Phil SumblerMichael Obafemi may have scored the only goal of the game last night but it was a very different Swansea City performance in the second half following the sending off of Ryan Manning. A different performance that saw Tony Mowbray accept after the game that he couldn’t adapt to the change in the way the Swans played the game.
On a night when we welcomed back Jamie Paterson into the starting line up and surrendered the majority of the possession what five key things can we take away from the victory?
1. We needed Jamie Paterson back – We wrote on here on Tuesday after the transfer window closed that we needed to welcome Paterson back into the starting line up and last night proved way. His cross for the only goal of the game was perfect and showed just what we have been missing with his absence. It was all the sweeter from the fact it was our only cross of the game and Blackburn had almost 50. Quality delivery, quality player. Welcome back Jamie.
2. Is attack the best form of defence? – Probably not strictly true but there wouldn’t have been many Swans fans who didn’t raise an eyebrow or two at the selection of Russell Martin last night. I never would have thought of a side that included Piroe, Obafemi, Ntcham, Wolf, Paterson, Grimes and Downes in it. It was a bold and brave side and it paid off with the Swans dominant in possession in the first half and ahead at half time. It won’t work every game but credit where it is due and it had the desired effect last night.
3. Sometimes, lady luck shines on us – How many times have we watched the Swans recently and bemoaned our missed chances, poor finishing and good defending. More often than we would like but that will be how Tony Mowbray feels this morning. They probably had enough chances to get at least a point from the game but they didn’t and we should be grateful for their wasted chances. From luck can come much confidence and whilst we rode our luck at times last night I can remember the statement that sometimes you make your own luck and last night I think we did just that.
4. Adaptability won us the game – Full credit to Russell Martin for the changes he made almost immediately following the dismissal of Ryan Manning. Ryan Bennett and Korey Smith were introduced within three minutes of the sending off. It was the right call, we needed to go more defensive and the two players both played their part in securing the three point for us. Martin has been criticised at times for not being able to adapt his strategy or tactics but yesterday he did and it paid dividends for him.
5. The fans can make a difference – Jamie Paterson spoke after the game about how much the fans reaction meant to him as they welcomed him back into the side and the way the fans reacted at the final whistle said it all. The Swansea.com stadium can be a quiet place at times and it can be quite harsh on the players when the games are not going our way.’ We need the crowd to be the proverbial 12th man and when they are then it really can lift the team towards a win. Be loud, be proud, be Swansea City.
