The swans finished off their Scotland trip with a run of the mill win against Dundee United at Tannadice this afternoon. The midday kick off didn’t deter a number of Swansea City supporters attending the game.

When we say run of the mill, it was and Russell Martin clearly has signalled his intent to stick with the players he knows and who have gotten the club to eighth in the league this season. Everything we know about Swansea was on display, huge amounts of possession, some exquisite football at times and of course the difficulty they have in opening up defences. United were clearly well versed in their job today, most of their team behind the ball making it very difficult for the swans to breach the home defence.

When they did, as we have seen all season the final ball nearly in every instance was lacking. The other noticeable thing was the endeavour when in the opponents penalty area. Easily knocked off the ball or out of position was the story of the first half. However, take nothing away from the swans they had a plan, they stuck with it, and went in at half time one goal up through Jamie Paterson. Rounding the goalkeeper he calmly slotted away his opportunity as the half drew to a close.

Other sides in the championship, and there are numerous would have seen the weakness on the left hand side of the swans defence, Joel Latibeaudiere failing to see runners in behind him, luckily Dundee United are not the best of sides, and if the game against Hearts - and again today is representative of the standard of Scottish Premier League football, it isn’t high. There are a multiple of sides in the championship who would have taken far more liberties with the terrors defence today. The swans just seemed happy to retain possession and look for the odd opening.

Matt Grimes was the pivot again, and Ryan Manning a willing runner. Words too for Brandon Cooper who looked strong and calm in the defence. Despite missing Olivier Ntcham, Joe Allen, Ollie Cooper, Ben Cabango, Michael Obafemi and Harry Darling all of whom would have featured in a starting eleven potentially, the swans never really looked under threat. The second half up to the nine changes on seventy five minutes carried on much the same as the first. A lovely route one ball through from Matt Grimes for Ryan Manning to slot home a second goal was deserved.

In front of goal Joel Piroe looked slow and Matt Sorinola missed what would be described as an absolute sitter as well. Apart from that there wasn’t really a lot to shout about. The possession was good, and it was quicker than we have recently seen, but the same issues were also there. Jamie Paterson deserves a mention, he does look a lot fresher these days and will most certainly feature in the remaining four games of this year. Russell Martin will be happy with todays game, his team did exactly as he wanted and never looked under pressure.

The introduction of nine Swansea substitutions with fifteen minutes to go was counter productive. Swansea never looked anything like a team from there on in. Dundee United had a couple of half chances but they never really looked to threaten the swans. To change so many players with that amount of time to play is something only Russell Martin can explain, but Swansea City have completed their break away with another win.

The real tests start again next Saturday when the swans take on Norwich City at the swansea.com with a 3pm kick off.

Dundee United: Jack Newman, Liam Smith (Matthew Cudjoe 65), Charlie Mulgrew (Scott McCann 46), Ross Graham, Ilmari Niskanen (Rory MacLeod 46), Steven Fletcher (Tony Watt 46), Arnaud Djoum (Craig Sibbald 46), Ryan Edwards (captain), Glenn Middleton, Archie Meekison, Ian Harkes (Jamie McGrath 46).

Unused subs: Mark Birighitti, Carljohan Eriksson, Sadat Happy Anaku, Flynn Duffy, Finn Robson, Miller Thomson.

Swansea City: Steven Benda (Andy Fisher 75), Ryan Manning (Armstrong Oko-Flex 75), Jay Fulton (Joel Cotterill 75), Matt Grimes (captain) (Cameron Congreve 75), Jamie Paterson (Matty Sorinola 65), Brandon Cooper (Harry Jones 75), Joel Piroe (Liam Cullen 75), Luke Cundle (Ben Lloyd 75), Joel Latibeaudiere (Fin Stevens 75), Nathan Wood (Nathanael Ogbeta 75), Kyle Naughton (Azeem Abdulai 75).

Unused sub: Archie Matthews.

Photograph ©Swansea City AFC

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