Phil SumblerThe Swans winning run was – again – ended at two games last night as we came down to earth with a resounding thumping at the hands of Fulham. A red card for Ryan Manning effectively changed the game but an incredibly bad second half defending saw the league leaders coast past us on their march back to the Premier League.
It was a night of frustration for the Swans who controlled much of the first half although the stats will tell you that it was only really Michael Obafemi’s shot from outside the box that threatened the visitors goal but there was little doubt that the red card was that proverbial turning point although as the Swans boss pointed out there should be no excuse for the way we started the second half.
So, as we reflect back on the performance the morning after, what five things do we take from last night’s game?
1. Our defending can be incredibly naive at times – Russell Martin can talk about bravery but there was nothing brave about our defending at the start of the second half. We have just gone down to ten men before the break, Fulham have come out hoping to capitalise on that and we create defensive suicide as they press us high. Pass, pass, goal. It was that simple. We should not have allowed that to happen and that is nothing more than naivety.
2. Ryan Manning gave the referee a decision to make – It can be classed as harsh – both managers certainly thought so in real time – but Ryan Manning gave the referee a decision to make with his challenge on Harry Wilson. There is little doubt the referee wasted no time in showing the red card which always makes you wonder but watching it on the screens in the concourse at half time I can see why it was given. It was one of those that -had it been Wilson on Manning – we would have said was a red card all day long. Manning should not have gone in as rashly as he did and that cost us. And will cost us for several games to come?
3. When we lose, we lose heavily. Sheffield United, Stoke, Bournemouth, Fulham and Nottingham Forest have all beaten us with some ease this season. It is hard to be massively critical after losing to the runaway league leaders with 10 men but we have to stop shipping goals with the ease that we seem to manage it. We have only lost two more league games than we have won this season but with a goal difference of minus 11 it tells its own story as to where some of our biggest frailties lie. Until we sort out that back line we will always struggle for any level of consistency in games or performances.
4. Why Bennett and not Burns? I still don’t get the signing of Finley Burns. It seems that we may be able to keep him for next season but that is only a thing if Manchester City are happy with his game time and development here. We have gone down to ten men just before half time and Martin makes a change at the back during the interval. All good so far but introducing Bennett makes no sense to me. He is certainly slow and certainly clumsy and Fulham were always going to capitalise on a back two of Cabango and Bennett. For me it had to be Burns but for whatever reason Martin chose his other option. The wrong one.
5. Square pegs and round holes – We have been here before but it remains the case too often and will, I guess, continue to do so until the summer when we can get the round pegs in. When you have to work with this scenario you will get games where that is exposed. It feels harsh maybe to overly criticise this as – for example – Smith at wing back on Saturday worked but it has to be the immediate problem to address in the summer. Maybe it will help the defensive frailties but we cannot keep shoe horning people in the side to fill gaps that are not their natural game.
