Match Report |
Swansea City 1-1 Watford | |
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Swansea City 1-1 Watford
Alan Tate rescued a point for the Swans with an injury time equaliser in a game that saw the debut of our record signing Craig Beattie and the return of former favourite Lee Trundle.
It’s been a roller coaster week being a Swans fan. The highs of the win last Saturday at
With the prospect of Chad Bond having to start up front, the club moved for the return of Lee Trundle on loan and, inexplicably in most fans eyes, Bayo Akinfenwa. Then, with most fans still in a state of stunned incredulity that deal died a death and the club announced the breaking of the club transfer record for Craig Beattie from
The most worrying aspect of the week in my eyes is just who is influencing transfers. Would Paulo Sousa even know who Bayo Akinfenwa is and if he does, is Bayo really the sort of player he wants in his side? I don’t suppose we’ll ever get the answers.
Side- de Vries, Collins, Tate, Williams, Painter, Dyer, Britton, Lopez, Orlandi, Gower, Beattie. Subs- Cornell, Richards, MacDonald, Morgan, Bond, Idrizaj, Trundle.
It was a quiet opening and
Swans were playing 4-5-1 with new boy Craig Beattie often left totally isolated. All too often long balls were played up to the big striker and his only company was four or five
Mark Gower came close to getting his first competitive goal for the Swans. The goal shy winger showed great composure and skill and fired a volley from a Nathan Dyer cross, that beat Scott Loach in the
The remainder of the half was best forgotten. Swans were on the back foot all too often. Dorus de Vries was much the busier of the keepers and Swans had no answer to
Swans went to sleep early in the second half and Marvin Sordell missed a sitter getting the ball stuck under his foot when only six yards out and Dorus stranded.
Swans were trying to lift the tempo of the game but as in the first half there was always a lack of numbers getting forward. A typical Swans attack would involve at best 3 or 4 attackers with 6 defenders able to cope all too easily.
On 64 minutes referee Mr Taylor infuriated Swans players and supporters by giving a free kick to
Swans defending of the free kick was awful. Man United loanee Tom Cleverley just passed the ball to the left of the wall and picked out the run of Danny Graham. Graham danced past the static wall and fired a shot that went into the net off the underside of Dorus de Vries.
Being a goal down did little to lift a lethargic Swans side.
With 20 minutes to go the crowd got their demands answered when Lee Trundle came on, replacing Leon Britton who for once looked tired and jaded. Shortly after Nathan Dyer was replaced by Kerry Morgan.
Lee Trundle produced our best piece of skill or perhaps our only piece of skill, threading a ball through the
Inspired no doubt by the former owner of the number 10 shirt, Andrea Orlandi showed some magic to create an opening for himself. He unleashed a 25 yard drive that Loach saved well.
With 7 minutes to go Orlandi made way for Besian Idrizaj as Swans sought all out attack.
Swans finally came to life in injury time. Lee Trundle had a great chance with a header from close in but his heading was never his strong point and Loach saved easily. With all hope seemingly gone, referee Mr Taylor generously gave Swans a free kick just outside the box. Mark Gower’s delivery was excellent and Alan Tate was allowed the freedom of the area to head into the top corner and rescue a point.
Swans will be grateful to have reached the International break. The dreadful injury crises we have endured has taught us that several of our back up players are just not up to the task.
On a positive note Lee Trundle did enough to show he may just surprise a few people, Besian Idrizaj looks to have a touch of quality about him and Craig Beattie will add some much needed height and power in attack.
Ratings-
De Vries 6 – Made a couple of decent saves. Distribution was poor.
Collins 3- Control was dreadful all afternoon. Judging by Paulo Sousa reaction to some of his gaffes, he is not likely to get many more chances. Tate 8 – Captain’s performance in the heart of the defence capped with a vital goal. Williams 7 – Very unlucky to be penalised for the free kick leading to their goal. Decent game all round. Painter 7 – After such a long lay off and after playing 120 minutes on Tuesday did really well.
Dyer 5 – Poor game after a strong start to the season. Britton 6 – Looked a little jaded. Lopez 6 – With all his experience I would expect him to be lifting those around him in the midfield when things are not going well. Just doesn’t happen. Orlandi 7 – Pick of a poor midfield today. Gower 5 – Unlucky not to break his duck. Reluctant to take on his full back.
Beattie 6 – Decent debut but left totally isolated most of the afternoon.
Subs-
Trundle 7 – His introduction lifted the side and just as importantly the crowd. Showed some nice touches. Morgan 6 – As with Gower reluctant to take people on. Idrizaj 6 – Again showed some nice touches. Must have incredible powers of recovery as it seemed to could barely stand at the end of the
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Swansea City 1-1 Watford
Sousa lifted by new boys Paulo Sousa felt Swansea City's new signings gave his side a lift as Watford boss Malky Mackay was satisfied to take a point. Hornets striker Danny Graham gave the visitors a 66th minute lead before Swansea were indebted to Alan Tate for a thumping injury-time equaliser. Record signing Craig Beattie made his debut up front for the Swans and there was a return for former fans' favourite Lee Trundle, on loan from Bristol City. .jpg) And Sousa said: "The game turned out to be just as we expected, playing against a Watford side so good in midfield. "It was very balanced in the first half but after they scored their goal we showed a good reaction, particularly as we had some tired players out there. "The new players at the club brought a lift to the team and in the end we looked more like winning the match - but a draw was a fair result." Watford went into the game without Tommy Smith, who has joined Portsmouth, and Mike Williamson, who is also a target for the Premier League club after having a transfer request turned down. Watford boss Mackay was pleased with the point gained and is trying to add to his squad before the close of the transfer window to compensate for the departures. Mackay said: "We are very disappointed to lose two points so late in the game but we have a very young squad of players who respect each other and they put on a good performance at a very tough place. "There is no frustration at the club because we have lost so many players in the transfer window during the last week but it was important for the club as a whole to ensure that we go forward in the best way possible. "We are trying to bring players into the club as we realise we are very light on numbers." |
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