Swansea City looked a mid table side going through the motions after a decent start at Bramall Lane. Their decision making within the game and management of the ball was the final reckoning for Russell Martin’s side. They simply couldn’t compete.

Swansea City started the game extremely well with quick and accurate inter passing threatening the Blades goal. Joel Piroe had a hard shot saved by after a nice pass from Olivier Ntcham. The first ten minutes of Swans dominance seemed to wake up the hosts as they seized upon a couple of moments of lazyness in the Swans defence. United looked in awe at times when the Swans passed the ball around the pitch, and the lack of pace on both sides levelled matters somewhat. As we have seen before though misplaced Swansea passes were the contributing factor that enabled the Blades confidence to soar. The home sides press further up the field allowed Swansea to capitalise on the spaces in midfield.

However, most of Liam Cullen and Joel Piroe’s efforts and running went unrewarded.

The referee seemed finicky when even the softest of challenges were made slowing down the game for innocuous tackles. The decent sized Swansea support behind Fishers goal were vociferous in their support but the first twenty minutes brought little for both sides to shout about. Then a run by James McAtee found Berge who slotted home what looked like a shot that could have been saved by keeper Andy Fisher. Ryan Manning must also take some blame for half hearted tackling innthat movement.

At one nil up another passing mistake from the Swans saw Billy Sharp free in the penalty area but this time Fisher saved well. The game was hotting up. But with the Swans one down more thought was needed from Swansea’s players. Increased misplaced passing aided the Blades and they looked odds on to snatch another goal. The Swans began to look a lot like they did last Saturday as the half went on, clearly forgetting the game plan and looked panicked.

The pressure increased as Bogle delivered some decent crosses but he failed to find his team mates.

The frustration began to take its toll and a rough challenge on Ben Cabango went unpunished which incensed Swans head coach Russell Martin. So much so the referee yellow carded him. The Swans did have a chance on thirty four minutes but Piroe again failed to make the most of his opportunity. However, every time the Swans did venture forwards he looked sharp and very lively. Ollie Cooper was finding things tough in midfield though, his strength on the ball at times questionable and he did give away possession in key areas. When there was an opportunity for a decent final pass to open up the Blades defence the ball in was squandered. Kyle Naughton and Ollie Cooper offenders.

Piroe continued to battle as he put in Liam Cullen who was muscled out of his chance and the ball went out for a corner. The corner was fizzed in but the shot from Cabango was tame. The Blades decided to test the Swans strength out with some rash challenges which the likes of Jay Fulton and Ntcham relished. The midfield battle clearly now there to be won and the winners were going to win this game.

The play around passes in the heart of the Swans defence saw Fisher pas the ball out for a corner and the response was a run by McAtee who was brought down by Cooper, he was yellow carded. From the free kick Norwood rattled the crossbar and Jack Robinson was first to the rebound and made it 2-0. Some would say that was game over already. The response was a tame shot from Ntcham but the Swans looked rattled and hopelessly second at times.

The half ended with the home side ahead.

The first fifteen minutes or so was like a new game with both sides feeling each other out. Ben Cabango was booked but the Swans had a degree of confidence from their start. Unfortunately shots weren’t taken on when they should have been and both Matt Grimes and Ntcham can be found guilty of that. It was almost as if the Blades expected a Swansea resurgence with the game stretched both sides had shooting opportunities. Substitute Morgan Whittaker tamely shot as the game swayed end to end. It has to be said the Swans never really looked like scoring in this period and Sheffield United did. A class tackle from Nathan Wood kept the scoreline at 2-0.

Then Luke Cundle replaced Ntcham as Fisher went down injured in his own area. Much to the dissatisfaction of the home support that he wasn’t allowed to remain on the ground with a head injury. For some reason the referee was coming in for some stick from the Blades supporters. Grimes continued to try and force the game but the home sides running far out matched the passing moves and lack of passing accuracy and composure by the team in white. The Swans did press, again not taking the opportunity to shoot with United reliant upon counter attacks.

The issue remained that loose passing was piling on the pressure on the Swans, With twenty one minutes to go Oli McBurnie came on for the hosts adding more concern for the Swansea defence. You have to give the Swans some credit as they went in search of a goal. A lovely ball through for Piroe saw Cooper in on goal but his one on one shot was saved, it was possibly the best Swansea chance of the game. A penalty shout was waved away after it looked like Whittaker was brought down. In fact on review it looked yet another poor decision from the referee. From a corner Manning’s delivery Cabango firmly headed in to the away support, it was an inaccurate header to say the least.

The persistent poor passing by the Swans really did interrupt their flow, when the Blades did get forward it was left to Nathan Wood to welcome McBurnie in to the game. He too was yellow carded. From the free kick Robinson smashed a volley on to the Swansea post with Fisher beaten. The loose passes continued and the home side grew in confidence, every other move was spoilt by poor Swansea passing or decision making.

Another lovely corner from the Blades drew another great save from Fisher and then again as he pounced to his right before a melee of some proportion ensues leading to two bookings, one for each side. On eighty seven minutes Joe Allen replaced the booked Fulton. This time a misplaced pass from Matt Grimes saw some wonderful footwork by man of the match David Bogle leaving McBurnie to put his side three up with an easy tap in. The weak challenges again from the Swans defence ensured the points would stay in South Yorkshire.

The truth of the matter is this Swansea side is a one game in four performer. When up against the better sides in the league, and Sheffield United are one of those sides they can’t match them all over the pitch. Once again the lack of pace in this Swans side has been exposed plus today a total lack of concentration when in possession. Especially Grimes whose misdemeanour led to the third goal. Unless Swansea can go on a run of five or six games gaining the points over the next six weeks then this season is a done deal. The chances to bring in fresh blood was disregarded, the opportunity to push this side forward has virtually been lost. There’s little to cheer about, and letting in seven goals over the last two games is hardly encouraging.

Blackpool are the visitors next Wednesday to the Swansea.Com stadium, that’s now a must win for Russell Martin because if there are going to changes at the club it’s best to get them done before this gets any worse.

Sheffield United: Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Egan, Robinson; Bogle (Basham 90+1), Norwood, Berge (Coulibaly 90+2), Lowe (Fleck 90+1); McAtee (Osborn 71); Ndiaye, Sharp (C) (McBurnie 71).

Subs not used: Davies, Clark.

Goals: Berge 21, Robinson 45, McBurnie 89

Yellow cards: 🟨 McAtee 54, Robinson 89

Swansea City: Fisher; 7 Naughton, 6 Cabango,5 Wood,5 Manning; 5 Fulton 6 (Allen 88), Grimes (C), 6 Ntcham 6 (Cundle 64) 5 ; Cooper; 6 Piroe,6 Cullen 5 (Whittaker 55) 6

Subs not used: Webb, Darling, Sorinola, Walsh.

Yellow cards: 🟨 Cabango 56, Wood 81, Fulton 89

Attendance: 27,862

701 away

Referee: Matthew Donohue 5/10 A bit bonkers really.

Photographs licensed from Reuters

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