Rob Davies
Even the most critical Swans fan wouldn’t have begrudged the players celebrating after the fantastic win against Cardiff City, but even if they did party in the aftermath it didn’t affect tonight’s performance on the pitch.
Thanks to Joel Piroe and a largely positive performance Russell Martin’s men backed up the heroic display on the weekend with another win at Millwall to make it two clean sheets and five goals scored on the road in just over three days.
This was a far more gritty display as is always necessary at The Den but there was no shortage of determination as – albeit with some nervy moments – the Swans held Millwall at arm’s length for the majority of the game.
It should set up for a bumper crowd when the team returns home to take on Derby County on the weekend in a bid to make it four wins out of five.
There were a few changes made to the starting line up from Saturday with Ryan Manning (back from suspension) and Jay Fulton (a welcome sight) coming into the team in place of Flynn Downes and Jamie Paterson – the latter of which was still named amongst the substitutes.
Fisher
Cabango – Naughton – Latibeaudiere
Christie – Fulton – Grimes – Manning
Piroe – Obafemi – Wolf
Fulton has long been a curious case this season with so many links to him making a move away in January but nothing materialised although on this evidence he still has plenty of quality to show in a Swans shirt.
He slotted in with ease and added solidity combined with a range of quick passing that made him look a decent option for when Downes is unavailable or in need of a rest – perhaps better than Korey Smith maybe.
Prior to the game tonight, most would have anticipated that it would have been the usual struggle after derby wins (and to be fair there’ve been quite a few) over past seasons but there was little evidence on show in the early stages that the players were looking to take it easy.
Hannes Wolf was making a rare start further forward (normally a left wing back) and him and Piroe set out to link up with the on fire Michael Obafemi – nearly leading to the opening goal.
Wolf played a delightful ball in which evaded the Millwall centre half and Obafemi’s shot on the stretch was heading for the top corner only for Bartosz Bialkowski to claw it over the bar.
Fulton then later got in on the action with a snap shot after some good work in midfield by Piroe and the Swans were as usual dominant in possession.
The Dutchman then saw a snapshot saved by the home keeper before Jed Wallace shot wide for Millwall.
Encouragingly there were more passing triangles on show than we’ve seen for some time and whilst Millwall’s press did sometimes fluster the midfield, it very rarely resulted in possession being squandered.
Millwall had just the one shot on target in a first half plagued with fouls particularly from the home team although curiously the only yellow card was shown to Matt Grimes and not for a fierce tackle on Piroe.
There was little time for the reporters and fans to have finished their half time beverage when the Swans scored the only goal of the game.
The ever impressive Christie beat the defenders on the right side before his cross deflected to Piroe and his first time right footed strike beat the goalkeeper at his near post for 1-0.
It was the Dutchman’s 18th goal of the season and 20 will surely come soon enough before the season ends as he continues to forge a really positive partnership with Obafemi up front.
Soon after Swansea should have wrapped things up, first Obafemi saw his effort held before a three on one attack saw Christie hold onto the ball for too long after a superb ball by Fulton.
Fisher was called into his first real action of the night as the dangerous Wallace’s right footed effort needed tipping around the post and Matt Grimes was required to make a crucial clearance late on to preserve the points and the clean sheet.
It could and should have been more comfortable but that’ll matter little as Russell Martin’s team won on a ground where Millwall lose very few and were on a seven game unbeaten run at The Den.
The win will further enhance aspirations certainly for next season and caps off a very encouraging return after the international break.
It also makes it three wins on the bounce on the road with eight goals scored and two clean sheets – a win against Wayne Rooney’s Derby County and the enthusiasm might just lift the roof off the Swansea.com Stadium.
A late season play-off push? Unlikely, but there’ll be some who will dream…
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