Planet Swans ArchivesThe simple message tonight should have been “we need three points” lads after the performances that had seen us take just 12 points since the last Friday night game, 12 games ago.
And that was what we got first half although maybe spurred by the confidence of the lead, the Swans upped a gear in the second half and were unlucky not to win by more although it is also worth mentioning a poor finish by James Hayter kept the lead at one.
With the injuries to Darren Way and Leon Britton, the Swans were forced into a change at the start of the game with Tom Williams returning from his suspension whilst Alan Tate was also back in the side on his return from injury. There was no Lee Trundle, designated as not fit for this game – his sights being set on a Forest comeback.
Willy
Sam Monk Izzy Williams
Robbo Roberto Tatey Macca
Knight Fallon
Subs: Watt, Murphy, Bayo. Forbesy, McDonald
It was a predictably nervy start from Swansea in the first 45 minutes and the frustration of the crowd was there as well as too many loose balls were being played and way way way way too much reliance was being placed on the long ball towards Fallon. With him and Knight living in each others pockets it was a fruitless exercise which paid little dividend. Sorry, no dividend. However, when the Swan remembered that it was a football match then the play was better, we looked more dangerous and in Tom Williams we have a player who can cross the ball. From one devastating cross, Fallon hit the bar and from others there was danger with no conversions . Izzy did find the back of the net but was punished for a push on the keeper – a clever push as he had his back to him at the time but there we go. At the other end, Hayter missed a good half chance and Bournemouth had a penalty shout that was waved away very quickly.
In the middle of the park, Alan Tate was playing very well and winning plenty of tackles to set up the play but Swansea’s problem was a lack of width which all to often resulted in the afore mentioned long ball to Fallon.
But we were destined to lead at half time and it was Andy Robinson who once again was the man to find the net. He jinked his way into the penalty area and struck a low shot into the corner of the net to the relief of all those inside the stadium
One nil at half time and the drained of confidence McLeod was replaced by Forbes. The accusations have been thrown at Kevin in recent weeks and to be fair he had some good moments tonight but his game is not there and his place is not deserved. I am sure I am not alone in wishing we could see the Macca from September back and soon. Forbes came on in his place switching Robbo to the left and at long last we were treated to a better half of football.
Knight and Fallon started slowly to work and Swansea forgot the long ball and passed it around. Forbes ran and ran and ran and to be honest may still be running now but too often for me it is without direction whilst Knight sent Fallon away for a one on one but he screwed his shot wide. Shortly after he was unable to reach a Knight shot and the same man tried from distance and bought a good save from the keeper as did Tate. The second had to be coming but it didn’t. Robinson went close and then worryingly left the field injured bringing the impressive looking Shaun McDonald on in his place.
Bayo soon replaced Fallon who worked hard and looked better in the second half with improved service. Let’s hope that one sticks in our memory banks rather than the scraps we fed him first half.
James Hayter should have equalised for Bournemouth but he screwed wide after being played in by our defence and as four minutes of injury time passed, the stadium played the end of an impressive round of Kenny Jackett’s Barmy Army. Whoever said the stadium wasn’t capable of an atmosphere?
The relief at the final whistle was evident to hear and feel and this should lift the confidence of the boys. With Huddersfield losing in Scouseville, the Swans moved back into the top 2 overnight at least and if this heralded the end of the bad run then I’d take 2nd place after a bad run any day of the week.
Forest away next week may provide more of a challenge but we go there on the start of what I would love to hope is a 16 match unbeaten league run. We all have dreams!
JACKARMY!
