Planet Swans ArchivesSuch is the feel good factor around White Rock these days, the Swans can field an almost entirely changed XI from the one that topped League One and still cruise past their opponents with apparent ease, and all pretty much achieved in second gear. And it’s even harder to believe that it was sides like Rushden who caused us so much grief at times last season and now I really do dread to think what had happened had we elected to play full strength tonight. The England cricket team may have scored less!
In all seriousness this was professionalism and a gulf in class between two sides – one harbouring hopes of promotion in the championship and one who face a battle to remain in the football league. And on this evidence it could easily become a losing battle for them at that.
Kenny Jackett sprung the changes as we knew he would and lined his side up as follows
Murphy
Fisken O’Leary Monk Austin
Robbo Roberto McDonald Freezer
Connor Forbesy
Subs: Big Willy, Leon, OTJ, Bond, Pritch
had this game been another week it makes you wonder how many of these players would have lined up for the reserves tomorrow against Cardiff but as it was this was more than an effective run out for them. And what a start it could have been as Connor missed a glorious chance on just 8 seconds (!) to open the scoring. McDonald turned and placed a cross to perfection on his head but the forward agonisingly watched it blaze over the bar by some distance. And with another glorious chance spurned by the same man just two minutes later it set the tone for a frustrating night for the front man.
With Roberto and Robbo in the side there were two players who definitely wanted a place in the starting line up at Tranmere on Saturday and both were to give Jackett plenty of food for thought over the 90 minutes as they pretty much controlled the midfield to such an extent that Rushden were no threat at all for 45 minutes bar a saving tackle from Kris O’Leary after Fisken played their attacker onside.
The Swans by that stage were in control but for 45 minutes effort they only had an Andy Robinson conversion of a Freezer cross to show for their work rate although the difference between the two sides was far far greater than just one goal.
There were downsides. Connor’s missed chances, Forbes full of energy but with little product and Fisken. For Fisken I really do feel that the less said is the better. I’d love to believe there is a player in there waiting to get out but for me it wasn’t on show tonight. Is it there? I’m not saying – I don’t think it’s fair to.
In Kev Austin we were showing that we lack strength at full back without Sam in the side – he gets forward but we lose the pace – highlighted hugely in the second half that he was unable to overtake Freezer to give him the overlap the move so desperately needed.
Connor spurned another chance at the start of the second half before Rushden had their best chance when Murphy saved at point blank range capping a composed performance from the Irishman. Robinson doubled Swansea’s advantage with a curled shot from the edge of the area before Monk glanced home a Freezer free kick to make it three. Chad Bond was introduced for Robinson after OTJ came on for KOL with the Swans in cruise control.
Connor rounded the game off in the last minute when he rounded the keeper following a superb through ball from Roberto and the Swans had coasted to a 4-0 destruction which more than justified their billing as tournament favourites.
On this evidence it is easy to dream of a date in Cardiff next April and to be honest if we ever wheel out the big guns then we could be home and dry.
Roll on the Southern Section, Third Round. We should fear no-one
