Phil SumblerThe Swans will head into the first international break of the league season with a total of ten points from twelve on the board as goals from Jake Bidwell and Ben Cabango were enough to give them a win over Millwall at the Liberty this afternoon.7
Both defenders struck in the second half either side of Millwall becoming the first team to breach the Swans defence in the league this season to keep the Swans right at the top end of the table and looking good for a promotion campaign ahead.
We, of course, should not be carried away by our league position – remember we were top after six games last season but this side looks more solid than we did last year and it is difficult to see us conceding too many goals (although holding onto Joe Rodon will be a key part to that)
Today was always going to be a tough game for us with Millwall arriving in South Wales unbeaten and Cooper was also forced into a change thanks to illness for Freddie Woodman meaning a league start for Steven Benda in the Swans goal.
New signing Viktor Gyökeres was on the bench giving the Swans a further option that has not been available to us this season and with reports of additional signings to come then the squad is starting to show more options for Cooper to work with when we return in two weeks.
The first half was what has become a typical Swansea affair for the first 45 minutes. The Swans were dominant in possession but never really looked like breaking the deadlock with much of our play typified when a good ball from the excellent Bidwell found the head of Jamal Lowe but instead of heading towards goal he looked to head backwards and the chance was lost. It is simply this kind of play that we need to find killer instincts on. An observation also made by Lee Trundle in the commentary box.
The second half though was less than a minute old when the Swans took the lead. Some good work between Ayew and Roberts gave the ball to Gibbs-White who put in an excellent cross which was superbly put away by Bidwell for his first goal.
For a side that had not conceded in three previous league outings you could be forgiven for thinking work was done but just a few minutes later Millwall were level as hesitation in the Swans defence saw Benda beaten and the visitors were level.
The Swans had it all to do again and it was to be another unlikely source that found the winner. The ball seemed to be not falling for the Swans in the Millwall area but Cabango was on hand to smash home from close range to put us back ahead for what proved to be the winning goal.
This was a game of few clear cut chances but the ones that were created were being taken and whilst Millwall pushed on to try and get an equaliser it was a strong Swans defence that stood firm to secure the win.
There was a debut for Gyökeres as he came on deep into the second half and even in his short time on the pitch there were signs to suggest that we have gained a good addition to our squad especially when you factor in he only arrived yesterday. Give him some time to work with the squad and I do think we may have a very good loan acquisition on our hands.
This has been another excellent start to the season from the Swans and the two week break now will give us time to finalise the squad that we will have until at least January. When we return it is five games in two weeks which will be a test but we come into it in a very strong position indeed.
Well done Swans.
