Rob Davies
Swansea limped over the line at the end of the season as a dogged Millwall side came away with a 1-0 win on a sunny afternoon in South Wales.
The Swans never really got up to speed in a below par performance that generally summed up their season; big chance missed, sloppy goal conceded and too much passing at the back.
It’s a relief to the majority of the fanbase that this season is over and we can only hope that the next will be better. But ultimately that is just hope rather than expectation with little confidence that anything good will happen.
Bizarrely Luke Williams chose to start with two loanees who have barely had a look in for the past six months – Bashir Humphreys and Charlie Patino.
Rushworth
Key – Cabango – Humphreys – Tymon
Grimes – Patino
Ronald – Cooper – Paterson
Cullen
You could tell from the off that it was just a couple of nights ago that Swansea hosted their Player of the Season awards as it seemed that many players were off it to say the least.
Alcohol doesn’t come alone and whilst I’m sure the players had a good night it’s probably not the best idea a couple of days before the final game of the season.
In truth neither side had anything but 13th in the table to play for, pretty much the story of the season for both sides after a mid season battle against relegation.
The Swans largely delivered a similar performance to what we’ve seen for much of the season. Little penetration, no quality and weak defensively.
This was summed up with neither side threatening a shot on target in the first half; only Ronald coming close after a great ball from Cullen on the left.
The fact there was not even a minute of added time before the interval tells you of the entertainment we were witnessing at the Swansea.com.
We at least saw some attacking endeavour after the break which led to a Swans penalty. Ronald was found in space on the right, cut inside his marker before being scythed down for a spot kick.
The usually reliable Matt Grimes stepped up but his penalty – going the other side to his normal spot – was saved by the Millwall keeper.
You couldn’t say this was the start of further attacks and it was the Lions that seized the opportunity when Casper de Norre netted from close range.
Ronald inexplicably dribbled towards his own goal, failed a flick and the ball found its way to de Norre to slam home at the near post.
The only slight excitement we saw was Jerry Yates and Japhet Tanganga get into an altercation which saw the former throw a punch. Both saw red and the last 10 played out 10 a piece.
In typical end of season fashion there was no likelihood of a comeback and no real sign of clear cut chances. Not even a goalkeeper’s save in anger to show for much huff and puff.
Indeed the small crowd left for the usual lap of honour said everything after a disappointing campaign in so many ways.
Whilst Luke Williams deserves plaudits for the job he’s done since arriving from Notts County, it’s clear he has a big job on his hands this summer to build a side capable of improving on what’s come this season.
It’ll be interesting to see what our side will be come August but it doesn’t just need a few additions, it needs wholesale surgery. Is the ownership group capable of delivering?
Time will tell.
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