This game was lost in the first half, the score at half time the same as when the game ended. A lack of defensive awareness and organisation on the pitch saw the Swans outdone today.
The gulf in class over the first forty five minutes was evident to all who watched this fixture.
The first six minutes saw Southampton go one up after Bashir Humphreys lost his man (Che Adams) in the box, that was 1-0 to the visitors. The second on twenty minutes was an error by Nathan Wood when failing to cut out a cross which saw a glaring offside not given in the build up. Will Smallbone latched on to a pass to make it 2-0. A change in momentum saw the Swans back in the game when Jamie Paterson headed home from a lovely Liam Cullen touch. Jamal Lowe was floored by the Saints keeper, Gavin Bazunu, Lowe possibly hand balled in the move. To cap it all off Flynn Downes put his side two goals ahead when he fired home from just outside the area.
Jamie Paterson celebrates his headed goal
Well, that was the first half action stats, the real basics of the four goals we saw at the Swansea.Com this afternoon. The real issue for me was the contribution of Matt Grimes in that first half. He is the captain, not once did I see him try and lead his side from the front. When Southampton scored he just walked back to his restart position with his head down. I saw no dedicated desire to inspire or manage his side from an organisational point of view. The time for being nice with certain players is over for me. A captain leads, he doesn’t outwardly display his disappointment, he energises and encourages his players. Sorry, but Matt Grimes doesn’t possess that at all.
Harry Darling worked relentlessly in this game
The second half saw a more upbeat Swansea, chances were made but Southampton nearly bagged a fourth, if it wasn’t for the last ditch deflection by Carl Rushworth in the Swansea goal it was a tap in. He had already come to the aid of his team on two occasions in the first half, he was a busy lad for sure. Grimes at last looked more involved as the first ten minutes of the half was passed.
Disarray and Jay Fulton earlier on this afternoon
What we were seeing is the obvious lack of pace in this Swans side. Unlike Southampton they were unable to use the flanks effectively. The Saints on the other hand had pace and good understanding on both wings. However, the last twenty minutes was all Swansea, the hapless Jerry Yates hit the post from a yard out when it was easier to score, Yannick Bolasie did the same moments later. Jamie Paterson tested the Saints keeper, Charlie Patino lost his nerve when it was also easier to score, and Joe Allen squandered his weekly opportunity from eight yards. The Swans were so impressive the first half respect shown to their visitors has to be questioned. Bolasie fired a rocket just over the bar and Saints keeper Bazunu came to his sides aid on numerous occasions in the last fifteen minutes.
Luke Williams will take heart from this performance, especially the bravery of Jamal Lowe, Josh Tymon and Harry Darling. Jamie Paterson was again the player of the match for the Swans, but this side needs on the pitch leadership, and it simply hasn’t got it.
Sky Sports Stats
⚽️ Swansea City: Carl Rushworth, 7 Jay Fulton 5 (Joe Allen 75), 5 Harry Darling,6 Matt Grimes 5 (captain), Jamal Lowe 7 (Jerry Yates 65), 4 Jamie Paterson, 8 Josh Tymon, 7 Liam Cullen 6 (Charlie Patino 65), 6 Nathan Wood, 5 Harrison Ashby 6 (Yannick Bolasie 65),7 Bashir Humphreys.5
Unused Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Kristian Pedersen, Nathanael Ogbeta, Kyle Naughton, Ollie Cooper.
⚽️ Southampton: Gavin Bazunu, Kyle Walker-Peters, Ryan Manning, Flynn Downes, Adam Armstrong (captain), Che Adams (Sekou Mara 75), Will Smallbone (Shea Charles 87), Stuart Armstrong (Joe Rothwell 75), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Jack Stephens 59), Ryan Fraser, Jan Bednarek.
Unused Substitutes: Joe Lumley, Mason Holgate, Carlos Alcaraz, Sam Amo-Ameyaw, Tyler Dibling.
Referee: Matthew Donohue
Attendance: 17,356
Away 1,860
Referee : Oliver Langford : 5/10 : He was more behind the game than Jerry Yates