Planet Swans ArchivesFor the first time the Liberty Stadium witnessed a league crowd of under 10,000 much to the disappointment after a season high just short of 17,000 for Saturday’s visit of Nottingham Forest. Maybe the latter were always a bigger draw but with a return to the play off places on offer for the winners, there was enough incentive even if the cold snap may be taking hold.
kenny Jackett elected to start with the same side that started against Forest on Saturday meaning that Robbo remained on the bench as did the returning Darren Pratley and the new addition to the side – Pawel Abbott.
Big Willy
Duffy Den King Kev Williams
Britts Tatey Craney Butler
LT10 Bayo
Subs: Howard, Pratley, Robbo, Abbott, Izzy
The Swans were a goal to the good just five minutes into the game when Bayo rose to flick in a perfect LT10 cross to warm the crowd early doors and at that moment you felt that Gillingham were there for the taking. They had shown nothing in the first five minutes to say that we couldn’t go through them at will and maybe another cricket score was on the cards.
But for the rest of the first half I felt that we tried always to put one too many passes together when the shot could have been on but that aside we still created some good chances. Butler in particular was being afforded the freedom of the left wing and LT10 was quick to latch onto this and played a couple of beauties in passes out to Butler whose first touch always gave us that attacking edge.
At the other end Willy I am sure was responsible for several rises in blood pressure with a first half display that suggested maybe he was just there in spirit rather than mind. Hesitant calling, non existent coming for the ball and one flap at a long range shot that I am sure would have made the Scottish goalkeepers of the 1970s more than proud. But despite those moments one of the poorest sides to visit the Liberty were unable to break through and half time came with just Bayo’s goal to show for our efforts.
The second half was to tell a similar story but only with less moments to striker fear into us from Willy. The outstanding Bayo was at the heart of pretty much every Swansea attack and was showing a range of skills that few thought he would possess. First touch control to rival anyone, stepovers, dummies, precise passing and flick headers. We had the full selection box of them this evening and pretty much everything he touched was turning to gold. In contrast LT10 was seeing his game just not there on this occasion and despite a couple of half chances that went begging it was no major surprise when he made way for Robinson with 25 minutes left to play
Darren Pratley returned to the fold five minutes later replacing the strangely subdued Leon Britton but after his performances of late you realise that after all he really is only human! Britts for me misses Tate at right back and as soon as we can restore these two on our right flank the better. Pratley made an immediate difference when he came on and he was involved in the goal that sealed the points for us even if it was only a bit part.
The main components in the goal were Bayo and Robbo with Bayo providing the middle move in a neat one-two that saw Robinson burst through on goal and slot the ball past the advancing keeper to double the Swans advantage
With the game signed sealed and delivered there was enough time for a brief cameo from Pawel Abbott who replaced Bayo with 5 minutes to go and he almost marked his debut with a goal – being well denied by the keeper
Wily saved well from Michael Flynn in stoppage time but enough had been done and the Swans were back in the top 6- pretty essential as we take a back seat from league football for the FA Cup this weekend.
Man of the match was Bayo and deservedly so but big heads up again for Kevin Austin – our first choice central defender at the moment (bar of course Saturday when we will miss him), Thomas Butler who was a constant threat to Gillingham and Ian Craney who just keeps on running. With Pratley back in the side now – we will start to see more and more from Craney I am convinced of it
Exactly what was needed tonight.
