On reflection the post match talk with head coach Alan Sheehan did little to appease numerous supporters within the medium of social media, if that indeed can be a gauge. Our own forum wasn't at all happy either, and very few saw any positives from this fixture.
Being the man responsible for the tactics, and unable to direct matters from the bench when they were visibly requiring intervention is our take from this 2-2 draw. That’s a concern, it’s no good seeing all these issues that Sheehan spoke about post match and not doing anything visibly positive about it during the game. This is the problem when managers reflect back on the game and note the errors and obvious moments or tactics that are happening in front of them. If it’s going wrong or as Sheehan stated, "We were not able to control as much of the second half as we would have liked, the game became a bit end-to-end and we got deeper and deeper. That meant the spaces got bigger as the game went on and we allowed them more chances today than we have over most of the season so far”
It needs addressing.
Well, surely that’s because the negativity was so obvious - the panic to defend a lead takes over the actual mindset to win the game ? It’s natural human psychology. One minute you’re winning and the next you are dropping back, not playing well and the defensive side of your game gets all the pressure. The other issue is this game was floating away minutes after the Swans took the lead for a second time. The whole mindset changed, and if Sheehan is talking about that half an hour after the game, and those issues went on for at least twenty five minutes, why on earth did he not get to grips as the head coach and sort it out ?
That game was easily won with an attacking frame of mind after that second Swansea goal, there was an obvious two minute spell after that where Hull had lost their concentration. That was the time to screw down the game. Why Ronald preferred back passes when he had the speed to pass his marker and Eom the same is a mystery. Josh Key and Tymon both tried to force the side forwards, but every time the ball ended up back at the feet of Ben Cabango who then walked forwards or gave the ball to Cameron Burgess (who I’m still unsure about when the ball is at his feet) and back it came again. Nobody stepped up and made the game their own. Ethan Galbraith tried and despite or inspite of his efforts the negative mindset often saw passages of play again end up on the half way line.
The whole Swans game drifted away from them with such poor passing and decision making it made you wonder if the eleven on the pitch knew what was wanted from them. You can only say they knew what to do, but they didn’t know how to do it ! Teams only win games by scoring goals, Swansea City are not brilliant at protecting leads especially with so much pressure brought about by whatever instructions the players were trying to play to.
Had it not been for Lawrence Vigouroux in goal that was the away sides three points. It was bad enough watching the can opener being placed on the heads of the Swans defence after taking the lead, had Hull won the game our attitude on this website would be a lot harsher. This was no better to last season at times with Luke Williams, it was an arduous watch, in fact some are now citing it was no different or maybe even worse than Martinball.
However, the side is still simmering according to Alan Sheehan, and we get that. Yes they need time overall to get to know each other. But those instances of messing about that eventually led to the Swans dropping points has nothing to do with any of that. That’s pure negativity and that conditioned mental attitude which we hear that assistant head coach, Darren O’Dea is so good at needs to be making more of an impact. It’s no good thinking that the players have that in their locker when the first time it is really tested it doesn’t work.
Of course this is an assessment of the game in isolation, but it has been coming. We are obviously behind our head coach and want him to succeed but games like yesterday will not help his case. The Swans cannot be seen to be doing this on Wednesday in the League Cup at home to Nottingham Forest (8pm) and especially away next weekend at Birmingham City (12.30pm) They are hurting after their loss at Stoke City yesterday and will be looking to put that right.
So now we move on to Nottingham Forest and looking at the take up for that game not that many took the opportunity to buy tickets yesterday. We no doubt will see Andy Fisher return between the sticks for that one and it’s a prime opportunity to see Samuels -Smith and Emanuel Benson start a game. But there shouldn’t be too much tinkering, especially with Sheehan stating they need a bit more time to gel.
A win in midweek would be a huge boost for the players confidence, something for them to hold on to as proof that this team is assembled to win games, not bizarrely throw them away. We shall see, but Sheehan has been given the tools, and expectations are very high. It’s down to him and his staff to manage that positively.
There can be no repeat of yesterday whatsoever.
⚽️ Read our match report, stats , exclusive pics and ratings here Saturday match report
⚽️ Watch Alan Sheehan’s post match interview here
⚽️ Extended highlights below