The Swans went down 2-1 at Whaddon Road, Cheltenham yesterday evening with a number of supporters baffled by the reasoning behind head coach, Alan Sheehan’s selections. Many asking what he got from the game that he can call a positive
We can only look at this game in isolation, the first full match over ninety minutes this summer. An early blow which saw Ricardo Santos limp from the field scuppering Sheehan’s immediate plans. That forced Jay Fulton into a form of centre back role. With Eom missing but recovering slowly and Ben Cabango not named as a precaution the Swans had two key figures out of this game. Overall this fixture was sluggish and lacked any real temperature or creativity throughout. And that deteriorated more so with wholesale changes of academy players coming on in the second half.
The missing factor in the Swans case was pace, there seemed to be none, and definitely no real desire to put that extra effort in to impose themselves on the game. The Swans had chances, Ronald tripping over his feet when in on goal, a Franco effort on the volley and a Josh Key chance early on was missed. Liam Cullen got a few shots away but with no impact as the mediocre pace continued. Zeidane Inoussa looked the best of the Swans players on the pitch in the first forty five (well, forty three minutes) He did attempt to get forwards out on the Swans left. He was looking for some form of relationship with Melker Widell, but nothing really went right. Because of the slow pace, basically it was walking football from the Swans, a clear lack of direction or glue in player movement was evident. Misplaced passes, runs not being seen and an overall lethargic look will be the lasting memory of this friendly.
The slowness of thought and determination brought about mistakes.
What was pleasing to see was the work between Ethan Galbraith and Josh Key, as he went forwards Ethan positioned himself well, dropping into cover which secured the outlet that we have seen open in many games previously. It wasn’t quite ‘Russell Martinball’ as someone shouted in the estimated one thousand Swans away support (below) but it was frustrating. The call for a more mobile and clever striker will now increase as on this showing both Liam Cullen and Zån Vipotnik struggled and offered very little. A word on Bobby Wales, he scored in Spain last weekend, and once again got on the end of a low cross into the box. He was there and he made contact, unfortunately for Bobby his shot skewed wide. There’s definitely something in there for sure.
Alan Sheehan wants to see crisp and quick passing with chances created, but he didn’t see much evidence last night. Some head shaking was seen from the Swans bench and when the wholesale changes were made the whole picture went down the pan. The pace slowed even more with little or no effort from the youngsters. Players like Cameron Congreve and Joel Cotterill will have every right to be disappointed, they needed to add value but were unable to make an impact. With Fulton left on the pitch as some form of mentor or guide for the last half an hour he looked lost and unable to inspire his team. Andy Fisher played forty five minutes - seeing his post rattled twice, and for both goals conceded they can only be described as shocking defending. The second Cheltenham goal just embarrassing.
As we have said we are taking this game in isolation, and realise there are two more games to come over the next ten days or so. Throwing on so many youngsters was a mistake, it’s hard surely for Sheehan to make any judgement as so many academy players struggled with much that they had to do. When you watch a Swans team you want to see endeavour and flair, accompanied by the type of football that inspires and excites. That may well come in time but the performance last night will have to be described as, in the words of Paul Merson, ‘one of those’
Robins boss, Michael Flynn was extremely pragmatic after his sides win. "It’s a pre-season game and it's good to come through with no injuries. I've just said that to the players. Win, lose or draw, I have seen a lot of good things tonight. There are a lot of things we can work on, no different to Saturday (shipping three goals against Wycombe Wanderers). We have played against a good Championship side and especially in the first half, with the names they had out there, we held our own. Yes, they had loads of possession, but I am sure if Swansea went and played Man City or Liverpool, Man City or Liverpool will have that kind of possession, so that's the gulf we are dealing with. I am proud of the players tonight because first and foremost it was a good fitness exercise”
Some will fall out with Sheehan’s comments post match to the official Swans site, but he seemed happy enough. "That was another good exercise for us in terms of some of the things we have been working on. There were some pleasing aspects, over the first half, the first hour really, we showed good signs with the ball and just needed to be a bit more clinical. I liked a lot of the stuff we did, even if there are a number of things we know we need to work on and get better at. But that’s where we are at, at the moment, there are good bits and things to get better at but it’s more valuable time for the players”
You have to give Sheehan some leeway here, along with his coaching staff he has a clear plan and methodology this summer. After the game and on reflection he does need a few more players in that will strengthen and put pressure on his first choices come Middlesbrough away on August 9th. Sourcing a goalscorer isn’t easy but the trust that the club places in their ‘scouting’ team, researching and working tirelessly isn’t over yet. There will be we are sure more to come. Nothing is simple and he Swans support have been spoilt this summer, not least with the financial additions of Luka Modrić and Snoop Dogg from a commercial point of view.
Yes, we have taken this game as a whole - and now we sit back and reflect some more with two more friendlies to come before the big kick off. Rome wasn’t built in a day by all accounts and if it was, it’s about 1.30pm at the moment and we are salivating and looking for more. There is a great thirst this summer for news every day, and the reaction overall from certain quarters on this game hasn’t been good. But let us all be realistic.
Expectations are high, and this season won’t spin on this performance whilst this game will be quickly forgotten. We move on to Exeter City away this coming Saturday (1pm)