Match report

Swansea 1 York City 2

We all returned to the Vetch (well at least 4,086 of us did) for the second of the trilogy of Saturday home games, hoping to see a vast improvement on the witnessed or reported performance at Bristol Rovers last Tuesday evening.

Again suspensions and injury along with unacceptable form forced Nick Cusack into several changes and saw the Swans line up:

Although the predictability of last season has gone, the Swans rapidly seem to be developing a pattern at home whereby they are fired up for the first 20 minutes or so, sit back and put themselves under pressure for the remainder of the half, continue to soak up pressure for the early part of the second half, and then for the final quarter of the game, replace a midfielder with a striker in an attempt to win the match or at least claw back a deficit to salvage a point.

Add into that the now all-to-regular dose of baffling, inconsistent, and irritating decisions by the officials, coupled with a splash of yellow every 10 – 15 minutes, and there you have it, the summary of today's game.

So lets add a few names and a bit of detail to it all.

The starting line up assumed a 4-3-3 formation (could actually have been a 4-2-4 at some stages) although Moss and Cusack appeared to have been issued with Runabout Tickets and popped up wherever required, confusing the formation addicts to boot.

Early on Moss demonstrated his aerial ability, and it was well into the first half before he came out second best in any headed challenge. He is without doubt the best target man we have had for some time, and maybe the sooner we are able to build a game around his abilities, and allow Wood and Thomas to feed off him, then the sooner our attack may be able to score enough goals to keep ahead of our defence conceding them.

A couple of good moves down the left, where Jenkins was continuing where he left off against Bournemouth saw that player come close with two chances to the left of the penalty area. We were looking sharp, and had a couple of other chances from Reid and Keaveny, and at that stage, with around 20 minutes gone, never looked threatened with Duffield, (who had scored 5 times in York's first 5 games) and Parkin, their central striker who cast a shadow on the ground like few other attackers I have seen, were rarely in the game.

Then we started to drop back, as we do, defensive errors started to creep in, and all of a sudden we looked threatened. It is evident that Roger Freestone is not 100% fit, and he is certainly not commanding his area in the way with which most fans have become familiar. With Theobald and Sharp seemingly a lot less comfortable with the York attack than they had been against Bournemouth, the defence started to look a bit shaky, and a few scrambled clearances saved the blushes after moments of no communication. We are exposed through central defenders being caught out of position far too often and we gift the opposition opportunities they should never have.

It soon became clear that we were as likely to concede a goal this half as score, and there were several Keystone Cops sequences with the ball bouncing around between players who didn't really know what was going on. However, when York did chalk up their opening goal just on 30 minutes, the situation resembled a game of our youth – how many people can you cram into a school toilet cubicle - only on this occasion it was how many Swans players could you cram into the 6-yard box and still concede a goal? We ended the half a goal down, whereas on our early performance we should have been at least level.

Following Kevin John's never ending enthusiasm for the half time mascot penalty shoot out, the teams re-appeared. Mumford replaced Jenkins at half time, and by now I had given up trying to track the formation too much. We continued to defend scrappily, and were putting ourselves under unnecessary pressure. When Williams replaced Murphy in the last quarter, we started to look brighter in attack, not solely through his introduction, but because we could see the game slipping away, and injected some urgency into our game, right throughout the team.

Having spent most of the second half (from the Centre Stand this week) resting on the left cheeks of our backsides staring at the away supporters and constant pressure from York, we were able to adjust our seating position and watch a prolonged spell of attack by the Swans.

When the equaliser came on 76 minutes, it fell to David Moss to superbly head home from 6 yards from a Howard cross. There will not be many keepers in this division (and York's keeper was very good) who will stop a Moss header from that distance and we do need someone to place the ball within his reach more than once or twice during a game.

We looked as if we could easily have turned the game around at that point and taken all points, but within 4 minutes we were behind again following a seemingly harsh penalty decision. Duffield scored to maintain his record.

The penalty decision capped an all-round poor display by the referee and his assistants. I could go on about the referees each week, but not in the way of blaming them constantly as a cover up to our performance deficiencies. They are inconsistent and pedantic, as I have written before. There were 5 bookings for the Swans, (as well as 2 for York) which we could well do without given the rate at which we are collecting them at present, and the way in which the referee was conducting himself, a red card would not have been out of the question for a fairly innocuous act. Five bookings was an excessive number, and certainly most, even if not all, unjustified to my mind.

Cusack's frustration with the officials was clear for everyone to see, but York took advantage of the referees interpretation whenever possible, and duped him several times, over elaborating the effects of many challenges. If referees are regularly going to act in this way, then football will ultimately become a no contact sport. The regular stoppages for minor infringements were frustrating for the crowd and the players; the blatant inconsistencies in his decision-making, even more so.

For the Swans, it was difficult to know who was in charge on the field today with Roger shouting from the back, Reid sporting the captains armband, and Cusack managing from the middle. At the end, the crowd booed, some at the referee, some at the team, and all born out of the frustration of watching another performance fall way short of what is required over 90 minutes.

No matter what the views of any of us, however, we are 21st after 6 games, with 5 points, and though time is not exactly running out, we are a long way from having a settled side, and a consistent home and away pattern of play that will gain us adequate points. Many people are happy to praise Nick Cusack in what he is doing, and also the board for what they have achieved off the field. Reality and history will show that results before anything will determine the success and the perception of success at any club. Unless we start to win matches then all the good that has been done in the close season will pale, and that is the last thing we need right now.

On early season showings, we will succeed or fail on the performance of our defence and the ability of the midfield to create chances for the attack to put the ball in the net. We have the strikers to win us games (provided we keep Watkin and Williams out of this) but we will let our selves down if we do not give them the best shot we can, and keep the defence tight to make the strikers' efforts meaningful.

Player ratings
Freestone – 6 – no longer controls his area, but some good saves
Evans – 6 – hasn't settled into a role this season
Theobald – 4 – poor performance after last home game showing
Sharp – 5 – OK in air, but some balls misjudged which created pressure on us
Howard – 5 – good cross for goal was only highlight
Murphy – 5 – wants to get rid of ball too quickly, should be more creative
Jenkins – 5 – not as comfortable this week in left midfield position
Reid – 7 – excellent work rate, could have calmed things down on occasions
Cusack – 7 – influential and heavily involved in game, on field leadership is an issue
Moss – 8 – easily man-of-the-match for me, great headed goal
Keaveny – 7 – raw edges, but good potential when he faces goal


Williams – 5 – some fair crosses, but has lost his pace and aggression
Mumford – 5 – not making an impression this season so far

Third home game of the season, and yet another warm sunny day in South Wales. We made a late decision to travel down today, was it the correct decision? make your own minds up.

Changes to the line up saw us play 4-4-2 with Cusack, Moss & Keaveny starting and Murphy back after injury. So the line up was Freestone, Evans Theobold Sharpe & Howard. Reid Murphy Moss and Jenkins, Cusack & Keaveny.

The first 10 minutes saw much of the play in midfield, with two runs at the defence from Jenkins on the left but both were wasted. In a poor first half performance from the Swans, York totally dominated with some crisp interplay with man mountain Parkin being the target man with Nogan and Duffield picking up the pieces. It only seemed a matter of time before York would score as time after time our defence struggled to clear with very little support from midfield. We did have one clear chance when Keaveny chased a ball into the area, placed the ball wide of the keeper, but being off balance only managed to hit the side netting from an angle. With more experience he might have done better to compose himself, control the ball, or pass back across goal. That was our only bright spot of the half. With about 15 minutes to half time York got their deserved lead. We wish it was from a good move, but yet again the defence handed it to them on a plate. Defenders looked on as the ball begged to be put into row Z allowi

The second half saw Mumford replace Jenkins, who had received a yellow in the first half and seemed likely to get a red if he had continued. Mumford dropping in at the heart of the defence, so it was back to 5-3-2. The early exchanges saw a header from Moss and one from Cusack, but again not threatening the York goal. York continued to play the better football with Nogan bringing a sharp save from Roger. Roger came to the rescue once again when Parkin was through on goal for Roger to save his powerful shot with his legs. On the 70th minute came a turning point in the game, Moss challenged the York keeper Marlon Beresford, who went down clutching his head after just a touch. (Marlon Brando would have been proud of the acting). Moss was manhandled by at least 3 York players with the referee only talking to Moss. One player, Edmondson, had earlier kicked out Keaveny, and again it was only Keaveny that was spoken to. This event woke the team and the crowd up and for the next ten minutes we actually had a team th

Howard was involved on the left, but wasted a cross, making amends 2mins later when a perfect cross was met by Moss on the far post just the six-yard box placing his header into the far corner. From a game that we were never really in it was 1-1.

The Swans had York back peddling as they looked for the second. It was not to be as within 10mins Duffield was adjudged to have been brought down by Mumford inside the box, Duffield scoring from the spot. The final 10mins were uneventful, as with time ticking away the Swans seemed to accept defeat showing lack of urgency at every dead ball.

That's the thoughts of the game, but now some general thoughts, we normally don't score players but this display deserves some recognition.

Freestone 6. Not as commanding as usual, but then again who can blame him playing behind our defence.

Evans 5. Saved us on a few occasions but also misreads the flight of the ball.

Theobold. 4 After a good game against Bournemouth struggled all afternoon.

Sharp 4 Never one a thing in the first half, but did challenge better against Parkin in the second, but most were blocks and no distribution.

Howard 5 Did play a fairly solid game without impressing.

Reid 4 Never got going, showed frustration again being needlessly booked.

Murphy. 3 How can he waste his talent ...GET INVOLVED. Has a knack of being in the wrong place after directing everyone else.

Jenkins 4 5 good early minutes then lost it, lucky not to be sent off.

Moss 6 shows neat touches and thought but needs runners in support.

Keaveny 7 Worked hard all day, but is raw, hopefully will develop.

Cusack 8 Fully involved winning most aerial battles.

Subs
Mumford 4 Must decide if he wants to progress, as is not putting the effort in, seems disinterested.

Williams 4 Where was the pace. Long throws only today, no urgency

This was a poor performance, even taking account players that were out, only Thomas & Wood could have made a difference. This is not a slight on Cusack & Keaveny who battled throught.

Alan Curtis had stated that they had gone back to basics in training this week, if that is so, then the players forgot it all as they crossed the white line today.

Basics as taught to the youngest child.

Support the player on the ball, give him options. In attack give movement, create space. In defence, make yourself available

******** Today players stood and watched.

If a player goes for a tackle, be the second man, if he wins the ball you can clear it. If he doesn't then you get the second tackle in before the attacker can get control.

********* Today players stood and watched.

If the ball is there, attack it. In defence split second decision can you play it out .. no, then row Z.

******** Today players under hit clearances. Put your weight through the ball.

In attack, attack the ball, Be decisive, take a chance, maybe sometimes the wrong option. But be positive.

Midfield. You are the engine. Support the defence, not just by making up the numbers but pressurise. In attack ... Get up there, attack the penalty area, it's not a jogging session.

All, when defending stay on your feet, do not dive in. Stay goal side. Be determined no tap tackles put your weight in. All, when attacking get to the area at pace, worry the defence. Take chances attack the space as well as the ball, get in where it hurts.

We started this report with 'We made a late decision to travel down today, was it the correct decision? make your own minds up'.

What do YOU think?

Frustrated or what?

Swans took on high-flying York at the Vetch Field today in perfect conditions. There was a light breeze and bright sunshine but the temperature was distinctly autumnal.

Nick Cusack made expected changes to the team that had performed so poorly against Bristol Rovers earlier in the week and it wasn't only the personnel that he changed.

A major departure was the change from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2.

Swans lined up:

Subs: Marsh, Williams, Mumford, Smith D, Jackson

Swansea started the brighter and Jenkins playing wide left in midfield seem to be enjoying his release from wing back duties. During the first 10 minutes, he twice got in shots that caused a few oohs from the crowd but in essence, his efforts only bothered the side netting.

Best chance of the first half fell to home debutant Jonathan Keaveney. Latching onto a through ball, his speed took him around the advancing keeper but his shot into an empty net was from a rather obtuse angle and the lack of power allowed a retreating defender to get back and marshall the ball away from the empty goal line.

Reid and Murphy both managed shots which failed to cause the keeper any trouble and gradually York got the upper hand.

Despite the change to 4-4-2, the team, was still a little unbalanced with no one holding the right side of midfield and Cusack wandering in a freeish role which saw him more in midfield than the designated centre forward role.

With Swansea's back line looking far from secure, it came as no surprise when York took the lead. After forcing a succession of corners on the right, Swansea failed to clear the cross and a poorly headed clearance saw the ball ricochet and fall invitingly for Bullock to force the ball home through a crowded morass.

Swansea lost their way after this setback and when the half time whistle came, they left the field to boos.

Cusack made two changes at half time: Mumford replaced Jenkins who had earlier been booked and Mumford formed a back 3 with Sharp and Theobald in a 3-5-2 formation.

Swansea started the first quarter of the second half as they'd finished the last of the first half and the crowd became more and more disillusioned with what they saw.

Cusack then made another change bringing Williams on for Murphy and going to a 3-4-3 formation for the last 30 minutes.

This met with some success and gradually a period of Swansea pressure began to build. Williams was put through on the left but his 20 yard sprint left his final shot lacking any power whereas the "old" John Williams would surely have gone on to score from this position.

One of Swansea's main problems is that there are no wingers at the club and so very few balls get crossed from the by-lines. Mike Howard starting to push forward down the left wing started to get a couple of these crosses in.

From one of these forays, his left foot cross was poorly hit and instead of a high ball, his low cross was easily cut out. Fortunately, the clearance found its way back to him and he made no mistake with his second chance. His delightfully flighted cross was met with a bullet header from the pedestrian Moss from just 10 yards out which gave the York keeper no chance.

The crowd went wild at this unexpected turn of events and with 15 minutes to go, there was real optimism that we could build on this. But within 5 minutes of drawing level, Swansea were once again behind.

Some tricky dribbling just inside the box by Duffield saw Mumford injudiciously whip his legs from under him while attempting the tackle. Duffield took the spot kick himself and sent Roger the wrong way with a perfectly placed penalty.

Mumford petulantly got himself booked - which was the fifth of the match for Swansea.

A disappointing result against a better organised York side.

Player ratings:
Freestone 6 - one good save with his legs when one on one, but didn't command his area in the fashion to which we've become accustomed.
Evans 7 - steady enough game and won quite a few headers despite his height
Theobald 5 - won very few headers despite playing in the centre back position
Sharp 6 - Was the better of the 2 centre backs and was up against a man mountain most of the time
Howard 7 - made the goal and coped well defensively too
Reid 6 - captain today but didn't really catch my eye. Picked up his 3rd booking
Murphy 6 - average game without shining at all
Jenkins 6 - looked lively to start with but was rightly booked for his mistimed tackles.
Moss 6 - very slow (in pro football terms) and failed to compete well in the middle in the air. But his goal was a peach of a bullet header
Cusack 6 - despite winning his share of balls in the air, lacked the discipline to stick in the position he'd picked himself for. Got dragged far too deep trying to be involved in most things
Keaveney 6 - a promising home debut considering he was playing local league a year ago. Did not disgrace himself in any way and will improve given the chance.
Subs:
Williams 5 - the one run seemed to finish him off
Mumford 6 - the less demanding running involved in the back 3 suited him, but he is far from the player that finished last season

Swansea started the game the stronger side with Lee Jenkins twice coming close within the first five minutes.

But it was the visitors who opened the scoring after Lee Bullock scrambled the ball home following a Graham Potter corner on the half-hour mark.

After the break, Jon Parkin had a great chance to make it two for the visitors, but Roger Freestone blocked his goal-bound shot.

David Moss appeared to have rescued a point for the Swans after 77 minutes, but Paul Reid was adjudged to have fouled Duffield in the area and the in-form marksman made no mistake in converting the spot-kick with nine minutes remaining.

Scorers