Rob Davies
Swansea took a valuable point from Stoke albeit on a miserable night in Stoke (that typical wet, cold Tuesday night…) as Alan Sheehan made it four points from six in caretaker charge.
It was a terrible ‘football’ match which arguably saw the home side have the better chances. Indeed bar Darling’s late header and a blocked shot from Jamie Paterson there was precious little to get excited about all told.
Stoke went ahead through a Daniel Johnson penalty after Darling committed a foul inside the box before he made amends from Matt Grimes’ superb corner late on.
Sheehan made a single change to the equally ugly win at Rotherham on Saturday with goalscorer Jerry Yates restored to the starting eleven in place of Yannick Bolasie – hardly a surprise when he’s had so little football over the last six months.
Rushworth
Key – Darling – Cabango – Tymon
Fulton – Grimes – Patino
Paterson – Yates – Lowe
If ever there was a game you had little expectations for this would have been it. The Swans record at Stoke was poor at best and against a team that had just dismissed its manager any hope of getting a favourable result took a hit.
Indeed it’s the second time in the space of three days where both sides on the pitch were without a manager and under the control of caretaker managers.
And you could probably tell that from the opening half with Stoke having the better of the game but only having a couple of efforts from Junior Tchamadeu which were saved by Rushworth.
The midfield really didn’t click for the Swans and the trio of Patino, Fulton and Grimes still flatter to deceive – it still lacks that energy and balance you need in the Championship.
Half time and Sheehan rectified that matter replacing Patino with Bolasie as he looked to get his team further up the pitch on the attack.
But it didn’t quite have the desired impact as a football match desperately tried to break out between two relegation battling sloggers (at least that’s how it looked on tv).
If both teams aren’t in the bottom half come the end of the season then it would be a surprise. As much of a surprise as when a goal was threatened as some neat footwork around the box enabled a shooting chance for Stoke which was ended by the leg of Darling. A spot kick.
And Johnson stepped up, stuttered and put the ball into the right corner past Rushworth for a goal that to all the world looked to be enough for the Potters.
Indeed there were further chances for the home side but thankfully they were spurned before the Swans sensed a late opportunity as a corner was won in front of the battle hardened away fans.
We’ve seen so many below par Matt Grimes corners over the last five or so years but this time it was on the money. Thankfully the Stoke goalkeeper helped matters reaching for a ball he couldn’t get allowing Darling a free header at the back post.
The point was the least that was required against a team at the bottom like us and four points from these two away games is a reasonable return ahead of the home match against Middlesbrough.
Had we lost it would have sent further alarm bells that we could be sucked into this relegation battle. But a point lifts spirits ahead of a new manager arriving some time soon. When? Who knows. Who? Well should be Davies but who knows.
I’m just glad that game is over…
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Duff critics please note – we are just as confused without him as with him .There is no balance in the team and we just look confused .
Interesting to see if the new manager can turn this team round without January additions.Getting a few of the injured players back might help.
Of most concern for me is Sheehan is reportedly favourite for the manager job.
In reality he has copied Duff duff approach but got very lucky on Saturday and again last night.