Russell Martin stated pre match he wants to see some consistency in his team and that’s what he got last night at the new den. In a 1-0 victory that should have been more it was a deserved win in front of a very decent travelling support.

Throughout the game the swans looked comfortable and some of the play was stunning at times. The negatives will be the failure to take the chances created, bar Joel Piroe’s winning strike, and there were several opportunities to increase the score line. The other area of concern during the last ten minutes was the drop in concentration of players with several opportunities presented to Millwall to level matters. It was to be expected, the players come from what Russell Martin described as a ‘lean squad’ since January and options can be limited with so few players to choose from.

Flynn Downes was rested but is expected to be involved on Saturday at home to Derby County.

To go to a ground where the home side have been undefeated in seven games and take the win was superb in itself, but to do so with such flair and guile at times was something Russell Martin was especially pleased to see. Speaking in his post match press conference he stated “I am grateful for the courage and intensity the players showed, I am happy for them and for the supporters who travelled in their numbers once again. It’s a long, long journey on a Tuesday night and we played some beautiful football at times. I am really pleased. We are playing our best football of the season, and against teams who have tried really, really hard to press and stop us. The amount of courage we have shown over the last four or five games has been excellent, especially away from home on the back of the Sheffield United game which was a really tough afternoon for everyone”

The exhilaration of Saturdays win against Cardiff could have seen a swans side tired and lacking in quality against a Millwall team that has become used to rolling sides over at home. Despite those final ten minutes when tiredness and fatigue had set in we saw an upbeat and inspired Swansea at times. The passing again crisp and complex with Michael Obafemi utilising his pace throughout the game to close down and put pressure on Millwall’s defence. His industry and relentless running was remarkable after his efforts in Cardiff. We now see a player who runs confidently with the ball, able to take on players, and who isn’t afraid to shoot. Such an incredible upturn in his form a credit to him and the swans coaching staff. On this Martin pointed out “We can put in as much work as we can on the training pitch, but it’s being able to carry it out when you go to places with fans screaming at them that underlines the courage they have shown. I really hope our fans enjoyed that, because I certainly did. For different reasons, I thought tonight was even better than Saturday, although I know some fans might not agree !”

Millwall provided a different challenge to Cardiff, they had an expectation they could manage the swans possession based game. They clearly couldn’t and as the first half progressed with several chances for the visitors it was an expectant second half that turned in to joy on forty six minutes. The busy Cyrus Christie carried the ball in to the Millwall penalty area, his blocked shot rebounded to Joel Piroe who instinctively placed his low strike in to the Millwall net. It was no more than Swansea City deserved and further chances would occur before the game concluded. That said the dangerous game the swans played in the final ten minutes meant several chances were created for the home side. Andy Fisher in the swans goal again looked assured keeping his second clean sheet in four days. Millwall’s size and strength in attack was dealt with by the Swansea defence, at times slightly fortunately but dealt with it was.

The home support began to get increasingly frustrated as Swansea dominated possession ending the game on sixty eight percent. That frustration manifested itself on the pitch and despite one or two chances in the second half Millwall did not bother their visitors. Ryan Manning did though have to cleverly defend some half chances in his own penalty area. Reliant upon long balls in to the penalty area and numerous set pieces from corners their lack of imagination was exposed. Ex professional footballer Andy Davies was the match official and marshalled the game satisfactorily but really should have clamped down on the home sides tackling. His yellow card count is pretty large this season as Matt Grimes and Joel Latibeaudiere discovered. Unfortunately poor challenges on Piroe and Grimes went unchecked.

Ben Cabango and Kyle Naughton again looked strong on the ball and the returning Ryan Manning never stopped running, his lack of game time evident at times but nonetheless his contribution and effort couldn’t be questioned. The real eye opener was Jay Fulton. Replacing Flynn Downes in the starting eleven alongside Matt Grimes he again displayed what he could offer to any team interested in his signature come the summer. He shouldn’t be at the club, and his refusal to leave in January may well have angered Russell Martin but again his contribution to this win after a few shaky opening moments was crucial. A player like Fulton in the form he displayed last night is hard to ignore.

Russell Martin summed up his sides performance before departing back to west Wales post match. “That's equally as brilliant I think, in a different way because of the emotional and physical energy expended on Saturday, to back it up with a performance like that at a team that is in such good form and really well organised, I have a lot of respect Gary Rowett and his team, I like them a lot," he added. "To play that way tonight was not easy. For them to do what they did, I really enjoyed it. I was so grateful for the courage the players showed and the intensity. I'm just feeling grateful for all of them, and the supporters who made the long journey. There were some beautiful moments at times."

On Joel Piroe, Martin was extremely complimentary. “If you wanted it to fall to anyone, it would be him. He is such a clinical player, good with both feet and a really good technician,” said the head coach. But the most important thing he has is the right mentality when he gets around goal. He has composure, calmness, and has the ability to relax and focus on his technique. He seems to be able to take a breath and have time, something all top strikers possess.”

Martin’s continued determination this season to play in a certain way and to a certain formula is beginning to come to fruition. Ten points from the last available twelve see’s his side on fifty four points and now in fourteenth place in the championship. Looking up is always better than looking down and despite his critics the swans boss has guided his side to a position of real safety and only eight points from the play offs. That isn’t an expectation this season, in fact some would say any hope that could be achieved should be dismissed. For now the swans areon on a roll and on Saturday they take on Derby Dounty at the swansea.com stadium. Again another very different game to that the swans have faced on their travels this week. And another test as well for this Swansea City side that has stuck to its guns and is now reaping the benefits.

Millwall: Bialkowski; Ballard, Cooper (C), M Wallace; McNamara, Mitchell, Saville (Kieftenbeld 60), Malone; J Wallace (Ojo 78); Bradshaw (Burke 60), Afobe.

Subs not used: Long, Leonard, Evans, Burey.

Yellow card: 🟨 Ballard 82

Swansea City: Fisher; Cabango, Naughton, Latibeaudiere; Christie, Fulton (Smith 78), Grimes (C), Manning; Piroe (Paterson 78), Wolf (Ntcham 63); Obafemi.

Subs not used: Hamer, Ogbeta, Congreve, Joseph.

Goal: Piroe 46

Yellow cards: 🟨 Grimes 22, Latibeaudiere 49

Referee: Andy Davies 6/10 : Was mostly consistent but not when it came to giving obvious yellow cards to the home side.

Photographs licensed from Reuters and © Swansea City AFC

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