Match Report

Despite dominating much of the game Swans needed an Ashley Williams headed goal to rescue a point against Derby County.

Despite Saturday’s loss in what by most accounts was a poor performance at Crystal Palace, Roberto Martinez resisted the temptation to change and kept faith with the same starting line up for the fourth consecutive League game.

Derby included Dean Leacock who was close to signing for the Swans last year and it was something of a shock to see him moving without the need of crutches after the reports of the poor state of his knees resulting in him failing his medical for the Swans.

Side- de Vries, Rangel, Monk, Williams, Painter, Gower, Britton, Bodde, Pratley, Butler, Scotland. Subs- Tate, Bessone, Gomez, Pintado, Brandy.

The first half lacked virtually any form of highlights. Swans dominated the midfield, had the bulk of possession, but in what is becoming a worrying trend, failed to turn their dominance into chances. All too often Swans would dispose Derby, build from midfield but the final ball would reach Jason Scotland who would have no colleague within 20 yards in support. Inevitably the attack would break down.

Ferrie Bodde had one speculative shot wide of the post and another shot blocked and Tom Butler had one shot blocked and another mishit hopelessly wide and that was about it. Roy Carroll had had nothing to do apart from thump the occasional back pass high up field.

Defensively, Swans had looked very solid except for one Derby move that certainly looked offside and with the Swans defence static, two Derby players bore down on Dorus de Vries’s goal but stretching to reach the ball Villa couldn’t get his shot on target.

Within a minute of the start of the second half, Jason Scotland combined with Darren Pratley to create a chance for Mark Gower who probably should have scored, but with just Carroll to beat the winger shot wide.

The game was far more open than the first half with both teams supporting their lone striker more.

Derby could have taken the lead on 56 minutes when the giant midfielder Miles Addison showed unexpected skill for such a big man and his bending shot was clawed away by Dorus de Vries after looking destined for the top corner.

Swans made the expected change on 58 minutes with Gorka Pintado replacing an out of sorts Darren Pratley.

Within three minutes of Pintado’s introduction the game had burst into life. Mark Gower cleverly turned just outside the Derby box and bent a left footed shot that had Carroll beaten all ends up only for the ball to come back off the inside of the post. Gorka Pintado following up should have buried the rebound but failed to adequately deal with the bouncing ball and although his shot was goal bound, Carroll was able to recover and save his shot.

Immediately Derby broke forward and their substitute Nathan Ellington found Stephen Pearson in acres of space in the Swans area. Pearson showed the composure that Pintado had been unable to find and rolled the ball past Dorus de Vries to put Derby ahead.

Swans continued to dominate possession but there seemed no way past a resolute Derby backline well marshalled by Dean Leacock.

Jordi Gomez replaced Mark Gower and his introduction seemed to galvanise the Swans as an attacking force.

Swans got their reward on 75 minutes with a deserved equaliser. It came from a Jordi Gomez corner with Ashley Williams powering home his header from 8 yards. Headed goals are as rare as hen’s teeth from Swans corners, headed goals from Swans centre halves are something of a collector’s item.

Swans pressed for the winner but never created the pressure that was needed. In the last few minutes Jason Scotland was replaced by Febian Brandy.

So, six games in and Swans are in a solid mid table position with two wins, two draws and two defeats. Our formation of 4-5-1 is simply not working at home with teams at this level able to cope easily with it. Whilst the extra man in midfield gives us a solid platform, Jason Scotland gets little if any support and we fail to create enough chances.

Ratings-

de Vries 7 – Left exposed for goal.

Rangel 7 – Another solid game.
Monk 7 – Coped easily with Derby’s frontline.
Williams 8 – Just about the pick of a decent defensive display.
Painter 7 – Did quite well but must be under threat from Fede Bessone for the left back spot.

Butler 6 – Another whose place is going to be under threat.
Britton 8 – Did a huge amount of work.
Bodde 8 – Showed Derby what they’ve missed out on with a tremendous performance.
Pratley 6 – Poor game by his high standards.

Scotland 6 – Thankless task again but struggled all night.

Subs-

Pintado 6 – One half chance and one relatively easy one.
Gomez 8 – His introduction probably saved our skins tonight.
Brandy – Only on four minutes or so and barely had a kick.

Despite dominating much of the game Swans needed an Ashley Williams headed goal to rescue a point against Derby County.

Swansea: De Vries, Williams, Painter, Monk, Rangel, Bodde, Britton, Pratley (Pintado 59), Gower (Gomez 70), Butler, Scotland (Brandy 89).
Subs Not Used: Tate, Fede.

Goals: Williams 76.

Derby: Carroll, Connolly, Stewart, Leacock, Addison, Albrechtsen, Green, Kazmierczak (Ellington 56), Barazite, Pearson (McEveley 83), Villa (Davies 80).
Subs Not Used: Bywater, Nyatanga.

Booked: Connolly, McEveley.

Goals: Pearson 63.

Att: 14,003

Ref: Andy Penn (W Midlands).

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