Phil SumblerThe Swans are back to winning ways on the road after a brilliant header from Connor Roberts proved to be the difference between the two sides at the City Ground and enough to lift us back into the division’s top four and within touching distance of the top of the league.
The Swans went into the first of what will be two away trips this week looking to extend some excellent away form under Steve Cooper that has stretched back to his appointment and also to put behind us our last away day which ended in defeat at Norwich.
Cooper was able to recall Marc Guehi who had recovered from his recent hamstrong injury and Andre Ayew was also handed a start again after his midweek goal from his second half appearance against Sheffield Wednesday.
Forest started the brighter of the two sides and caused some alarm in the Swans defence when a chance from Taylor went just wide with Woodman scrambling to get back had it been on target. At the other end there was little to worry the Forest defence in the opening exchanges although gradually the Swans found themselves coming more into the game as it progressed although – as is often the case – possession was not being converted into decent opportunities.
As the half progressed it was looking increasingly unlikely that the scoreline would be breached before the interval although Anthony Knockaert tried his best to change that when he broke into the area but his shot was well saved by the legs of Woodman.
There was to be a goal though and it came almost from nowhere and from a piece of athleticism and bravery all rolled into one from Connor Roberts. As Ayew’s ball into the area was deflected high by a defender it was Roberts who leaped far higher than Amoebi to head the Swans into the lead and gain a head injury into the process. It was a leap that another CR (Cristiano Ronaldo) may have been proud of and gave the Swans the lead.
Sky were quick to roll out a stat they had been preparing all day which showed that the Swans had won 16 and drawn 5 of the last 21 league games that we had scored first and with the tightness of our defence all season you did wonder if this was to be a game that we may sit back and try and defend a lead.
That changed soon after the break when Grimes broke down the left and although his cross was behind Ayew, our leading scorer turned and a scissors kick flew just past the goal after we expected the net to bulge with some more great athleticism from a Swansea player.
The home side though were not done and we had to be grateful to Ryan Bennett for a saving challenge just as the trigger looked to be pulled and slightly later on, it was a pleasure to watch the defender shield Taylor away from danger as the Forest top scorer looked to go through.
Connor Roberts was proving to be a constant threat for the Swans both down the wing and in the penalty area and he maybe able to consider himself slightly unlucky not to get a decision when cluttered in the penalty area having seemingly gone past the last defender. At first glance it seemed though a straight forward decision for the referee but one that he was not ready to make.
The Swans continued to probe though while looking to remain tight at the back and Woodman was being kept relatively quiet as the game went into the last quarter whilst at the other end we always looked as if we could have been capable to add to the lead on the break.
It was from one of those breaks that Roberts was again on target for the Swans but his shot was well saved by Samba in the Forest goal.
Routledge was introduced into the game with ten minutes remaining in a change for Jamal Lowe who again worked hard up front but was never given the service he maybe needs and certainly didn’t have the ability to create chances on his own – another disappointing afternoon for Lowe once again.
Forest looked like a side that was short on confidence and certainly the league position continues to show that they feel the hangover of last season’s remarkable collapse on the final day. Leading scorer Taylor was getting nothing out of the Swansea defence that is looking stronger and stronger especially with Bennett and Guehi at the heart of it – two great bits of transfer business from Steve Cooper to bring these two into our squad.
Grimes almost capitalised on a breakaway with five minutes left when he had a shot from well outside the area but it was high and wide from the Swansea captain just when it looked like there was an opportunity for the spectacular.
Woodman was booked for time wasting at a time when Sky were applauding our defence – the strongest in the EFL and at a record level for the club and that record was starting not to look under threat with the ball continually more at the other end of the pitch as the Swans looked to see out play.
As the game entered five minutes of stoppage time a couple of Forest corners gave us something to think about with pressure on Woodman but the second saw Forest give away a needless free kick and the danger had disappeared as quickly as it had appeared in the first place.
The question mark for me in these situations is Cooper’s continued reluctance to use his substitutes to run down the clock. The EFL clubs have deemed that we have five available to us so when the game clock is ticking down towards that 95th minute then why not break up play by bringing them on – every second gained at this point is a second in our advantage.
That said, the hard work was done by this point and the Swans were on their way to the three points they so desperately wanted which sets us up for a potentially tougher game this week away at Middlesbrough and a certain Neil Warnock.
Seven points from nine though since the return from the international break is a great position to be in and we can head into the North East with confidence high and knowing that we are building what seems to be a very strong promotion bid.
Great result.
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