Match report

Depression has been in the air all week after two successive defeats. Kenny Jackett again rang the changes with Alan Tate returning from injury to play central midfield and Tom Williams returning from suspension to play left back with Sam Ricketts moving across to right back.

Gueret
Ricketts Monk Iriekpen Williams
Robinson Tate Martinez McLeod
Fallon Knight

Subs: Murphy, Watt, MacDonald, Akinfenwa, Pritchard.

Alan Tate shone in the early stages with some much needed steel in the middle of the field but Bournemouth looked a much livelier outfit than the side we 'hammered' 1-0 back in September.

On 11 minutes, Bournemouth should have scored when a calamitous mix up between Willy Gueret and Izzy Iriekpen presented Daniel Rodriguez with an easy opportunity but with goal open he got the ball stuck under his feet allowing Willy to grab the ball.

Swansea were adopting the all too familiar pattern of pumping high ball from deep up to Fallon, who again was winning more than his fair share but again there was little support close enough to pick up the pieces.

With 28 minutes gone, a deep cross from Kevin McLeod appeared to have been over hit but an excellent leap and header from Rory Fallon beat Bournemouth keeper Gareth Stewart all ends up but only for his header to come back off the crossbar. Swans were finally beginning to look like promotion contenders as they got the upper hand and forced Bournemouth onto the defensive.

McLeod's poor form of late was perfectly illustrated when he tried to chip the keeper from 45 yards only to see the ball drift harmlessly toward the corner flag. There were also several lapses of concentration at the heart of the Swansea defence.

On 44 minutes a goal for Swansea out of nothing. A dreadful low cross from Kevin McLeod and an even poorer defensive clearance that Andy Robinson pounced on. He took one step to the left and struck a low foot shot from 18 yards in the corner of the net.

It had been a better performance first half from Swansea but they were still a long way off their best. Kevin McLeod who had had another very poor game was replaced by Adrian Forbes at half time.

After just five minutes of the second half, Rory Fallon had a great opportunity to extend Swansea's lead. He was put through on goal by an excellent pass from Leon Knight but with just the keeper to beat, he pulled his left foot shot just wide of the post. Fallon came close again just 90 seconds later, failing to reach an excellent low cross from Adrian Forbes just four yards out from goal.

Alan Tate almost grabbed a rare goal with a 25 yard shot that bounced just in front of Stewart who was just about able to claw the ball behind for a corner.

Swansea were now dominating the game and just seemed to need that second goal to settle things.

On 70 minutes, Andy Robinson limped off to be replaced by Shaun MacDonald.

Bournemouth had shown nothing going forward but did have an opportunity when James Hayter was through on Willy Gueret, despite looking at least five yards offside. Thankfully, his week shot went well wide.

Swans were creating chance after chance but just lacked the killer instinct to kill the game off. With 12 minutes to go, Adebayo Akinfenwa replaced Rory Fallon.

Swans had no further chances but very easily kept Bournemouth at bay thanks largely to excellent midfield control.

So Swans go back up to second place if only temporarily. Tonight's was a vastly improved performance built on a dominance in midfield.

Ratings-

Gueret 6- Still seems to lack any sort of understanding with those in front of him. Could have knitted a scarf in the second half.

Ricketts 6- Poor first half but improved markedly after the break.
Monk 6- Again poor first half, commanding second half.
Iriekepen 6- As above.
Williams 8- Excellent first game in back four.

Robinson 8 – Another all action game and took his goal with aplomb.
Martinez 7 – Back approaching his best.
Tate 9 – Solid as a rock in the middle of the park.
McLeod 5- Another stinker.

Fallon 7 – Won header after header, but we are just not winning the second ball at the moment.
Knight 7 – Caused all kinds problems but finishing touch wasn't there tonight.

Subs-
Forbes 6- Involved much more tonight but still guilty of doing everything at 100 mph.
McDonald 7- Some lovely touches and definitely one for the future.
Akinfenwa 6- No real chances but battled well late on.

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