A proper fightback spoilt by poor defending saw the Swans take a point from Bramall Lane from two goals down. Really, when the chances are analysed and opportunities to clear the ball reviewed it should have been three points coming back to west Wales.

The Swans started this game with no Ethan Galbraith who was injured in the international break leaving a serious problem at right back with Josh Key also out for at least another week.

Sheffield United looked the better side creating a few problems for the Swans very early on, in turn we saw Malick Yalcouyé involved in and around the opposition midfield, busy and willing to create opportunities. The Blades were targeting the Swans right where Joel Ward was picked as third choice right back. The thirty six year old perceived a weaker opponent than Josh Tymon on the other side ? That would become evident. Ronald broke on eleven minutes but his cross in wasn’t good at all. Seconds later it was all hands to the pumps as a mad scramble came out in the Swans favour fortunately.

The initial issues for the Swans going forwards were the likes of Zān Vipotnik and supporting midfielders not advanced enough to gather in loose balls. Melker Widell was the outlet on the Swans left but balls into him were poor. Then on fifteen minutes Gustavo Harmer broke free with a distraction on Joel Ward’s right leaving him to back off too much. Taking his chance Harmer took the ball on and nicely curled his shot into the back of the Swans net. It was atrocious defending, and it was so obvious what the outcome would be. If the Swans want to be taken seriously next season then this defensive unit needs a big shot in the arm.

The same issues started to surface for the Swans when on the ball, short passes leaving players unable to gather the ball and losing possession. The other issue was the Blades press up front, it was being well implemented. Being reliably informed that the Swans give the ball away once every three times when in the opponents last third this was going to be a tricky test. However, a nice ball through to Melker Widell saw him brought down but referee Dean Whitestone ignored the Swans pleas. Moments later Franco was very clearly brought down by Blades keeper, Adam Davies, it was so obvious a penalty there was no disputing the award. Vipotnik took the penalty and calmly placed his shot to the keepers left.

The sides were level.

On twenty seven minutes Cameron Burgess presented the home side with an opportunity again, just as we have seen so often he was totally unaware and far too casual when on the ball. It isn’t his game so why employ him to do that ? That excellent chance was spurned by the Blades, fortunately for Burgess. But why !

The half hour passed with the sides still level.

It was now more of a midfield battle with both sides looking to benefit from quicker and a faster passing pace. On thirty two minutes the home side had a corner. That corner was taken short and somehow the Blades went offside near enough on the Swans byline.

A wonderful move after Yalcouyé was nastily fouled (ignored by the referee) which Widell latched on to feeding Vipotnik who got his shot away but was saved by the Blades keeper. It was a real opportunity to take the lead. On thirty eight minutes referee Whitestone completely ignored two
awful challenges on Widell and Vipotnik, the latter quite obviously targeted when the Swans were pressing on the edge of the home area.

On forty one minutes Ward was again exposed as he was for the Blades opening goal. A cross into the Swans area was met by Patrick Bamford who had his attempt blocked. Both sides were pretty even moving towards the break, nobody would be surprised on the balance of play should either side be leading. When Yalcouyé was robbed of the ball in a dangerous area the ball reached Harmer who on this occasion put his shot well over the bar into the away fans. Then we saw a yellow card for Yalcouyé, apparently for swearing. A brief passage before the whistle saw Bamford have a great chance to put his side head. He was well challenged and the loose ball was cleared by Tymon who was clearly brought down in front of the referee’s assistant. Tymon went apoplectic as another awful foul went unpunished. Some of the tackles being put in by Sheffield United were excessively dangerous, and in two cases leg breakers.

Warning signs from the first forty seven minutes. 1. Referee is favouring the home side in key instances, the penalty he had no choice about. We are seeing a 50% success rate in passing in the final third for the Swans, that has to change. Plus the usual loss of possession and poor passing in the first third.

No changes for both sides for the second half. The Swans were first to threaten with a free kick by Tymon. Then a similar free kick for the Blades, both were wasted. On fifty one minutes somehow the Blades cleared a shot from Widell which looked like it had gone over. Then seconds later from that miss Harrison Burrows arrowed a shot which evaded Vigouroux to put the home side 2-1 up. If you want to explain how this season has gone for Swansea City show them that one minute clip. It tells you all you need to know.

It has to be said it was a superb cross from Ronald for that Widell effort. It was now end to end. A corner on fifty seven minutes for the Blades as Liam Cullen and Gustavo Nunes waited to enter the field of play. Off went Yalcouyé for Cullen and Ronald made way for Nunes. The Blades also made two subs. The picky fouls were still being committed by the Blades, another free kick by the Swans just sailed out of play. Again we were seeing flick ons for attacking players not being met by the Swans who were too deep.

Every time the Swans had their backs to the opposition there was a niggly ankle tap or something left on the Swans player, their honesty by staying on their feet not rewarded by this referee.Then sixty three minutes Tom Cannon recieved the ball from distance after the Swans failed to clear on the edge of their area. This really needs attention. As has been the script oh so many times the ball fell to Cannon who picked his shot to score number three. Thereafter two body checks, and one clear foul went unpunished by the referee. However, the Blades had the Swansea defence all over the place with their direct attacking approach to this half. The defence were really out of sorts desperately clearing the ball.

On sixty eight minutes a Swans corner on their right. It was met by Vipotnik but cleared. That move we have seen him score from a few times this season. Two more subs, Adam Idah on for Vipotnik, Eom on for Widell and Stameniċ off for Jay Fulton. This was to prove a masterstroke by Matos. The referee was now holding up play for every challenge on a Blades player. The game was at a lull as we entered twenty minutes to go. The home side seemingly happy to protect their 3-1 lead. When they did attack it was from Swans knock downs not being attended to leading to shooting opportunities for the Blades. The Swans response was to have regular calls for offside on Adam Idah. However, he was just warming up.

There wasn’t much purpose to any of this as it stood though.

Then, on seventy five minutes something did come good for the Swans. Good work between Fulton and Nunes saw the ball rolled across the home area for Idah to slot his shot home. It was a lovely goal which really was well taken. That was 3-2. The Swans overload on the Blades left telling. On seventy seven minutes the Swans earned a corner on their right. Again Tymon took it, but Bamford cleared the danger. On seventy nine minutes Fulton was pushed in the back in the area, that was ignored, the ball fell to Nunes who hit the side netting. That was a chance. The Blades were now wandering about taking their time. That backfired when a rejuvenated Idah battled well to retain the ball making his way into the Blades area. He looked up, found Eom who easily slotted home the equaliser.

What a turnaround.

From there on in there were chances and by the time the referee blew up after fifty one minutes the players were out in their feet. Six goals for the travelling Jacks and attention now turns to Monday and another Bank Holiday game home to Middlesborough. They will have to win to keep pressure on those automatic promotion spots. It’s a big day off for Swans fans, come along and follow the Swans.

⚽️ Blades : Adam Davies, Japhet Tanganga (captain), Tyler Bindon, Gustavo Hamer (Tom Davies 79), Callum O'Hare, Andre Brooks (Tom Cannon 59), Harrison Burrows, Femi Seriki, Sydie Peck (Tahith Chong 85), Jairo Riedewald (Joe Rothwell 59), Patrick Bamford.

Unused Substitutes: Luke Faxon, Oliver Arblaster, Leo Hjelde, Ki-Jana Hoever, Chiedozie Ogbene.

⚽️ Swans: Lawrence Vigouroux 5 Joel Ward 6 Ben Cabango (c) 6 Cameron Burgess 5 Josh Tymon 7 Marko Stamenic 7 (Jay Fulton 70) 8 Gonçalo Franco 8 Malick Yalcouye 7 (Liam Cullen 57) 6 Ronald 6 (Gustavo Nunes 58) 6 Melker Widell 7 (Jisung Eom 76) 7 Zan Vipotnik 6 (Adam Idah 70) 9

Unused Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Ishe Samuels-Smith, Leo Walta, Sam Parker.

⚽️ Referee: Dean Whitestone : 1/10 : An absolute biff.

Attendance: 26,457
Away : TBC

Photograph by xolin