Shrewsbury Town 2 v 0 Swansea City
Dave Williams
After two wins in the previous 6 days, could we win a third against a team struggling at the wrong end of the table?
Swans took the field with the now expected starting lineup of:
Gueret
Gurney Monk Austin Ricketts
Forbes Martinez O'Leary Robinson
Connor Trundle
Bench: Murphy, Britton, Nugent, Fisken, Tate
Swans were first to go on the attack and were in the Shrews box twice within two of minutes of the start and winning a corner after some very good passing. Shrewsbury opted for a physical long-ball game with the players clearly out to make an impression on new manager, Gary Peters, by showing 100% commitment early on and soon won a corner which skidded dangerously past the far post for another corner and had a fierce 25 yard shot blocked.. Ricketts and Robinson both found shooting space on the left but both shot tamely wide although a later Robinson cross also appeared to graze the Shrewsbury crossbar. About 20 minutes in, the Shrews won a succession of corners and when the third of these was unconvincingly headed clear by Austin, it fell to Sedgemore who smacked the ball though the crowd of players into the net. The Swans had probably just about had the best of the play up to this point but it was clear the Shrews weren't going to roll over. When the game resumed, Gurney was booked for a tackle from behind on the halfway line and then almost immediately rather stupidly repeated the offence about 20 yards further back and he showed why his disiplinary record is now becoming a cause for concern. Fortunately, the referee took no action against the second foul.
Buoyed by their goal, Shrewsbury upped the tempo and were quicker into the tackle and occasionally a little reckless. They were winning the midfield and Swans were finding it hard to get a grip of the game. On 28 minutes, Luke Rodgers (a well known nutter) quite deliberately charged Willy into the advertising hordings in front of the away fans. Willy reacted by shoving Rodgers and could easily have been sent off. Astonishingly though, the referee did not book Rodgers nor even award a free kick against him and this injustice appeared to be the catalyst for what happened in the remainder of the half. There were many incidents of "only just within the rules" tackling from both sides and when Ryan Lowe jumped on Kevin Austin's back and wrestled him to the ground near the touch line, Austin got up and confronted Lowe and Gary Monk quickly stepped in to separate them by first pushing Lowe away and then Austin. To everyone's amazement, and especially Monk's, the referee booked him after consulting the linesman even though his part seemed to me to be more of a peacemaker. Again, another injustice which seemed to incite the Swans players. At this point the Swans started getting more into the game until, with the half drawing to a close, Monk was adjudged to have made a two footed tackle, in which he appeared to win the ball, but was punished by a second yellow and he was off. Two minutes later, Robinson reacted to yet another bad tackle by grabbing his assailant by the throat and he joined Monk in the changing rooms. There were suggestions that he had butted but I didn't see anythiing more than the usual forehead to forehead. The referee had lost control but it was his own lack of even handedness that seemed to have been the start of his problems when he quite clearly was more intent on punishing reactions to bad tackles than the perpetrators. This is always a recipe for a bad tempered match and this was no exception.
So 0-1 at half time and down to 9 men. My discussions with fellow Jacks seemed to centre around what changes Jackett would make as he would surely have to make some. Would he bring on Tate to stabilise the defence, maybe at the expense of Connor and leave Trundle alone up front as he would be more capable of creating something out of nothing? Well, surprisingly, there were no half-time team changes and the 9 who finished the first half took the field for the second and we played with 3 at the back. To their credit, all the Swans players started to give an extra 25% effort especially O'Leary and although Shrewsbury exploited the spaces that were inevitably left, they found Willy in excellent form and he pulled off several good saves. At this point, my hands were becoming too cold to write notes and, as I had noticed Nigel Gigg making notes in the row in front of me, I decided to chicken out and let him tell the rest in his usual accurate detail. Nugent replaced Connor presumably because he is better at holding the ball up and Fisken came on for the tiring Forbes and Shrewsbury's Dave Ridler scored with a downward, far-post header from a corner 10 minutes from the end to make the game safe. Tate immediately replaced Gurney and, who knows, if he'd come on a few minutes earlier, he might have prevented the second goal. Swans had battled gamely but ultimately found the numerical disadvantage too great.
Gueret - 7, made some superb saves in second half and had little chance with either goal, but lucky to stay on the pitch.
Gurney 5, defended Ok but his knack of collecting yellow cards is a concern
Monk - 5, never at ease against the pace of Lowe & Rodgers
Austin - 6, same as Monk but used his strength well
Ricketts, 5, not as effective as in recent games
Forbes - 5, his usual hard work but little end product. Ran his heart out in the second half
Martinez - 5, needs time to be at his best and Shrewsbury were not giving him any.
O'Leary - 8. MOM, did the work of 3 men second half
Robinson - 4, got involved in niggly disputes with opponents last week and boiled over this week. If Jackett succeeds in bringing in a left winger, maybe Andy should take a rest.
Connor - 6, worked hard but still doesn't convince me that he will get many goals
Trundle - 6, didn't sparkle too often but made sure his markers were fully occupied while he was on. Don't you wish he would occasionally do the simple thing well instead of the difficult thing badly?
Nugent - came on when the game was more or less beyond us and did little to change things
Fisken - not on long but won a few tackles and showed that he may be ok when he gets a run in the team as he inevitably will over the next few weeks
Tate - only on for a few minutes but looked ok. will probably be a regular starter for the next few weeks
Great turn out by the Jacks, about 1500 but too many bad tempers on show and a very uncomfrotable atmosphere.
It's never nice driving home after a defeat. I'm glad it only takes me 25 minutes from Gay Meadow.
Shrewsbury Town 2 v 0 Swansea City
Nigel Gigg
A damp cold day for the short trip to Shrewsbury. Swans went into the game sitting proudly back on top of Coca Cola League Division 2.
No injury worries and our impending suspensions yet to kick in gave Kenny Jackett the luxury of keeping the same starting line-up and bench as Wednesday night.
Shrewsbury, currently 22nd , and knocked out of the FA Cup last week by Non League Histon, introduced new Manager Gary Peters who managed Exeter eighteen months ago when they lost their League status and has since been helping out with scouting for Everton.
Side- Gueret, Gurney, Monk, Austin, Ricketts, Forbes, Martinez, O'Leary, Robinson, Connor, Trundle. Subs Murphy, Tate, Fiskin, Britton, Nugent.
Swans had the better of the opening exchanges and lay siege to the Shrewsbury goal without creating any chances. The first strike on goal, however, fell to Shrewsbury. With the defence asleep, a corner from the left was left by everyone and Ryan Lowe dived in at the far post but just failed to connect with the ball. This near miss seemed to give Shrewsbury confidence and they began to trouble the Swans defence.
Andy Robinson and Sam Ricketts both had shots from distance as Swans looked to regain control.
The Swans had a travelling support of around 1500. Of these about 10 had infiltrated the Shrewsbury end and a scuffle developed which ended with the ejection of the Swans fans by dozens of Police. The scuffle had led to disorder in the Swans seated area which again was dealt with by dozens of Police Officers.
Whether the off-field shenanigans got to the players is impossible to say but on 18 minutes Willy came for a corner and missed the ball leaving Andy Gurney to head to safety. From the second corner, a poor clearance was hammered goalward by Luke Sedgemore through a crowd of players and flew into the net.
The goal didn't have the desired effect as our defence continued to look ill at ease and Trundle and Connor in attack were all too often isolated.
On the half hour Shrewsbury's Luke Rodgers chased a lost cause which Willy Gueret was shepherding out of play. With the ball just about crossing the line, Rodgers made a poor challenge taking Willy's legs and sending him crashing into the advertising boards. Perversely, referee, Mr Evans gave no free kick and Willy unwisely decided to take out revenge on Rodgers by grabbing him by the neck and throwing him to the ground, sparking the first of several melees. Thankfully, Mr Evans decided against carding Willy and settled for a long lecture.
However, the incident was merely a catalyst for a dreadful spell for Swansea.
Ten minutes later, with the game getting more and more bad tempered, Kevin Austin was shepherding the ball out of play on the halfway line when he was clattered by Ryan Lowe. Another melee ensued and Gary Monk manhandled Lowe away. Mr Evans booked Lowe but then was called over by the lineman. He then called Monk over and booked him. The linesman obviously misreading Monk's actions. misunderstood his actions and booked both Monk and Lowe.
If Monk's first booking was debatable his second just 2 minutes later was a travesty. He chased a ball toward the touchline near the halfway line and seemed to pull out of a challenge with Luke Rodgers. Mr Evans immediately brandished a yellow and then red card. Gary Monk pleaded with the referee and within seconds there were around 5 or 6 players from each side involved in another argument and Mr Evans ended up on the floor.
A minute after the restart with Kris O'Leary now back in defence, again we went to sleep at the back and Ryan Lowe had a free run at goal. His shot beat Willy and rebounded off the post straight into the path of Sam Ricketts. He was unable to control the ball which again clattered into the post.
The ball was cleared to left midfield where Andy Robinson was the victim of a poor challenge. He and several others got involved in yet another melee and Andy Robinson was seen to head-butt a Shrewbury player. Mr Evans showed him the red card leaving the Swans with an impossible task.
An incredible opening 45 minutes ended. Swans had lost their composure and discipline. Andy Robinson and to a lesser extent Willy Gueret had let themselves and the fans down.
The two sendings off had done nothing for the mood of the Swans fans who were now surrounded by ranks of police in riot gear.
For the second half we switched to a 3-3-2 formation with Ricketts, Gurney and Austin making up the backline.
Within 2 minutes of the restart the first of the gaps appeared in the defence allowing Kevin Street a free shot from 12 yards which he blasted over.
Swans were however, now showing more professionalism and were creating a few chances. However, with the efforts required it was obvious many would soon tire.
On the hour Kevin Nugent replaced Paul Connor and this was followed by the replacement of Adrian Forbes with Gary Fiskin.
As gaps continued to open Willy was called upon time and again to make saves and try as they might Trundle and Nugent were unable to get too many chances often marked by 4 or 5 defenders. It is difficult to criticise a team with only 9 players but a midfield of O'Leary, Martinez and Fiskin were never going to provide the support to the front two.
After holding out for 35 minutes of the second half Shrewsbury finally got their second. Swans gave away a needless corner and Dave Ridler rose unchallenged to beat Willy with a firm header from 10 yards.
Immediately Swans replaced Andy Gurney with Alan Tate. However, we were now a spent force and were probably just happy not to concede further.
So a game we all thought had 3 points for the taking ended with not only us losing, but having 2 players sent off and now facing periods of suspension. In recent games we have ridden our luck on occasions. Today that luck ran out.
Kenny Jackett will have a few headaches with team selection as a result of these impending suspensions. He will also have to lay the law down with certain players with regard to their self discipline.
The last words about our travelling support which was great in number and support but as with the team a few hotheads let themselves and the Swans down and could well have played in the part in the result.
Gueret 6 - Possibly should have been sent off.
Gurney 7 - Solid as ever and did well as a makeshift centre-half in the second half.
Monk 5 - At sea on several occasions prior to his dismissal. Shouldn't have got involved for the first booking, but desperately unlucky with the second. Only hope the referee ending up on his backside wasn't down to Garry.
Austin 6 - Along with the rest of the defence, caught out several times in the first half.
Ricketts 5 - Poor game.
Forbes 6- Not involved enough.
O'Leary 7- MOM. Did the work of 2 men second half.
Martinez 6 - Too many wayward passes.
Robinson 3 - Needs to channel his aggression for the good of the team not it's detriment.
Connor 6- Ran all day but to little effect.
Trundle 5- Never stopped trying but nothing came off today.
Subs
Nugent 5- Made very little impression.
Fiskin 5- Failed to make an impact and didn't get forward enough.
Tate 6- Tidy for the time he was on.
Shrewsbury Town 2 v 0 Swansea City
Clive and Gareth Hughes
The temperature today didn't rise far off freezing but the same can't be said about on, and off field events at Gay Meadow this afternoon. Getting to the ground around 2.00 pm everything was very quiet. Even at 2.30 it looked like it was going to be a low away following. By 3.00 pm it had changed dramatically with around 1,800 Swans fans in a crowd of just over 5,000.
The Swans lined up with what is now recognised as their starting eleven.
Gueret
Gurney, Monk, Austin, Ricketts
Forbes, Martinez, O'Leary, Robinson
Connor and Trundle
Subs Murphy, Fisken, Britton, Tate and Nugent
The Swans took the game to Shrewsbury and were clearly on top for the opening five minutes, with the away fans in good voice and the Shrewsbury fans very quiet. Shrewsbury defended solidly during this time and for all the possession the Swans didn't threaten to score. There was a minor scuffle behind the open terrace behind the goal which saw about a dozen fans being escorted away by the police. This seemed to wake the Shrewsbury fans as they started to vocally support their team. For the next five minutes it was Shrewsbury who took the upper hand with a couple of attempts on goal.
The Swans seemed to have shrugged off this period from Shrewsbury with Ricketts and Robinson twice having attempts on goal but not troubling the keeper as they went harmlessly wide and over. It did seem that it was five minutes for the Swans and then 5 minutes for Shrewsbury as in the next five Shrewsbury took the lead. After a succession of corners the ball was half cleared to the edge of the box where Sedgemore sent in a low shot through a crowd of players and into the net. More police were seen going into the stand between the Swans and Shrewsbury fans. What had started off as a quiet game was now turning into a battle as the tackles flew in. Ricketts received a yellow for a tackle on Rodgers. Lowe then fouled Austin and Monk got involved earning a yellow. There was now a real edge to the play as each tackle resulted with verbals among the players. Another tackle by Monk on Rodgers saw him receive a second yellow and a red. All this saw a 20 man 'push and shove' with the referee falling over. Things were getting totally out of hand as the referee had not come down hard on other earlier challenges. Shrewsbury took the initiative while the Swans reorganised and nearly scored a second as Lowe broke through on goal beating Gueret only to see his shot come back off the post. The ball hit Ricketts as he followed back and rebounded off the same post. A very lucky let off for the Swans. When a calming period was needed the Swans seemed to lose their discipline. Highlighted when Robinson reacted to a bad challenge from Moss again resulting in a mini push and shove. The outcome another red and Robinson was off.
The second half saw the Swans play 3-3-2 and although Shrewsbury had a couple of chances the Swans played a good 15mins when they knocked the ball about, but again with no end result. Just after the hour Nugent replaced Connor, but by this time the Swans had run themselves into the ground and Shrewsbury found more and more space. Gueret pulled off a couple of good saves but it was now staring to be one way traffic. Ricketts allowed a ball to go over the line thinking it was a goal-kick but a corner was awarded. The ball into the six-yard box was met by Walton who headed down for the ball to bounce up into the net. Fisken had replaced Forbes on 70 and Tate for Gurney on 85.
Very difficult to give individual player comments but a special mention has to go to Kris O'Leary who battled, covering all the pitch.
Whilst the performance of the referee had a major baring on the outcome today, as he did seem to let many fouls by Shrewsbury go, we can only look at our own team.
Gueret and Gurney could easily have been red carded. Gueret for shoving Rodgers as he had nearly sent him into the fence behind the goal. Rodgers deserved a yellow (got nothing) but raising your hands can result in a red.
Gurney put in many early tackles that if had been later in the game could have been carded. It is not the first time that Gurney has got away with things. There have been posts about off the ball incidents in previous games. As for Robinson, he must learn very quickly to keep his cool. He reacts much too quickly with aggression. The word will get around on how easy he 'loses it' and many more cards will come. What is really annoying is that his actions were only 2 minutes after Monk had been sent off.
Not for the first time have we seen our players getting involved in multi player skirmishes. There were 3 today, 1 at Cheltenham on Saturday and others already this season. We don't have a large enough squad to cover a string of suspensions.
Today Shrewsbury were playing for a new manager and against the team that were top of the league. They were up for it. We should have let it run its course and then taken control. Instead we saw indiscipline that cost us the game.
Whilst we have commented that it is good that we have moved from the lightweight team of last season, indiscipline could cost us dearly later on in the season.
Let's hope this was a one off, but other games makes us think not.
One last comment must go to the organization by Shrewsbury today. As already mentioned there were problems on the terraces and stands. Whilst not condoning any of this Shrewsbury, allowed more people into the seated area than there were seats. It was nearly half time before things settled down in the stands even though many had to stand after paying for a seat. There was a massive show of police when better advance planning could have stopped things from escalating
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