Planet Swans ArchivesReport By Clive, Gareth and David Hughes
On a day that had started out cold and overcast turned out to be another hot sunny day for our second visit to the Kassam Stadium. A crowd of 5440 was boosted by a near 500 visiting fans as we looked for our first win under Brian Flynn. With injuries and suspensions the team had a slightly strange look to it as we lined up with a 4-4-2 formation with Rog, Evans O’Leary,Jason Smith,Howard, Reid, Mumford, Lacey & Keaveney, and Thomas & Watkin up front.
We started brightly with the team looking fully committed against an Oxford team that were struggling at home but gaining much better results on their travels. Within the first 5mins we should have been a goal ahead as Keaveney worked a good position and from the edge of the area shot across the Oxford keeper Woodman, only too see his shot rebound off the post. The chance was not lost as it fell to the unmarked Watkin who with the whole goal to aim at from the six-yard line only managed a weak volley into the centre of goal allowing Woodman to save. The team were not downhearted as they raised the pressure for yet another through ball for Watkin to chase. Now most players we had minutes earlier failed with a golden opportunity would have given everything to make amends, but no he backed out allowing Woodman to gather. With a more committed effort we may have got a penalty or at least the ball could have spooned clear to an advancing player. During this time we lost Evans with what looked like a pulled muscle De Vulgt replacing him at right back. For the majority of the first half we looked totally in control without creating any more chances with the defence looking very strong with Smith commanding and also O’Leary giving an improved performance maybe due to the fact of not having to be the key man in defence. They were ably supported by De Vulgt and Howard as Oxford did not trouble Roger. With half time nearly on us we had a massive scare when Omoyimni outpaced the defence and when one on one with Rog seemed certain to score. Rog stood tall and saved by trapping the ball under his body to the relief of all Swans fans.
The second half saw us start off very sluggishly maybe thinking the hard work was already done. It was not as simple as that as Oxford stepped up a gear and put us under early pressure without again troubling Roger. We didn’t react and started to defend deeper and deeper giving Oxford the run of midfield. There seemed no sense of urgency as we continued to give the ball away from clearances only to allow Oxford to create another attack. The defence were still playing well as a unit, but the warning signs were there for all to see. Oxford made 2 substitutions in quick succession. By the reaction of the Oxford fans both players seemed to be firm favourites. In fact these two combined to score the only goal 15mins from the end. Hackett attacked down the Oxford right at pace and cut into the box passing to the six-yard box for Louis to hit firmly into the net. Roger showed his disgust by shouting at anyone within range. The move had in fact started by no one closing down their defenders allowing them to pick their options. Oxford bossed the rest of the game with the team formation looking very ragged. Keaveny went down with what appeared to be cramp, and as the game continued was treated by Woodman who received a handshake from Keaveny and warm applause from the Swans fans. It was not long before he left the field to be replaced by Moss. We now changed to 4-3-3 but still didn’t threaten the Oxford goal, giving the ball away cheaply in midfield and most attacks being the aimless hopefull long ball forward to forwards who had no chance of winning anything in the air. We were given one final chance when we were awarded a foul outside the area close to centre of the goal. With the option of a low hard hit shot or passing to the side of the wall Mumford decided to go for the more difficult one of trying for the top corner only to see the chance go way over the bar. With two minutes of added time the game petered out to the inevitable 1-0 result
Player Comments
Freestone back to his commanding best, not at fault for the goal, and held everything that came his way although not tested did make that excellent save at the end of the first half.
Evans only played the first 5 minutes
Smith. Good to see him back to his near best, the defence looking much more solid on his return
O’Leary, a good game benefiting from his partnership with Smith.
Howard, again another good performance.
Reid never really got into the game. Did get booked for a silly challenge and was spoken to by the referee on 3 other occasions. Must learn to show more self-control.
Lacey, although a slightly better performance of late, is still the weak link in midfield but did throw himself into a blocking tackle early in the second half to prevent a dangerous shot on goal.
Mumford. Very impressive in the first half, but tired dramatically in the second and must lose weight to regain fitness.
Keaveny. Worked tirelessly, in fact ran himself into the ground. Showed neat skills. Lets hope he continues to develop.
Thomas. Not one of his best displays but was battling as the lone front man (see below)
Watkin. Always on the back foot. A seasoned professional should never have missed the chance he had in the first half. Spent most of the game pushing into defenders backs hoping for obstruction. Has he thought of trying to get to the ball first?
De Vulgt. A good game but did tire towards the end.
Moss only on for about 10 mins, but did not offer much.
This game was the proverbial ‘ game of two halves’. A very good showing in the first half was matched by a poor one in the second. Our lack of pace was very evident as we never troubled their defence and at times were outpaced in midfield.
The return of Wood from suspension must have him partner Thomas upfront at the expense of Watkin. Apart from the poor showing in the second half, more worrying is that with all the possession we had in the first we hardly created any telling attacks on goal. The time is now to bring in the 2 loan faces we have been promised. We must have an outlet to give our defence some respite. With the defence now looking stronger we must build on the platform and start to worry teams. Our attacks are too pedestrian we must have extra pace in the team.
Let’s hope for that illusive first win under Flynn againt Southend, as the teams above us are starting to pull away.
One last thought. Bound did get stick, but even more was given to Ex Cardiff player Gordon in the short time he was on the pitch.
Report By Jonathan Russ
The swans slipped to their seven league deafet of the season after going down one nil to an average Oxford side.
Flynn made two changes to the starting line-up.Jenkins and Phillips were both sidelined through injury so Reid and Keaveny were the replacement’s.Flynn went back to playing the 4-3-3 system as the team lined up-
Freestone Evans O’leary Smith Howard Lacey Mumford Reid Keaveny Watkin Thomas
Oxford included former swan Matt Bound in a back 3 with Gavin Gordan-on loan from Cardiff-starting up front.The swans started brightly and Bound blocked Thomas early effort after Reid had played him into space.Terry Evans picked up a knock which meant Lee De-Vulght came on at right back.With Oxford offering nothing ealry on it was the swans who should have gone a head with the first chance of the match.Watkin put Keaveny into space on the right and the young striker cut inside to hit a powerfull shot from the edge of the area which was superbly tipped onto the post by the Oxford Keeper but the chance was not lost as the ball rebounded straight to Watkin who from about 4 yards with the goal gaping managed to miss placing it into the keeper’s arms.
Mumford and Lacey then linked up well to put De-Vulght into space on the right.The right back produced a decent cross into the box but Watkin could only head over the bar.The match was slowey turning into a sloppey affair with the Swansea defence having no problems.The only chance the home side made was just before half time when one of thier strikers managed to break the off-side line only for Freestone to come to the rescue as he saved with his legs.
The half time whistle went with the score at 0-0 but the swans were certainly having the better of it.
The home side started the second half brightly as the swans seemed to get worse.We sat too deep and allowed Oxford to keep coming at us.Despite this Roger did’nt have to make a real save.On 72 mins the home side got the goal that was always going to come.Oxford sub Hackett raced through swans defenders before laying it off to Louis who finished the chance.Up to this point the defence had been coping well.Moss replaced Keaveny but had no effect as the swans did not look like scoring as Mumford curled over a last minute free-kick.The final whistle brought boo’s from the swans fans after they had seen yet another below average display.
Player Ratings-
Freestone-7-Not much to do really.
Evans-Not on long enough.
De-Vulght-7-Probaly his best display in a swans shirt
O’Leary7–Improving at last.
Smith-8-Was solid through the difference he makes to the defence is there for all to see.
Howard-7-Did really do much wrong.
Mumford-5-Very dissapointing.No impact.Off the pace.
Lacey-5-If you told me he was’nt playing i would have belived you.
Reid-5-Decent first half but again may as well not have botherd ine second
Thomas-6-Battled hard but no service.
Watkin-3-Did’nt jump for headers,bad touch on the ball and did’nt chase anything.Guilty of an awful miss.
Keaveny-6-Lively first half,tired in the second.
Moss-5-No impact.
We were poor again today after starting so well.The defence is improved but we lack,pace,skill and any real ability.Flynn must add two wide men as soon as possible and Watkin must be axed.Whatever happens the best we can hope for is a middle table finsh as it seem’s it may well take a while for us to get going on a decent run of results.
