A fourth win in a row for Swansea City and six goals away from home in a week added to the two against Norwich City on Wednesday, and all of a sudden you get a surge of confidence that feels oh so good.
The second half performance by the Swans on the Devon coast yesterday was more about seeing those words from head coach Michael Duff come to fruition on the field than anything else. There was most certainly a togetherness, even amongst the substitutes who came on to the field to complete a marvellous second half display. That’s not to say the first half was bad, it just wasn’t as free flowing and connected as the second forty five. There were numerous chances for the Swans in the first half, Liam Cullen was too late arriving in the six yard box from a Josh Tymon cross, more on Liam later. However, Cullen manufactured his own opportunity shortly afterwards which was well saved by Plymouth keeper Conor Hazard. Josh Tymon looked dangerous going forwards but that left back slot defensively still needs some work. Tymon came to Swansea with a reputation as a decent defender when attacking, excuse the pun, but showed some frailties and concentration loss when at Stoke City. The twenty four year old though was good value overall and more than an adequate replacement due to the Swans current injury crisis.
Even when the swans went one down, the irrepressible Luke Cundle scoring in the first half for Argyle, you just got the feeling this was going to be Swansea City’s day. At no point did it look like a West Brom or a Preston away, and in no way was it anything like the derby game.
In fact it was a tale of two keepers. One in goal for Plymouth, the aforementioned Hazard and Swans keeper Carl Rushworth - who had a faultless display in goal pulling off three superb saves throughout the game. Bashir Humphreys again looked far more comfortable at centre back and Ben Cabango can take his time recovering from his injury, there is a more than capable replacement in the twenty year old Exeter born defender. In fact it was the Exeter City link that clicked with Matt Grimes, especially in the second half directing matters in midfield, he was born and played there. And Josh Key, not from Exeter, he was born in Torquay but signed for the Swans in the summer from the Grecians. It would be hard to find a poor performance in the Swansea City side at the end of this victory. Jamie Paterson, much to the delight of Duff at the end of the game turned provider for the Swans equaliser crossing for Cullen who headed back across the Argyle goal for a Jerry Yates tap in. Liam is dangerous in these positions, he isn’t suited to a game out on the right wing. When he comes in from that position he is far more dangerous - as he proved getting to the ball incredibly well to guide it back across the Plymouth goal.
Substitution of the season for the Swans so far came when Ollie Cooper (above) came on for his opportunity to impress his head coach. It didn’t take long, in fact just twenty five seconds, as he latched on to lovely pass to rifle in a shot from around twenty five yards. That sent the packed away end in to a delirious state with the sun shining down on a fair few Jacks who had already been making merry all over the city beforehand, as well as the night before. The polish was added when Josh Key was found with a searching pass, he calmly settled himself to fire in the Swans third goal, and boy was he delighted.
Overall if there was to be a best game of the season so far then this would have been it. However there’s something more to consider. Since this run started with the Sheffield Wednesday victory four games ago the performances have gradually got better, not many will argue with that. The domination of the ball has most certainly improved. The management of the game as well. Last season we would have seen the Swans stepping backwards when taking a lead, especially away from home ( not all the time, but some ) this often led to undue pressure on the defence and on numerous occasions the opposition would score, or even go on to win the game. We haven’t really seen that during this run of victories. Norwich did put pressure on the Swans on Wednesday, however, that was more about Norwich playing well than the Swans panicking and defending too deep.
Harry Darling seems to be relishing his role in defence as well. We saw two blinding blocks from him yesterday, and a more organised and focussed player. This was by far an improvement on Norwich which was an improvement on Millwall, which followed the Sheffield Wednesday victory. It’s seen a points return of twelve from twelve, and in those four games the Swans have scored eleven goals. Three goals in three, and two in the game against Norwich. They have conceded just two.
Of course, it can’t go on forever, but there has to be some continuity going in to the Leicester City game in two weeks time. It will be one hell of a tough game, their record in the Championship since relegation is incredible, and they are top. In fact the Swans next fixture see’s the two top form sides in the league clashing. The Swans are top to the Foxes second, on goals scored as well ! Something has to give there.
Duff (above) was delighted post match. "I can't remember what game it was, but I criticised the subs for not impacting the game," ( Pick any of the first five Michael ) It's a squad game. Ollie's come on in the last few games and impacted it. Jay Fulton's been excellent when he's been coming off the bench. Myko affected it last week. Even Walsh and Harrison Ashby. They only came on for the last few minutes, but they're important minutes. I go back to togetherness all the time. When you're not in the team you have a responsibility. Players can't be emotional. They have to understand that if they're not in the team they have to understand why they're not in the team. They can work on it. But their job is to push their colleague. On a matchday support their colleague. They come on and effect it”
The games talking points wouldn’t be concluded without mention of Morgan Whittaker. He looked very out of sorts yesterday. His demeanour and overall body language seemed to display a player who couldn’t live up to the hype. It’s difficult to argue with that because yesterday he didn’t live up to the hype. He was anonymous for long periods reliant upon his fellow attacker Ryan Hardie to create opportunities. It fact I noticed two of his fellow team mates geeing him up. He was doing what he did at Swansea quite often, drifting out to the right hand side, almost hiding, when he didn’t get the pass he wanted on one occasion he stamped his foot on the ground, almost tantrum like. The second in the final period of the game when a pass was played behind him. Again a jumping type two footed tantrum stamp. Morgan had a decent loan at Plymouth last season in league one and that’s the rub, this ain’t no league one, This season he has scored four granted, but from his eleven appearances nine games have drawn a blank.
Winning Championship sides need a firm and learned team ethic. Individuals rarely function in sides that require a team working towards one goal. Still he isn’t Swansea City’s problem now, that’s for Plymouth to work out,
Plymouth Argyle : Hazard; Pleguezuelo, Scarr, Gillesphey; Edwards, Cundle (Azaz 66), Houghton, Mumba (Miller 66); Whittaker, Butcher; Hardie (Waine 82)
Subs: Burton, Warrington, Wright, Randell,
Swansea City : Rushworth; 9 Key, 8 Darling, 7 Humphreys, 7 Tymon; 7 Grimes (c),6 Patino 6 (O.Cooper 67); 6 Lowe 8 ( Kuharevich 90+2), Paterson 7 (Ashby 90+2), Cullen 6 ( Fulton 67); 6. Yates 6 (Walsh 87)
Subs: Fisher, Tjoe-A-On, Naughton, Congreve
Referee : 5/10 Seemed a bit in awe of the occasion, missed the offside for Plymouth’s goal, as did his assistant who twitched his flag slightly but thought better of it. He settled in to it and was relatively on his game in the second half. But the first half was a 0/10.