Phil Sumbler
It was three wins on the bounce for the Swans at the weekend as two early Joel Piroe goals proved to be pivotal in a win over Derby but there were some nervy moments for the Swans after that opening period where it looked for all the money as if we would run away with the game.
Our momentum was halted slightly with the award of a penalty that bought Derby back into the game and some late scares were survived as a result although the visitors never really looked as if they were going to leave with any of the points that they needed.
So what five things did we take from the win that moved us to within touching distance of the top half of the table.
1. The standard of refereeing gets worse
Wayne Rooney can bump his gums all his wants about the late penalty decision he feels should have gone the way of his side but he will be doing it completely ignoring the blatant penalty we should have had at 2-0 combined with an incredible decision not to penalise Ryan Allsop for a foul which would have resulted in a certain red card for the visiting keeper.ย ย I am not sure what is happening with the choice of referees this season but there is little doubt that the standard is getting worse and certainly something that the EFL should be reviewing back and changing going forward.
2. 20 goals for the party man
Goals number 19 and 20 from Joel Piroe areย a more than decent return and with 18 of those in the league only four players have scored more than our leading scorer this season in league games.ย ย Not bad for a guy who was written off by a certain former defender before he signed and certainly a player we should be looking to hold onto this summer.ย Balancing the books is important but 20 goals at this level can prove to be priceless especially the way he and Obafemi are combining together now.
3. Hungry like the Wolf
Hannes Wolf is a player growing in confidence game on game and you can see it.ย ย His last few performances have been, without a doubt, his best in a Swans shirt and that is testament to the regular run of games that he has needed.ย ย Wolf carries a big transfer fee on his shoulders that will surely price Swansea out of a permanent deal but you cannot help but wonder if, in the background, there are any discussions about him staying in SA1 on the longer term.ย ย A few questions were asked about him being asked to play left wing back but he is growing into that position and was unlucky not to score again at the weekend.ย ย He’s hungry and long may that continue – maybe even into next season?
4. Our home fortress
The Swans are slowly turning the Swansea.com stadium back into somewhere where teams are finding it difficult to come away with anything.ย ย We have picked up 16 out of a possible 24 points at home this year which is a more than decent return especially when you add that up to a red card for Ryan Manning we were a better side against Fulham.ย ย Most managers will tell you that they would like to turn home grounds into fortresses and we are starting to do that, long may it continue.
5. Transition could eclipse growth
Points comparisons are starting to look very interesting now.ย ย There is every chance that Russell Martin could eclipse Steve Cooper’s tally at the end of his first season in charge.ย ย That was a season that saw us reach the play offs at the very last gasp. Not saying the latter was going to happen but, after forty games, we have the same number of points now as we did at this stage under Graham Potter and one more than Cooper’s side had.ย ย If this is transition then a settled campaign next time and things could look very promising indeed.
