Match report

I pretty much agree with Phil Brynmill's player ratings from yesterday although my scores would all have been a touch lower.

Individually only Kol and Tatey had stand out games for me. I made Kol my man of the match because he 'showed' from the first whistle and imposed himself both defensively and going forward. We have not had midfield performances like that lately.

There was no doubt that Kol actually does love the shirt. I would make him captain for the last two games. What is the word on Roberto?

Other than that no player had a stinker, all played with commitment, but collectively we were not brilliant. Well actually quite a way short of brilliant. That's not the same as Way short of brilliant! Maybe that must wait for next season

The set up looked far more organised and defensively we looked much more solid. Well done to Tate and Austin who looked secure enough. We did get the ball down more and Leon and Macca did give us width.

I have to concede that Macca looked slimmer and fitter than I expected and did a job on the left. That was a big decision by KJ to bring him back so credit where it is due. Its not a decision I would personally have made but I won't complain if it does the job.

Had Macca's late shot not been brilliantly saved by the keeper he might now be fully rehabilitated. As it is its just a bit too early for the 'swim away' stuff yet Kev but stick with it.

Our front pair were getting no change so the subs were a good bold move just when it was needed in my view. We were unlucky to then immediately concede the penalty which was not in the plan!

Having seen it again this morning it looks a harsh decision which is how it looked yesterday. Having said that the highlights this morning show what an influence refs have over games. Some perverse decisions elsewhere that can change a season. In the last 15 minutes our ref gave everything their way but we held out with help from the woodwork.

So now we know what is needed. Two wins should get is into the playoffs barring a Forest goal glut. Its in our hands again at least.

As to the bizarre calls that we don't want to go up anyway from Sam and someone down under - what rubbish. This is what it is about. When the going gets tough.. and all that!

Southend is now the big one. How noisy and intimidating can the White Rock be?

We are still in the mixer.

Oldham Athletic 1 Swansea City 1 - Match Report, Phil - Brynmill

Must admit it was a poor game with little quality apart from KOL's magnificant goal and a couple of fine efforts from Oldham which hit the woodwork.

The first half was a poor affair and we probably shaded it McLeod and Britton gave us more width but their lack of pace meant we didn't get enough crosses in to hurt Oldham.

The second half undoubtedly belonged to Oldham and their pressure paid off when Tommy Williams made a poor challenge for the penalty. We thought it looked harsh but friends at home later confirmed that it was a pen (confirmed on the radio). oldham now upped the tempo and we had a few nervy moments however out of the blue following a throw in the ball ran free to KOL who hit a screamer to level it. We did hope it would signal a drive for 3 points but we just about hung on with Oldham hitting the woodwork twice and the team looking jaded ( too much time in revoltion?)whilst Oldham were full of beans. Macca forced a good save from their keeper but that was that.

Player Ratings:

Willy - 7 Captain for the day? Did well made a few regulation saves
Ricketts - 7 Better than of late but what's happened to his forward runs
Tate - 8.5 Magnificent again saved a certain goal clearing off the line
Austin - 7.5 Did well
Williams - 6.5 Silly tackle for pen had a quiet game
Britton - 7 Worked hard and game us mor balance however I can't help thinking the lad is being hampered by his injury
Robbo - 7 Did more defensive work today
KOL - 8 Magnificent goal and 100% perhaps we need more player from the Swansea area who'll give their all
Macca - 7 Did OK in patches almost won it at the end seemed to lose concentration at times
Knight - 7 Did well in first half faded in second
Fallon - 6 Still not convinced with him
Subs:
Forbes - 6 Didn't make his usual impact
Trundle - 5 Didn't make any impact
OTJ - 4 Made little difference and never got the pace of the game

Oldham Athletic 1 Swansea City 1 - Match Report, Western Mail

KRIS O'LEARY scored his first goal in a year to reignite Swansea City's play-off dream.

The Swansea stalwart doesn't score often but his 68th minute equaliser will probably rank among the most important of his career.

His wonder-strike was good enough to win any match but the point it secured proved just enough to lift the stuttering Swans back into the top six on goal difference after Nottingham Forest's surprise defeat at Hartlepool.

Now with two games left Swansea's fate is back in their own hands. But having let plenty of chances trickle through their fingers in recent weeks everything remains up for grabs.

Swansea have taken just 12 points in their last 13 games so it is all the more amazing they are still in with a sniff of promotion.

But with League One leaders Southend next up on Saturday, no one at the Liberty Stadium will be taking anything for granted.

Especially after the way manager Kenny Jackett approached this game.

The under-pressure boss didn't so much shuffle his pack as throw his entire set of cards in the air.

Jackett is not the gambling type but he clearly felt this was his last roll of the dice as he made a staggering six changes following Swansea's shambolic Easter.

Top scorer Lee Trundle was axed after a run of nine league games without a goal. But even more surprising was that Jackett turned to transfer-listed Kevin McLeod in his hour-and-a-half of need.

The player, told last month that he no longer had a future at the club after a late-night drinking session, was instead given the task of trying to rescue Swansea's season and salvage his own career.




Elsewhere captain Roberto Martinez was snubbed entirely while the two little Leon's, Britton and Knight, were both restored to the starting line-up.

But with so much resting on the result for both sides - Oldham still harbour their own play-off hopes - the first half was a surprisingly muted affair.

Andy Robinson huffed and puffed in central midfield while McLeod showed the odd flash of skill but was let down by his rustiness after six weeks out.

Swansea had Alan Tate to thank on 31 minutes for keeping the scores level after Terrell Forbes took advantage of some woeful defending from left-back Tom Williams to reach the byline and cut back for David Eyres.

The veteran midfielder's shot beat stand-in captain Willy Gueret in the Swans goal but Tate was on hand to hack clear off the line.

Knight has endured a frustrating time since joining the club in January due to his lack of starts. And his mood was hardly enhanced when he was harshly replaced by Trundle just 11 minutes into the second half. He trudged dejectedly down the tunnel.

Within four minutes the Swans were behind and it was down to more dire defending from Williams who, after allowing Paul Warne to waltz past him on the byline, gave him a nudge in the back - enough for the referee to award a penalty.

Gueret guessed correctly but Luke Beckett's spot kick found the bottom corner.

The goal drew Jackett into the open for the first time after spending the first hour nowhere to be seen behind the dugout.

But within eight minutes the visitors were back on level terms courtesy of O'Leary's 25-yard screamer.

There appeared nothing on when the midfielder collected a loose clearance and belted it into the top corner.

The introduction of Owain Tudur Jones at the expense of Robinson brought a furious reaction from the midfielder who swung a kick at a water bottle and fixed his manager with an angry stare.

Jackett had more important things to worry about though and Oldham should have regained the lead on 78 minutes. Substitute Richard Butcher's mazy run set up a simple chance for Beckett only for Gueret to save the striker's weak shot.

Oldham then turned the screw with Beckett denied again by the goalkeeper, then the woodwork with Eyres hitting the crossbar in between. McLeod was also kept out by a fine save from Lee Grant.


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Oldham: Grant, Forbes, Haining, Branston, Hughes, Wellens (Butcher 65), Eyres, Edwards, Taylor (Chris Hall 57), Warne, Beckett.
Subs Not Used: Smith, Tierney, Owen.

Booked: Wellens.

Goals: Beckett 60 pen.

Swansea: Gueret, Ricketts, Austin, Tate, Williams, Britton (Forbes 56), Robinson (Tudur-Jones 74), O'Leary, McLeod, Knight (Trundle 56), Fallon.
Subs Not Used: Akinfenwa, MacDonald.

Goals: O'Leary 68.

Att: 5,179.

Ref: T Kettle (Berkshire).