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SWANSEA CITY 0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0 |
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This time last week we were bemoaning a late winner for Oldham giving them an undeserved win and this week we are left wondering just how we managed to come away with just a point from a game that we were always pretty much in control of. Chance after chance went begging with both Jason Scotland and Darryl Duffy guilty of missing guilt edged chances as the Swans, maybe not quite as fluent as last week, put in one of the better displays seen at the Liberty in it’s short history. Forest were, in the main, reduced to the occasional breakaway as the Swans forced the game at all times searching for the goal that they felt would break the deadlock in the way that they needed it to. Over 17,000 witnessed an entertaining game of football although it was disappointing perhaps to see one of the division’s leading clubs fail to bring a four figure travelling support. Roberto was forced into one change from the side that lost at Oldham last week – Garry Monk came into the side for the injured Alan Tate whilst Paul Anderson missed out on his place on the bench through injury. Doris Rangel Monk Lawrence Painter Britton Pratley Bodde Robbo Scotland Duffy The line up is beginning to have an air of familiarity about it and you know what you are going to expect from the team. The heavy rain in Swansea had left some wondering if the pitch could stand up to our passing game but the Liberty pitch can stand up to pretty much anything and must be one of the leading surfaces in the football leagues, and probably the Premiership as well. Swansea started brightly and could have taken the lead when Scotland’s cross area ball was somehow missed by the sliding Duffy and you could almost hear the sigh of relief from the travelling support. It set the tone for the first half which gave Swansea a clear territorial and possessional advantage even if it couldn’t be turned into a goal advantage. Robinson, Bodde, Rangel and Pratley had all come close when Scotland missed the clearest chance of the half. Neat work in midfield had seen the ball work its way through to his feet but as the Liberty prepared to celebrate the opening goal of the afternoon he drove it across goal and wide. A goalless half time was not what the Swans deserved but it was surely only a matter of time before the goal came. A point of note here – Grant Holt on two occasions in the first half, and three occasions in the second half was spoke to regards shoving and jostling in the area and yet was never shown a card. Surely somewhere when there are that many incidents it should become "constant offending" and therefore a bookable offence. Mr Mathieson may well have given us two penalties in that game against Hull but every time I see him in control of a game I have to say I wince because he is invariably fussy, niggly and incapable of letting a game flow. Today was no different. The second half never fully lived up to the free flowing football of the first but there were two gilt edged chances that went begging. A great move from Swansea saw Pratley place a perfect cross into the middle of the box onto the head of Duffy who somehow managed to contrive a header wide of the goal when it looked easier to score. With time starting to run out, Swansea looked to continue the battle and even with 20 minutes to go it felt as if the goal was about to come at any stage. A Robinson through ball found Scotland and for the second time that afternoon the Liberty was ready to celebrate but the ball beat the keeper and, sadly for us, the post as well and at that point destination was probably goalless. Bussy replaced Duffy with 10 minutes or so to go but it was Rangel who had the best chance of the closing period when his stinging shot was parried and eventually caught by the Forest keeper. That’s two games in now and two confident performances from the Swans but sadly there is only one point on the board and one goal to show for their endeavours. But surely that will change if it carries on like this? What are your thoughts? Share your views on the Message Board |
This article first appeared on JACKARMY.net.