Regardless of what anyone says about yet another late late goal which deprived the swans of the honours it was a much better performance all round for Russell Martin’s Swansea City. However, yet again it signifies a lack of character in the Swansea defence which concedes goals late on as if it’s a given part of their game.
Swansea City had more than enough chances to take the three points without all the late drama yet again at the Britannia stadium. Failure to take those chances meant the high ball punt in to the swans penalty area beat the away side who in the first half beat Stoke at their own game. The industrious Oli Cooper left the field in the second half and the introduction of Jamie Paterson and Olivier Ntcham, once staples of the Swansea game meant commitment centrally was lacking. And that’s where you have to look for any blame in this game.
If that’s your thing.
If ball watching was a quality and failure to be strong and make the right decision on the ball then all three second half substitutions were the reason why the swans didn’t take all three points. Michael Obafemi as well was headless in his running, and when he did have an opportunity to make a difference he ran straight in to trouble. In the morning if Swansea bag ten million pounds for this player certain swans fans will be happy.
Despite a nervy start at the Britannia Swansea City grew into the game tonight. A completely different mindset from the starting eleven in this game that at last included aggression and at times even a bit of pace was most welcome. The swans even presented their hosts with four opportunities from this dreadful restart idea between the keeper and Kyle Naughton, all of which Stoke failed to capitalise on. Other poor passing routines out from the back also frustrated the very decent travelling swans support.
Joel Piroe opened the scoring on six minutes after an invigorated Matt Sorinola provided him with an inch perfect pass to slide his shot in to the Stoke net. It was a wonderfully worked goal and from the possession and chances was a bit of a shock to the home support. From there on in the swans had by far the better chances, on two occasions Piroe was inches short in front of goal after Sorinola and Ryan Manning both tormented the potters defence.
Acknowledgment has to be made as well to the work rate and industry of Oli Cooper in midfield, he was relentless in his chasing and harassing of the Stoke midfield. Joe Allen as well on his first return to Stoke since he left in the summer was everywhere, providing space and options as the swans moved forwards. It was a pleasure to watch despite those silly meanderings in defence which could have easily seen Stoke get a goal or two.
Based on that the second half performance Russell Martin will take numerous positives. A lack of quality from Piroe when he found himself in space is one thing, but playing more centrally he was actually in those positions to make those errors. If he remains a swans player tomorrow he will add so much more to the side if he is played in that position. Mention has to be made to Jay Fulton who despite his lack of pace he was as much a positive as any player on the pitch tonight. He had his chances too.
The Stoke equaliser always felt it was on its way with Swansea’s previous behaviour in defence this season. Despite heroics from Nathan Wood who got his head to six Stoke corners the usual disarray in the swans box enabled the potters to equalise. Okay, it’s not all bad the swans were far better than they have been all season away from home, but there will be disappointment that the one point gained wasn’t three.
Russell Martin for once will be right that his side was the best, but the result didn’t reflect that, and that what hurts the most. The swans are out of the bottom three and Queens Park Rangers are next up at home on Saturday afternoon.
The stats.
Stoke City: Jack Bonham, Morgan Fox, Aden Flint, Sam Clucas, Lewis Baker (captain), Jacob Brown, Dwight Gayle (Tyrese Campbell 68), Jordan Thompson (Will Smallbone 68), Ben Wilmot, Liam Delap, Connor Taylor (Tariqe Fosu-Henry 68)..
Unused Substitutes: Joe Bursik, Phil Jagielka, D'margio Wright-Phillips, Tom Saprrow.
Swansea City: Andy Fisher; Nathan Wood, Kyle Naughton, Harry Darling; Matty Sorinola (Michael Obafemi 79), Joe Allen, Jay Fulton (Olivier Ntcham 69), Matt Grimes (captain), Ryan Manning; Ollie Cooper (Jamie Paterson 69); Joel Piroe.
Unsued Substitutes: Steven Benda, Luke Cundle, Liam Cullen, Armstrong Oko-Flex.
Referee: David Webb 7/10