Planet Swans ArchivesIt capped a very professional performance from the Swans who did to Tranmere what so many do to us at the Liberty. That is to sit back, allow the home side possession and aim to snatch a victory on the counter attack. It was a plan that worked and the three points that it produced put the Swans in a position to regain top spot when they play their game in hand against Hartlepool on Tuesday night.
Backed by another decent vocal away following the Swans recorded their fourth away league victory in their last five encounters – a total contrast to their current home form but on this basis nobody will complain – the only thing that matters come the end of the season is points on the board and come Tuesday night the Swans could have as many of those as anybody else in the division.
And with a string of fixtures between now and the weekend before Christmas that look winnable it gives great optimism that by the time Santa comes delivering the presents, the Swans could well be more than comfortable in the driving seat at the top end of league one.
Roberto recalled Andy Robinson into the starting line up for his return to Merseyside whilst Tom Butler missed out totally – presumabl through injury? Warren Feeney was also back in the starting line up at the expense of Darryl Duffy who dropped to a strong looking bench that also housed Alan Tate, Leon Britton, Andrea Orlandi and Guillem Bauza.
Doris
Rangel Monk Lawerence Painter
Anderson Pratley Bodde Robinson
Scotland Feeney
The first half followed a very definite pattern with the Swans happy to conceded possession to Tranmere but were more than comfortable at the back in dealing with any threat that the home side may have had. Doris was forced into one save low down at the far post but that was one of few chances that the first 45 minutes was able to produce. Swanseas chances were long range from Pratley and Bodde and Scotland and Feeney were left in the main to feed on scraps as the Swans insisted on moving up the middle channels rather than utilising the width that was being offered by either Anderson or Robinson.
The back pairing of Monk and Lawrence were commanding for much of the first half keeping at bay the threat of Greenacre whilst Pratley was very much putting himself about in the centre of midfield – earning a yellow card into the process. A goalless half time scoreline was of no major surprise to the watching supporters and it soon became evident that Roberto was not in a hurry to make changes during the interval – clearly happy with the endeavour that he was watching from a game that was far from a spectacle in the opening period.
The second half started along very similar veins with the Swans again sitting deep, conceding possession but dealing pretty much with any threat that Tranmere had. A couple of half chances were fizzed over the bar from the home side as Doris was kept pretty much without the need to make further saves past his first half effort. And gradualy the Swans started to become more of a thread. Bauza replaced Feeney and Britton the same for Pratley and the Swans got better and became more threatening Bauza started to win aerial balls whilst Britton combined well with both wide players to bring them back into the game more than they had been for much of the game.
Anderson, Bodde and Scotland had all come close as the Swans searched for the goal that they desperately needed and their reward came with ten minutes to go. Scotland (?) found Robinson wide left in the penalty area and as he went outside his man his cross come shot was deflected into the net and the Swans were ahead. Andy Robinson is developing a very handy knack of scoring on his returns to Prenton Park and maybe that was a thought in Roberto’s mind when he made his starting selection before kick off.
From this point on the Swans were in total control. Possession was retained with some ease and if anything a second goal was far more likely than an equaliser. Doris was booked for utilising his right to take a goal kick the other side to the ball going out of play – if only referees were that happy to book keepers at the Liberty who waste time from the very first minutes.
This wasn’t vintage Swansea but it was an extremely professional performance and the points could have gone either way – thankfully they went our way this afternoon.
Now let’s get that home form sorted out….!
