Rob Davies
Swansea City couldn’t hold on to an early Joel Piroe goal as they were pegged back after another goalkeeping error from Steven Benda at Ashton Gate on Sunday.
Liam Cullen set up Piroe for the opener after a misplaced pass inside the area from Rob Atkinson before a spirited second half Bristol City display saw Antoine Semenyo nod past Benda.
Andi Weimann’s deep cross was headed tamely towards goal but through the German’s hands to take the game to a replay which will happen a week Tuesday in SA1.
Nigel Pearson in the home dugout was a man under pressure after one win in ten – although 80 miles West that’s largely deemed acceptable – so named a strong line up in a bid to make the fourth round of rhe FA Cup.
Russell Martin did likewise with just the one alterration seeing Nathan Wood replace Harry Darling at the back. Morgan Whittaker whilst back at the club was unavailable as he was cup tied.
Benda
Latibeaudiere – Wood – Cabango – Manning
Fulton – Grimes – Allen
Piroe – Cooper – Cullen
As above the Swans started well with good intensity albeit without creating any serious opportunities on goal. Far too often the pass backwards was taken when quicker play could have created a chance.
Some good pressing and a very late Christmas present from Robins defender Atkinson presented the ball to Cullen inside the area before he calmly set up Piroe for an easy finish and 1-0.
It can’t be underestimated how bad Bristol City were in that first half in barely being able to string passes together although Martin could be grateful for the referee’s leniency in dealing with the home side’s penalty appeals.
First Semenyo went down under a challenge from Cabango – a fair shout – and then Cooper took away the legs of Atkinson as he tried to reach the ball but the referee wasn’t interested.
Cabango went down for a short while after a heavy challenge before he was replaced at half time by Harry Darling as the Swans dominated without testing Max O’Leary bar the early gift.
One could only expect a stronger home team in the second half and true enough there was more about them although the reluctance from Martin to make changes before they got on top is frustrating to say the least.
Fulton did have a shot from a tight angle which was palmed away by O’Leary not long after the restart but thereafter the control enjoyed in the first half was no more. Yet again a team exerts some pressure and the cracks appear throughout the team.
I’m not sure whether it’s a leadership issue, a weak spine or just the setup but there is little confidence that the Swans can hold off any team good or bad and the away end became quieter as the half went on.
And whilst Bristol City weren’t creating huge amounts they did look more threatening and were finding gaping holes at the back. Martin said in his post match press conference that there was a system change in the second half although I’m not sure when or where it happened.
After yet another penalty appeal was waved away and Wood got very lucky to only see yellow for what looked a headbutt into the chest of Semenyo inside the area (after the ball had gone) the Robins found a way through.
Some midfield pinball saw the ball at the feet of Weimann and his deep cross to the far post was nodded down by Semenyo and past Benda who was clutching at thin air. I’m still unsure if it went through his gloves or whether he was indeed just a hologram – it mattered little it was 1-1 despite the scoreboard showing 2-0 to Swansea.
Then Weimann seized upon some sloppy passing from the Swans to have an effort 35 yards out which Benda palmed away well before a big push by the away team to avoid a replay and win the tie…?
Not quite. Ntcham, Cundle and Congreve were brought on to little effect and it was another game that drifted away in this sorry run of form.
Hard to summarise as at least we are in the draw for the fourth round but this isn’t a moment for optimism for the fans with such disjointed performances and basic errors from what had been a solid goalkeeper.
Despite what the manager might say we are clearly weak in chance creation and soft at the back. That never gets you anywhere in football and at the moment it looks like this season will carry on much as it has for the last eighteen months – in mid table. Some good results and some bad.
Is that progression? Nine of the eleven out there today were here before Martin stepped in the door and with the window open does anyone have faith in him or the staff identifying the right players to strengthen the team?
I can’t see how anyone can.
MATCH FACTS AND LINE UPS
NEXT UP FOR THE SWANS
