The frustration and continual angst when watching Swansea City became a bit too much for some Swans fans after the defeat on penalties to West Bromwich Albion this afternoon. Having dominated a game they could have won by three or four goals at least - chance after chance was spurned.

Many were left shaking their heads in disbelief as a succession of well crafted chances were missed throughout the game. Zān Vipotnik had a couple of efforts in the first half and Eom on the half hour. There were others, many others. The midfield were absolutely spot on in recovering the ball and creating more breaks. Melker Widell and Franco were as busy as they’ve been all season, and with Ethan Galbraith and Marko Stamenic willing to put a toe in and win back possession it was a robust effort. Ronald played far better than we have seen him in a long while, especially when his crossing is taken into consideration, he actually got the ball in and created chances. Eom on the other side of the pitch was everywhere. He too was breaking up play, winning headers, and tidying up any signs of danger. Add Josh Tymon to the mix with Captain, Ben Cabango and this game had it all.

The frustration though as countless opportunities fell by the wayside or broke down cannot be quantified. Heads in hands as shots went just wide and the slick passing that created so many chances to win the game ended up with no reward. If there has been another game this season or most certainly under Matos where this has happened we must have missed it.

The goal from Eom was fit to cap any game off. A wonderful shot, cutting inside and placing the ball far out of the reach of Baggies keeper, Griffiths. The equaliser was I’m afraid another calamity by stand in keeper, Andy Fisher, it’s been mentioned often, put the ball under his bar and it will cause him loads of issues. He flapped at the ball, failed to recover it and it fell nicely for the visitors to equalise. The Baggies second goal in extra time was a decent effort but again when substitute Wallace scored sweeping home his sides second goal a quizzical eyebrow was raised again in Fisher’s direction.

Malick Yalcouyé (below) looked as good as he has been over his numerous appearances but his shot that hit the post and then his missed penalty may well keep him awake a bit tonight. He is some talent, and if he stays at the Swans has to play more.

The overall performance by new signing, Joel Ward was okay, he started off well but you could see him tiring. What he isn’t is a speedy wing back, more as expected a bit of experience when needed. When sub, Josh Key came on it looked like he was determined to put some of his recent doubters in their place. He did so with a breakaway move sliding in a low cross from the Swans right into the path of Zeidane Inoussa who managed to get his shot on target and equalise.

The penalties were perfect until Bobby Wales missed but West Brom did the same, it’s just that missing penalties loses shout outs. So when Yalcouyé missed his penalty it was left in no doubt the Swans had let this whole game slip away. How ? Only those that saw it can explain. The rub from this third round tie is money (over £200k) has been lost and a paltry £26,000 from the FA for losing. For both sides £80,000 from TV money will be banked. The FA take a decent slice from the ten thousand crowd, due to the lowering of prices both sides will take around £30,000 a piece. It isn’t all about the money but another few hundred thousand pounds at the very least is lost from a fourth round tie. Cash which would have assisted the Swans with profit and sustainability margins. It all adds up.

It wasn’t a shambles, it was just another absolutely disastrous game in front of goal. Like all the others that have gone before. Bar two games in the League Cup this season against Nottingham Forest and Crawley Town, Swansea City have failed to score more than two goals home and away all season.

That is now more than a problem.

⚽️ Swans: Andy Fisher 5 Ethan Galbraith 7 Ben Cabango 6 (c), Kaelan Casey 5 (Cameron Burgess (61) 5 Josh Tymon 8 Marko Stamenic 6 (Jay Fulton 82) 6 Goncalo Franco 7 (Joel Ward 60) 5 Melker Widell 8 (Malick Yalcouye 83) 7 Ronald 7 (Josh Key 107 6 Jisung Eom 9 (Zeidane Inoussa 83) 6 Zan Vipotnik 6 (Bobby Wales 105) 5

Unused Substitutes: Paul Farman, Ollie Cooper.

⚽️ Baggies: Josh Griffiths, Chris Mepham, Callum Styles, Krystian Bielik (c) (Nathaniel Phillips 105), Josh Maja (Aune Heggebo 76), Mike Johnston (Karlan Grant 104) Daryl Dike (Oliver Bostock 60), Alfie Gilchrist (George Campbell 76), Ousmane Diakite (Harry Whitwell 89) (Jed Wallace 100), Isaac Price, Charle Taylor.

Unused Substitutes: Joe Wildsmith, Samuel Iling-Junior.

⚽️ Referee: Elliot Bell : End. Missed a clear penalty for Swansea when Gilchrist handled the ball, didn’t do anything badly but of course the penalty would or could have changed the game 6/10.

Attendance: 9.918
311 away.

Vitor post match

Highlights.

Photographs : Swansea Independent