The Swans took three more points at a desperate Plymouth Argyle, a side which had only lost once before the Swans visited Home Park last night.

Wayne Rooney’s side were without a win in there last 4 fixtures prior to kick off. For Swansea fans they were feeling optimistic that a win was certain tonight, given the opposition and the Swans recent form in the last few games. Swansea came off the back of a 1-1 draw against Luton. However, the result did not tell the story of the game. Swansea were fantastic in creating chances, 20 of those, brilliant in the build up but ultimately just not clinical enough, the story of the season so far. It felt imperative that this side should be improving, however in order to pick up all 3 points, the Swans would need to work on their finishing.
 
The game started of quickly for Swansea, who looked impressive in the first 10 minutes. It was evident early on that Josh Tymon and Josh Key would have more space to work in higher up the pitch. Following a few balls placed into the box from the full backs which no Swans player could provide a finish. A big chance fell to Jay Fulton, who unfortunately could not reposition his body in time to make a strong enough connection. Despite a strong start, Swansea struggled to establish a rhythm in the first half, allowing Plymouth to create more chances and appear as the more dominant side. There seemed to be a significant mismatch in midfield, highlighting how big a miss the absence of Gonçalo Franco is. We saw a different side to Swansea tonight, who felt the need to make several fouls on the Argyle players. This led to play being halted and the game lacking in any flow, generally a game without any excitement in the first half.
 
A poor first half display with few chances, saw Swansea push up the pitch in the closing few minutes. With another ball into the box and a failure to clear it on Plymouth’s side a chance fell kindly to Jay Fulton who guided the ball into the bottom corner. The Swans went into half time winning; however, it was clear that the task in-front was bigger then expected.

Swansea started the second half strong. Eom Ji-Sung and Myles Peart-Harris not involved as much as they could have been in the first half, looked to have take a more direct approach in the second half, both more involved. This led to Swansea earning a few corners and creating more chances. It was on the 60th minute where Myles Peart-Harris delivered a delightful cross to find Liam Cullen, who could not miss. A player who now has 8 goal contributions since the memorable night for Wales in Cardiff for both club and country.
 
Myles Peart-Harris was exceptional throughout the second half. He really did need to show his more positive style of play. He may not have the pace of a modern-day winger, however his intelligence and ability to make things happen is so important for the side when he performs like this. He created 3 big chances tonight. One fell to Jay Fulton on the 70th minute, who could not convert his header. It looked as if Swansea had found their second gear, continuing to create good passages of play.
 
Liam Cullen notably picked up the ball very well in his new advanced midfield position. With 42 touches and 23 passes completed it is great to see him so involved in the build up. Cullen looks to have found real confidence in this role, his general positioning and ability to play in the half spaces is noticeable, almost as if he has been playing there his whole career. The most striking thing for me, is his natural ability to play the ball quickly and make line breaking balls through, adding assists to his game so elegantly.
 
In typical Swansea fashion, Luke Williams side conceded from a corner and with 10 minutes left on the clock, the following Jack Army were left to a nervy end. It certainly was a shaky time, referee Stephen Martin made some crucial decisions in the favour of the Swans. The full-time whistle was a huge relief, a result that could prove to be massive for Swansea later on in the season.

With additions there could well be some very positive thoughts going into the Spring and the end of the season. For Wayne Rooney this is another move backwards for a manager who really isn’t cutting it at all levels he has tried in football management.

That’s another game which has ended up with the Swans winning by the odd goal bar the 3-0 home win against Preston North End. In fact that win is another game this season where the Swans have either won or lost by the odd goal. Fine margins as Swansea City complete game 20 in the Championship.

Sunderland at home this coming Saturday (3pm) will prove to be a much bigger test.

The Indy Swans ratings

⚽️ Plymouth Argyle: Daniel Grimshaw, Bali Mumba, Nathanael Ogbeta (Michael Obafemi 60), Kornel Szucs, Callum Wright, Mustapha Bundu (Rami Al Haji 79), Lewis Gibson (captain), Darko Gyabi, Andre Gray (Ryan Hardie 66), Adam Randell, Brendan Galloway.

Unused Substitutes: Conor Hazard, Jordan Houghton, Julio Pleguezuelo, Adam Forshaw, Tegan Finn, Victor Palsson.

⚽️ Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux; 6 Josh Key 6 (Cyrus Christie 76) 5 Ben Cabango 6 Harry Darling 6 Josh Tymon 6 (Kyle Naughton 76) 5 Matt Grimes (captain) 7 Jay Fulton 7 (Gonçalo Franco 76),
5 Liam Cullen 7 Myles Peart-Harris 7 Jisung Eom 6 (Ronald 67) 5 Florian Bianchini 5 (Žan Vipotnik 67) 5

Unused Substitutes: Nathan Tjoe-A-On, Nelson Abbey, Azeem Abdulai, Jon McLaughlin

Referee: Stephen Martin : Not the best but never has been. 5/10.

Attendance: 15,305
Away 512 (Reuters)

⚽️ Luke Williams post match

⚽️ Plymouth 1 Swansea City 2 Highlights below

Stats BeSoccer : Photographs Open Source and with permission Dimitris Legakis

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