It wasn’t what you would call a lively game this afternoon at the Swansea.com, despite numerous chances missed by the Swans throughout. It was a Cardiff player on loan to the Millers who ensured the Swans took all three points. He looked devastated !
The game started with little intensity but did offer a few chances for the Swans. Jamie Paterson and Liam Cullen failing to execute their shots correctly. Cullen’s was a bit of an embarrassing finish all told. The crowd was quiet, and again smaller than usual, despite the declared attendance. Sam Clucas offering the Millers only effort on nineteen minutes. The game wasn’t inspiring, it was dull to this point and even a Paterson cross which found Ben Cabango fizzled out. Ronald was pacing the wings, he earned the Swans a few corners. On twenty one minutes another corner was wasted on Harry Darling who was adjudged to foul his opponent.
The Swans had dominated possession at around eighty percent, but the tempo was dropping and safety first for whatever reason seemed to be their objective. When the Swans did get the ball out to Ronald the home side looked dangerous, again on twenty three minutes earning a double corner. Tymon delivered a lovely cross but Cullen’s header was blocked. From the break Sam Clucas was well tackled by Ronald as he set to strike at goal resulting in a two minute stop in play. The tackle greeted with loud applause. We timed the stoppage at two minutes forty seconds.
The lethargy continued in midfield, pausing play, and Jay Fulton preferring again to be defensive in his mindset. He and Grimes were not complimenting any forward build up. Ronald had a chance when Lee Peltier blatantly fouled Oli Cooper, the referee ( Leigh Doughty) waved play on. Ronald’s finish was poor.
A set piece on thirty minutes after a foul on Paterson out on the Swans left was taken by Grimes, the incoming Swans players missed the flight of the ball and again the danger was cleared. Rotherham continued to target Cooper. The another set piece this time from the Swans right after a foul on Ronald. The Swans were getting closer as Paterson received the ball to cross for Cullen. Again nothing, but seconds later Jay Fulton crossed which the away keeper punched clear frantically.
The fact Rotherham had decided to approach the first half cautiously to say the least had rubbed off on the Swans, and in turn the crowd. The home side continued crossing the ball but no pressure was put on the keeper making it easy for him. Rotherham were hopelessly devoid of ideas, they were offering nothing, but the Swans were playing into their hands at times by reacting without any aggression and application. It was pretty poor all round. Balls needed to be challenged in midfield, especially second balls, it wasn’t happening. Rotherham looked the poorest of sides we have seen this season.
A corner was earned by Grimes on forty one minutes, Paterson took it but again the connection from Fulton was ineffective. The Millers of course would be happy with this. But the crowd which was so quiet were nit being inspired. Then a lively opportunity for Paterson, robbing the ball on the centre line he raced forwards but his shot was parried by Johansson. The seventh Swans corner of the half was taken, and again came to nothing. The crowd were murmuring their way to half time.
More great work by Paterson out on the Swans left saw a blistering shot from Ronald, again parried away by the Millers keeper. On chances made, in what was quite a dull game the Swans could have easily been three up. They were not, and really needed to up their game in the second half.
The Swans continued the pressure early in the second half Ronald earning a chance for Cullen, it went out for a corner, and yes the corner came to nothing. It was deathly silent around the ground. Josh Key was next supplying a cross far too close to the keeper on fifty minutes. His cross gathered under little pressure. It was ineffective football. On fifty two minutes Ronald earned another corner for his side taking the ball down well but his cross was blocked. The cross was met by Harry Darling but his header was weak.
More pressure from the Swans with Cooper putting in a ball from the right, again easily handled by the keeper. This was like a training drill for him. We were ten minutes in to the half and it was a repetition of the first. The Swans continued to knock the ball around, the defenders playing keep ball, Harry Darling had a shot from thirty yards on fifty eight minutes but it was deflected for yet another Swansea corner. The cross was met by Cabango who headed across goal to nobody. Usually that unfilled space is where Harry Darling pops up. Not on this occasion.
The chances kept coming, first Ronald with a cracking shot, then Cullen with a looping header. Still no breakthroughs could be made. Ollie Cooper was subbed for Jamal Lowe on sixty four minutes, maybe he can help ? Lowe dropped in to the strikers spot with Cullen just behind him. On sixty six minutes Jay Fulton was carded for a rash challenge.
On sixty seven Lowe had an opportunity but was offside, this after great work from Cullen, chasing and blocking passes. Josh Key again crossing. More subs on for the Swans. On seventy three minutes another corner resulted in a goal. At Ladt ! Andy Rinomhota, on loan from Cardiff, diving and chesting the ball in to his own net. It was what the home side deserved, but getting there was frustrating. On seventy six the Swans earned a twelfth corner of the day out on their left. The corner again collected by the away keeper. As we said, training practice at training levels. Govea and Liam Walsh came on and it seemed to jolly Swansea along a bit.
Rotherham seemed happy to defend a 1-0 scoreline against them, and the Swans just tapped the ball around. The Swans turning back and keeping possession, and Rotherham bringing on big men up front for a final assault. And Rotherham were alive. Attacking for the first time in the game properly. Their intention was clear there application to equalise pretty embarrassing. Tymon completely fumbled a cross in from the left as five minutes of injury time was awarded. Ferguson then crossed for the visitors as some pressure was exerted on the Swansea defence. The work rate by the home side impressive, but really it was unnecessary had the chances the game presented them with been taken the defensive actions would have been unnecessary. Big lump Tom Eaves was happy to put himself about but he looked more non league than League One. As the second half drew to a close Tom Eaves nearly had me eating my words, he threw himself at a Millers cross and it only just went wide. That’s the Swansea City many are getting tired of seeing.
However, when referee Doughty had seen enough he brought the game to a close. It wasn’t so nerve wracking than an extremely tedious watch. The Swans just really seemed unable to get in to top gear, they were rewarded with an own goal win, and it was deserved. But really, the lights need to be kept on for the whole game. It could have been 5-0.
⚽️ Swansea City: Rushworth; 6 Key, 6 Darling, 5 Cabango, 6 Tymon; 6 Fulton 6 (Walsh 73), 5 Grimes; 7 Ronald 7 (Govea 73), 6 Cooper 6 (Lowe 65), 5 Paterson; 7 Cullen 6
Subs: Fisher, Yates, Patino, Kuharevich, Humphreys, Abdulai
⚽️ Rotherham United: Johansson; Revan, Odoffin, Peltier (Ferguson 86), Humphreys, Bramall; Rathbone, Rinomhota, Clucas (Appiah 62), Cafu (Wyke 86); Nombe (Eaves 72)
Subs: Phillips, Seriki, Hatton
⚽️ Referee : Leigh Doughty. Ran the game smoothly and didn’t turn any decision in to a controversy. 7/10
Att : 15,700
Away : 186