Phil Sumbler
Swansea City had to come back from two gifted goals to Wigan in the first half to earn themselves a point at the Swansea.com stadium today but it was far from a strong performance once again from Russell Martin’s team who are now three without a win.
Goals from Ryan Manning and Joel Piroe were the stats that gave the Swans the point but the reality was it was a poor first half display and another lacklustre performance from a team that has now taken just two points from their last three outings.
With Matt Grimes suspended for the game it was Joel Latibeaudiere who stepped up with the captain’s armband whilst Russell Martin handed a first start to Armstrong Oko-Flex who came in at wing back on the opposite flank to Ryan Manning.
And it was Oko-Flex who gave the first excitement of the afternoon when he ran at the Wigan defence early on but could only drag his shot wide as he looked to complete a dream moment to his first start. Just a minute later Michael Obafemi caused concern in the Wigan defence but found his shot blocked as the Swans started bright but they were soon to receive a set back.
Steven Benda had to get down sharp to save a low shot from Broadhead but from the resulting James McLean corner it was Will Keane who rose ahead of three defenders to head the visitors ahead inside eight minutes.
The goal had certainly given the Latics some confidence and Benda was back in action inside 15 minutes when another good Wigan move carved open the Swans defence and the keeper was on hand to tip the ball around for a second corner. It was certainly a case of Deja Vu then from that corner as McLean’s corner this time found the head of Naylor who headed it into the net. Two attacks, two corners, two goals, two moments of defensive sloppiness. Things we were not learning from. Less than sixteen minutes gone.
The frustration of the home crowd started to come through as early as the 25th minute with the main criticism being the slowness of the Swans passing- Wigan were clearly happy to defend and let us have the ball but there was very little movement or seeming urgency in amongst the Swans side.
The Swans had a decent looking penalty shout just before the half hour mark when Cooper’s ball into the area hit the back of the hand of McLean – no penalty was the decision given by referee Pawson – replays showed contact with the hand but one of those that would normally need VAR to be given!
The Swans bright start in the first five minutes seemed to be nothing more than a distant memory as the first period drifted towards its conclusion with the visitors in control of another Swans first forty-five that lacked any plan, urgency or ability to break down a defence that was seemingly happy to defend a two goal lead.
Or at least that was the case until Ryan Manning pulled one back two minutes before the interval. A cross ball was tapped by Manning to Oko-Flex who went into the area and the ball broke to Manning who hit a perfect shot into the corner from the edge of the area and gave the Swans hope going into the interval.
The goal had lifted the Swans and a couple of good breaks on the right hand side saw Cooper and Latibeaudiere combine but Wigan cleared their lines and the half time whistle sounded with the visitors 2-1 ahead.
Russell Martin’s half-time change was a little surprising as Jamie Paterson was introduced at the expense of Armstrong Oko-Flex given the concern that the youngster had caused in the Wigan defence in the first half.
It wasn’t the change that made it but it was almost the perfect start to the second half as first Joel Piroe forced the visiting keeper into action with a sharp shot from the edge of the area and from the resulting corner there was another penalty shout as Cabango claimed a shirt pull as he was unable to reach the ball into the area.
Those opening moments of the second half with goalmouth action certainly hadn’t set the tone for the second half as Wigan lined up defensively and the Swans were struggling to find a way through. It was looking the case that Wigan were happy to try and defend their lead and maybe even hit the Swans for a third on the break.
On the hour mark a double Wigan substitution was followed immediately by a triple one from Russell Martin as he introduced Naughton. Sorinola and Ntcham with Obafemi, Cabango and Luke Cundle the players to make way as Russell Martin looked to make the change that could bring the Swans back on level terms.
The changes seemed to be having little effect as the game entered the last fifteen minutes and the Swans not really troubling the visiting defence thanks to a familiar story of plenty of possession but little danger to the opposition.
In the 79th minute that was so close to changing when Ollie Cooper was within inches of turning home a Naughton cross as the Swans finally threatened the equaliser that most people at the Swansea.com Stadium were willing to happen.
The Swans were though handed a lifeline in the 81st minute when Kyle Naughton won the Swans a penalty after a good move saw him move into the area and going down under challenge with Craig Pawson eventually pointing to the spot.
The Swans were made to wait to take the penalty as the Wigan defender received a couple of minutes worth of treatment as seemingly Jay Fulton waited to take the penalty kick. Whether it was mind games or whether it was a change of heart it was Joel Piroe who took the penalty and with just past 83 minutes on the clock his low penalty was too good for the keeper and the Swans were back on level terms.
Surely now the Swans would have been on the ascendancy and with at least ten minutes left to play the chance was there to push on and get a second home win in three from a two goal deficit.
Seven minutes of stoppage time gave the Swans additional hope that there was a way to find a winner with the visitors seemingly happy to play for the point that they currently had in their possession.
The seven minutes passed with chances for both teams but ultimately no more goals as the spoils were shared on another afternoon where the head start we gave the opposition due to a poor first half showing was ultimately our downfall and we had to settle for a draw when really a win should have been there for the taking.
Two away trips now come up for Russell Martin and his side ahead of the World Cup with Birmingham and Huddersfield on the agenda with surely now a win a must if we are to go into the break keeping pace with the division’s promotion chasing teams.
