trouble and if you know Bound’s passing you know we were doomed to fail right from the off!
Reading looked more dangerous upfront than they did in the LDV encounter a month ago and they created the first real chance when Price slipped giving Caskey a free shot on goal, luckily Bound was on the line to clear.
Then the decision that sums up our season. A poor back pass was sent beyond the Reading keeper and with Sava chasing he was to put it kindly body checked off the ball by a Reading player, Premiership referee Dunn waved play on with the whole of the Vetch Field was buzzing at how such an easy decision was missed!
Reading were given a poor offside decision their way giving Cureton a difficult volley attempt which he only just sent over the bar. Looking back now he had time to bring it down to score.
Then after 30 mins Watkin layed on Savarese who went through the Reading defence and was clear on goal but lifted the ball over the bar as the keeper advanced.
Then just before halftime the deadlock was broken with what proved the winner. An average ball whipped across the Swans box was easily tapped in by Cureton, Roger started to come for it but held back and with no-one on the back post there was no way a quality forward like Cureton was going to miss. Instead of coming back into the game with more passion the Swans looked to just die with passing that would be surpassed by League Of Wales sides!
Half time was graced by a brace of Booing as has become the norm this season.
I’d like to say the second half performance was more inspired due to a Hollins stir up at half time but alas it just got worse!
Hollins finally made changes 10 mins in but could we understand his ploy, NO he brings on Bari Morgans on for Watkin who was having a great game, so that’s one forward less then brings on Philips on for Romo putting another defender on!! Has he completely lost the plot 1-0 chasing the game and for the second game running he’s made a desparingly obvious substitution look comical!
No improvement was made until Cusack was brought on for O’Leary who took a knock 15 mins from the end so with 2 men over 6ft upfront again the long ball was slightly effective, but no real chances emerged from this and the although the Swans forced some late corners there was little chance of an equaliser. Summed up by half the North Bank leaving 10 mins from the end.
As the ref blew the final whistle the fans Booed and finally rang out “We want Hollins OUT” but in my view this should have been done at least 3 weeks ago! Although our struggle is not impossible every Jack knows that it’s never going to happen as 2 wins since mid-October in the league is hardly the form to keep us up! If you have to pay to go to matches don’t bother, and if your planning to go to Northampton save your money and buy yourself something instead as there’s little point in what will prove to be a fruitless journey
