It was the same old story for the Swans today, a lack of luck for sure, but the overall quality was seriously lacking. The positives though are the side lived very well with a top six side.

Swansea most certainly started off more confidently than they did for the Leeds United game in midweek. However it only took twelve minutes for the comedy of errors to start. Before that Jerry Yates had failed to anticipate a ball over the top which would have put him thorough on goal. Then a mix up between Ben Cabango and Josh Tymon on twelve minutes, some say a foul by Ipswich earned Nathan Broadhead a sight of goal. He raced forwards and cleverly chipped the ball in to Carl Rushworth’s net. The Swans were left complaining to the referee but to no avail. It looked offside and a foul, but not today. After that Kieffer Moore had a headed opportunity which he failed to convert, and then Yates miss hit a real opportunity in front of the Ipswich goal. A ball in from Kyle Naughton was met by Yates a minute or so later but his header went well wide.

The Swans were living dangerously, continually leaving space out on their left flank which as the Leeds game illustarted, Ipswich exposed too often. Another Moore effort was well saved by Rushworth who set the Swans away but to no avail.

Ronald was getting some rough treatment out on the right, two players yellow carded for fouls on the Brazilian. Then on thirty two minutes a deep cross from Matt Grimes was met by Ben Cabango who headed goal-wards which brushed in off Yates thigh for an equaliser. At last something to celebrate. The joy was short lived as Ipswich turned on the gas again. Only four minutes later a long ball from deep saw Davis race away, he looked up and Chaplin was there to score. It was so easy. We talk about pace in this Swansea side to recover and the necessity to be aware - but again we didn’t see it. Scoring against Swansea seems so easy these days.

There were a few more fluttering heart moments before referee John Busby blew up for half time. Again Luke Williams had more half time talking to do. His post match interview will be interesting for sure. Is he seeing what we see ?

The Swans started the second half slowly, and a nice lay off from Moore saw Chaplin fire just wide. More warning signs again. Another shot was well handled by Rushworth. The Swans passed the ball about and Ipswich just waited to counter attack. A precise cross from Naughton cleared by Ipswich after some neat work from Ronald followed. Then another good cross saw Grimes flick on, but Yates was short on anticipating the header from a yard or two out. It just squeezed past the post. With Placheta on the bench and Liam Cullen as well, Williams must surely be looking for some changes.

A move by Naughton and Joe Allen displayed the lack of urgency in this Swans side to be effective. And again a minute later when Naughton and Allen just didn’t have the strength to make any difference. Naughton was most certainly playing more forwards but he was finding his role difficult. The lack of urgency was frustrating, and with the home side chasing a goal deficit it really wasn’t going to make a difference with the current tactics.

A nice chip in to the Ipswich box was cleared, and Jamie Paterson earned a corner which sadly came to nothing. The precise planning of Luke Williams was about to take place. Three players were about to come on just after the sixty. As this was happening Moore crashed a shot off the crossbar which Rushworth got a fingertip to.

On came Mykola and Charlie Patino for Allen and Yates. Then we saw Liam Cullen. Within minutes Mykola got a shot towards goal which was deflected. Shirt pulling continued at Swansea set pieces. Mykola causing some alarm. Then Ipswich responded with three changes of their own. The Swans were still running in to cul-de-sacs with Jamie Paterson the main outlet. The physicality increasing. Ronald was struggling, and on seventy minutes was hooked. Placheta coming on. Ronald looked exhausted.

Immediately after that the Swans had a corner.

The result was clear, the Swans were just not having the run of the ball. Ipswich were and broke quickly. Like Leeds they had the pace to do so where Swansea had little. However, Paterson broke and laid a lovely ball on for Cullen who fluffed his lines. Then a lovely cross by Naughton for Mykola saw his headed effort go just over the bar. The game switched ends and Rushworth saved well from a grass cutter of a shot. It was the Swans turn next as Cullen headed a chance straight at the goalkeeper. The chances were there, they just couldn’t be taken.

Moore went off on seventy eight to resounding boo’s as Al Hamadi came on, yes, an ex Swan. Mykola was then seemingly brought down in the area but no whistle from the referee. Harry Darling came on for Naughton who had a really impressive game. The ball kept falling for Ipswich. (I refuse to call them the Tractor Boys, it’s a stupid moniker)

Proof of the Swans poor luck continued when Paterson had a free kick blocked and again the ball fell sweetly for the Ipswich defence. Then we had just three minutes to go with seven subs made. Al Hamadi hit the post which resulted in a corner after a Rushworth save. It wasn’t looking favourable at all.

Ipswich saw the game our for their win in injury time, this stretch of games where little was given for the Swans is now over. The win at Hull looking even more important. The effort was there, but unfortunately the quality isn’t.

Story of the season.

⚽️ Swans Indy Verdict : Overall this was better, but when you are on your heels the luck just doesn’t go your way. Mykola is a far better option than Yates, and hopefully Luke Williams now sees it.

⚽️ Player ratings : Swansea City: Rushworth; 7 (Darling 85), Cabango, 6 Wood, 5 Tymon; 5 Allen 5 (Patino 64),6 Grimes (c); 6 Ronald 6 (Placheta 70) 6 Cooper 6 (Kuharevich 64), 6 Paterson; 6 Yates 6 (Cullen 64) 5 Naughton 7.

Subs: Fisher, Fulton, Sagoe Jr, Lissah

⚽️ Ipswich Town: Hladky; Clarke, Woolfenden, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Luongo (Travis 82); Hutchinson (Harness 68), Chaplin (Burns 68), Broadhead (Sarmiento 68); Moore (Al-Hamadi 79)

Subs: Walton, Edmundson, Jackson, Humphreys

Att: 16,646

Ref : John Busby : 5/10 : missed numerous fouls which should have gone the Swans way.

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Photograph with permission

AnotherJohn added 19:05 - Feb 17 No rating for Naughton? Perhaps a 7?
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