S25/26 | The Official Match Thread | Swansea 1 Birmingham 1 | Att: 16,753 | 17.01.26 | The EFL Championship | The Swansea.com Stadium

[Moorlands]

I can see my old Dad now, in my minds eye, grumbling that 'we threw it away'.
Still a good watch and we look like a better team theses recent days.I wouldn't fault the players ,
The ref had an odd game,on balance he seemed biased towards Birmingham if only by failing to book their blatent shirt pullng and bodily pulling back.No serial diving in the game today ,in my view at least.
Hopefully we will click soon.

 

[Mamaswan]

Franco, Fulton and Widdell were amazing tonight. The first two look like different players under Matos. The energy in first half was wonderful to watch and the home crowd was loving it. The equaliser coming when we were a man down was gutting.
That bloody ref though.

 

[Resolvenjack]

With this squad we’re not progressing from mid table. It’s a mid table squad. We won’t finish any higher than 10th or lower than 15th. It is what it is.

I'll take that all day long this season.

 

[eteb]

s

I'll take that all day long this season.

yes and give it a go next season. I think we will under matos too.

 

[Rhoshilljacks]

Genuine question. Is it possible that the ref had forgotten to pack his cards? Normally I'd put it down to a very fairly played game, however, Brum in particular did a lot of pulling back on shirts, which normally automatically means a yellow. I actually think he had no cards on him.

I was thinking the same thing!

 

[Flash]

s

yes and give it a go next season. I think we will under matos too.

Yeah I’m excited to give him a preseason with the players. He’s worked wonders coaching players individually in the little time they’ve had with such a hectic schedule

 

[cadleigh]

Just got home after the game and have to ask if Innoussa was fouled in the area late on. I thought he’d been dragged to the floor well inside the area. Did anyone see this?

I did and he was. He did have his arm around the defender but no way was it 50:50 (like the Sky commentator insisted).

 

[Birchgrovejack]

I did and he was. He did have his arm around the defender but no way was it 50:50 (like the Sky commentator insisted).

The defender wasn't even facing the direction of the ball. Never mind looking at it. I think VAR gives it myself.

 

[cmajack]

Franco, Fulton and Widdell were amazing tonight. The first two look like different players under Matos. The energy in first half was wonderful to watch and the home crowd was loving it. The equaliser coming when we were a man down was gutting.
That bloody ref though.

Widdell has tremendous energy, but if I'm being honest i was hoping for more from him by now. Hope he was going to create more chances and be linking up with Vipotnik more, and also be weighing in with a goal or two. At this moment he just seems a similar player to Ollie Cooper.

 

[Rhoshilljacks]

A very decent performance, could and should have won. Let’s be realistic, we are far from the finished article, certainly not capable of getting anywhere promotion yet.

But in no time flat Matos has turned us from a complete mess with no identity and usually always second best, into a competitive and pretty dangerous team, all with a squad he inherited. It’s clear where we are lacking but there’s a real and visible structure and work ethic in place.
The press in the front third is leading to a lot of chances but we are lacking the quality/belief to capitalise. Widell is really starting to show some ability but can’t do more than 60 mins at the moment, and that was the best I’ve seen from Franco this season, he was popping up everywhere in the first half, but also burnt out. Then there’s the fact of hitting the woodwork 3 times, we’d struggle to get 3 touches in the opposition’s area earlier this season, at least we now pose a threat.
I don’t want to have dig at Sheehan, he kept us up last season, but he had to go along with his ‘crew’. We needed a complete regime change in the coaching staff, we got one and it appears to be paying off, let’s hope we continue the upward trajectory. In a year’s time, if we play our cards right we could be sniffing around the playoffs.

 

[WentToSchoolWith]

Widdell's work rate unlike anything I've ever seen before. Tried to find stats on how much ground he covers, but was unable to.

Did find this, however - he's effectively in the top 5% in the league (at worst) for every individual metric off the ball

 

[Ringwood]

Just back... really enjoyed the game. Thought Franco was excellent throughout and Fulton played well.

My bug bear though was Cullen the lone striker again...this just doesn't work especially with Cabango launching long balls to him. Maybe giving Wales a go might give us a better option.

Saw Brum fans at Membury and they said they were fortunate to get a point.

What a quandary Galbraith is... great quality, is his best position for us a RB?

 

[3swan]

Just back... really enjoyed the game. Thought Franco was excellent throughout and Fulton played well.

My bug bear though was Cullen the lone striker again...this just doesn't work especially with Cabango launching long balls to him. Maybe giving Wales a go might give us a better option.

Saw Brum fans at Membury and they said they were fortunate to get a point.

What a quandary Galbraith is... great quality, is his best position for us a RB?

The 2 games against them should have seen us with the 4 points and them 1 not the other way around.

Out main problems although improving is being able to continue a high press.
Also taking the better options in the final third.

 

[Ringwood]

The 2 games against them should have seen us with the 4 points and them 1 not the other way around.

Out main problems although improving is being able to continue a high press.
Also taking the better options in the final third.

Yes I agree... the press second half dropped off also our midfield dropped deeper allowing them to push up the field and pin us in. Then we went long to both Ronald and Cullen which just wasted possession. Another day one of two of those woodwork attempts go in.

Matos is definitely improving the players some more than others.

 

[sit_down_jack]

Thought that was our best league performance this season to be honest. Created multiple good moments and quality chances. Hit the crossbar 3 times. On most other days it’s 3 points. Our performances are trending upwards and we’re starting to click. Widell and his work-rate are absolutely vital to us.

We do have to start finishing some chances soon though.

If I have a sticking point, I’d have to say that our defence isn’t always as solid as it could be. We’re active in blocking and cutting down shooting angles but we seem to just have lapses at times. That goal against us was quite preventable to be honest. Not going to complain too much though.

Matos is doing an excellent job and I can’t wait to see what we’re like once he gets some of his signings in.