Match report

When the fixtures came out in June, few could have predicted with September coming to a close Swans would have been going into today's game 12 places higher and 7 points clear of pre season favourites for promotion, Nottingham Forest.

After a fantastic run, Swans went into today's game full of confidence after a run of 4 wins and a draw from the last 5, in which we've bagged an incredible 20 goals which puts us as the top scores in the country.

The club were rewarded for this run with their biggest gate to date at the New stadium of 18,212 with all available tickets to Swans fans having been sold out earlier in the week.

Thankfully our injury situation is easing which creates a nicer headache for Kenny Jackett with his team selection. His biggest problem today was no doubt the choice between Leon Britton and Andy Robinson. Leon won the day with Robbo starting on the bench. Adebayo Akinfenwa returned from injury to partner Lee Trundle in attack.

Forest had the lively and highly rated strike force of David Johnson and Jack Lester and included this weeks new signing from West Brom, goalkeeper Russell Hoult.

Side- Gueret, Tate, Iriekepen, Monk, Ricketts, Britton, Martinez, Bean, McLeod, Akinfenwa, Trundle.

Subs- Murphy, Austin, Robinson, O'Leary, Goodfellow.

Swans had the games first serious attack which involved excellent interplay between Lee Trundle and Leon Britton, however, both sides were taking time to settle in the opening minutes.

It took 9 minutes for the first real strike on goal and it came from Swansea. Again there was some lovely interplay, this time from Adebayo Akinfenwa and Lee Trundle. It ended with a cross from Lee Trundle that Hoult did well to grab at the feet of Leon Britton.

Forest's first strike on goal came on 11 minutes when Perch struck a powerful drive from the edge of the box just over Willy's bar.

Swans were not attacking in numbers which has been a feature of their play this year. Neither Marcus Bean or Roberto Martinez were showing any inclination to get forward and Kevin McLeod was playing far deeper than usual and was having difficulty getting into the game.

With chances few and far between it was imperative that when a chance came along that we took it. The chance arrived on 23 minutes and no we didn't take it. Lee Trundle collected the ball 40 yards out and waited as Forest's defence pushed out quickly looking for offside. Trundle released his pass with perfect timing and touch and Akinfenwa and Leon Britton both skipped past the defence and each had a clear run on goal. Akinfenwa took control and looked to have committed Hoult but fired his shot wide when he really looked odds on to score. What was doubly disappointing was Leon Britton was alongside him and would have been able to roll the ball into the net.

Akinfenwa was then lucky to stay on the field when he lashed out with his feet while lying on the floor well after the ball had gone. Referee, Mr Hall, who had until this point been very picky, was extremely lenient in showing Bayo just the yellow card.

Mr Hall was again the centre of attention when a minute or so later he turned aside Forest's strong claims for a penalty after Forest player went to ground in the box.

With half-time approaching Forest almost scored but a superb block from Sam Ricketts denied Forest.

0-0 at half-time was probably about right. Forest had looked dangerous on the break but Swans had had the greater number of chances and just about shaded possession. Lee Trundle was causing Forest problems and was well supported by Bayo and Leon, but we had very little else by way of an attacking threat.

Forest looked much the keener at the start of the second half and it was they that now took the upper hand. On 52 minutes Swans were punished for their lethargic start to the half. David Johnson was given far too much time and space in our box and he fired a low shot that Willy did well to parry. Unfortunately only Jack Lester was following up with our defence watching he rolled the ball past a prostate Willy Gueret.

The goal sparked the Swans into life but as they attacked immediately gaps were left at the back and David Johnson almost doubled the lead with a shot from 12 yards that took a deflection and went just wide of the post.

On the hour Kenny Jackett replaced Marcus Bean with Andy Robinson and Robinson almost had an immediate effect but after getting into a great position his left foot shot lacked strength and direction.

Adebayo Akinfenwas almost got the Swans level after first winning an aerial dual and then racing onto his own flick and firing a right foot shot that beat Hoult but rebounded to safety off the post. At long last Swans were now attacking in numbers and with purpose. Forest goals corer was booked on 73 minutes after laying out Alan Tate with an elbow and was extremely lucky to stay on the field. He had been lucky not to be booked earlier and doubly lucky now not to receive red. Within a minute or so he did leave the field when he was substituted as Forest switched from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1.

Swans replaced Kevin McLeod with Marc Goodfellow and the hope was no doubt we could become a threat on both flanks rather than only looking dangerous on the right.

With 10 minutes to go an excellent move orchestrated by Andy Robinson ended with Marc Goodfellow firing a shot wide when he really should have done better. The pressure was mounting on the Forest defence as they sat back deeper and deeper.

The pressure did finally tell on 83 minutes when after failing to clear their lines effectively, Roberto Martinez collected the ball on the edge of the box. He needed just one touch to bring the ball under control before hitting a thunderbolt in the top corner from 20 yards.

Despite dominating the remainder of the game Swans failed to create a clear chance and Forest would have felt relieved to hear the final whistle.

Although we never fired on all cylinders today it is a measure how far this club has come that a team of the calibre of Forest are hanging on at the end to grab a point.

Ratings

Gueret 7- Left exposed for the goal.

Tate 8 - Excellent in defence, tried to get forward when he could. Only criticism would be for a couple of poor crosses.
Monk 8 - One dreadful back header, otherwise faultless.
Iriekepen 8 - Another solid game.
Ricketts 8- Excellent first half, a few wayward passes second half.

Britton 9 - Never stopped running, a constant threat to Forest.
Bean 7- Decent game and denied Forest getting any control in midfield.
Martinez 8 - A good game capped by a great strike.
McLeod 5 - Never really got into the game although he never stooped trying.

Akinfenwa 6 - Missed one great chance.
Trundle 8 - Pure quality touch as usual.

Subs -
Robinson 7 - Plenty of effort but not the matchwinner today.
Goodfellow 6 - Still to capture his pre season form



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Swansea: Gueret, Ricketts, Tate, Monk, Iriekpen, Martinez, Britton, McLeod (Goodfellow 74), Bean (Robinson 61), Akinfenwa, Trundle.
Subs Not Used: Murphy, Austin, O'Leary.

Booked: Akinfenwa, Monk.

Goals: Martinez 84.

Nottm Forest: Hoult, Eaden, Morgan, Breckin, Thompson, Southall, Commons (Fernandez 86), Friio, Perch, Lester (Gardner 75), Johnson.
Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Bopp, Dadi.

Booked: Southall, Lester.

Goals: Lester 54.

Att: 18,212

Ref: A Hall (W Midlands).

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