Match report

Many player ratings and comments now on line

Swansea City 0 Bristol Rovers 0

Swansea City 0 Bristol Rovers 0 - Report by Nigel Gigg , Pictures Andrew Thomas

Another week goes by and inevitably another injury. This time club Captain Roberto Martinez picked up an injury midweek and was replaced today by fit again Andy Robinson. This was the only change to the starting line-up from Rochdale last week.

Still no Leon Hylton, which seems rather puzzling after his “bruised foot injury” which must be 7 or 8 weeks ago now. Also, James Thomas now out for 6 weeks is to resume training following his mystery injury.

Without being too critical of the club, news releases on the injuries situation is poor. I am sure the club would blame the local media, and the local media would blame the club. In any event, players we expect to see again in a matter of weeks are out for months. This leaves the fans bemused and questioning the medical treatment, which I am sure is unfair. Better communication would be welcomed.

Bristol Rovers came to the Vetch, having had a fairly good start to the season, although their early season form had taken a slight downturn. Prior to today's game they were lying in mid-table, eight points behind the Swans.

Players of interest were former Swan, Christian Edwards, former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Graham Hyde, and experienced striker and Swans target of last year, Andy Rammell.

Bristol Rovers bought about 600 fans to the Vetch on a cold, bright afternoon. Premiership referee Andy D'Urso was officiating. Of late, Premiership referees never seem to have a good day in their visits to the Vetch, and Mr D'Urso's visit was not to buck the trend.

After 9 minutes of both teams feeling each other out and not an angry challenge, Mr D'Urso found fault in an excellently timed challenge by Izzy Iriekpen in which he clearly won the ball. D'urso then added insult to injury by showing Izzy the yellow card.

Whilst probably just about shading things early on Swans found difficulty in creating goal scoring opportunities. However, on 23 minutes a cross from wide right by Lee Jenkins was met on the volley by Izzy Iriekpen but his shot was just over the bar.

Alan Tate and Izzy Iriekpen coped well with everything, and both were happy to bring the ball forward at every opportunity. I can not imagine another side in Division Three with two better footballing centre halves.

Both Izzy and Tate were hardly troubled, and Andy Ramell was unable to conjure up anything. He resorted to fouling either Izzy or Tate during every challenge and was booked for his constant transgressions on 34 minutes.

However, if Mr D'Urso could be complemented for getting that right; his award of a free kick against Leon Britton when Leon seemed to be caught in the face going past his man was incredible. Again he confounded and infuriated just about everyone for calling Leon back to lecture him. No doubt he was explaining to Leon that he was a Premiership ref and above mere mortals like Leon.

At half time, Lenny Johnrose replaced Leon Britton, who had it seems had a recurrence of a back problem that saw him leave training early on Friday.

Swans continued to fail to make the most of Daniel Nardiello's obvious talent, and Nugent in particular failed to link up with him effectively today.

Durkan linked well with Jenkins and Robinson, but once again seemed afraid to try to take on his full back. Not once in the 90 minutes did he try to go down the line.

On the other side of the field, Lenny Johnrose undoubtedly tightened things up in midfield helping the Swans gain more of the upper hand. Poor old Michael Howard again let himself down in front of the North Bank with more than a few wayward passes.

As the game went on, it seemed one goal would settle it, and that seemed to have arrived ten minutes from time when after excellent work by Nardiello, the ball was slotted through to Robinson whose first touch provided him with space. However, his goalbound shot from just eight yards was magnificently blocked by a diving Christian Edwards.

Mr D'Urso not wanting to be outshone by anyone, turned down a clear penalty when Nardiello was pulled back by Edwards, and his final act was to book Alan Tate for his first foul of the afternoon.

At the end, despite playing by far the better football, the Swans failed to win their 4th consecutive home game. Bristol Rovers look yet another, big, fit and strong side.

On the plus side, today was a sold defensive performance, and a controlled midfield performance. Off the field it was great to see ball boys have spare balls to keep the game flowing. This undoubtedly gave us a couple of extra minutes.

On the downside, Kevin Nugent had a poor game. Kieron Durkan seems to me that he could offer us so much more and Mr D'Urso. He probably saw today as a trip to the seaside. A bit of a mid season holiday. For me it turned into a holiday from hell.

Freestone – 7 - Little to do, no panics, distribution better than of late.
Jenkins – 7 – Solid, got forward at every opportunity.
Iriekpen – 8 – One mistake in 90 minutes. Excellent.
Tate – 8 – As above. Great to see him back.
Howard – 5 – A few woeful passes spoilt a fairly good performance.

Durkan – 6 – Nice touches, but always seems as if he should offer us more.
Britton – 7 – Always a threat.
Wilson – 7 – Much better game today.
Robinson – 7 – Our most likely scorer today, always involved.

Nugent – 5 – His worst game since joining us.
Nardiello – 6 – We didn't get the best out of him today.

Subs
Johnrose – 8 – Helped bolster midfield.
Coates – Not on long enough to comment. Click here to return to the main page.