A traditional start for Swansea City resulted in an early Gary Madine goal for Blackpool after some blatant fouling in the swans penalty area. Such is the luck of the swans at present the referee decided to ignore the infringements which freed up Madine to head home. The real issue for the swans in that defensive passage was once again their lack of awareness and concentration. Again sleeping when they should have been really alert.
Despite Swansea’s dominance of the ball their play was slow and predictable with little attacking intent or pace to open up the Blackpool defence. It was the pattern of play for the first forty five minutes and although Swansea tried to unlock the tangerines defence they were out muscled in midfield and the frustration continued throughout the half. Andy Fisher was called upon to save from another Gary Madine header, and another break away from the home side down the left meant Fisher had time save with his legs.
Reflecting on the half it really didn’t look like Blackpool were that anxious when the swans were in possession, forming up to harass and stifle Russell Martin’s tactics they had little or nothing to concern them. Some nice balls through for Michael Obafemi were either cut out or too long. Joel Piroe found some central positions to receive the ball but was either not seen or ignored, the swans preferring a sideways pass. It was so slow at times from the swans, Blackpool had all the time in the world to get their shape and positioning in order.
Josh Bowler missed an excellent opportunity to make it 2-0 to Blackpool, firing his shot wide of Fisher after leaving Ben Cabango in his wake just before half time. And despite all the effort Swansea had no shots on target in the half.
Bowler misses his chance again
With the urgency missing, the passing methodical but without attacking purpose the half timed itself out with the home side going in one up. One moment of concern was Flynn Downes yellow card for a hefty high challenge. It could have easily been a red, and despite Russell Martin referencing his players learning from moments like that it seems they aren’t listening.
It was not good.
You would have felt the second half chat by Russell Martin would have fired up the swans and although their was more attacking thought, shots were either blocked or possession given away. Josh Bowler again had a chance but put his shot just wide and Gary Madine started to get some of his own rough house medicine from Cabango and the efficient Kyle Naughton.
Nathanael Ogbeta replaced Korey Smith with twenty five minutes to go, surprisingly deemed fit after a long lay off. The swans support was magnificent throughout the game, noisy, supportive and passionate, but it wasn’t being transferred on to the pitch. Bowler continued to fluff his lines in front of goal allowing the swans a modicum of hope but their slow build up play and lack of execution when needed was frustrating and it has to be said, clueless.
Cyrus Christie missed the best chance for the swans to take a point
There may well have been a shot on goal for the swans, if debutant Cameron Congreve’s shot at goal is included, it really doesn’t matter. It isn’t catastrophic but its not good enough. From the back to the front the mundane control of a game which reflected nearly eighty percent cent possession counted for nothing. Most Swansea City fans will stay with Russell Martin in this new process for the club. But they really do need to see some evidence that anything he does desire actually is achievable with the players he has, or is likely to get. Cyrus Christie could have levelled matters with a header it looked easier to score with, and for all the complaints of the infringements in the swans area for Blackpool’s goal you get the feeling they may well have won this game anyway.
Obafemi found himself isolated throughout the game
It’s all academic as the home side won, had they scored two it would have been deserved, and I suppose had the swans scored an equaliser that would have been deserved too. The swans move on to another away fixture at Peterborough United in midweek, as we said before this game, the pressures off but it looks more like there’s still a millstone round the teams neck at times.
What that millstone is to some will be more than evident, but what is more than likely as this season moves on is the swans will lose more games than they win playing this way. And the reason is simple the players at Martin’s disposal just can’t do it.
Blackpool: Grimshaw; Sterling, Ekpiteta (C), Husband; James, Connolly, Stewart, Dougall; Bowler (Dale 90), Madine (Lavery 74), Kirk (Hamilton 74).
Subs not used: Moore, Casey, Robson, Yates.
Goal: Madine 4
Swansea City: Fisher; Christie, Cabango, Naughton, Smith (Ogbeta 64); Downes, Grimes (C); Ntcham (Congreve 87), Piroe, Paterson; Obafemi.
Subs not used: Hamer, Latibeaudiere, Burns, Fulton, Joseph.
Yellow cards: Downes 37, Naughton 90+2
Attendance: 12,344 ( 1,953 away )
Referee: Stephen Martin 4/10 missed the crucial moment that won Blackpool the game