Russell Martin’s frustrations continued after a promising start at Ewood Park this afternoon in front of over five hundred travelling Swans fans. Despite the domination in the first half and hitting the bar from a Ben Cabango header the game ended with the inevitable conclusion.

It was a late goal from Daniel Ayala that sealed the points for the riversides in a bitty second half that saw the home side much more competitive than they were in the first half. The real issue for the Swans remains Joel Piroe, as silky as he wants to be he has little pace and his heading ability remains exceptionally poor. On three occasions opportunities opened up for him and on all occasions he failed to execute a threat on the Rovers goal.

It’s fair to say Swansea squandered the point and didn’t have the moral fibre to win the game and Blackburn monopolised on the Swans shocking defensive positioning for their winning goal. There is little pace in the Swans side, and very little composure in games like these to take on an opportunity and capitalise from it. Nothing signified this more when Matt Sorinola, with the goal opening in front of him miss hit his effort so badly it sailed over the bar.

That’s the difference between salvaging a game and losing it.

Playing football as Swansea do will always present the odd chance for their opposition but on this occasion their hosts offered very little. The battle between two sides allegedly vying for a play off spot was incredibly inane at times. Once again we see footballers in a Swansea City shirt unable to play in Russell Martin’s vision. The loss was expected, and that feeling hasn’t been a thing for quite a long time. And the fact the Swans did lose is no surprise.

Stoke City visit the swansea.com stadium on Tuesday night ( kick off 7.45pm ) and we are two games in to Russell Martin’s eight game run before the international break. It’s a shame that we are in just win and prove yourself territory once more. It just isn’t necessary. Unfortunately the cries for his removal will not help at all. Especially if your name is Russell Martin.

Blackburn head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson
"It was a big win. If you look at the performance and the result, I think it was deserved after two difficult games on the road. First half I was not happy, that was not the plan. We were too passive out of possession and we were not moving the ball quickly enough. Second half we created chances, we played front foot, aggressive football and good to see another clean sheet. The crowd got behind the players and I think you could see the players believed until the end. They showed the great spirit this team has."

Swansea head coach Russell Martin
"I don't think we deserved to lose, but we don't get the first goal when we should. The story of the season, we can't keep a clean sheet. We actually defend the box really well, we limit them to one chance in 89 minutes, but then give away a really poor goal - second phase at a set-piece. It's a real killer blow. We should be leaving with a 0-0 at least. We had some really good chances in the first half. They have two moments and one goes in. It's frustrating. We can't get any momentum or consistency at the moment. We have to bounce back on Tuesday."

Blackburn Rovers: Pears; Carter, Hyam, Ayala, Pickering; Travis (C), Buckley; Thomas, Dolan, Brereton Diaz (Hedges 78); Gallagher (Dack 73) (Szmodics 86).

Subs not used: Hilton, Brittain, Morton, Phillips.

Goal: Ayala 89

Yellow cards: 🟨 Thomas 15, Travis 45, Ayala 90+3, Dolan 90+4

Swansea City : Fisher;6 Cabango, 6 Wood, 5 Darling 6 (Sorinola 90); Latibeaudiere, 4 Fulton 6 (Whittaker 90), Allen 7 (Cullen 72), Grimes (C),6 Manning;6 Cundle 5 (Cooper 59); Piroe. 5

Subs not used: Sondergaard, Walsh, Ntcham.

Yellow cards: 🟨 Latibeaudiere 51, Fulton 88

Attendance: 12,584 (519 away)

Referee: Thomas Bramall 5/10 looked a bit dopey.

Tonight’s League Table To 13

Photographs licensed from Reuters & ©️Swansea City AFC ( with permission )

Swansea City Polls