Albeit a pre season game for the first time in front of supporters at the Swansea.Com Stadium this will be a performance that many will want to quickly forget. Indeed as much if not more as last Fridays performance at Oxford United.
Once again Michael Duff’s tactics looked lost in amongst another lethargic effort for most of this game in front of a very decent home turn out. The Swans had a few first half chances, two falling to Jerry Yates. His first effort brought a fine save from the Gas keeper Belshaw, the second an effort lost with a poor touch and lack of confidence - when all he really needed to do was slot the ball home. Under fire Swans keeper Andy Fisher (below) pulled off a very competent save from a shot from Aaron Collins, and again minutes later from Jeanie Brown. The second a wonderful reactionary save.
The Swans meandered more than anything with Abdulai finding ground on the left hand side of the pitch on several occasions, but against League One opposition the home side were toothless and seemed reluctant to press home any advantage. One note from the first half was a lacklustre Matt Grimes from midfield. Normally able to orchestrate openings he seemed completely disinterested, even from corners as the half wore on. Crosses were poorly executed and the possession that the Swans are well known for was completely missing, Grimes was replaced by Jay Fulton but little came from his introduction.
When chances did arise Ollie Cooper snatched at his opportunity. In fact the overall view from the stands and online was the Swans looked disinterested and totally lacking energy. Normally the frustrations of last season would be from too much possession, last night it was from a lack of execution when in the opponents half. If there was a leader out there it wasn’t noticeable. And more to the point if there was meant to be they just hid away in another routine jaded display.
The home crowd seemed happy to remain patient and the second half changes available to Duff were made as expected. Joel Piroe snatched at two shooting opportunities and when in dangerous positions the Swans just couldn’t find the right momentum at all. Olivier Ntcham again looked out of sorts, and the injuries already an accumulated this pre season reared their ugly head with Fulton hobbling from the pitch injured. The omission of Ben Cabango was noticeable after his injury at Oxford.
Overall this performance when reviewed regards effort and direction from the Swansea City players available was half hearted. Yes, it is pre season but there was absolutely nothing in reserve to stimulate the Swans support on this showing. No player stood out in Duff’s match selections to any extent, and no player looked capable of turning this match around. The two Rovers goals were well executed from decent crosses from the left side of the Swansea defence, and there seems this morning little to take comfort from. That could well change come this Saturday with the Swans heading to League One Reading for their final run out before the Championship season opens against Birmingham City.
If there’s fire in this squads bellies then it needs to be seen this coming weekend, because on the face of it, and on this run out, there seems little to be confident about. As we said, yes it’s pre season but really, a little bit of effort wouldn’t half be welcome this coming Saturday.
Swansea City: Andy Fisher, Josh Key (Filip Lissah 64), Matt Grimes (captain) (Jay Fulton 46), Jerry Yates (Joel Piroe 46), Jamie Paterson (Joe Thomas 77), Brandon Cooper, Liam Cullen (Josh Thomas 77), Nathan Wood (Joel Cotterill 64), Kyle Naughton (Harry Darling 46), Ollie Cooper (Olivier Ntcham 77), Azeem Abdulai (Ben Lloyd 86).
Unused Substitutes: Lewis Webb, Ben Hughes.
Bristol Rovers: James Belshaw (Matt Cox 46), Luca Hoole (Anthony Evans 46), James Wilson, James Connolly (Ryan Jones 46), Lewis Gordon (Tristan Crama 46), Sam Finley (captain) (Kofi Shaw 85), Grant Ward, Luke Thomas (Jerry Lawrence 78), Aaron Collins (Trialist 84), Scott Sinclair (John Marquis 46), Jevani Brown (Harvey Greenslade 85).