Match Report

For the second time in a week Swans came from a goal down at the Liberty to draw. Today it took an injury time goal from Ferrie Bodde to give a lacklustre Swans a share of the spoils.

After Tuesday night’s game against Derby many were calling for Roberto Martinez to try something new, whether that be the system we have become used to or a change in personnel. Roberto Martinez’s response seemed to be the system was working and all that was needed was for his front three to be more clinical in front of goal.

Even 40 minutes before kick off Radio Wales were stating that in all probability there would be no changes. The announcement that there were four changes was, therefore, a huge surprise. The three most forward players, Tom Butler, Mark Gower and Jason Scotland were all dropped with Shaun McDonald, Andrea Orlandi and Gorka Pintado all called in. The fourth change saw Marcos Painter, who has had a troublesome ankle of late, replaced by Fede Bessone.

Side- de Vries, Rangel, Monk, Williams, Bessone, McDonald, Britton, Bodde, Pratley, Orlandi, Pintado. Subs- Tate, Gomez, Gower, Brandy, Scotland.

Swans started well but Burnley soon set their stall out with some vigorous challenges. Burnley looked set to try to frustrate with a lot of hard work and by defending in numbers.

Swans had a half chance when Shaun McDonald found space on the right and sent over a cross. Andrea Orlandi should really have thrown himself at the ball but hesitated and the keeper collected.

There were a few early scares at the back all of our own making with wayward passes from Ashley Williams and Fede Bessone. Ashley Williams also got dispossessed outside the box by Martin Paterson. He rounded Garry Monk all too easily but from a narrow angle could only drive the ball into the chest of Dorus de Vries.

That was to be the only save either keeper had to make in the first half as Swans huffed and puffed but again lacked any sort of penetration.

Burnley had three players booked inside the first half hour and Shaun McDonald in particular came in for some awful challenges which saw him ending the half limping.

On the stroke of half time Andrea Orlandi had a half chance when he swung with his weaker right foot at a whipped in cross from Angel Rangel but failed to connect cleanly with the ball.

Both side made a substitution at half time with Mark Gower coming on for the Swans in place of the injured Shaun McDonald. At the start of the half the fourth official held up the board for the Burnley substitution but not Gower’s introduction. This was to lead to a bizarre incident five minutes into the half. The fourth official attracted referee Mr Hall’s attention to advise him of Gower’s introduction. Mr Hall was looking around for Burnley’s number 11, Wade Elliot and after calling the player over realised, after consulting his book, that Wade had started the game. After a further discussion with the fourth official the penny finally dropped and Mark Gower was yellow carded.

Swans were still finding it difficult to break Burnley down. Burnley continued to defend in numbers, work hard, try to outmuscle Swansea and try to catch us on the break.

Just short of the hour Burnley took the lead. Ferrie Bodde committed two awful challenges and Mr Hall had allowed play to continue after both. The ball eventually found its way out to Wade Elliot wide on the right and he was given far too much space by Fede Bessone and sent over a superb cross to the far post. Dorus de Vries and most of the Swans defence were flat footed at the near post and Burnley substitute Joey Gudjonsson was able to head home from just two yards out. To add insult to injury Ferrie Bodde received his yellow card for his poor challenges.

Roberto Martinez responded by taking Darren Pratley off and introducing Jordi Gomez.

Within a minute of coming on Gomez had a chance but dragged his shot wide of the post.

Ferrie Bodde was in the action again with yet another poor challenge this time on Joey Gudjonsson. After a lengthy stoppage for both players to be treated Mr Hall issued a long lecture to the Dutch midfielder.

With 18 minutes to go Andrea Orlandi was replaced by Jason Scotland. He was soon into the action forcing a full length save from Brian Jensen in the Burnley goal who was forced to concede a corner. Jordi Gomez’s excellent corner was met by a flying header from Ferrie Bodde at the near post and with Jensen rooted to his line the ball clattered the angle of post and bar and rebounded to safety.

With five minutes to go another poor challenge from Burnley brought another yellow card and a free kick from Jordi Gomez that was only inches away from an equaliser.

It seemed Swans were to be denied and Burnley rewarded for a rough tough approach but in the third minute of injury time Swans scored the equaliser. Mark Gower collected the ball wide on the left wing just inside the Burnley half; he played a 60 yard cross field ball towards Angel Rangel. Burnley’s left back Stephen Jordan decided against covering Rangel’s run and tried to intercept the pass. He failed to make contact and Rangel raced into space and toward the Burnley goal. He sent over a superb low cross between the keeper and the retreating Burnley back line and Ferrie Bodde popped up at the far post to bundle the ball over the line.

Rescuing a point in injury time felt like this was a point won but the performance was pretty average. Once more we looked much the better footballing side but seemed again unable to turn this superiority into shots, goals and three points.

Ratings-

De Vries 6 – Not really sure how he got in such a poor position for Burnley’s goal.

Rangel 7 – Another all action performance capped with a great assist for our goal.
Monk 6 – Fairly quiet game.
Williams 6 – Too many wayward passes first half.
Bessone 5 – Given a torrid time by Elliot.

McDonald 6 – Had a couple of nice runs but too often lost possession too easily.
Britton 7 – Quieter game than normal.
Bodde 8 – Lucky not to see red but that apart excellent game.
Pratley 6 – Really out of sorts at the moment.
Orlandi 5 – Backed out of a couple of 50/50 challenges. Has all the attributes but needs to show more heart.

Pintado 6 – No doubt Jason Scotland will be saying ‘I told you’. Thankless task up front, isolated with poor service.

Subs-

Gower 7 – Did well but I always feel he could do more.
Gomez 7 – Must be close to starting.
Scotland 6 – Didn’t have the impact he would have wanted


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