Rob Davies
No Swansea City fan can deny that it’s been a pretty dire season so far and that continued yesterday as only a Chatlie Patino goal rescued a point deep into injury time.
The Terriers were more than happy to sit on their early lead gifted to them from a farcical Ben Cabango own goal and the Swans simply huffed and puffed without really troubling the goalkeeper.
Indeed as baffling as the overall performance was the line-up at 2pm showing numerous changes and the inclusion of 34 year old Kyle Naughton. And when you’re a manager desperate for results perhaps you do go for the older heads?
The selection was baffling in more ways than one as Duff again went defensive in what really was a must win game against a team right down the bottom scrapping for results.
In came Liam Walsh fot his first start in what feels like a decade and Liam Cullen also system again on the right as Jamal Lowe was strangely playing the lone role up front.
Rushworth
Naughton- Cabango – Humphreys – Tymon
Walsh – Grimes – Fulton
Cullen – Lowe – Paterson
If that was an uninspiring line up in a stadium which was clearly closer to a 13k attendance rather than the 14700 crowd announced, then the start summarised the feeling that seems to be surrounding the football club at the moment.
One misplaced pass in midfield by Fulton was intercepted allowing a quick break down the left by Jahiem Headley with his cross resulting in Cabango flicking past a stranded Rushworth for the worst possible start.
The malaise that is felt around Swansea at the moment was demonstrated by the reaction on the pitch by a team that still looks like a group of strangers. Probably not helped by the statuesque vision of the manager sat on the bench. A man short of ideas it would seem.
Fulton did have an opportunity to level but the keeper blocked his effort from close range whilst the Swans did have numerous corners none of which resulted in a clear chance.
Danny Ward, formerly of Cardiff could have put Darren Moore’s men two up before the break but his free header was straight at Rushworth as the whistle blew and the boos rang from all corners.
Three changes were made as Duff altered his formation with Bolasie, Darling and Yates on for Humphreys, Naughton and Cullen in what looked a very important 45 minutes for his managerial career.
And it was Bolasie who brought some real impetus to Swans attacks with his surprising pace at the age of 34 matched by some good end product. Balls into the box were dangerous and one volley in particular got fans off their seat suggesting he may be worthy of a contract longer than the two months he’s currently on.
But within a few minutes of the second half starting Yates should have levelled. The confidence shorn striker was presented with the ball clear on goal after a defensive error but his pace and first touch evaded him with the former Blackpool man ending in a heap pleading for a spot kick which he was never going to get.
Darling was thwarted by a good save with the goalkeeper’s feet as the Swans exerted pressure without really looking like pulling level since the initial impact from Bolasie.
Huddersfield had doubled up on him by this point which left Duff with just two more throws of the dice introducing Patino and Key for Walsh and Fulton.
And it was the former who made his mark despite not being involved for the past five games as he won the ball (potentially a foul) and fed Paterson. He then returned the ball to Patino striding towards goal and his left footed effort flew into the corner.
Remarkably with four minutes of injury time left there was time for a winner which should have come as Darling met a corner but it flew over the bar. The amount of chances Darling has missed this season and good opportunities at that can only be described as criminal.
Unsurprisingly the final whistle was greeted by boos as the remaining fans vented their anger after yet another game without a win at home. The boos only got louder as Duff made his way over to the East Stand…
This is fast becoming a runaway train in the wrong direction. There’s little hope amongst the supporters and in Michael Duff we appear to have a manager who looks as far out of his depth as Bob Bradley was in the Premier League.
He was brought in to deliver results. Right now he simply isn’t and before long the club will have a decision to make. The recruitment has been far from ideal but my belief is that this squad is still far better than what we are seeing.
He’s been backed and is performing extremely poorly. That is undeniable.
Where do we go from here?
MATCH FACTS AND LINE UPS
OTHER CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
LATEST TABLE
NEXT UP FOR THE SWANS
It was Grimes who misplaced the pass for the Huddersfield goal, not Fulton. The ball was intended for him, but easily read by the opposition.
It was obvious before the end of August that Duff was out of his depth. We. Saw the same with Bradley.
Only the upheaval of behind the scenes intervention changed the mood of the players after the Cardiff surrender. HarryP pointed out, Grimes passed the ball to the Huddersfield player then made no effort to stop the cross. Grimes had a very poor game with many miss passes and failure to take passes from other players.
As the players came out they looked like they had little interest. Thank goodness for Bolasie.
I don’t like calling for someone to lose their job but for the greater good we much release Duff.