Rob Davies
It wasn’t the prettiest especially in the second half but the Swans finally got their first win at home in eight games after a committed display saw them beat QPR 1-0.
Joel Piroe scored the only goal before half time in a game where QPR had more possession but struggled to create clear cut chances (sound familiar?) reflected by the expected goals of 2.3 to QPR’s lowly 0.7.
Very rarely do the Swans get such a high expected goals so the changes in formation and tactics obviously paid off. There was a clear strategy change by the Swans boss with the usual slow and patient approach disregarded for quick and far more direct football.
It was refreshing although clearly helped by QPR’s high line and the Swans’ desire to play the ball into space behind the R’s defence. In terms of personnel Martin made several changes to the draw at Stoke City.
Michael Obafemi and Olivier Ntcham were nowhere to be seen with the former given time off to reflect after the failed transfer move to Burnley and more importantly Oli Cooper was given another start after being so impressive in midweek.
Steven Benda – as was reported here before the match – started his first game in a year whilst the Swans went with a solid back four to combat the pace which Rangers offered up front.
Benda
Naughton – Cabango – Wood – Manning
Allen – Grimes
Sorinola – Cooper – Paterson
Piroe
As Michael Beale eluded to post match Ben Cabango was lucky to not see red within the first thirty seconds or so as he looked to all like he had fouled Chris Willock when he was through on goal. But to the relief of the majority of the Swansea.com Stadium the referee was unmoved.
If that had been any time other than the first minute you’d imagine that would have been a sending off and it surely helped spur the Swans on as they bid to get a first win in eight at home.
There was plenty of energy and purpose from the home team regularly catching QPR on their heels with balls into space behind their defence. Indeed it didn’t take long for Piroe to be making his mark as the Swans were awarded a penalty.
Jimmy Dunne had been penalised for a handball which saw the home team awarded a second penalty in three games but Piroe’s spot kick was thwarted by Dieng.
It wasn’t a bad penalty either but Dieng got down smartly to his left to palm away the low effort and Swansea fans started to think that it wasn’t going to be our day.
But those thoughts were quickly dispelled as QPR got caught with a loose ball inside their own half allowing the lively Oli Cooper to drive forward, slip in Piroe and he coolly passed it into the near corner.
Dykes and Chair both had opportunities for QPR but missed with the latter denied by a confident looking Benda in goal before the Swans spurned an opportunity to make it 2-0.
Matt Grimes was then denied by Dieng in what was turning into an entertaining encounter. Cooper again looked impressive in midfield and there was little focus on maintaining the passing in defence and midfield; something that has become more than frustrating for fans at the Swansea.com since Martin was appointed.
In terms of the second half there wasn’t a great deal of chances to talk about. Cabango nodded wide when well placed but crucially and more importantly considering recent events the Swans looked solid.
Beale made a raft of changes to try and turn the encounter but Benda was largely untroubled and you just felt that there wasn’t a huge amount of anger at any time even against a team that had been showing good form of late.
Armstrong Oko-Flex and Luke Cundle both joined the game to make their debuts with the only down point being the shoulder injury suffered to substitute Liam Cullen.
He lasted barely minutes before being replaced and it leaves the Swans without a recognised back up striker unless you count Josh Thomas who is yet to make his first team debut.
There will be work for Martin to do in getting Obafemi back onside (pardon the pun) but things are definitely looking up even though it wasn’t the most emphatic display.
Fans have cried out for less emphasis on possession and more on attack and there was plenty to admire in the way the Swans broke the high line of QPR several times utilising the pace of Sorinola for example.
There will be tougher tests to come but the Swans have climbed away from the relegation zone in the early stages and initially moved within three points of the play-offs despite the largely woeful start.
Birmingham City next up. We will see if the new fresh approach was a flash in the pan or a dismissal of the much flaunted Russellball system that has been worked on for so long.
MATCH FACTS AND LINE UPS
OTHER CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
LATEST TABLE
NEXT UP FOR THE SWANS
