Rob Davies
What is it about Russell Martin’s ability to deliver when the pressure really builds on his future at Swansea City?
In a result few predicted the Swans were dominant throughout and delivered three second half goals to secure a 4-0 win against a depleted Watford team at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Joel Piroe offered a reminder of what he is capable of with two goals and Liam Cullen continued his great form to make it 2-0 midway through the second half.
Matt Grimes then capped off an excellent personal display when he set up Joel Latibeaudiere to tap in for the fourth in an emphatic win.
Harsh words were spoken after the loss at Reading which made it eight games without a win but on this evidence something had certainly struck a chord with the players although the system certainly made a big difference.
Martin confused everyone with his starting team opting to abandon his largely favoured 5 at the back to move to a 4 with 3 in midfield and 3 up top.
Benda
Latibeaudiere – Cabango – Darling – Manning
Fulton – Cundle – Grimes
Piroe – Cullen – Cooper
There was far more intensity throughout the opening exchanges and Watford looked a very clear second best with the Swans first into the tackle albeit with some over zealous treatment from the referee.
The Watford team was at least consistent in their over excited falling down whenever an opposition player was pressing much to the annoyance of the home faithful.
But for much of the first half it looked like all the probing Martin’s team were offering would bring few clear cut chances. Indeed before the goal the only excitement was a theatrical dive from Hornets keeper Daniel Bachmann after a challenge by Harry Darling.
The opening goal came as some quick movement opened things up for the reinvigorated Liam Cullen who slid the ball between two defenders for the onrushing Piroe who finished with every bit of the quality we saw last season.
Cullen was a real bright spark and showed a sharpness that we haven’t really seen before. He was energetic, hurrying and led the line well – who knew what was under our noses all along after three goals and an assist in as many games.
The Swans really got into their rhythm from this point on and dominated the rest of the first half without Watford really testing Benda bar a close range header.
Those in the away end perhaps expecting a second half improvement from a dismal Watford team were to be disappointed as the home team continued to control the game.
Harry Darling’s runs for me make him an undroppable going forward and with Watford particularly light in midfield it was the perfect opportunity for him to drive up the field.
It was him who had a hand in the second goal as a corner found him just past the far post before his deflected cross was crisply finished by Cullen. Cue the chants of “one of our own” – something which is sure to have meant the world to Cullen himself after a mixed time in the senior team.
The floodgates had now opened and soon two became three as Oli Cooper somehow kept possession in the box after a penalty shout, playing the ball to Latibeaudiere. He found Piroe who curled one of his trademark outside the box shots past Bachmann – who probably should have done better but was unsighted – for his second of the game.
Watford looked a team well beaten and unlikely Bournemouth or Reading or last season there was never really going to be enough fight in them to mount a genuine comeback. Indeed Benda had his first save of note from a shot and rebound late on.
The gloss was put on a much improved display all round when the excellent Grimes was found through on goal down the left before unselfishly setting up the marauding Latibeaudiere for 4-0.
This was a fantastic way to respond to all the negativity around the past few weeks but it has to be a message to not just the players but the manager.
Tonight there was a tangible difference in approach and tactics and it paid off. Our good form this season has come off the back of less possession, less passes and more risks (more direct balls out wide etc).
This cannot be a flash in the pan to return to the slow, turgid football we’ve seen all too often under the manager and has to be the marker for the rest of the season.
Time will tell whether Russell abandons the old “Swansea way” for good. But for tonight and tomorrow, Happy New Year to you all and the Swans went out with a bang!
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Yet again we do well against a less than effective opposition that comes to play football. Their approach opens up the field of play which creates spaces that don’t appear against more defensive teams. That means passes can be played through midfield and defence giving the impression of tactical change.