Five things we took from QPR draw

The Swans earned themselves a more than credible draw at QPR yesterday evening as our second successive clean sheet stopped the home side adding to their run of consecutive victories and took our own unbeaten run to three games.

It still may only be one win in seven for the Swans now in the league but there were positives to take out of a second successive away draw at the home of an in form side following the excellent display just over a week ago at Huddersfield.

But what key points can we take from the game?

1.  A consistent defensive line up helps.

It is often said that the key to any attack starts in defence and that could certainly be true in a team managed by Russell Martin which we know will want to pass the ball out from the back.   We have conceded one goal in three games but during those three games we have been consistent in our selection.   Naughton, Cabango and Manning in the back three appears currently to be our first choice and we should continue to play with them if that is the case.  The stronger the understanding between these three and the keeper the better we will be defensively so the least changing of players in these positions the better.

2.  Flynn Downes needs to learn from his mistakes.

Charlie Austin bought Flynn Downes a red card last night.   Already booked, twice Austin played to Downes ‘red mist’ and the second time it produced a second yellow card.   It was needless but the Swans can have little argument.   Downes needs to learn from this – he doesn’t want to build a reputation that he can be easily wound up as that will become costly to us.   A very talented player but just needs to be a little more streetwise in these occasions.  Neither manager believed it was a red card but the situation called for a decision and the referee made it.

3.  No Piroe no party but we need to send the invitations first.

Much debate in the papers at the moment about the difference between a party and a ‘work event’ but we are starving Joel Piroe of possession at the moment.  A decisive stat just after half time last night on the Sky coverage showed that Piroe had the least touches of the ball of any player in the first half.   We know what the front man is capable of and we need to be playing to those strengths.   Jamie Paterson certainly recognised the runs Piroe could make and we need others to do the same.

4.  Cyrus Christie is an upgrade on Ethan Laird.

This is not a criticism of Laird as he is young and he will develop I am sure into a very good player but the addition of Cyrus Christie to our squad has offered a new host of potential for us on the right hand side.   He is always a willing outlet and offers an attacking option too being not afraid to run into the box and make the defenders think.  Again with no slight on Joel Latibeaudiere in the other wing back position he can learn much from Christie the more he plays as this is exactly how this role can work in a Russell Martin side.

5.  There is nothing like competition to up a players game.

Special note at the end for Ben Hamer.  As the Swans were humiliated on their own patch by Nottingham Forest there would have been very few Swansea fans against the changing of the keeper.   Andy Fisher came in from MK Dons but Hamer kept his starting place against Huddersfield and right now he is earning it.   Another good save towards the end of the game last night and a first half one from Charlie Austin (although the striker was flagged offside) gave Hamer a second clean sheet in a row.   He appears to have upped his game since the arrival of Fisher and that can only be a good thing for us in the remaining games of the season.

So those are our key five points from the game last night – always interested to hear your thoughts so please comment below or feel free to share and debate them on our football forum.