Late Season Away Days.
SCFC's trip to the Reebok for the second time this season saw them wanting to avenge an FA Cup defeat from earlier. Meanwhile, Bolton Wanderers were desperate to secure the points that would get them out of the bottom three in the Division.
What we got, thus, was a passionate and committed match, and the outcome, heavily influenced by the visitors determination to get forward, was perhaps one we Swans can consider to have to "got away", though BWFC offered a decent enough challenge throughout.
SCFC's trip to the Reebok for the second time this season saw them wanting to avenge an FA Cup defeat from earlier. Meanwhile, Bolton Wanderers were desperate to secure the points that would get them out of the bottom three in the Division.
What we got, thus, was a passionate and committed match, and the outcome, heavily influenced by the visitors determination to get forward, was perhaps one we Swans can consider to have to "got away", though BWFC offered a decent enough challenge throughout.
You always, from my chair, had the feeling that the Swans were in
ultimate control.
Brendan Rodgers had resisted any temptation to make changes from the Blackburn game, preferring to go "as we were". Meanwhile for Bolton, reports were that a virus kept out ex-Swan Darren Pratley, and he was replaced by Ryo Myiachi, the exciting youngster on loan from Arsenal, in Owen Coyle's only change.
Brendan Rodgers had resisted any temptation to make changes from the Blackburn game, preferring to go "as we were". Meanwhile for Bolton, reports were that a virus kept out ex-Swan Darren Pratley, and he was replaced by Ryo Myiachi, the exciting youngster on loan from Arsenal, in Owen Coyle's only change.
The sides lined up as follows........
Bolton
01 Bogdan, 02 Steinsson, 18 Ricketts, 31 Wheater, 32 Ream, 07 Eagles, 10 Petrov, 16 M Davies, 19 Reo-Coker, 14 K Davies, 30 Miyaichi
Substitutes
22 Jaaskelainen, 03 Alonso, 12 Knight, 37 Vela, 17 Klasnic, 24 Ngog, 29 Sordell
Swansea
01 Vorm, 02 Williams, 03 Taylor, 04 Caulker, 22 Rangel, 07 Britton, 11 Sinclair, 12 Dyer, 24 Allen, 42 Sigurdsson, 10 Graham
Substitutes
25 Tremmel, 16 Monk, 20 Bessone, 15 Routledge, 17 McEachran, 18 Lita, 19 Moore
Ref: Dowd
The Referee was Phil Dowd, and as his team contains the divinely right Sian Massey, we Swans may have felt a little lucky omen coming our way since Ms Massey has on more than one occasion given crucial decisions (rightly) in our favour previously. ( Man City, Micah Richards anyone?).
As it turned out, the refereeing combo had little influence on a flowing game, where you could see the difference between a comfortable League position and one that led to more understandable contrition.
In other words, Swansea played with no fear in their hearts, whereas with Bolton you almost always felt that they were trying to play "catch up". Is this fair? I think so, because I can only tell you how it felt to me.
The early minutes saw both sides prepared to take risks, both by moving forward to threaten, and being loose at the back in denial of any threat. Both ways, it was a very very open game.There were chances aplenty for both sides, which we'll come to, but the early play saw a realistic dispute from Bolton against Swansea's insistence to maintain the bulk of possession.
They closed down early, they closed down fast, and were determined to compete for every 50/50 ball. The overall possession stats turned out to go 52/48 % in Swansea's favour, but when you consider we often have upwards of 55%, it tells you Bolton were putting in a good shift.
Swansea's first clear cut attack was rewarded with a fantastic goal. From a move developed on the right, the ball was switched across field to Scott Sinclair, marked just one on one, always a great opportunity.
He cut inside, as is his wont, and took a crucial further touch across the area before driving a terrific shot into the top left left corner that left Adam Bogdan a spectator. Boooooom, 1-0, and the team had got off to a rewarding start.
Bolton did not lie down, and from this dis-spiriting start, continued to compete and contest, and they were rewarded just 5m later, when a cute ball set Martin Petrov running free on the left.
As the Swans streamed to get back at him, the Bulgarian winger got almost to the by-line and crossed a delicious ball into the six yard box that was met by the hard running Chris Eagles, who hardly broke stride as he guided a left foot cushioned finish wide of Vorm's left hand to nestle securely into City's net. The Home crowd erupted, unsurprisingly, 1-1. and game on.
Despite Bolton's aggression and commitment, Swansea did more than their share of attacking, and were very unlucky when from a Dyer cross, Sigurdsson 's goal bound effort was deflected behind for a corner - one of a stream of goal worthy efforts, as we were to see.
From the resultant corner, Dyer curved in an effort that Bogdan grasped graciously at the junction of crossbar and post to deny another Swansea effort.
For Bolton, Kevin Davies was doing his thing, and his wrestling match with Ash Williams on 24m being a prime example. No quarter given, none expected, either way.
Next, a lovely lofted chip from Rangel put Dyer free, but Bogdan had raced from his goal to wallop it out in denial. This turned out to be the winger's last effort, as he retired on 28m to an injury, and was replaced by Luke Moore.
Just a minute later, Williams was booked for a foul, taken by the ever dangerous Petrov, and Vorm did well to gather high to his right.
Shortly after, Kevin Davies cut back a dangerous ball, but the end to end action led to Scott Sinclair being denied by one of many Gretar Steinsson blocks.
It led to a huge chance for the Swans.
From a free kick some 30yds out on the inside right channel, Sigurdsson hit a screaming, curving shot to Bogdan's right that he did well to parry outwards, only to see the advancing Steven Caulker, eager to pick up scraps, shape his first time volley high and wide. Ouch, another real chance, and Swansea were subjected to a 5m bombardment from Bolton, before getting to the half time whistle at a 1-1 scoreline, which, in all honesty, reflected the overall state of play.
Bolton's best chance had come from another free kick taken by Petrov, and it took all of Vorm's remarkable flexibility and confidence to get his right hand to the Bulgarian's smashing curving drive, and the Swans stayed level.
This was a key period, where Swansea's resistance ultimately earned them their later control of the game, and I guess that BR was the more pleased of the Managers at the break - after all, Ash Williams had even come close from a header wide in this very period.
I often wonder what's said at Half Time in the varying dressing rooms, since it seems to reflect the way the respective teams play in the second period. Whatever it was, I think we can safely say that from the Swansea perspective it was more than effective, since, throughout this half, I think it fair to say that the Away team were on top.
Swansea's confidence seemed to grow, and was rewarded by their consistent creation of some outstanding chances.
Quite early in the half, Danny Graham got in a good header just diverted wide by a Wheater touch, and Bolton's frustrations were showing when they replaced the ineffective Ryo Myiachi with David N'Gog on 64m.
To be fair to the French Sub, his persistent leggy performance from then on did lead to a greater Bolton threat, but both Williams and Caulker can be satisfied in their cover and denial. Generally, they kept him in check.
That dominance of the game led to a succession of Swansea chances, from Graham putting Sinclair in at the far post only to be denied again by the excellent Steinsson, to a Williams chance again from a corner.
Moreover, Graham shot just wide from a rapier Swansea attack, and was even more unlucky when from a long ball headed out (no plan B huh?) he collected on the left, and, from the corner of the 18yd box drove a screaming inswinging shot that rattled the crossbar with Bogdan well beaten. It surely would have done his mesmeric performance the justice it deserved - ie, a goal.
For all of this Swansea pressure, the score remained 1-1, and on 79m, Lita replaced Graham and Klasnic came on for Bolton in a Coyle gamble to go for broke.
The game played out evenly, with a Luke Moore chance giving City further hope, only to come away from a game where they had generally been on top, but failed to take the chances that would have seen them prosper even further.
No disrespect to Bolton, either. There were large chunks of this game where it was very very open, and they approached it as a side who genuinely wanted to win, though they will be a great deal more disappointed to come away with a 1-1 stalemate than are we.
Both managers reactions can be found here and I lean toward BR's summation that we were a little unlucky, although I'm prepared to concede that there were times in the game that Bolton could have done us harm.
The overall performance was good.
I have been to many Away games this year where our limited performance has not been as we know it could be. This was not one of those games.
The performance stats are not always the guide to how a game has gone, but, in this instance, they were generally reflective of a decent performance.
Not only did we edge the possession 52% to 48 %, but the shots on goal were 20 to 7 (12 to 5 on Target) in City's favour, plus an 11-8 corner count, and a 7 v 19 fouls count. My gut feel is that this was pretty reflective of the game.
Some comments on individual performances.
Bolton
01 Bogdan, 02 Steinsson, 18 Ricketts, 31 Wheater, 32 Ream, 07 Eagles, 10 Petrov, 16 M Davies, 19 Reo-Coker, 14 K Davies, 30 Miyaichi
Substitutes
22 Jaaskelainen, 03 Alonso, 12 Knight, 37 Vela, 17 Klasnic, 24 Ngog, 29 Sordell
Swansea
01 Vorm, 02 Williams, 03 Taylor, 04 Caulker, 22 Rangel, 07 Britton, 11 Sinclair, 12 Dyer, 24 Allen, 42 Sigurdsson, 10 Graham
Substitutes
25 Tremmel, 16 Monk, 20 Bessone, 15 Routledge, 17 McEachran, 18 Lita, 19 Moore
Ref: Dowd
The Referee was Phil Dowd, and as his team contains the divinely right Sian Massey, we Swans may have felt a little lucky omen coming our way since Ms Massey has on more than one occasion given crucial decisions (rightly) in our favour previously. ( Man City, Micah Richards anyone?).
As it turned out, the refereeing combo had little influence on a flowing game, where you could see the difference between a comfortable League position and one that led to more understandable contrition.
In other words, Swansea played with no fear in their hearts, whereas with Bolton you almost always felt that they were trying to play "catch up". Is this fair? I think so, because I can only tell you how it felt to me.
The early minutes saw both sides prepared to take risks, both by moving forward to threaten, and being loose at the back in denial of any threat. Both ways, it was a very very open game.There were chances aplenty for both sides, which we'll come to, but the early play saw a realistic dispute from Bolton against Swansea's insistence to maintain the bulk of possession.
They closed down early, they closed down fast, and were determined to compete for every 50/50 ball. The overall possession stats turned out to go 52/48 % in Swansea's favour, but when you consider we often have upwards of 55%, it tells you Bolton were putting in a good shift.
Swansea's first clear cut attack was rewarded with a fantastic goal. From a move developed on the right, the ball was switched across field to Scott Sinclair, marked just one on one, always a great opportunity.
He cut inside, as is his wont, and took a crucial further touch across the area before driving a terrific shot into the top left left corner that left Adam Bogdan a spectator. Boooooom, 1-0, and the team had got off to a rewarding start.
Bolton did not lie down, and from this dis-spiriting start, continued to compete and contest, and they were rewarded just 5m later, when a cute ball set Martin Petrov running free on the left.
As the Swans streamed to get back at him, the Bulgarian winger got almost to the by-line and crossed a delicious ball into the six yard box that was met by the hard running Chris Eagles, who hardly broke stride as he guided a left foot cushioned finish wide of Vorm's left hand to nestle securely into City's net. The Home crowd erupted, unsurprisingly, 1-1. and game on.
Despite Bolton's aggression and commitment, Swansea did more than their share of attacking, and were very unlucky when from a Dyer cross, Sigurdsson 's goal bound effort was deflected behind for a corner - one of a stream of goal worthy efforts, as we were to see.
From the resultant corner, Dyer curved in an effort that Bogdan grasped graciously at the junction of crossbar and post to deny another Swansea effort.
For Bolton, Kevin Davies was doing his thing, and his wrestling match with Ash Williams on 24m being a prime example. No quarter given, none expected, either way.
Next, a lovely lofted chip from Rangel put Dyer free, but Bogdan had raced from his goal to wallop it out in denial. This turned out to be the winger's last effort, as he retired on 28m to an injury, and was replaced by Luke Moore.
Just a minute later, Williams was booked for a foul, taken by the ever dangerous Petrov, and Vorm did well to gather high to his right.
Shortly after, Kevin Davies cut back a dangerous ball, but the end to end action led to Scott Sinclair being denied by one of many Gretar Steinsson blocks.
It led to a huge chance for the Swans.
From a free kick some 30yds out on the inside right channel, Sigurdsson hit a screaming, curving shot to Bogdan's right that he did well to parry outwards, only to see the advancing Steven Caulker, eager to pick up scraps, shape his first time volley high and wide. Ouch, another real chance, and Swansea were subjected to a 5m bombardment from Bolton, before getting to the half time whistle at a 1-1 scoreline, which, in all honesty, reflected the overall state of play.
Bolton's best chance had come from another free kick taken by Petrov, and it took all of Vorm's remarkable flexibility and confidence to get his right hand to the Bulgarian's smashing curving drive, and the Swans stayed level.
This was a key period, where Swansea's resistance ultimately earned them their later control of the game, and I guess that BR was the more pleased of the Managers at the break - after all, Ash Williams had even come close from a header wide in this very period.
I often wonder what's said at Half Time in the varying dressing rooms, since it seems to reflect the way the respective teams play in the second period. Whatever it was, I think we can safely say that from the Swansea perspective it was more than effective, since, throughout this half, I think it fair to say that the Away team were on top.
Swansea's confidence seemed to grow, and was rewarded by their consistent creation of some outstanding chances.
Quite early in the half, Danny Graham got in a good header just diverted wide by a Wheater touch, and Bolton's frustrations were showing when they replaced the ineffective Ryo Myiachi with David N'Gog on 64m.
To be fair to the French Sub, his persistent leggy performance from then on did lead to a greater Bolton threat, but both Williams and Caulker can be satisfied in their cover and denial. Generally, they kept him in check.
That dominance of the game led to a succession of Swansea chances, from Graham putting Sinclair in at the far post only to be denied again by the excellent Steinsson, to a Williams chance again from a corner.
Moreover, Graham shot just wide from a rapier Swansea attack, and was even more unlucky when from a long ball headed out (no plan B huh?) he collected on the left, and, from the corner of the 18yd box drove a screaming inswinging shot that rattled the crossbar with Bogdan well beaten. It surely would have done his mesmeric performance the justice it deserved - ie, a goal.
For all of this Swansea pressure, the score remained 1-1, and on 79m, Lita replaced Graham and Klasnic came on for Bolton in a Coyle gamble to go for broke.
The game played out evenly, with a Luke Moore chance giving City further hope, only to come away from a game where they had generally been on top, but failed to take the chances that would have seen them prosper even further.
No disrespect to Bolton, either. There were large chunks of this game where it was very very open, and they approached it as a side who genuinely wanted to win, though they will be a great deal more disappointed to come away with a 1-1 stalemate than are we.
Both managers reactions can be found here and I lean toward BR's summation that we were a little unlucky, although I'm prepared to concede that there were times in the game that Bolton could have done us harm.
The overall performance was good.
I have been to many Away games this year where our limited performance has not been as we know it could be. This was not one of those games.
The performance stats are not always the guide to how a game has gone, but, in this instance, they were generally reflective of a decent performance.
Not only did we edge the possession 52% to 48 %, but the shots on goal were 20 to 7 (12 to 5 on Target) in City's favour, plus an 11-8 corner count, and a 7 v 19 fouls count. My gut feel is that this was pretty reflective of the game.
Some comments on individual performances.
Sinclair,
I thought, was very good throughout. Not only did he score a goal of
top quality, he worked hard all the way, and could even have got a
deserved second. The Middle 3 were outstanding- from Britton's
composure, to Allen's aggression, to Sigurdsson's creativity. Top class.
Danny Graham, whilst not on the scoresheet, showed how you work a formation such as ours best. And, of course, at the back we were sound.
I was impressed with Bolton's Steinsson, a terrier in defence, and with Eagles and Petrov going forward. I happen to think that having seen the teams around them they will survive. They certainly deserve to, from their splendid stadium to their excellent fans, I look forward to going back next year, hopefully.
Yesterday was an excellent example of how we play - not just at Home, but at a difficult opponent.Whilst it might not have been an example of how we can dominate some games, it was a decently sound "Away from Home" performance, showcasing both the skill and spirit indigenous in the Squad.
As I watch all of the MOTD, Sky Sports, Goals on Sunday etc reviews (and roll on MOTD2 tonight when, I'm informed, BR is a guest) I feel very very proud. What a fabulous season.
Onward, Swansea City.
##
After today's result, there's only one club that can catch us, and that's today's opponents, but it would mean winning their last 5 games (or 4 and a draw with a huge goal swing.) Similarly, QPR could equal us if they won their last 3, again with a huge goalswing. Unlikely, I think.
Danny Graham, whilst not on the scoresheet, showed how you work a formation such as ours best. And, of course, at the back we were sound.
I was impressed with Bolton's Steinsson, a terrier in defence, and with Eagles and Petrov going forward. I happen to think that having seen the teams around them they will survive. They certainly deserve to, from their splendid stadium to their excellent fans, I look forward to going back next year, hopefully.
Yesterday was an excellent example of how we play - not just at Home, but at a difficult opponent.Whilst it might not have been an example of how we can dominate some games, it was a decently sound "Away from Home" performance, showcasing both the skill and spirit indigenous in the Squad.
As I watch all of the MOTD, Sky Sports, Goals on Sunday etc reviews (and roll on MOTD2 tonight when, I'm informed, BR is a guest) I feel very very proud. What a fabulous season.
Onward, Swansea City.
##
After today's result, there's only one club that can catch us, and that's today's opponents, but it would mean winning their last 5 games (or 4 and a draw with a huge goal swing.) Similarly, QPR could equal us if they won their last 3, again with a huge goalswing. Unlikely, I think.
4 comments:
I was at the game (Bolton fan) and I've got to say Swansea really impressed me. Obviously the way you play is great but also the work-rate and team ethic was top notch. Hopefully you can build on this season and establish yourselves in the top flight for years to come. I just hope we'll be there with you.
Lol @ Warthog. Are you not dead yet?
You fat bastard pissed up failed postie.
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