Swansea v Torquay - The Fan's Views
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| Report By Clive, Gareth and David Hughes |
| A crowd of 3872 including approx 100 from Torquay were present to witness the first game under yet another new management team. Flynn & Reeves received applause before the game, Reeves joined Curtis in the dug out as Flynn went to the directors box. The line up was 4-3-3 with changes to the team. Freestone the back four of Evans O'Leary Theobald and Howard. The midfield of Phillips Jenkins and Lacey, with Williams Watkin and Thomas up front. The thought was right but would the players be the correct balance. The pitch had been watered before the game leaving a puddle on the half way line centre stand side. Without many chances in the first half the team did put more into their performances, but it was mainly huff and puff but no chance of blowing Torquays goal down. The first 15 mins were the usual sparing with Torquay looking the slightly more dangerous with Graham looking very lively for them. We did have one gilt edged opportunity when Williams found himself free inside the box but blazed well over with the goal at his mercy. Not long after Torquay got the only goal of the game. A foul by Jenkins(booked), allowed Graham to fire low from outside the area through the wall and past Rog into the net. Another goal against us that should have been prevented. With many decisions going against us the team and crowd were galvanised into action and for 10mins the crowd made enough noise for a crowd double the size. The team turned on the pressure but that's all it ended up being, as no real threat on goal resulted. Half time had us in two minds. Yes we had seen more commitment than of late, but there still seemed to be no pattern to the play. On many occasions Williams flicked headers forward but Thomas and Watkin were not playing close enough to take benefit. The team did try and keep the tempo up as the second half started, but soon the play de-generated into hopeful balls forward which did not trouble the Torquay defence. We had simply run out of any ideas and the final quarter of the game saw very little action in either penalty area. Wood did replace Williams but he never got into the game. With 15mins to go Dave Smith replaced Lacey, resulting in the loudest cheer of the game. Not for Smiths introduction, but for Laceys departure after an inept display. Only one chance for us saw Jenkins break from the half-way line but never really controlling the ball which resulted in a hurried scuffed shot which was easily saved by Deardon. No individual scores. Evans looks happier at right back. Theobald is very uncertain in defence. O'Leary won more balls. Jenkins is better suited in midfield and Lacey well words fail me. In conclusion, for 30mins in the first half it seemed as if the players tried to impress Flynn with more commitment than of late. Unfortunately the football basics are not there, as many passes went astray and very little movement or pattern to the play. Support play is still limited and we can look to Torquay for guidance as every time one of our forwards or midfield players had the ball the were surrounded by 3 Torquay players. 2 tackling and one supporting. A season that started out with optimism is turning out to be one that promises to be a very long few months with our league existence in the balance. Only one days training was available to the new pair. Let's hope that given more time on the training pitch things will improve. Just to prove there is still time for humour. The referee, like many others this season had an appalling game and in the second half showed a yellow and then a red to Torquay player before having it pointed out to him the player had not been booked before. |
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