We are going to do what Luke Williams must be doing on a daily basis, and pulling his hair out (Apologies Luke drinks on us next time) We look at the Swans over the last eight games, but on those away primarily, and drill down into exactly where we see the issues.

First off, and this is possibly the best place to start, let’s look at those Swans away matches this season. It hasn’t been an easy start that’s for sure. At Middlesbrough away, that was the first game of the season, the Swans lost 1-0, a scoreline which has pretty much dominated away defeats to date.

Distribution and ball possession is the first place to go, ball retention and how it is lost is the issue for the Swans. In fact all season.

⚽️

⚽️ Here are the attack stats for this game.

It’s a similar story to what we saw under the guidance of Russell Martin. Luke Williams though seems to have a more operational eye on getting the ball out wide to attack the opponents area. The problem is the three strikers out on loan in Josh Thomas, Mykola Kukharevych and Jerry Yates cannot be called upon. The latter two out of the club for now to reduce monthly salary payments. This would come back to haunt the Swans when Liam Cullen became unavailable, and Zan Vipotnik wasn’t considered an immediate replacement. The Swans then had no strikers at all.

West Bromwich Albion away at the end of August presented the Swans with similar issues to those faced at Middlesbrough.

⚽️ The distribution was the same story.

⚽️ And the attack stats.

At times the Swans looked overawed, Ben Cabango and Harry Darling though remained competent and assured. New Keeper Larry Vigouroux was earning the respect of the Swans support, and in this game the 1,800 travelling jacks saw that first hand. The Swans were absolutely smashed in the first half, they looked like schoolboys against men. A string of missed chances from the home side and good goalkeeping kept the game level until right up to half time. Then a familiar story took shape. On forty six minutes, seconds before the half time whistle Jayson Molumby scored and West Brom were one up.

The second half saw a completely different Swansea team turn up, now fearless and committed. Referee Anthony Backhouse denied the Swans a clear cut penalty, and despite what the home side had missed, it was only 1-0 and a converted penalty would have made it 1-1. The game ended 1-0.

That’s two very tough away games ending in another scoreline by the odd goal, 1-0.

The next away game the Swans played was that very decent away win at Coventry City. However, looking at their form, and indeed since that game it would have been disappointing had the Swans lost. Especially having been two goals up. Again the scoreline was achieved by the odd goal. Immediately after the Swans scored their second goal Coventry pulled one back. This signifies a lack of discipline and for us leadership. Just like the goal at West Brom, at a crucial time the team goes to sleep.

We can now turn to last night against Sheffield United.

It’s a similar story again, a goal conceded right before half time. Sleepy Swans after a lot of good first half work dismantle all they have done in a split second. Again no visible leadership enforcing this incredibly frustrating annoying stat which leads to losing games.

⚽️ The control was there.

Incredibly overpowering stats for the Swans again. And a golden opportunity to take the lead in the first half not taken care of. The Swans looked pretty good. No complaints until right before half time Josh Tymon, for some reason when many other options were available deftly put the ball into his own net.

⚽️ In attack, the Swans look to have overwhelmed their hosts. And the last twenty minutes effort was put in, but it was too little too late.

⚽️ Highlights are here.

Luke Williams from what we know has three players who can make a difference to him right now. They were tipped to get starts, but at this time barring injuries Aimar Govea, Sam Parker and Tyrell Wilson are surely an option ?

When an overview of these four away games is taken you can see the Swans have lost 1-0 at Middlesbrough, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United. Three very hard away games. Overall we haven’t seen totally disastrous games. Just frustratingly blatant shortcomings up front. Had this been invested in more diligently there’s no doubt Swansea City could have been in the top six today. However, that isn’t the only reason. Two of these defeats came right on half time, we need to see leadership on the pitch to prevent this. We need to see that from the bench. It’s a common occurrence away from home after four games. Yes, there has been a solitary win, but three games lost 1-0 is the issue.

And even in all four away games the odd goal has won the game. And that actually applies to all season bar the home game against Preston North End. (3-0) Swansea have a weakness, and it’s in concentration, leadership and awareness in key situations and at key times.

We have to do better.

Photographs open source & artwork Swansea Independent

ReslovenSwan1 added 12:57 - Oct 4 The odd out of the blue 30 yard screamer would be useful. Grimes tries them but the rarely hit the target. Swansea did bettering the period when Manning was on set piece duties taking over from Grimes. Sorba Thomas was a natural fit and was available. Josh Thomas looks good but so far has failed to nail down a staring role in league 1. Injuries affected him. Wilson is extremely sharp.

1

Cheltenham Town Polls