Swansea City extended their unbeaten run in the Championship to three games with a decent performance overall at Vicarage Road, Watford last night.
With the local media outlet for Wales showing a bizarre preference for Cardiff City yet again we have decided it’s time to replace the nonsensical support for Cardiff with better coverage of games from here on in. And on that I have to make an apology for getting the pre match team news the wrong way round regards Jamie Paterson and Jamal Lowe, and as I’ve learned in journalism, you always put a hand up when there are inaccuracies. Unlike that certain Welsh media outlet who recently took information from our website and passed it off as their own.
I thought the Swans were odds on for a victory as the first half started with impressive interplay from the away side and accurate passing which had Watford on the back foot. Placheta especially looked lively as did Ronald, and the ever reliable Josh Tymon brought more character to the Swans game. The issue was that the possession and dominance didn’t pay off, Harry Darling forcing a clearance after a powerful header at the Hornets goal and some poorly taken chances preceded the first goal of the night. When the dominance did earn its reward with a mix up between Watford golden boy Ryan Andrews and keeper Daniel Bachmann it came from an unexpected source. Both players were completely out of tune with each other. The goal came from a long ball by Swans captain Matt Grimes and the uncertainty in the Watford defence meant Andrews placed his headed back pass into his own net. It was just what the Swans deserved, and really at this point there were definitely signs this Watford side who haven’t won at home since November were there for the taking.
Ronald was next with a chance but somehow failed to convert after another Watford defensive error, he will look back at that opportunity and wonder how on earth he didn’t score. Much like the last two games the Swans were dominant and rarely threatened but the Hornets slowly grew in to the game as the half concluded. Harry Darling and Nathan Wood stood out as focussed and determined to let their side go in at the break one goal up.
The Swans had an opportunity early on in the second half but Watford were far more alert and aggressive for the second forty five minutes, Chakvetadze, Bayo and Lewis had opportunities for the home side as they began to take more of a hold of the game. However, Placheta would create a few chances, one a sitter after some great work to get in to the box - then Ronald was retired for Charlie Patino. The out of favour midfielder again only earning a ten minute appearance as substitute. Many are questioning why the lack of game time for Patino is continuing. This Swansea side needs a competitive edge and a desire to win games in every starting eleven and an application to succeed. The Swans did display that last night, but really are living life dangerously in the later stages of games. Twice Watford could have gone ahead last night, but the Swans defended well for the majority of the game. Even head coach Luke Williams admitted things still need to improve, "We have been 2-0 up, 2-0 up and 1-0 up at half-time so we have to make better performances in the second 45 minutes. This is an obvious one”
Watford’s equaliser was horrible, a corner ball floated across the Swans goal saw two players only yards out unmarked. It was an easy take for Wesley Hoedt although the actual goalscorer is yet to be confirmed. The defending for that goal was shocking, there is no way two players should be unmarked in that position.
It was agreed all round, but having come through a testing time in January and early February an away point is always welcome following two wins. The big test comes this weekend against Bristol City away and then of course the South Wales derby at the Swansea.Com against Cardiff City. The Swans could have won this game in the same vein as they have the last two wins. Unfortunately missed opportunities and a failure to take chances was again the lasting memory. Possibly now it’s time for a striker or forward player who can actually score goals ?
Williams summary post match was telling, and is something this Swansea side need to work on, "We did manage to control that first half quite well, then we need to respect that and understand to control the game in that way means to create and take clear chances.
"You have to use that control to stop big counter-attacks, and in the second half we lost that control with the ball and that translated to more counter-attacks and it was less comfortable. There is frustration, but I am happy too.”
Luke Williams full post match interview is below.
Watford v Swansea highlights below.
⚽️ Watford: Daniel Bachmann, Wesley Hoedt (captain), Ryan Porteous, Jamal Lewis, Jake Livermore (Ismael Kone 46’), Ken Sema (Gorgi Chakvetadze 43’), Yaser Asprilla, Vakoun Bayo (Mileta Rajovic 73’), Tom Dele-Bashiru, Emmanuel Dennis, Ryan Andrews.
Unused substitutes: Ben Hamer, Francisco Sierralta, Tom Ince, Mattie Pollock, Matheus Martins, Edo Kayembe.
⚽️ Swansea City: Carl Rushworth, Jay Fulton (Joe Allen 69’), Ben Cabango, Harry Darling (Kyle Naughton 69’), Matt Grimes (captain), Jerry Yates (Jamal Lowe 60’), Jamie Paterson (Liam Cullen 60’), Josh Tymon, Przemyslaw Placheta, Nathan Wood, Ronald (Charlie Patino 80)
Unused substitutes: Andy Fisher, Josh Key, Ollie Cooper, Azeem Abdulai.