Rob Davies
Michael Duff has said himself that he will learn plenty about his players over the first few months of his tenure and nonemoreso than in a game like yesterday at West Brom.
For 70 minutes it was as bad as it could get as West Brom really didn’t have to do much to warrant a 3-0 lead that was only really threatened when Charlie Patino made his entrance as a substitute.
Nathan Wood and Ben Cabango made it 3-2 with 10 minutes and injury time to go but despite the latter missing a gilt edged chance in stoppage time the comeback wasn’t to be.
Duff made just one alteration to the Birmingham draw on the opening day with Ollie Cooper replacing Jamie Paterson.
Rushworth
Darling – Cabango – Wood
Ashby – Fulton – Grimes – Key
Cooper
Yates – Piroe
It was a very disjointed start by the Swans, creating little and due to the lack of midfield the only option was to lump aimless balls over to the wing backs in a search to get out.
If one thing is clear from this game it’s that a midfield two of Grimes and Fulton simply doesn’t work especially with Grimes coming back so deep to take the ball from the centre backs. It leaves Fulton isolated in a one man midfield against teams that will simply pick it apart.
It was a typically poor West Brom goal to concede and something that Duff will be working hard to fix. Darnell Furlong hurled in one of his trademark long throws which caused havoc in the Swans area.
Having three 6 foot plus centre backs should mean such tactics aren’t an issue but three attempts at winning the ball by the hapless trio failed with the ball falling to Ajayi to slam home.
The same player scored in the 3-2 win on the final day of last season and he won’t get an easier goal this campaign.
There was little sign of any urgency to restore parity before half time in an underwhelming display before it was two soon after the interval.
More Keystone Cops defending allowed Furlong to meet a Swift corner which Rushworth deflected on the bar before the ball rebounded onto his head and in.
And then to enhance the comedy of errors Harry Darling inexplicably as Darling fouled Townsend for a penalty which Swift comfortably dispatched past Rushworth.
3-0 from three shots on target in a game where Albion didn’t have to break a sweat. It could have been 2-1 before Darling’s efforts to help WBA but Piroe hit the bar. Such is football.
Patino’s introduction was the bright point of the day. And Darling quickly made amends by heading home the Arsenal loanee’s corner to make it 3-1 and spark memories of Coventry last season and Luton the one before.
They were enhanced as Darling nodded over to Wood who directed his header past the Alhion keeper for 3-2 with still ten minutes plus an obviously large amount of stoppage time to follow.
Patino was very lively, bringing a class and quality that we’ve not yet really seen this campaign and he helped to open the game up and keep the home fans on edge.
It was him who created the final chance deep into stoppage time but Cabango headed wide as Swansea’s chance of stealing something from a poor game came and went.
Much for Duff to ponder and it’s important to remember it’s not always the system to blame. There were eleven individuals out there first half many of which were not prepared to put in enough effort to warrant a result.
With two more additions coming this week Duff will get the team he needs for the forthcoming campaign and as Barnsley fans told us, it took them 6-8 games to get up to speed.
On to Coventry at home next Saturday.
MATCH FACTS AND LINE UPS
OTHER CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
LATEST TABLE
NEXT UP FOR THE SWANS
Very disappointing perfoance. I’ve been so excited for thisbnee season without martinball. At this point in time we look clueless all over the park.
But what a shamboloc defence we have. I hate to say it but cabango is well over rated and a liability. And I really don’t see how Grimes ever made it as a footballer…he seems to forget how to pass a ball forward or take on a player. Don’t even get me started on his freekicks and lack of crossing ability.
Rushworth was unlucky the the second goal and that is the swans luck.
However, what a signing that Patino seems to be. Pace and ability in abundance and his pinpoint passing and crosses look a cut above.
If only cabango could header a ball we would have come out of that game with an unlikely point.
I still think it will take duff q few games to get where he wants to be. So fingers crossed it’s sooner rather than later
Same performance in all Duff’s viewable games.
His style of hoofbal MAY work eventually. I’m getting flashbacks to Monk’s reign. He dismantled a team and style that did well for us in favour of a narrower, more conservative ‘English’ style.
Kick and rush will not work in this league but, from the four games I have attended, it is what Duff wants.
Given our three league goals have been scored by 2 centre backs and an individual effort by a player who been with us a few days indicates much … and it isn’t positive.
I have been enthused by our arrivals but dismayed we let Ntcham leave.
Please, no ‘early days’ comments. Duff’s record looked decent but was any scrutiny given to the style and his methods?
While some players had difficulty playing Martin’s style they did, at least, understand it. Duff’s tactics seem to have the players guessing what their roles are.
Bristol Rovers could suss out then snuff our our tactics and Brum and WBA have done he same.