Five Things We Learned from Swansea City’s 1-0 Defeat at Exeter City

The Swans’ pre-season preparations took a minor hit today with a 1-0 defeat to Exeter City at St James Park, a match that also served as a testimonial for Grecians stalwart Pierce Sweeney. While the result itself in a friendly matters little, the performance offered a few glimpses into where Alan Sheehan’s side stands heading into the new Championship campaign. Despite dominating possession and having a hat-trick of goals controversially disallowed, there are certainly lessons to be taken from this West Country outing.

1. The Offside Flag Remains Our Arch Nemesis

If there was one overarching theme from today’s game, it was the infuriating sight of the assistant referee’s flag. Three times the Swans thought they had found the back of the net, only for the celebrations to be cut short. Cameron Congreve was denied early on, Cameron Burgess had a powerful header ruled out for a contentious foul, and Zan Vipotnik saw a late, thunderous volley chalked off for offside.

While pre-season friendlies often feature slightly more lenient officiating, or perhaps a different interpretation of the rules, the sheer number of disallowed goals is a concern. It’s impossible to know how many were truly legitimate and how many were genuinely offside, but it highlights a need for sharper movement from our attackers and perhaps a renewed focus on timing runs in training. We cannot afford to be losing goals to such fine margins once the league season kicks off. This isn’t just about the officials; it’s about our players being consistently on the right side of the line.

2. Creative Spark is There, but Finishing Needs Sharpening

Despite the frustrating decisions, Swansea created a plethora of chances. Ronald, Goncalo Franco, Melker Widell, and Cameron Congreve all had promising openings, and as mentioned, three goals went in the net. This indicates that the attacking framework is there, and the players are finding themselves in dangerous positions. The interplay and movement in the final third were often fluid, showcasing a team that wants to play expansive, attacking football.

However, the fact that we couldn’t convert any of these legitimate opportunities into a goal on the scoreboard is a point of concern. Whether it was a lack of composure in front of goal, a brave block from an Exeter defender, or a strong save from Joe Whitworth, the clinical edge was missing. Pre-season is exactly the time to iron out these creases, but with the season fast approaching, Alan Sheehan will want to see more goals flowing from the chances created.

3. Defence Shows Moments of Vulnerability

Exeter’s winning goal, scored by Sonny Cox just after the break, came from a swift break down the left. Ilmari Niskanen drove with pace and power before squaring the ball for Cox to finish. While pre-season line-ups often feature experimentation, the ease with which Exeter were able to slice through on that occasion is something to address.

Our defence, including the experienced Josh Key back at his old stomping ground, and captain Cameron Burgess, had moments of solidity, but that singular lapse proved costly. Maintaining concentration for the full 90 minutes, even in a friendly, is paramount. The Championship will punish such errors, and we need to ensure our defensive unit is watertight from the first whistle to the last.

4. Promising Glimpses from New and Young Faces

This friendly provided another opportunity for new signings and academy prospects to get valuable minutes. While specific individual performances are hard to truly gauge in such a shuffled line-up, the fact that players like Ronald and Melker Widell were actively involved in creating chances is encouraging. Cameron Congreve, in particular, looked lively and was unlucky to see his early effort ruled out.

The integration of these players into the established system is a key part of pre-season, and today’s match will have offered Sheehan further insights into their progress and readiness for the rigours of the Championship. The squad depth will be crucial, and seeing these players step up is vital for the season ahead.

5. The Real Work Starts Now

With pre-season drawing to a close, today’s defeat serves as a timely reminder that there’s still work to be done. While the result isn’t the be-all and end-all, the performance highlights areas that need refinement. The frustration over the disallowed goals, the missed chances, and the defensive lapse are all points that the coaching staff will undoubtedly be dissecting.

The positive is that these issues are surfacing now, giving the team a final push to hone their craft before the serious business begins. The Championship is a relentless league, and every small detail can make a big difference. This loss, while disappointing, should serve as a valuable learning experience, focusing minds and galvanizing efforts for a strong start to the 2025/26 campaign. We’re still optimistic, but there’s no room for complacency.