Rob Davies
What a difference a week makes in football and after six points in two games things certainly seem altogether rosier down in SA1.
Last week’s victory against Norwich couldn’t be described as anything other than hard fought with plenty of grit and determination and there was once again no shortage at Coventry.
The first half showed plenty of quality with two well taken goals by two Welshmen Liam Cullen and Ollie Cooper before an unfortunate deflection brought the hosts back into it.
But despite lightning and heavy rain, the Swans held on to a well deserved win against what most would expect to be a promotion pushing side come the end of the season, much like Norwich last week.
Josh Tymon returned to the team in place of Kyle Naughton in the sole change from that game in what is becoming a reasonably settled team.
(4-2-3-1) Vigoroux
Key – Cabango – Darling – Tymon
Grimes – Franco
Ronald – Cooper – Eom
Cullen
And it was a strong start enjoyed by Luke Williams’ men taking advantage of the tiredness of the home team after leading Tottenham for 88 minutes in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
The Sky Blues were very impressive then but appeared lethargic and slow to react as the Swans tried to get down the sides and take advantage of former player Jake Bidwell at left back.
The opener came from a free kick with the usually profligate Matt Grimes delivering into the box for Cullen to strike from six yards out.
That was probably no more than we deserved for an enterprising opening with Ollie Coopet in particular one to impress. His Wales start seems to have done wonders for the confidence.
And that energy and pressing was rewarded as the home team failed to close Cooper down as he roamed in off the left. No challenge came which allowed him to beat a couple and curl right footed into the bottom left corner.
2-0 and Coventry had offered little to confirm their fans’ belief that they should be challenging right at the top. I guess having three forwards that cost ยฃ20m combined generally does bring that entitlement?
Just as the Swans looked to be cruising towards the break comfortably they were given a shot in the arm as former Huddersfield man Rudoni struck from 25 yards out via a huge deflection from poor Ronald.
The Brazilian has looked off colour the past few weeks and needs to focus on what he does best but in reality he could have done nothing to stop what eventually went down as an own goal.
It was very nearly 2-2 as Robins’ men struck the bar and then forced Vigouroux – fast becoming a cult hero – into a point blank save to preserve the lead.
In truth the second half was expected to bring an onslaught from the home team which didn’t really come. A couple of chances and a pretty fair penalty claim apart, the Swans were comfortable.
Ronald could have made things even more comfortable but slammed the post from just inside the box as the rain and lightning brought a halt to proceedings for five minutes or so.
That led to a nine minute injury time at the end of the game but this new found confidence and grit never really looked like bring penetrated to give Williams six points in a very satisfying week.
It’s even nicer when them up the road sit miserably on one point (which was gifted to them shall we say?) and one goal scored after six played.
Now onto Bristol City next Sunday with a third straight win a tantalising prospect in the early stages of the Championship season.
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