Rob DaviesSheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom was delighted with his side’s comprehensive win against the Swans, and batted away any questions about a lack of possession.
Russell Martin’s team again had more of the ball than the opposition but not where it mattered as the Blades put four unanswered goals past the stunned away team in yet another horror show on the road.
Heckingbottom noted that the big difference between today and the other home matches where his team have failed to score was “winning the ball high when the team is split” compared to having to manufacture the chances through good play in other games.
It’s been a real flaw all season in the Swans’ tactics, whereby the wing backs and sometimes a centre half will go on the move to start an attack, like Ben Cabango last weekend which led to Bristol City’s goal leaving the centre of defence vulnerable from all angles.
And it will clearly rear its head again unless anything changes as opposition managers, particularly at their grounds seem to have Martin’s gameplan sussed.
Heckingbottom said: “(There are) different way to create chances.
“If you compare it with Hull when all our chances came from us and our good play.
“Uou can sometimes get the best opportunities winning the ball high when a team’s split. Swansea give you that.”
“A goal doesn’t guarantee a point but a clean sheet does,
“It’s vital. The real important thing for me was having that time with the players last season and getting some points across, so it wasn’t like walking in the door new.
“We could refresh a few key facts and drill them in. It’s not the back three or five with the clean sheets, it’s the whole team.
“They protect Wes. He’s done his bit with some key saves but that’s the message we want to get across.”
