Phil Sumbler
Michael Duff and Ryan Lowe unsurprisingly had very differing views at the end of the afternoon today – an afternoon which saw the Swans take the lead for the first time this season but ultimately another afternoon where we ended empty handed.
Harrison Ashby scored his first senior goal in the first half finishing off a neat passing interchange between Josh Key and Charlie Patino but the harsh reality at the end of the game was that it was the only shot on target the Swans had all afternoon and the defensive lapses that have become our trademark were clear in the second half.
With the Swans now four league games into the new campaign we are still searching for our first league win of the season and Michael Duff rued the fact that the team could not remain on the front foot as we undoubtedly were at half time.
Ryan Lowe on the other hand talked about his side’s “excellent” second half which ultimately meant that his team took the three points and lifted them up to 5th in the table.
“I thought we were excellent in the second half,” said the Preston boss.
“In the first half we wanted to move the ball a little bit quicker and go one side to the other, and we didn’t quite do that, but fair play to Swansea because they’re a tough team to break down.
“They caused us a few problems which we had to deal with in the second half and we went out in the second half with a little bit more impetus and a little bit more fire in our belly to go, ‘Look it’s here for us’.
“Even though we were one down, we felt there were opportunities for us to score and [we made] a tweak in shape midway through the second half.”
Duff said “The players did everything we asked them to do for an hour, we were in total control of the game, although again our final ball could have been better.
“We went 1-0 up and we stopped doing the things that had got us in the lead. That’s about mentality, it is not just going to happen, you have to go and win both halves, get the second goal and stay on the front foot.
“That’s the mentality we need to shift because people are not just going to come along and give us a win.
“Compared to our last away performance it was better, with and without the ball, but ultimately we have come out on the wrong side of the key moments again.
“We said to the players at half-time that we could make this game as difficult or as easy as we wanted.”
Duff and the Swans now face two home games – Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night and Bristol City next Saturday before the two week break due to internationals. He will certainly be looking for three points next week.
