Phil Sumbler
It was an all too familiar tale for the Swans at the Swansea.com stadium yesterday as a goal in either half was enough to give the visitors all the points again and leave the Swans league record so far this season as five points from five games.
Following last weekend’s win at Blackpool there was an increased optimism amongst the support that the Swans could maybe pick up at least a four point haul from a home game double header but after the late self destruction on Tuesday night it was a complete damp performance against Luton that gave the visitors one of their easiest afternoon’s of the season.
Once again the Swans can point to being the dominant team as far as possession statistics go but for everyone in the Swansea.com stadium yesterday it was pretty obvious that there was only one team that was looking anywhere near dangerous when they had the ball at their feet.
Fisher
Wood – Darling – Cabango
Manning – Allen – Grimes – Ntcham – Sorinola
Piroe – Obafemi
From the early moments of the game the visitors were showing their intent with some neat crisp passing football of their own together which was helped by the looks of a Swansea side who appeared to be devoid of confidence following the late disasters of Tuesday night.
By the time that Allan Campbell had driven home the first goal of the afternoon from the edge of the area the frustration of the home crowd was already starting to come through as displaced passes, sideways movement and a lack of penetration in the opposition third of the pitch was starting to become clear.
Andy Fisher will be disappointed with his part in the goal as his punch from a corner could only reach Campbell and whilst the shot back did come through a crowd of players it looked a soft goal to concede but it was enough to add to the annoyance of a home crowd with sections of displeasure voiced at half time as the Swans yet again went in a goal behind at home.
The frustration was not helped by some seemingly incorrect decisions being made positional wise with Manning and Sorinola continually changing flanks to equal ineffectiveness and again a defence where none of the three key components looked comfortable with their own individual parts.
Martin responded with a half time change that saw Kyle Naughton introduced for Ryan Wood but that in itself raised more questions than it answered with us looking as if we had switched to a back four where half of the back four played advanced wing back roles.
We’ve unfortunately seen this kind of scenario before at home though.ย The opposition lead, the opposition know that we want possession and the opposition are happy to conceded as much to us as we want until we cross the halfway line at which point they know that we can be devoid of ideas.
We did try – more of a huff and a puff than anything substantial – and the introduction of Cameron Congreve bought a small positive on a disappointing afternoon that was signposted for a defeat way before Carlton Morris was too much for Ben Cabango and scored the second into the bottom corner.
Joel Piroe’s weak header minutes later summed up an afternoon for the Swans that left us with more questions than answers.ย ย The displeasure at the final whistle was louder than half time which is more telling when you consider that the crowd was certainly less than half at that point and the pressure is mounting on both players and managers after a poor start to the season.
We have said it for much of the summer that the lack of investment in our squad will cost us this season and right now that is becoming more obvious.ย ย We give the ball away cheaply, our “bravery” sees us make at least two defensive howlers a game and we are just about unable to keep a clean sheet.ย ย Couple that with many of our players do not seem to be fit enough to compete for ninety minutes and the playing of people out of position and the lack of a plan B this has all the hallmarks of a long season ahead.ย And already people are already asking if there are three worse teams than us this season – on the evidence of yesterday the answer is doubtful.
All is not lost at the moment but with one point from nine at home this season focus turns to our next two which are both away – Middlesbrough and Stoke.ย ย Not games you want when you are under pressure.
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