Rob DaviesSwansea City held onto a vital three points against promotion hopefuls Blackburn Rovers, despite Ryan Manning’s early second half red card.
Backs to the wall late on, Russell Martin’s men dug in for a much needed win and clean sheet thanks to Michael Obafemi’s first half header from the returning Jamie Paterson’s deep back post cross.
In a game of few clear cut chances, especially for the Swans, it looked like Manning’s red card would quash any hopes of a first win in four, but the home side held out against serious pressure from Tony Mowbray’s men.
In a move of real surprise, Martin changed system completely to one which was more akin to the type we saw in his first few weeks, with Ntcham on the right, Wolf on the left and Paterson floating down the left wing. Obafemi and Piroe up front.
Andy Fisher again held his place in goal, Kyle Naughton missing out due to the injury he sustained against Luton and Flynn Downes dropped back to centre half alongside Cabango and Manning.
Fisher
Cabango – Downes – Manning
Christie – Ntcham – Grimes – Paterson – Wolf
Obafemi – Piroe
Three games and no goals would have really affected the confidence for the home side, and that could be seen in the first ten minutes with Blackburn creating the opportunities.
Ryan Giles, the loan player Swansea declined to sign, was dangerous throughout and saw an effort palmed away by Fisher before Paterson repaid the faith by delivering another assist on his return to the first team.
The former Bristol City man whipped a right footed cross to the far post which Obafemi gleefully met on the stretch with a header – retribution for all.
That was practically the only chance the Swans had, and they were relieved that Blackburn couldn’t profit from their own wasteful passing, John Buckley trying to cheat his way to a penalty but rightfully booked for a theatrical dive.
Buckley was guilty of missing the best chance from a free kick conceded by Cabango. Darragh Lenihan hit the post with a header before Buckley, leaning back, hit over from six yards out much to the relief of Martin and the home fans.
Half time arrived with the usual possession stats as expected for Swansea, with Blackburn edging the shots stats – although nothing to show for it.
The second half hadn’t long begun until Manning saw red when he – booked for a first half block deep in his own half – tried to meet a ball from Fisher but caught Lenihan. Predictably in line with form, the Rovers man flung himself to the floor holding his head to the bemusement of all, including the commentators in the Sky studio.
From that moment on the game was set for attack vs defence, Martin withdrawing Obafemi for Bennett, then Ntcham for Smith and finally Piroe for Latibeaudiere to shore up the team as much as possible.
That led to some nervy moments, demonstrated by the unusual stat of Blackburn having more possession than Swansea. The problem was with no Piroe or Obafemi on the pitch, there was no outball and it was like a precession although without any real opportunities.
The last five minutes saw Mowbray’s team turn the screw although unfortunately for them their efforts fell to centre halves, leaving Fisher with precious little to do in terms of serious work.
There were so many half chances I can’t recall the individuals who they were presented to, so I’m not going to bore anyone with the detail. The point of the matter is that Swansea held out for all three points against a Blackburn team that makes you realise perhaps the standard in this league again isn’t all that great.
What that makes of us in 16th (now) says more I guess. But this is as has been repeatedly stated a transitional season for Martin’s team, and there were again some encouraging signs.
Perhaps best of all was the guts and determination to hold onto the result towards the end. Perhaps we’ve missed some grit this season (along with creativity) but it was there with abundance in the second half.
An encouraging three points to end a pretty miserable week where the Swans turned the “three game in a week” fatigue on its head. Not pretty but perhaps the hard fought win may give Martin food for thought that there’s more than one way to skin a cat.
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