Rob DaviesSwansea City again struggled to create opportunities as they were defeated 1-0 at home to stubborn Luton Town.
The away team created more of the chances and were rewarded for their efforts midway through the second half when two substitutes combined, Harry Cornick with the finish.
Russell Martin made five changes to the line up from the miserable loss at Hull on the weekend, with Hamer, Latibeaudiere, Smith, Fulton and Piroe dropping out. In came debutant Andy Fisher, Ryan Bennett, Flynn Downes’, Olivier Ntcham and Michael Obafemi up front.
Fisher
Bennett – Naughton – Cabango
Christie – Downes – Grimes – Manning
Ntcham – Wolf
Obafemi
With new keeper Fisher in goal the Swans started nervously and could have been a couple of goals down by the tenth minute mark.
Ben Cabango’s first minute back pass summed up the uncertainty and probably a lack of confidence coming off the back of one win in seven games before tonight.
Fisher soon settled as did the rest of the Swans team who were looking to break through a high Luton press; Nathan Jones as always ensuring his side is well drilled.
The main chance of the first half for the home side came after breaking the Luton press, Grimes sliding a pass through for the on rushing Obafemi from six yards out, failed to beat the keeper.
Kyle Naughton’s injury midway through the first half had a negative effect on the Swans and seemed to stop any momentum that had been gained with Korey Smith his replacement meaning a tactical switch for the Swans.
As half time came and went the Swans looked to add more urgency in the second half with Cabango hitting the post with a header and Ryan Bennett failing to prod home the rebound as Luton sensed an opportunity to take all three points.
That opportunity was duly taken when former Cardiff striker Cameron Jerome gained possession down the right and found fellow substitute Cornick who slammed in the only goal of the game.
Joel Piroe was introduced after the goal but achieved little in trying to turn the fortunes around as the home team stared down the barrel at back to back losses and just one goal in four games.
Luton dogged resilience managed to see the game out relatively easily to push Luton closer to the play offs and keep the Swans languishing in lonely 19th and make it one win in eight.
There will be lots to discuss after this match with more questions than answers and a lot of reflection needed both from players and the manager.
The fact remains that Russell Martin would not have expected his team to be so low in the division and those games in hand that seemed a lifeline to propel the club up the table have slowly but surely disappeared.
It is yet another disappointing day for the Swans in what is becoming the norm of late and with Blackburn Rovers arriving on Saturday in second place, one can only wonder if things will get worse before they get better, if they do indeed get better at all…
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