Match Report

Swans stuttered their way to their seventh consecutive draw against a tough, rough Coventry City, whose game plan was to frustrate, niggle and catch Swans on the break. They succeeded in parts one and two.

Swans came into the game hoping to end the run of draws. Roberto Martinez was able to keep the same starting eleven from the Blackpool game but Dimi Konstantopoulos was not able to play against his employers and his place on the bench went to Andrea Orlandi.

Coventry, managed by ex Swans favourite Chris Coleman included Welsh International Freddie Eastwood.

Side- de Vries, Rangel, Monk, Williams, Tate, Gomez, Britton, Pratley, Allen, Butler, Scotland. Subs- Serran, Orlandi, Gower, Pintado, Brandy.

Coventry soon made their intentions clear. The had come to defend, harry and chase. They were assisted by referee Steve Tanner who, having dropped down from the Premiership for the game, seemed determined to show what a good referee he is by not booking anyone. Unsurprisingly, Coventry players quickly picked up on this.

It took Swans 15 minutes to conjure up anything like a meaningful attack. Tom Butler found a bit of space and looked to have picked his spot, only to be denied by an excellent save from Keiran Westwood in the Coventry goal.

The rest of the half saw Swans dominate possession but not put the Coventry goal under any threat. Both Tom Butler and Alan Tate were creating problems for the Coventry defence but the final ball was all too often poor.

If Steve Tanner was out to make himself unpopular he was doing a fine job. After letting six or seven Coventry challenges that may have warranted a yellow card go he booked Tom Butler for diving.

Just before half time Jordi Gomez was denied by another good save by Westwood.

The second half began as the first had ended although Coventry were slightly more adventurous. It was apparent that Roberto Martinez needed to mix things up and after just 10 minutes of the half Gorka Pintado replaced Joe Allen. The striker had only been on the field 15 seconds when he had a free header from a corner but headed wide.

Despite the change, it was the same old story and Swans just couldn’t break Coventry down. Tom Butler looked to have the beating of full back Stephen Wright, who had finally worn down Mr Tanner and received a well overdue yellow card, but couldn’t provide a decent final ball. On the opposite side Jordi Gomez could look brilliant one minute with an inch perfect pass and then drift right out of the game.

Mark Gower eventually replaced Tom Butler but as the game went on Swans hopes of scoring were evaporating.

Mt Tanner decided enough was enough and booked three Coventry players in the last ten minutes. If he had been as decisive in the first ten minutes this might have been a different game.

Mr Tanner aside, this was by no means one of the Swans better performances. We really are missing Ferrie Bodde’s influence in midfield and are crying out for pace out wide.

Just two more draws and we will equal Southampton’s League record of nine consecutive draws.

Ratings-

De Vries 7 – hardly anything to do.

Rangel 7 – Easy day defending, not quite as effective as normal going forward.
Monk 7 – Another to have had an easy day.
Williams 8 – Excellent and assured display.
Tate 7 – Good in defence and attack but final ball let him down.

Gomez 6 – Still way off the player he was a month or so back.
Britton 7 – Up against a cardboard cut out of himself in the excellent Michael Mifsud. Just about came out on top.
Pratley 7 – A few excellent tackles.
Allen 6 – Didn’t look out of place.
Butler 6 – Disappointing when despite having his full back beaten he produced so little.

Scotland 6 – A day to forget. Poorly supported from midfield.

Subs-

Pintado 6 – Took some pressure off Scotland and a shame his best chance came within 15 seconds of him coming on.
Gower 6 – Some nice touches but didn’t come close to breaking the deadlock.

Swansea City manager Roberto Martinez:

"What we are missing is finding that little bit of magic around the box, finding that final good decision and a little bit of unpredictability in your play to score goals.

"That's something we need to keep working on.

"But we got promoted last season and we keep performing to very, very high standards.

"Coventry were extremely well organised and worked extremely hard for the point and in that respect they made life quite difficult for us."

Coventry City manager Chris Coleman:

"I thought the boys battled really hard, It's not the easiest place to come.

"I thought we defended very, very well, it was a good point for us.

"Kieren (Westwood) had to make another few saves for us, he's a quality keeper…one of the best outside the Premier League."

Swansea: de Vries, Rangel, Monk, Williams, Tate, Gomez, Britton, Allen (Pintado 59), Pratley, Butler (Gower 82), Scotland.
Subs Not Used: Orlandi, Brandy, Serran.

Booked: Butler.

Coventry: Westwood, Wright, Hall, Ward, Turner, Simpson (McKenzie 60), Gunnarsson, Doyle, Mifsud (Best 77), Morrison (Beuzelin 84), Eastwood.
Subs Not Used: Marshall, Wynter.

Booked: Wright, Gunnarsson, Westwood, Beuzelin.

Att: 17,603

Ref: S Tanner (Somerset)

























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