We are always looking for new ways to explain a game or get some more valuable insight in to why a result went a specific way. This time we look at our own stats and that of WhoScored.Com to review yesterdays 0-0 draw with Coventry City.
Going in to the game we saw some of the strengths and weaknesses of both sides. Swans fans will be familiar with some of the weaknesses for sure, and both sides indicated there could have been goals, however they cancelled each other out. It was a tactically sound game for both sides bar a few mishaps. Swansea were caught offside on numerous occasions playing into the hands of the sky blues as indicated below.
There are six games to go in this years EFL Championship campaign and yesterday saw a stalemate, much to our predictive surprise for the Swans v Sky Blues game. Both sides had some incredible chances to score, not least Joel Piroe at the start of the second half and Gustavo Hamer in the first forty five when one on one with the keeper. That aside Olivier Ntcham ( below ) had numerous rasping shots at goal, two of which were exceptionally close to opening up the scoring, His strike in the second half had it gone in would have been goal of the season.
There was a reluctance at times for the Swans to move positively forwards, but nowhere near as frustrating as we have seen in recent times. It was indeed a decent 0-0 draw to watch there were numerous shots and breakaways, we most certainly saw a few goalkeeping saves from both Wilson and Fisher to keep us interested as the game went on.
Head coach Russell Martin spoke of his goalkeeper Andy Fisher post match. "He did brilliantly. To come through what he's come through, he's been so frustrated and disappointed with certain things, but he has a brilliant relationship with us, Dean (Thornton) and the rest of the players.Everyone helps each other get through here, I think that's the most important bit, whether you're having a brilliant time or a tough one, we stick together”
On the game itself. "I thought it was a really good game, I thought it was two good teams," added Martin ( pictured below ) They have two really good chances in the game. One we gifted to them with Hamer in the first half and then in the second half with Godden, Fish makes two brilliant saves. I'm really pleased for Fish today, the courage he showed and the clean sheet for him and the team. Two clean sheets in three now. We created some really excellent chances. Joel Piroe toes it wide. The double chance we have at the start of the second half, we should score. The lads are really frustrated we haven't won the game which I'm pleased about. It's a big turnaround in the last three games, it's seven points, two clean sheets and three really good performances that look like us."
Liam Walsh once again showed how valuable a player he could be next season playing in another game and making his third start in a row. His agility and vision was there for all to see in this game. His attacking quality from midfield opened up the Sky Blues on numerous occasions. Especially in the first half. He made the Swans Indy man of the match just ahead of Ntcham.
Matt Grimes was incisive, in fact more so with his head up when on the ball and looking to move forwards. The Swans captain has at times been criticised for his negative style of play but yesterday we saw a precise and willing Grimes to recycle the ball and create opportunities especially when moving the ball out to his left to Ryan Manning.
The game displayed the Swans in a far better light than at the start of the year when the January window disappointments were evident moving in to late February. From there though there has been a gradual improvement even when losing at Millwall before this short run started. On Monday Swansea City take on Wigan Athletic away in Greater Manchester and with their hosts now in desperate mode and having to win it will be a fiercely competitive game for sure. You can as ever be certain we will carry all the build up to this game and an extensive report on the outcome here on the Indy.