Planet Swans ArchivesMaybe it’s a couple of days late but at least it’s a Happy New Year as we pick up our first win in 2005 (a long time coming). Another bitterly cold day in Northamptonshire as approx 400 Swans fans among a crowd of 3382 held an impeccable minutes silence for the victims of the Tsunami Disaster.
With the return of Garry Monk the team lined up
Gueret
Ricketts, Monk, Iriekpen and Austin
Forbes, Martinez, Tate and Robinson.
Connor and Trundle
Subs
Murphy, Britton, Nugent, Maylett and Anderson.
Rushden had the first attack of the game in the first minute which was easily dealt with by the Swans defence. That was to be the nearest they came to the Swans goal for the next 30mins and by then the game was over with the Swans 2-0 up.
On 3 mins a perfectly weighted through ball from Andy Robinson saw Paul Connor through the back four with the keeper coming off his line. With us all expecting the usual chip over the keeper Connor was forced wide sideways on goal. With the chance looking to have gone and a lay off to the wing the option, he turned getting his foot around the ball, sending it mid goal into an unguarded net.
Swansea took complete control with only one long distance shot from Kennedy going wide the response from Rushden. So lacking in confidence were Rushden that there were ironic cheers aimed at one of their players after he controlled a pass after letting the three previous ones go for throw-ins. During this early period the Swans were frustrated when it seemed every attack was given as offside. Whilst we don’t always agree with decisions, the linesman had it wrong at least 50% of the time.
We did get the breakthrough our play deserved when Robinson latched onto a loose ball beating the keeper from inside the area mid goal. Although the Swans didn’t visibly take their foot off the pedal, the game dropped a gear as Rushden struggled to mount any clear pressure, Apart from a couple of corners Gueret had little to do. And if truth be told neither did the Rushden keeper Worgan.
The second half continued as the first, with most of the play in midfield. On the hour mark Izzy received what looked like a bloody nose and left the field for a couple of minutes. He resumed but was soon replaced by Anderson. Austin went centre back and Anderson played left back.
Rushden made 2 substitutions and for the first time looked capable of causing us some problems. Again we reverted to defending deeply allowing Rushden freedom of midfield. Around the 70min mark we came under considerable pressure with consecutive corners. Gueret again pulled off two excellent saves, one from near point blank header from Taylor. On 75 we made a double substitution with Trundle and Connor being replaced by Nugent and Maylett. We rode out this period of pressure and again came back into the game mounting a few attacks but again not threatening the goal. With 5mins to go Martinez went down injured after a tackle, as he went off there was a signal to the bench that he couldn’t carry on.
Total miscommunication as nothing happened which in the end saw him return to the game but obviously carrying an injury. The final few minutes were played out with neither team threatening to give us 3 deserved points.
Player Comments
Gueret – Little to do but what he did he did well. Two excellent saves.
Ricketts – Steady game but seems more at home at left back
Monk – Good return but obviously a little match rusty.
Iriekpen – Looked a bit unsure on occasions but adds pace to the defence.
Austin – Shaky display at left back, much better when he replaced Izzy at centre back.
Forbes – Again gave 100% but his success rate on crosses and telling passes is short of what’s needed
Martinez – Whilst playing a captains role, there are more and more wayward passes.
Tate – Whilst having skill does still want too long on the ball, not settling into a midfield role
Robinson. – Good first half but faded badly in the second apart from two crunching tackles late in the game.
Connor – Battled well and took his goal very well. Faded in the second half
Trundle – Well !!!!!!!!!!!!! The most inept disinterested performance in a Swans shirt in a game where on form could have destroyed their defence.
Subs
Nugent – Didn’t get into the game.
Maylett – A couple of good runs too ease himself back in.
Final Comments
Another frustrating performance. Admittedly we took the three points, but the game was there to improve our goal difference. With the game won we could have moved up a gear and scored four. Instead we dropped and defended. We continue to give the initiative to teams in the second half, and today Rushden, who were a poor team took heart and could have scored twice if it hadn’t been for Gueret. It is a dangerous game to play, luckily due to the standard in this division it works more often than not it works, but not good for the blood pressure.
