It was an expected last game of the season for Russell Martin’s Swansea City, and it looked like the players couldn’t get on the beach quick enough in a pretty poor game at the swansea.com stadium.

Despite having the better chances the swans didn’t seem to have the energy or composure to finish off a string of chances in the second half. The slow start to the game was illustrated by the first shot of the game coming from QPR after ten minutes. Swansea looked tired and again slow as they ponderously pottered about with the ball gaining more possession than their opponents, the story of the season. When such a large end of season crowd turn up you would expect some effort from those players paid well for wearing the clubs white shirt, but realistically that wasn’t the case.

Andy Fisher contributed with his usual two or three lazy mistakes, forever being asked to play his own passing game which on occasions was nearly found out. He was lucky not to concede. There was little to take from this game, apart from the opportunity to say goodbye to a number of players we know are leaving, and of course those we are yet to be informed of. However, quite simply this performance wasn’t good enough and the swans looked lost as the game drew to its conclusion.

A first half goal from Hannes Wolf, somehow judged to be offside, it was very difficult to see if the decision was correct, but later confirmation proved the assistant referee to be right. Possibly.
The swans dominated, the R’s happy to sit in front of the home sides passing motion as the swans tested their keeper rarely.

Once QPR went ahead through Andre Gray the game fizzled out and the desire for Swansea to finish in the top half of the table was lost. Four decent chances in the second period came and went, snatched chances, poorly executed and tired is the best that can be said. Jamie Paterson, Olivier Ntcham, Michael Obafemi and Ryan Manning should have all done better with their chances but it wasn’t to be.

This game displayed numerous areas for the swans to develop. Russell Martin has already stated he has players and alternatives for every position this summer, and you would think those changes need to be spot on during the break. His transition season is over, his opportunity to reflect on what he has achieved and indeed what he hasn’t is over. He now knows he has limited time to bring together his perfect team, and on limited finances as well. His chances in many swans fans eyes are done for this season, and the expectation is that the boss will introduce new found hope come the end of July. He really has little choice.

It really won’t be easy.

Swansea City: Fisher; Latibeaudiere (Smith 65), Naughton, Manning; Christie, Downes, Grimes (C), Wolf; Piroe (Ntcham 60), Congreve (Paterson 60); Obafemi.

Subs not used: Hamer, Fulton, Cotterill, Abdulai.

Queens Park Rangers: Dieng; Sanderson (Kakay 46), Ball, Barbet (C); Adomah, Amos, Field, Thomas (Gray 64), McCallum; Dykes (Dozzell 64), Chair.

Subs not used: Walsh, Mahoney.

Goal: Gray 80

Referee: Stephen Martin 6/10 : Harmless.

Attendance: 18,608

Photographs licensed from Reuters

Swansea City Polls