Rob Davies
With the squad available to Luke Williams and changes promised with a three game week in the schedule, we were never going to be treated to a flowing, exciting display of attacking football in the first round of the Carabao Cup.
With the transfer window closing at 11pm on the 30th of August there is far more work to do than anyone would have hoped with five players wanted through the door.
Some of the “backup” options may have offered Williams food for thought last night in the form of Kristian Pedersen for example, who enjoyed a fine game with much more composure than what we saw from Cabango on the weekend. Different levels, granted.
Onto the game and goals from Ronald, Cullen and Abdulai were enough to see of a spirited Gills side that was reduced to ten men just after the break after a pretty nasty tackle on Kyle Naughton.
There was plenty of frustration around as for all the possession that Swansea had enjoyed (especially against a team a man lighter) they only had Ronald’s effort on the scoreboard.
Reinforcements helped to make the game more comfortable as Key played a lovely ball across the box allowing Cullen to finish before a late Gillingham goal made the tie interesting.
But Eom’s excellent cameo was capped with a set up for the easiest finish for Abdulai who scored his first senior goal as the Swans sailed through to the second round of the cup.
In terms of line-up we saw all the players that we were expecting:
(4-3-3) Vigouroux
Naughton – Cabango – Pedersen – Tjoe-A-On
Fulton – Grimes – Cooper
Abdulai – Vipotnik – Ronald
The first start for Vipotnik brought plenty of excitement for the home faithful (a paltry 6k on a soaking wet night) but the Slovenian had as little service as we’ve come to expect for a frontman.
What must the big striker be thinking when he sees the midfield axis of Grimes and Fulton ensuring they keep safe possession against a League Two side (that had also made changes) when even the slightest bit of urgency is lacking.
Fulton’s inclusion has been baffling for some time and this game displayed all the question marks around his midfield pairing with Grimes. Too defensive, too weak and a gaping hole in the middle of the park – a position that the Swans used to control through the likes of Britton, Allen, Pratley, Bodde. The list goes on.
Moving onto something brighter and Ronald showed all the quality that we’d been missing from the start on Saturday. Ollie Cooper’s pass provided him with a run in from the left wing and his low curling strike gave the goalkeeper little chance for the opening goal.
This should have been the cue to increase the levels and attack but it didn’t. The passes were coming back far more than forward and Abdulai was struggling again on the right wing as needs must with so few options available.
Vipotnik should have done better with his only decent chance of the night after being set up by Ronald as half-time approached and the Swans a goal to the good.
Within just six minutes of the interval the Gills were down to ten men; an unnecessary and out of control tackle by Williams could have left Naughton with far worse but thankfully he got up and continued.
The frustration was now building and this was the opportunity to make changes with Tymon, Key and Cullen introduced for Naughton, Tjoe-A-On and Vipotnik. Two further arrivals came shortly after in the shape of Eom – who will go far – and Franco.
Chances did start coming from then on and Key’s setup for Cullen gave Williams’ men the breathing space needed to ensure a safe passage.
A late consolation from defender Hawkins gave the home faithful some nerves, and again woeful defending to give the manager plenty of food for thought.
But another ring wing cross found Eom at the back post and despite a shot being on, he sensible setup Abdulai for an easy finish. It was a very much different game once the changes had been made that’s for sure.
Difficult one to really take conclusions from but it’s so obvious where reinforcements are needed and with a tough couple of games at home where at least four points is required, it hasn’t particularly given anyone confidence that this is achievable.
Onto Preston.
MATCH FACTS AND LINE UPS
NEXT UP FOR THE SWANS
