Rob DaviesA poor Swansea City team fell to defeat at Hull City in a game which was effectively over as a contest after just twenty minutes.
Tom Eaves and the dangerous Keane Lewis-Potter delivered the blows to Russell Martin’s team in yet another disappointing display, characterising the inconsistency that has plagued the Swans this season.
The second half was a slight improvement – it couldn’t have been worse – with Ntcham, Obafemi and Walsh introduced, but the damage was already done after those two early goals.
After the reasonable midweek draw at QPR, albeit with few chances created, Martin made one change to the line up with Jay Fulton starting for the red carded Flynn Downes’ who was missing through a one match ban.
Hamer
Cabango – Naughton – Manning
Christie – Fulton – Grimes – Latibeaudiere
Smith – Wolf
Piroe
It’s fairly hard to write this report by breaking down the detail of chances created, but I’ll try, albeit after watching from a mobile phone screen in Poland.
There was little time on the clock when former Gillingham striker Eaves scored after just five minutes, touching in a cross which Hamer could have possibly come for; the newly installed Fulton also letting the player goalside. Where the three centre halves were is better not to ask…
The end of games stats don’t really do Hull justice for the torrid time they gave the Swans in the first half. They well and truly stifled our play, refusing to allow any opportunity in playing out from the back as the team always want to do. The stats show the Swans with double the efforts on goal and more possession, but as we’ve seen so often this season that means little.
The killer blow came on 20 minutes when the impressive Lewis Potter slotted in after some more dreadful defending from the Three Musketeers at the back. The Hull academy product, a reported target for Brentford, didn’t really need to break a sweat to reach a ball from Honeyman and slot past a hapless Hamer.
It’s games like this that really questions whether the process that we hear so much about from Russell Martin will deliver long term, when the resources we have and generally always will have are Poundworld. All fur coat and no…?
The Swans were lucky not to be a third down by half time as the defence were all again at sea. Changes needed at half time but only three allowed – two of which were utilised.
Fulton and Wolf were replaced – both of whom had shockers but not a surprise with their respective lack of match fitness. Obafemi and Ntcham were the men tasked with turning the game around – was this the start of the turnaround?
In a word no. Things undoubtedly improved but again the passing was slow, the movement lacking and only a Kyle Naughton goalline block stopping a third Hull goal summed up this match in the North East.
Shira Arveladze was unveiled to the jubilant home fans before the game and with exception of an Obafemi effort and the third substitute Liam Walsh’s shot both hitting the post, he must be hoping the Championship is always this easy.
His team managed the game relatively easily in the second half, with the first twenty minutes’ work proving enough to ensure the three points stayed in Hull and moving the Tigers level on points with the Swans in 18th.
Those two shots which hit the woodwork could have gone in on another day, and Piroe perhaps would have seen the flag stay down when he netted in injury time, but today wasn’t that day. As it hasn’t been so often this season.
I’ll try not to paint too negative a picture in summary but it’s difficult to be objective after seeing that unfold. The recently strong looking defence was back to its worst, Matt Grimes was poor and the team lacked the creativity and pace it has for the majority of the campaign.
Joel Piroe is a goalscorer with no service and has scored just once since Jamie Paterson has been out of the team. Wolf is struggling to get going and is returning from an injury and utilising Smith as an attacking midfielder makes as much sense as it is baffling.
The club has a lot of work to do ahead of Monday night’s transfer deadline, but with finances at a premium, the shopping will be done for as low cost as possible. There are likely to be exits as well, although that isn’t particularly a disappointment after this performance, making it just two wins in twelve matches.
The final whistle saw Martin smiling and shaking hands with the victorious Hull players; it’s not the best viewing for anybody watching and certainly the fans who made the near 600 mile round trip. Sums up the day overall, nowhere near good enough from the manager or his team as Hull win a third straight game.
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If it was a battle between managers then hull won this this one hands down. They destroyed us the first 20mins, far better up to 60mins then sat back a bit on a 2 goal lead. Perfect game plan.