Middlesbrough 1-0 Swansea – predictable disappointment on opening day

Well there’s nothing quite like a defeat on opening day to bring reality crashing back down to earth as a Latte Lath penalty in the first half saw the Swans succumb to a loss on the road.

The less said about a lacklustre and disjointed first half the better. The phrase “a group of strangers” couldn’t be more appropriate despite eight of the starting eleven playing together regularly last season.

It was a pretty torrid opening that could have seen ‘Boro score more than the one they had to show for their efforts after Abdulai tripped Jones in the box allowing Latte Lath to slam past the reach of debutant Lawrence Vigoroux.

The keeper offered a couple of heart in mouth moments as he fumbled a corner (almost over his line) and came out too far to stop Jones getting to a long ball on the break and came out second best.

Overall plenty of work to do but some encouragement in the second half at least?

As anticipated it was the same eleven that beat Rio Ave last weekend with Ronald fit enough for a place amonst the substitutes and Zan Vipotnik made to wait as he sat alongside on the bench.

(4-3-3)

Vigouroux

Key – Cabango – Darling – Tymon

Franco – Grimes – Fulton

Eom – Cullen – Abdulai

A tepid start from the Swans handed the early exchanges to a sharp ‘Boro team, looking to exploit the wings with a fair degree of success as both Josh’s struggled with the pace on each side.

Jones in particular was a livewire on the home side’s right and Tymon was often in a muddle trying to keep up with the speedster who has previous for scoring against Swansea in previous seasons (1-0 at Middlesbrough in 2021).

And it was that man who had the first opportunity as home keeper Dieng saw the chance to send the wideman tearing towards Vigouroux with a long ball. I guess being generous the Swans’ new stopper at least distracted Jones from getting a clean strike or going around and slotting in.

It wasn’t long before the breakthrough came as Fulton was caught out allowing Jones a run into the box; he was brought down clumsily by Abdulai allowing Latte Lath to fire into the right corner of the net to give the home team a deserved lead.

The Swans at least attempted to draw themselves into the game but the tempo simply wasn’t there despite the best efforts of Eom who didn’t look out of place on his debut in the Championship.

Cullen probably should have equalised when Middlesbrough debutant Aidan Morris’ mistake set up a clear chance inside the box but in the end a foul was given as Dieng was brave in the block.

Fans across social media and our forum were crying out for the introductions of Ronald and Vipotnik and the wishes were granted, at least with one of those two coming on. Ron on, Abdulai off.

And the Brazilian was quick into the action although three comical passes to the hoardings from Darling and Franco hardly got the juices flowing for an exciting second half comeback.

The comical refereeing decisions were certainly not helping but at least Swansea were on the front foot as Carrick’s men stepped back by ten yards. Tymon started whipping balls into the box but with little threat of any note it would require the services of Vipotnik surely if an equaliser was to be found.

The Slovenian arrived in place of Fulton as Cullen dropped in behind, allowing Grimes and Franco as the two sitters in midfield. Naughton also replaced Key at the same time – not sure if tactical or injury but nothing seemed apparent.

Williams’ men had a focal point at least but one that they didn’t really manage to find as the home side sat back and soaked up the pressure well. Eom probably should have done better with a central free kick after Franco was fouled.

Boro should have wrapped the game up as Latte Lath outmuscled Cabango – who by the way had a very poor game – but the resulting low shot was palmed wide by Vigouroux.

Cullen had the best chance of taking a point home as Eom set the Welshman up for the finish well inside the box but his effort was blocked away for a corner.

And close to the end it should have been 2-0 but Cabango cleared off the line as another lightning break from the home team saw two men bearing down on Vigouroux.

A hard watch at times and the subs bench just shows the difference of resources between us and Middlesbrough. They themselves weren’t great but they didn’t really need to be and this should be the kick up the backside that Andy Coleman needs to get a move on with incomings.

That squad as it stands is not strong enough. There’s potential but a few injuries and it could be bleak.

Football, eh? It has been missed…

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