Cravatt Watches On With Work To Do As Swans Start Road To Recovery

Yesterday’s win was both deserved and desperately needed. After five straight defeats and a managerial search that ended with the fallback option, the mood around the club had been bleak. The optimism of the summer felt misplaced, and the sense of doom was hard to ignore. Oxford may have been the weakest side we have faced this season, but the three points were earned and accomplished. The performance was far from polished, yet at this stage results matter more than style. Wins can spark confidence quickly, and confidence is the one thing we are crying out for.

Match Reflections

The game itself was not a spectacle, but it was a reminder of how quickly football can shift when a team finds rhythm. Swansea controlled the tempo for long spells, even if the final ball was lacking. Oxford’s inability to press effectively gave us space, and we used it well enough to secure the result. The contrast with recent defeats was stark. Against Portsmouth and others, we looked hesitant and short of ideas. Yesterday, there was at least intent and energy, even if execution still needs work.

Positives in Performance

There were clear positives. Galbraith at right back works, just as it did earlier in the season when he was moved there mid-game. For those who worry it reduces his influence, yesterday proved otherwise. He controlled the right flank, broke up play, and started attacks while still allowing another midfielder to slot in. Widdell and Franco may not have dominated but they contributed enough to justify their inclusion.

Eom looked a threat on the left throughout his time on the pitch. He was willing to take on defenders, deliver crosses, and link well with Tymon. If ever a player was pitching for his place, it was Eom, and he deserves to win it. Tymon himself was outstanding. An assist, a goal, and a stream of dangerous crosses made him a constant menace, and he defended well when called upon. His energy lifted the side and gave us a cutting edge we have lacked.

Areas of Concern

Not everything clicked. Ronald remains a frustration. Unlike Eom, he refuses to take on his man despite often having more space. He goes to ground too easily and yesterday seemed intent on blaming teammates for his own poor positioning. The talent is there, but he is not showing it. One wonders if talk of Premier League interest has distracted him. If that was agent spin, perhaps the agent achieved his goal, but the player has not.

Cabango and Burgess also raise concerns. They are strong defensively but uncomfortable playing out from the back. Oxford pressed at times, but stronger sides will punish us when we try to build from deep. Ironically, shifting to three at the back late on, with Casey introduced, improved matters. Was that experimentation with the game already won? If so, it worked, and it may hint at tactical adjustments Matos is considering.

Looking Ahead to January

Attention now turns to January. We have long said there will not be major activity, but a new manager changes the equation. Matos will be forming his opinions, and the squad remains light up front. Vipotnik and Idah can disappear too easily, leaving our goals column thin. Service is part of the issue, but their tendency to drift out of games is worrying. Depending on Ronald’s situation, a right-sided midfielder may be required. Widdell has been suggested for that role, but instinct says we need an upgrade.

Strength in depth is always debated, and yes, we need more. Yet I believe we have enough to avoid relegation. It feels strange to say that in a season where top ten was mentioned, but reality bites. We are not that good, and we will not become that good overnight. Still, we are better than the bottom six, and I hold firm to that belief.

Ownership and Recruitment

Brett Cravatt was in Swansea yesterday, and it will be interesting to know what lessons he took from the game and his conversations. He will be aware that questions are being asked of Gorringe and Worth, and rightly so. Two weeks in, there is still no resolution on coaching staff. Red tape may be the excuse, but the haste shown when Hellberg chose Middlesbrough over us lingers. Matos is working with what he has been given, not what he wants, and that is never the ideal way to start.

Cravatt must also be uneasy about summer recruitment. Too many players on the wage bill are not featuring, and too many of the supposed marquee signings are not starting. Sheehan saw this, and Matos appears to be seeing it too. Data-driven recruitment is fine, but it feels as though the spreadsheet has been put in charge, and the results are showing on the pitch. Recruitment is not just about numbers; it is about character, balance, and fit. Right now, too many of those elements are missing.

Cravatt did not invest his summer to watch performances like this, nor to see the club sitting three points above the bottom three. He did not expect empty seats in the stadium, nor did he bring in celebrity investors to watch his money mismanaged. If he believes Gorringe, Worth, or others are poor appointments, they will be replaced quickly, regardless of past reputations. His track record in business suggests he will not tolerate mediocrity for long.

The Bigger Picture

The next few weeks will be busy. The Swans must fight for points while preparing for the January window. Cravatt’s presence in Swansea suggests he intends to be part of those discussions directly. Whether there is more to read into that, I will leave to others. What is clear is that the club cannot afford to drift. Decisions on recruitment, coaching staff, and player development must be sharper, and the board must show leadership.

Supporters will take heart from the win, but they are not blind to the bigger picture. Empty seats tell their own story. Fans want clarity, ambition, and a sense that the club is moving forward. Yesterday was a step, but it was only one step. The mood in the stands was relief, not celebration, and that distinction matters.

Closing Thoughts

The win over Oxford was our first positive step in the right direction, but it is only the beginning. There are many more hurdles to clear before we can even think about turning our gaze upward. For now, the focus must remain on building momentum, sharpening performances, and proving that yesterday was not just a brief respite but the start of a longer climb away from danger.

And that will be forming part of today’s discussions.

This article first appeared on JACKARMY.net.