Match report

Huddersfield 3 Swansea City 0
Report by Clive Gareth & David Hughes

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Want a look around the McAlpine Stadium  

Will the real Swansea City please stand up? How many games have we gone to not knowing which team we will see. Today it was our first visit to the McAlpine Stadium, with the thought of a good crowd (over 11,000 with 300 Swans) , and memories of some good football played in the first half at Mansfield. With an accident on the M1 near the junction with the A42, it looked like it was to be a long journey. A quick country lane detour around East Midlands Airport saw us back onto the M1 in next to no time, maybe we should have taken notice of this ‘sign’.

Anyway to the game. With a threadbare squad, the team had yet another strange look to it. Byrne moved to left back with Jones playing on the right.

To say the first 20mins was an embarrassment is one of the greatest understatements of all time. We never got going, in fact we never got out of our half, as wave on wave of Huddersfield attacks threatened our defence. There were at least 4 very clear chances on goal, but with wayward shooting Rog didn’t have to make a save. How such a one sided game could still be 0-0 is anyone’s guess. There seemed no thought in our play.

It was very difficult to get possession, but when we did we offered it back to Huddersfield. As strange as football is, we either settled, or Huddersfield eased, looking for their second wind. It was definitely the later as even though the attempts on goal had eased, we were still not creating anything going forward. Midway through the half Robinson chased a ball down the right wing, it really was a lost cause, with the result being yet another hamstring injury. He was replaced by Thomas. Thomas immediately got involved, and at least was putting the effort in by closing defenders down. We had one move of note in the first half, Martinez blasting way, way over from inside the box. It was totally unbelievable that the scoreline was 0-0 at half time.

Was this to be a game that we could scrape a 1-0 win? Well you have to be positive don’t you?

The second half did not see us improve, but at least Huddersfield had not found that second wind as the game turned into a very scrappy affair. Huddersfield got their opener on 51mins as indecision in the defence saw Schofield stretch out a leg and the ball loop past Rog into the net. It had been coming, surprisingly it had taken so long. Huddersfield only had to up the tempo and the game was theirs, but we had either brought them down to our level, or they knew the points were theirs and could just drift through the rest of the game.

Curtis made a double substitution with Coates and Roberts being replaced by Maxwell and Fieldwick. This made very little difference, but with the game entering the last 10mins we were still in the game (on paper). Maxwell had one pot shot towards goal, but his effort was bending wide from the moment it left his boot. With 5mins to go, goal number 2 duly arrived. There had been 2 warnings already when Rog had to chase out of his area to clear.

This time was not to be so lucky. He managed to force Schofield wide, but with Tate unable to get a block in the ball was placed into an unguarded net. Game over. Well the result was, but there was still time for a third, a minute from the end. Again the defence was in total disarray as Lloyd found space just inside the area in line with Rog’s right hand post. With 2 defenders blocking him, but not one tackling, he placed a chip into the top left . So it ended 3-0, a very good result for the Swans as that could have been the score inside 20mins.

On the journey back we have looked for any positives from the game. We could only come up with one. We can finally stop trying to convince ourselves that a slim play-off place is achievable.

Summing up is difficult as we were so inept. We commented in the last report that Mansfield were a good footballing side and to get a draw was creditable. Without being disrespectful to Huddersfield this was not the case today. They were well organised and were committed into getting a result. They did have a few good periods of play, but the result was down to the effort that they were prepared to put in today. That’s what makes it so disappointing. We had not mastered any of the basics required, and therefore were there for the taking. 60-40 balls were lost, passes were misplaced, over hit, under hit.

Not for the first time this season we have said that we are a lightweight side that cannot physically compete in this division.

In some sort of defence it can be said that we had players out. Regulars such as Iriekpen, Howard, Maylett, Nugent and Trundle may have offered the team a better balance, but none of them would have been equipped for today’s battling requirements.

We have mentioned before our thoughts that Flynn had brought in some skilful players, but had not built a team. Today again we were individuals with very little teamwork.

Comments that there is a nucleus in the side to build from was not evident today. Players that should have taken some sort of leadership today went missing. It’s not all about playing neat football and looking for killer balls. In this division it’s about matching teams in commitment to allow the football to be played. Without at least 3 seasoned battlers we cannot look forward to anything but the same next season. Let’s not kid ourselves that players that we believe are ‘good enough for a higher division’ can necessarily do what’s required in this division.

A long hard look has to be taken at each player. Repeating comments from various times this season. THE MIXTURE & BALANCE IS WRONG.

Individual performances cannot really be commented on, but Thomas battled without much success. Tate did to a point, but his head does go down when things go against him. Apart from the goals, Rog hadn’t a save to make, but held all crosses and corners.

Our man of the match goes to Kris O’Leary who just about shaded Thomas, both chosen for being above others for the commitment shown.

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