Phil SumblerA second half strike from Rhian Brewster and an Andre Ayew penalty were enough to give the Swans all three points at the Liberty Stadium this afternoon, despite a late consolation from Sheffield Wednesday, led by our former manager Garry Monk.
Brewster struck seven minutes into the second half to put the Swans ahead at a time when they would have been counting their blessings that they were still level after a first 45 minutes that highlighted everything that can be bad about our play as the Owls missed at least two gilt edged chances to take the lead.
Strong blocks from Bidwell and Guehi as well as some poor finishing had kept the first half level in a period where the Swans did nothing to threaten the visitors goal. Most of the play was in our defensive third which saw us lining up with a back three that included Naughton and Bidwell. With young Chelsea defender Guehi in the middle of it, wing back services were provided by Roberts and Routledge as Cooper tried something different that I think most Swans fans at kick off would have told you was unlikely to succeed (at best).
It is difficult to know what was said at half time but I think “we can’t get any worse” would have been amongst the obvious statements as we came out for the second half, which in fairness saw us up our performance without really ever looking near a side that could make a last bid for the play offs.
Brewster’s finish was cool and clinical as he smashed home from close range after a good move and cross from the right hand side whilst Ayew finished with typical style from the spot after Roberts was deemed to have been fouled in the area after a push from Reach.
From struggling in the first half the Swans were two goals up with around 25 minutes to go and the play had taken it out of Wednesday. Whilst they continued to battle they never really got within threatening distance of the Swans goal with Woodman having far less anxious moments in the second half compared to the first.
Van Der Hoorn replaced Routledge, Byers came on for Gallagher and Liam Cullen was a late introduction when Brewster went off after falling awkwardly on his arm – a substitution that we can only hope at this stage is precautionary at worse.
Of course this is Swansea City and nothing is ever as simple as it seems and three minutes into a seven minute stoppage time period Nuhiu pulled a goal back with a powerful header that gave Woodman no chance from close range. There was still enough time for Wednesday to have a dangerous free kick from which Woodman was grateful to see Bannon’s header go straight at him and a last minute corner dropped nicely into the keeper’s hands.
The win keeps the Swans within touching distance of the play-offs but still four points of our South Walian neighbours and behind the division’s form side in Derby County. The one thing the win does is keep alive those hopes of the play offs but when you reflect back on the performance, the only difference between the two sides here is that we took the chances whilst Wednesday wasted theirs and that isn’t likely to be something that happens every week.
Still, the number one aim on today was to win the match and we achieved that despite the late worry. Onward to Birmingham on Wednesday.
I feel that the ref really should have blown up for that 2 footer that went flying in on Byers right before their goal, Byers over ran the ball after recovering from that challenge.
That said however, an improved second half showing cannot be allowed to paper over the cracks of what was one of the most painful Swans displays to watch for years. Celina, Dhanda and Kalula must have collectively shit in Cooper’s cornflakes to not get a look in to the side based on this performance.
While I can rarely fault our players for effort, its a midfield which is mostly graft and effort but very little creativity.
I was impressed with our defence, just managing to hold out with the late onslaught, no 1 in the league at defending corners ? definitely a good sign – we would never have held out previously, now just the rest of our play to focus on ??♂️?
@taffy Eh!The defence wasn’t good with SW allowed to get too many chances through from poor positioning.Improved in the second half when Bidwelel got shoved upfield out of defence.We missed a sitter as did they.Our penalty was by no means clear cut and Ayew stopped. If any of that had gone against us I’d be livid.
@badlands. I must say, I only saw the last 20 minutes but I did not find it easy or good to watch. Absolutely no cohesion , just scrappy uncoordinated running around chasing their own tails. I don’t think I witnessed a passing movement worthy of the name. One superb defence-splinting pass that Brewster squandered, summed up the total sum quality of the play that I witnessed. Their goal was well set up and well taken, but apart from those 2 passages of play I could have been watching League 2. I will be rooting for us to get to the playoffs but if I’m honest, I’m not that bothered, because we’re not ready and not equipped.