Match Report

Rarely, have I witnessed such a completely one-sided match end in stalemate. Swansea City dominated the game from start to finish against a team who were very unlucky to drop out of the Premiership last season and harbour hopes of bouncing straight back up this season. I am both immensely proud of the performance from the Swans today and frustrated that we did not get the goals (plural) our play deserved. It’s very difficult to be critical of such a performance but our failure to take any of the numerous chances we created today has cost us (another) two points.

The bitterly cold conditions did not deter a bumper holiday crowd, many of whom only made it to St Andrews in the nick of time. The Swansea team coach broke down at the entrance to the away support parking area which meant that the fleet of coaches had to off-load elsewhere. Once inside the stadium there was some good hwyl from the 3000 or so travelling Jacks. Ińaka Bergara was sitting in the corner of the away stand so I took the opportunity to ask him whether Dimi might be signed as a full-time Jack. He commented that his loan period expired after today’s game but did not comment on whether he would be continuing to work with our big Greek keeper into the New Year (actually, he said he did not know).

Swansea lined up as:

DeVries

Rangel Williams Monk Tate

Allen Britton Pratley
Gomez                              Gower
Pintado

Swans soon settled into their stride and dominated proceedings, however, there were few chances created. The first opportunity fell to Phillips in the 25th minute following a deep corner he controlled the ball beyond the far post then scuffed his shot wide. The match adopted the by now familiar pattern of Swansea enjoying the majority of possession. Rangel had a dip from distance which Maik Taylor made a regulation save and then Allen took aim from a similar distance which bounced off Taylor’s chest and out for a corner. A yellow card was traded by each side in a very tough physical encounter full of passion. Swansea’s dominance in possession grew as the half wore on and Birmingham resorted to long hopeful punts forward, both of which started to frustrate the home support.

Early in the second half Ash Williams acrobatically made a goal line clearance but otherwise the match continued from where we had left off from the first half. Scotland came on for Allen in what I presume to be a tactical switch. Almost immediately Scotland was creating good scoring opportunities….but failing to take them. The Swansea pressure grew in intensity and only a series of last ditch blocks, poor finishing and desperate tackles denied us. Swansea were attacking with more pace, yes, even slightly more directly, and to good effect. With 20 minutes remaining Gomez was taken from behind as he was striding into the Birmingham box. It was a second yellow card for the Birmingham left back followed by the obligatory red. From the ensuing free kick a well-worked routine resulted in Scotland having a close range shot blocked.

Cameron Jerome came on for Birmingham in their reorganisation following the sending off and was greeted by the Swansea faithful in customary fashion. In truth, he turned out to be their most dangerous attacker; he was constantly all over Williams, but Williams did just enough to off-balance him or force him wide and snuff out the danger.

Pintado, who was looking knackered by now, gave way to Brandy. Scotland shot wide when well placed as the Swans cranked up the pressure yet further. Scotland spurned a glorious opportunity with a dreadful first touch when anything better would have presented him with an un-missable chance. Brandy also had chances and was denied either by a last-ditch tackle or a weak effort.

And so the crescendo of expectation reached a rather unsatisfying conclusion as it all ended 0-0. Very entertaining, hugely exciting and with a modicum of frustration all mixed in. Ten man Birmingham will be glad to have hung on for a point but to be honest the sending off had little effect on the match; the Swans were completely dominant before their left back saw red and they were still completely dominant afterwards.

In the aftermath, I have two further comments. Firstly, the fantastic tackling from our mid-field. A good clean tackle seems to be a dying art but the Swans and, in particular, Britton, is a master craftsman at it. It was noticeable today, how quickly we won back possession and limited Birmingham’s opportunities with honest-to-goodness tackling. Secondly, a word on our attack. We may be saying goodbye to a few loanees over the next few days, Brandy may well be one of these. Thankyou, Febian and good luck. Our attack was a little more potent today. Pintado gives his markers a hard time, however, Scotland and Pintado seem to be more effective when playing together. Scotland sits slightly deeper than Pintado and therefore has the opportunity to run onto the ball. I think Scotland is a greater threat when moving forward with the ball rather than holding it up with his back to goal. One option which seems to have been overlooked of late is Bauza; he’s a good finisher and this is what we lack and, if Brandy does leave us, it would be worth giving him a chance.

Happy 2009, everyone!

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