Rob Davies
Russell Martin made seven changes from the side victorious at Sunderland on the weekend but it was an all too familiar story this evening at the Swansea.com Stadium of too much possession and not enough creativity.
Bristol City, once again a poor outfit even at Championship standard much the same as the first fixture, took advantage with their only two shots on target to earn a fourth round tie against West Bromwich Albion
On a bitterly cold night substitute Ollie Cooper got the Swans’ equaliser with his first touch of the match to take the game to extra time after Mark Sykes had opened the scoring for rhe away side.
But Sam Bell settled matters deep into extra time as Martin’s side rue yet more toothless possession and a lack of cutting edge in both boxes.
The seven changes saw a very different line up and a return for Andy Fisher in goal with an unfamiliar back five (not a four unless Naughton was in midfield).
Fisher
Naughton – Wood – Cabango
Latibeaudiere – Cundle – Grimes – Sorinola
Congreve – Piroe – Ntcham
The weather was enough to put anyone off attending tonight; freezing temperatures and a game which nobody could call mouthwatering in prospect between two sides very much in mid table in the Championship.
And that’s very much how the first half went. Lots of trademark possession for the Swans without penetration as the numerous changes meant the home side struggled for any side of fluidity despite dominating the statistics.
Olivier Ntcham, on his first start in what seems a number of months, looked dangerous and tested O’Leary in the away goal in what was pretty much the only effort in a tepid first half befitting the sub zero temperatures in South Wales.
The second half warmed up with Latibeaudiere testing the Robins keeper and then Piroe flashing a drive across goal before Ntcham couldn’t finish after a good move at pace (i know, big surprise).
Soon the Swans would pay for wasteful possession as Bristol City countered at pace and Joe Williams fed Sykes who struck past Fisher in what was his first real test of the night. With finances as tight as they ever have been, it is rather mystifying that we spent £400k on what is fast becoming no more than a reserve goalkeeper.
But that conversation is for another night. The cavalry was brought on although Joel Piroe had departed before that opening goal with one eye on the trip to QPR on Saturday. The changes quickly paid off as Cooper levelled matters.
The ever improving duracell bunny like figure got on the end of a ball across to the far post and finished to bring the Swans level and again make them favourites to progress through.
In a game that should have been wrapped up in the first half at Ashton Gate – again too much possession and not enough quality – extra time was quickly approaching in a fixture that neither side wished for.
In extra time Cundle headed wide and Semenyo saw a shot blocked as penalties edged closer before the away team struck to capitalise upon some woeful defending by Martin’s leaky side.
Sam Bell strode from the half way line, weaving and jinxing before setting up the shot which beat Fisher easily as the Robins delivered the killer blow as the snow drifted in on a cold and rather miserable evening both on and off the pitch.
And despite much huff (and no shortage of puff) there was to be no further response as the Swans are left to reflect on an evening where none of the ‘backup’ players did their case for a first team spot any justice.
Perhaps it might have been a different outcome had Messrs Whittaker, Obafemi and Paterson been involved but for reasons all too often discussed of late they were nowhere to be seen as transfers to pastures new are explored.
It’s another exit at the third round for the Swans and now it’s time to concentrate on the league…
MATCH FACTS AND LINE UPS
NEXT UP FOR THE SWANS
Shambles Martin has no clue