Match Report

Swans paid a heavy price for not killing the game off at 1-0 and ended up sharing the spoils with Wednesday in a hard fought 1-1 draw.

With the sun coming out for the first time in what seems like weeks and this mornings Carling Cup draw which sees us up against Cardiff City there was an optimistic and buoyant mood prior to kick off.

Roberto kept faith with his starting line up from Plymouth with just one change on the bench with Andrea Orlandi replacing Guillem Bauza.

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

Sheffield Wednesday took the field in bright orange and were wearing the longest shorts I have ever seen at a football match. Thankfully Wednesday’s side was packed with many 6ft plus players and they didn’t like quite as ridiculous as the shorter players who looked like children dressed up as adults.

The game started at a frantic pace and Wednesday looked a typical Brian Laws side, big, fit, strong and never afraid to get stuck in.

Swans first effort on goal was a blocked effort from Tom Butler but it was Wednesday that almost took the lead on 6 minutes when Marcus Tudgay headed over from a free kick that Marcos Painter had needlessly given away.

Swans were finding it difficult to get their passing game going with Wednesday’s players closing down quickly in midfield. Referee Mr Friend was quite lenient with some over zealous Wednesday tackles early on.

For the first 25 minutes Swans didn’t manage a shot on or off target other than Butler’s early effort. Jason Scotland and Mark Gower finally found some room to create a chance but Gower’s shot was cleared off the line at the expense of a corner.

That effort kick- started the Swans as an attacking force. Jason Scotland had a shot saved and Tom Butler went close with a looping header.

Wednesday continued their physical approach but thankfully Mr Friend booked two of their midfield players which saw their physical edge somewhat thwarted.

Swans took the lead on 36 minutes through Ferrie Bodde. There seemed little danger when Leon Britton played a short pass to the Dutch midfielder 45 yards out. Ferrie made ground towards goal but there were very few options open to him. He unleashed a powerful drive which flew into the net past a startled Lee Grant in the Wednesday goal.

Swans had the better of the rest of the half but failed to add to the 1-0 lead.

Swans started the second half well and Ashley Williams with a header and Jason Scotland with a left foot shot had early attempts on goal.
On 55 minutes Jason Scotland was replaced by Gorka Pintado who received a tremendous ovation. He was in the game immediately skipping over a challenge on the right wing and racing to the bye line. His low cross struck the arm of a defender but Mr Friend ignored the appeals of over 15,000 Swans fans.

Swans were desperately unlucky not to go 2-0 up on 64 minutes when a Tom Butler corner was met by an Ashley Williams flick that struck the bar. The ball fell just in front of goal and Wednesday cleared the danger after a goalmouth melee.

On 66 minutes Swans replaced Darren Pratley with Jordi Gomez and three minutes later Brian Laws made a double substitution.

With 30 seconds of their substitution they had equalised with more than a touch of luck. A 50/50 challenge just outside the Swans area saw the ball fall perfectly for Marcus Tudgay. He chipped the ball over the head of Garry Monk to pick out the run of Steve Watson who had on just come onto the field. He headed home from 12 yards.

Swans weren’t looking the same threat and missed Darren Pratley’s industry and support. Jordi Gomez was looking for the ball all the time but was closed down quickly each time and struggled to find his feet.

Garry Monk had a great chance with a free header but inexplicably headed wide.

Wednesday were looking more dangerous than at any time during the game and Swans were looking ill at ease at every corner. Wednesday almost grabbed a winner on 83 minutes when what looked like a cross from Jermaine Johnson deceived everyone and struck the bar.

Five minutes from time Febien Brandy replaced Tom Butler and it was he that had a terrific chance to grab the glory in extra time. Mark Gower turned his full back inside out before putting in a perfect cross. Brandy stole a yard to get in front of his marker but with the goal at his mercy headed wide.

A draw was something of a disappointment but Wednesday are no mugs and we may well look back on this as a point won not two points lost.

Ratings-

De Vries 7 – Little chance for the goal.

Rangel 8 – Another solid game.
Monk 8 – Commanding performance.
Williams 8 – Probably the best game I’ve seen him have in a Swans shirt.
Painter 7 – Another decent game.

Butler 7 – Involved throughout.
Britton 8 – All action as usual.
Bodde 8 – His best of the season to date.

Pratley 8 – His departure proved to be a turning point.
Gower 7 – Looking classy on the ball but needs to support lone striker more.

Scotland 6 – Just not his day.

Subs –

Pintado 6 – After a terrific start got little change for a solid defence.
Gomez 5 – Tried hard to get into the game but struggled.
Brandy 6 –Only had six or seven minutes. Got himself in a great position and didn’t take his chance.

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Swansea manager Roberto Martinez:
"We controlled the game for 90 minutes and created enough chances.

"We reduced Sheffield Wednesday to two attempts in the second half and we were punished.

"I am pleased with the performance, but I feel we dropped two points.

"The amount of chances we created, we should have won the game."

Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws:
"To come in 1-0 down at half-time, I was quite pleased because our performance made it easier for Swansea as we were poor today.

"I don't believe many people will come here and take many points off Swansea if they play like that.

"I'll take a point but I'm sure Swansea think they lost two points.

"That was the poorest performance of the season."

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Swansea: De Vries, Williams, Painter, Monk, Rangel, Bodde, Britton, Pratley (Gomez 66), Gower, Butler (Brandy 86), Scotland (Pintado 56).
Subs Not Used: Tate, Orlandi.

Goals: Bodde 36.

Sheff Wed: Grant, McMahon, Wood, Beevers, Spurr, McAllister, Esajas (Watson 69), Smith (Johnson 59), O'Connor, Burton (Clarke 69), Tudgay.
Subs Not Used: O'Donnell, Gilbert.

Booked: Burton, McAllister, McMahon.

Goals: Watson 70.

Att: 16,702

Ref: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).



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