Post by deadbat on Sept 13, 2022 22:21:38 GMT
Briefer match report due to being knackered due to work so hopefully normal service will be resumed at the weekend. Pod may not happen this midweek due to work/family stuff – sorry! Bumper pod at the weekend!
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The Blades won for the first time in Swansea since 1958 with a dramatic last second victory thanks to sub Reda Khadra’s breakaway goal with almost the last kick of the game! United had been far from their best in a scrappy game but both sides had good chances to win it despite the lack of fluency and quality on show in a game that seemed to be petering out to a stalemate when a combination of Basham’s great last-ditch tackle, Brewster’s lung bursting run and Khadra’s cool finish led to the dramatic winner.
It was the sort of game where if you come out with a victory, you start to think does you side of have a chance of promotion this season when they were far from their best but gutted out a massive three points.
Heckingbottom had to make one change with Max Lowe joining the ranks of injured player, a list that continued to sadly grow. Norrington Davies reverted to left wing back against a side he began his career with Basham at right centre back and Ahmedhodzic on the left side. There were two in form strikers with McBurnie and Piroe both netting three goals in three successive games.
Swansea had improved after a poor start and there were signs that Russell Martin’s patient passing approach was starting to yield results as well as possession but United began the game well and the first chance saw Berge drive down the side and put over a good cross that Norrington Davies met but his header was straight at Benda. More patient work saw good football as United moved it side to side and then Baldock teed up Norwood and McBurnie could not quite get on the end of it as he was involved in a grappling match and led to Swansea turning it behind for a Blades corner.
Both teams were pressing each other high up to begin with and Swansea ceded possession to a side for maybe the first side this season as United were in control but a Berge error led to a corner that saw the home side’s first effort as Cabango held off his man but headed at Foderingham.
United were continuing to try and create openings and found space down the side as Baldock put over a dangerous cross but McBurnie met it but was on the stetch and toe poked over. Doyle then had an effort but it was straight at the keeper as the Blades had controlled the opening 15 minutes.
The home side came out and had a good move where they moved it through the midfield area and it saw the ball played into Piroe who easily side stepped his man but his effort was straight at Foderingham. Despite United creating the early chances, this was as good an opportunity as any and the striker should have done better after doing the hard part to create the chance. Fulton then fired an effort wide as the home team started to enjoy more of the ball.
Ahmedhodzic was not having the impact of other games but came out and fired a shot that was blocked but Basham was also not looking as comfortable and twice he lost possession before being a little clumsy in kicking through his man who needed treatment after the referee deemed the challenge legal.
Swansea were now the better side and just before the half hour Cooper ran down past Ahmedhodzic from a throw in routine and his cross was perfect for Manning but United got a block in to deny what would have probably been the opening. After a good start, United were now sitting off and had lost control of the midfield and indeed the game. A ball came over and Foderingham was in no man’s land and Baldock turned behind. The corner then was headed goalward from Cabango again as United appealed for a foul and Norwood had to clear off the line.
Swansea now were in control and the Blades were struggling to hold it up with McBurnie and Ndiaye not having much impact, albeit with limited service.
Piroe then had an effort that drifted wide after good work from Grimes and the Blades were struggling to get to grips with a fluent Swansea side and were sitting off and not getting close enough to runners. United did win a corner and it nearly dropped as a combination of Ndiaye and a defender converged onto the ball. Norwood then blazed well over the bar.
Swansea won a corner but United were able to clear and the half time whistle came not long after this in a game that was reminiscent of some of the earlier away games where the Blades struggled to have clear patterns of play or any kind of control of a game. They had started well but Swansea had maybe shaded things in terms of dangerous play if the chances for both sides were probably shared around equally.
The second half saw Ahmedhodzic booked for a high foot, the second time an attempted overhead kick from the Bosnian, has resulted in him being cautioned. Swansea continued to make the running and the Blades were not getting hold of the ball with Norwood and Doyle not really factors as Swansea worked hard to deny United the ball.
The home side had a chance when the ball was driven from Manning and the ball was not cleared and the chance came for Sorinola but he blazed over when well placed and will be disappointed not to show more composure. Cooper and Grimes had efforts blocked as the home side were the ones looking more likely but Norrington Davies had a powerful run where his touch let them down right at the end.
Piroe had a great chance for the home side and in a chance reminiscent of the first half, he sidestepped his man and curled an effort just wide of the post.
At the other end, the Blades created maybe an even better chance as Norrington Davies once again was the architect with a run down the left-hand side and his cross was perfect for Berge who blazed over from the penalty spot area. It was a bad miss and a player of his ability you would think would have scored.
The game was continuing to see chances and the home side had another but this one was a completely comical piece of defending as Foderingham kicked the ball against Egan’s backside and it rebounded into the path of a Swansea forward and as it was played inside, it seemed set the home team would score but Ahmedhodzic made the vital last second block.
Swansea made two changes with Paterson and Ntcham replacing Fulton and Cooper. McBurnie blazed well over the bar before more chances came with Stevens replacing Sorinola and then McAtee and Brewster coming on for Doyle and McBurnie. The departing former Swan getting an excellent reception as did the incoming Brewster who also fared well for the Welsh side when he represented them.
The game became very scrappy for a spell and after those flurry of chances, United managed to take the sting out and fill some of the gaps. Ahmedhodzic and Basham had swapped side and this seemed both players who improved after the break. It became very stop start with a few free kicks being awarded and a number of players going down although Norrington Davies was deemed fit enough to continue after getting treatment.
Khadra came on for Ndiaye with the game entering the final 10 minutes but twice he gave the ball away as he tried to make something happen and give the Blades a spark. However, the sub also put in a superb cross and Brewster headed wide when he might have done better. This was the main chance for either side in the final half hour of the game.
Despite this, both sides seemed more cautious at this period after trying to attack for much of the game and it seemed cagier with some tired legs even with the changes made. Norwood gave it away after some overplay and this led to a half chance but United managed to clear for a corner that came to nothing. The game moved into four minutes of stoppage time.
Swansea tried to fashion some momentum in an attempt to win it but Basham got down the side to make a great last-ditch tackle to stop a chance of a shot and United broke from here. The ball was helped on and Brewster did superbly and knocked it on and used his pace to break clear. Naughton tried to step across to stop his run and made no play on the ball at all and seemed intent on blocking the United player. Any contact was initiated by the defender and Brewster did superbly to focus on continuing his run and his determination was matched by great composure as he supplied KHADRA with a perfect pass and the German kept his cool to convert clinically past the exposed Benda. The Blades fans behind the goal went into absolute delirium as they knew this was the match winner. The game restarted but there was barely a few more kicks of the ball before referee Bond ended the match to cheers from the United fans and jeers from the Swansea fans. Manager Martin’s reaction was a poor one at the end and will surely realise when he watches it back that the referee, as frustrating as he was, got the big decision right.
United - A huge win for the Blades in which they were far from their best but got the win in a game that the three points and late goal is all anyone will remember in the coming weeks. I have to be honest I would have taken a draw before and throughout the game. We started quite well and had few chances but then sort of lost control and they pressed us and the midfield became less and less involved. The front two were isolated and not a threat and they had the better of the first half and indeed the start of the second with Piroe having two good chances and them having a few other close calls including the Wes/Egan mess up when Anel bailed us out.
However, despite this we had lots of clear chances too. RND had the header, McBurnie had one and then Berge missed a real sitter. There could and maybe should have been 2 or 3 goals for both teams. I never felt we had total control of the middle section of the game in terms of territory and also the middle section in terms of time. It became a bit disjointed. I felt that we needed to change it and we did in the end and actually from around 70 minutes, they had less of a threat and the only real chance fell to Brewster. I still would have taken a point as I felt that they had worked hard and matched us up well. We had too many players off our game and were sloppy too in our general play. We seemed to lack zip and that fluency. We also sat off too much. Weirdly we looked a bit lethargic but then the home team seemed to run out of steam too. It seemed to be drifting to a draw until the late drama. Brilliant from Bash for the tackle firstly but Brewster did superbly and of course Khadra kept his cool. Reminded me of the late Peschy winner at WBA under Warnock seeing the fans going mad knowing it was pretty much the last kick! What a way to win it.
I have to be honest and say we were not great. RND played well and some did well in spells but no one was that great outside of him. We had lots of so so games from players and as a unit not sure we looked that solid at the back or cohesive as an attacking force. It was a bitty performance but we still could have scored 4 goals (could have conceded 4 too). It was maybe a bit open for us as an away side and we need to be a bit more solid and break when we had to. On another day Piroe scored those two chances but then Berge and Brewster had two excellent ones too. It was an odd game as I thought it was poor but Sky and Lee Hendrie said it was a great game. I can’t say I agree. Yes there were chances and should have been more goals but not sure I thought either side played much great football. The chances came from one cross or one bit of play rather than any creative or cohesion.
Still, we take the win. We have one more last push before the break. I would have taken 4 points definitely from two away games (maybe took 2 draws or 1 in too being honest!) so now it’s almost a free hit at a tough defensive minded Preston side. Hopefully some of our attacking players will be more on son and we can have a better all around performance.
Ratings:
Foderingham 5.5/10 – Not his best night really despite a clean sheet. He made one routine save from Piroe but came and missed one cross and then made the low kick out (done a few of these and got away with them) and his could have led to a goal easily.
Baldock 6/10 – Ok in terms of his crossing with two decent ones first half actually - a great one to McBurnie actually. He started arguing too much with opponents and players and at times he gave too much space as al the team did but then improved in the final period of the game.
Norrington Davies 8/10 – Our best player again. He has been consistently excellent this season in the game he has played. He was competitive, used his pace well to cover and made good tackles too. He was one of our main threats going forward and put in some excellent crosses too. Great return to his former club. Seemed to shake off his knock too when we all thought ‘not another injury!’
Ahmedhodzic 6/10 – I thought he was a bit of a mixed bag tonight. Bit sloppy on the ball and he was not comfortable on the left-hand side despite Hecky saying he can and has played there. They got down this side a few times (like the throw in and the cut back). He can one run out and shot but defensively was not maybe alert enough at times. He did get better in the second half as he was switched over but another booking for a high foot (refs seem to be penalising those a lot and he has got two bookings for those offences – maybe his legs are too long!). He made that one great tackle too to deny the chance after the Wes error. Maybe tonight brought him down to earth a bit but he and the team cannot be great every game.
Basham 6/10 – Thought first half he looked very rusty and his touch and general play was off the pace. He seemed out of position a few times and did not look like he was in sync as they got through us down the sides a few times with passing moves. Weirdly he was better second half when on the left and after they had a few half chances, he improved and was more solid in his defending and made that great tackle at the end to deny them a chance.
Egan 6/10 – I thought the whole defence stood off too much and did not get tight enough. Piroe walked through us twice with the same skill and we got away with that. We just seemed to be not close enough to them and they had too much space. Not helped by the midfield at all who did not close them off. The mistake was more on Wes than him of course but I just thought we were not quite solid enough and gave them too many chances but did improve in the final third and denied them any clear opportunities.
Norwood 5.5/10 – Not sure any of the midfield were that great tonight. He started well with some good passing and moved it around but then quickly the midfield lost control and they closed him down and he was not in it for a long spell. He tried to dig in and do the defensive bits but they ran off the midfield quite a bit and the lack of legs/runners was noticeable. He did help us get some control towards the end again.
Doyle 5/10 – Really quiet night. He just seemed off the pace completely and he seemed caught between playing in front of Norwood or giving him more of a hand in the defensive side and saw us have big gaps in the midfield for a large period of the game that they picked though. He had one shot but did not get involved anywhere near enough and looked exhausted
Berge 5/10 – One of those frustrating Berge nights where he looked quite languid (lazy!). He started with one good run and cross but after that, a few neat and tidy passes but nothing of real consequence and off the ball he seemed to be going through the motions somewhat and not working hard enough. He seems to have these games more than you would like despite mostly very good form and it is annoying as it does look like he just can’t be bothered certain afternoons/nights – maybe that is harsh and it was just an off night but he needs to influence games more. He should take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Ndiaye 5/10 – As with Berge just not his game. He barely had anything of note other than a few moments of control and bits of link play. The rest of the game just passed him by and he was a non-factor as they played him really well. He had little service but normally he finds a way to influence the game even off the ball but he did not really have much influence and was right to be taken off.
McBurnie 5/10 – He too like those above him just had an ineffective night. One chance he should have done better on the stretch but outside of this he tussled and hussled all game but nothing realty happened and the game became one where we did not really get the strikers in the game or they did not get in the game. They have been great on and off the ball but were off it tonight not helped by the service and lack of fluency in our play. Hopefully they are back at it for the weekend.
Subs –
McAtee 5.5/10 – He looks terrified of physical contact at times and does get rid quite quick. Some neat and tidy bits and a few decent bits of passing but needs to be able to take those hits and not be afraid of drawing contact.
Brewster 7/10 – His mark may seem high as he missed that good chance but the goal was as much about him as Khadra as he showed determination, pace and composure to set it up. Looked rapid on this run and showed he is quicker than some of us think maybe.
Khadra – No mark as he came on quite late but he was involved. One great cross to Brewster but then some frustrating moments as he gave it away but then he was able to spot the chance and support Brewster and kept his cool to finish superbly and win the game! It has been a bit stop start but the front two has been playing well and he will get more time, I am sure. The goal will do him a world of good, I am sure.
Manager: Heckingbottom 7/10 – It’s a win. I am not sure he reacted quick enough to change our formation or style as Swansea had too much of the ball and were getting in good areas but the lads that came up did freshen it up and of course the two strikers make and take the winner! On the surface it’s a win and a clean sheet but he will know we can and will play better. Tonight, was just about the result.
Swansea – Started with us having a lot of possession but then they took over for a spell. They will point to some good chances but we had as many too so it was a fairly open game. They will rightly say they matched us and could have won it but then so could we. I am not sure they were brilliant and feel we were off the pace but then credit to them for maybe stifling our better players although I did think that some just had an off night.
They are a decent footballing side but lack that punch up the top although Piroe would normally take one of those chances but they do move it about nicely. They give teams chances by the way they play and that was shown at the other end. They look to me a side that will be around the middle of the league for these reasons. They are just way too open which is good to watch but means at home you should not concede so many chances really – again as I say not sure we were anywhere near our best but still had a fair few good opportunities. A draw might have been the fair result in the end on chances and how the game went but they made a mess of a clearance and Naughton was too busy trying to stop our man than go for the ball. They were wide open which was poor from one big kick out and cost them in the end.
I would find them frustrating to watch. At times if it comes off looks good but they would give me a heart attack with how they play out but actually tonight took probably less risks really.
Opponent Man of the Match –Piroe is a good player and clever but missed a few despite his set ups. The lad Grimes is busy and gets up and down well and always likes to get on the ball. Fulton also is a good technical player. Cabango did a good job on both our front players to be fair and might have been their stand out.
Opponent Weak link – I did not even know Joe Allen was playing for them till the end and he was quiet but maybe did a good job on the likes of Ndiaye and Berge. Naughton has got done for pace and made the big error at the end that led to the winner.
Referee/Officials – Darren Bond. An alice band. Mmmmm. He was annoying to be fair. Sometimes letting things go. Then he was stopping it. Really frustrating. I thought he favoured the home side on a lot of the 50-50 ones but then at the end, got it right. I am amazed Swansea thought it was a foul. Any contact was Naughton trying to block Brewster off who tried to get around him (had to bend his run) and was completely due to Naughton’s cynical attempt to block him off. Completely the right call. If he had pulled that up it would have been scandalous and rewarding cynical play. Hecky’s comments are how I saw it: "I didn't think it was a foul [before the goal]. I think Kyle [Naughton] realised he was in a foot race and he was going to get beaten. He tried to step across Rhian [Brewster]. What Rhian's done well, he put the brakes on and jumped so there was no contact. "But I would have complained if I was Russ, course I would, but it's not a foul." Martin feels it was a foul but any clipping of heels was caused by Naughton trying to step across. He was nowhere near the ball which Brewster was trying to get. As Martin actually says Naughton has run across him – yes to block him off!
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The Blades won for the first time in Swansea since 1958 with a dramatic last second victory thanks to sub Reda Khadra’s breakaway goal with almost the last kick of the game! United had been far from their best in a scrappy game but both sides had good chances to win it despite the lack of fluency and quality on show in a game that seemed to be petering out to a stalemate when a combination of Basham’s great last-ditch tackle, Brewster’s lung bursting run and Khadra’s cool finish led to the dramatic winner.
It was the sort of game where if you come out with a victory, you start to think does you side of have a chance of promotion this season when they were far from their best but gutted out a massive three points.
Heckingbottom had to make one change with Max Lowe joining the ranks of injured player, a list that continued to sadly grow. Norrington Davies reverted to left wing back against a side he began his career with Basham at right centre back and Ahmedhodzic on the left side. There were two in form strikers with McBurnie and Piroe both netting three goals in three successive games.
Swansea had improved after a poor start and there were signs that Russell Martin’s patient passing approach was starting to yield results as well as possession but United began the game well and the first chance saw Berge drive down the side and put over a good cross that Norrington Davies met but his header was straight at Benda. More patient work saw good football as United moved it side to side and then Baldock teed up Norwood and McBurnie could not quite get on the end of it as he was involved in a grappling match and led to Swansea turning it behind for a Blades corner.
Both teams were pressing each other high up to begin with and Swansea ceded possession to a side for maybe the first side this season as United were in control but a Berge error led to a corner that saw the home side’s first effort as Cabango held off his man but headed at Foderingham.
United were continuing to try and create openings and found space down the side as Baldock put over a dangerous cross but McBurnie met it but was on the stetch and toe poked over. Doyle then had an effort but it was straight at the keeper as the Blades had controlled the opening 15 minutes.
The home side came out and had a good move where they moved it through the midfield area and it saw the ball played into Piroe who easily side stepped his man but his effort was straight at Foderingham. Despite United creating the early chances, this was as good an opportunity as any and the striker should have done better after doing the hard part to create the chance. Fulton then fired an effort wide as the home team started to enjoy more of the ball.
Ahmedhodzic was not having the impact of other games but came out and fired a shot that was blocked but Basham was also not looking as comfortable and twice he lost possession before being a little clumsy in kicking through his man who needed treatment after the referee deemed the challenge legal.
Swansea were now the better side and just before the half hour Cooper ran down past Ahmedhodzic from a throw in routine and his cross was perfect for Manning but United got a block in to deny what would have probably been the opening. After a good start, United were now sitting off and had lost control of the midfield and indeed the game. A ball came over and Foderingham was in no man’s land and Baldock turned behind. The corner then was headed goalward from Cabango again as United appealed for a foul and Norwood had to clear off the line.
Swansea now were in control and the Blades were struggling to hold it up with McBurnie and Ndiaye not having much impact, albeit with limited service.
Piroe then had an effort that drifted wide after good work from Grimes and the Blades were struggling to get to grips with a fluent Swansea side and were sitting off and not getting close enough to runners. United did win a corner and it nearly dropped as a combination of Ndiaye and a defender converged onto the ball. Norwood then blazed well over the bar.
Swansea won a corner but United were able to clear and the half time whistle came not long after this in a game that was reminiscent of some of the earlier away games where the Blades struggled to have clear patterns of play or any kind of control of a game. They had started well but Swansea had maybe shaded things in terms of dangerous play if the chances for both sides were probably shared around equally.
The second half saw Ahmedhodzic booked for a high foot, the second time an attempted overhead kick from the Bosnian, has resulted in him being cautioned. Swansea continued to make the running and the Blades were not getting hold of the ball with Norwood and Doyle not really factors as Swansea worked hard to deny United the ball.
The home side had a chance when the ball was driven from Manning and the ball was not cleared and the chance came for Sorinola but he blazed over when well placed and will be disappointed not to show more composure. Cooper and Grimes had efforts blocked as the home side were the ones looking more likely but Norrington Davies had a powerful run where his touch let them down right at the end.
Piroe had a great chance for the home side and in a chance reminiscent of the first half, he sidestepped his man and curled an effort just wide of the post.
At the other end, the Blades created maybe an even better chance as Norrington Davies once again was the architect with a run down the left-hand side and his cross was perfect for Berge who blazed over from the penalty spot area. It was a bad miss and a player of his ability you would think would have scored.
The game was continuing to see chances and the home side had another but this one was a completely comical piece of defending as Foderingham kicked the ball against Egan’s backside and it rebounded into the path of a Swansea forward and as it was played inside, it seemed set the home team would score but Ahmedhodzic made the vital last second block.
Swansea made two changes with Paterson and Ntcham replacing Fulton and Cooper. McBurnie blazed well over the bar before more chances came with Stevens replacing Sorinola and then McAtee and Brewster coming on for Doyle and McBurnie. The departing former Swan getting an excellent reception as did the incoming Brewster who also fared well for the Welsh side when he represented them.
The game became very scrappy for a spell and after those flurry of chances, United managed to take the sting out and fill some of the gaps. Ahmedhodzic and Basham had swapped side and this seemed both players who improved after the break. It became very stop start with a few free kicks being awarded and a number of players going down although Norrington Davies was deemed fit enough to continue after getting treatment.
Khadra came on for Ndiaye with the game entering the final 10 minutes but twice he gave the ball away as he tried to make something happen and give the Blades a spark. However, the sub also put in a superb cross and Brewster headed wide when he might have done better. This was the main chance for either side in the final half hour of the game.
Despite this, both sides seemed more cautious at this period after trying to attack for much of the game and it seemed cagier with some tired legs even with the changes made. Norwood gave it away after some overplay and this led to a half chance but United managed to clear for a corner that came to nothing. The game moved into four minutes of stoppage time.
Swansea tried to fashion some momentum in an attempt to win it but Basham got down the side to make a great last-ditch tackle to stop a chance of a shot and United broke from here. The ball was helped on and Brewster did superbly and knocked it on and used his pace to break clear. Naughton tried to step across to stop his run and made no play on the ball at all and seemed intent on blocking the United player. Any contact was initiated by the defender and Brewster did superbly to focus on continuing his run and his determination was matched by great composure as he supplied KHADRA with a perfect pass and the German kept his cool to convert clinically past the exposed Benda. The Blades fans behind the goal went into absolute delirium as they knew this was the match winner. The game restarted but there was barely a few more kicks of the ball before referee Bond ended the match to cheers from the United fans and jeers from the Swansea fans. Manager Martin’s reaction was a poor one at the end and will surely realise when he watches it back that the referee, as frustrating as he was, got the big decision right.
United - A huge win for the Blades in which they were far from their best but got the win in a game that the three points and late goal is all anyone will remember in the coming weeks. I have to be honest I would have taken a draw before and throughout the game. We started quite well and had few chances but then sort of lost control and they pressed us and the midfield became less and less involved. The front two were isolated and not a threat and they had the better of the first half and indeed the start of the second with Piroe having two good chances and them having a few other close calls including the Wes/Egan mess up when Anel bailed us out.
However, despite this we had lots of clear chances too. RND had the header, McBurnie had one and then Berge missed a real sitter. There could and maybe should have been 2 or 3 goals for both teams. I never felt we had total control of the middle section of the game in terms of territory and also the middle section in terms of time. It became a bit disjointed. I felt that we needed to change it and we did in the end and actually from around 70 minutes, they had less of a threat and the only real chance fell to Brewster. I still would have taken a point as I felt that they had worked hard and matched us up well. We had too many players off our game and were sloppy too in our general play. We seemed to lack zip and that fluency. We also sat off too much. Weirdly we looked a bit lethargic but then the home team seemed to run out of steam too. It seemed to be drifting to a draw until the late drama. Brilliant from Bash for the tackle firstly but Brewster did superbly and of course Khadra kept his cool. Reminded me of the late Peschy winner at WBA under Warnock seeing the fans going mad knowing it was pretty much the last kick! What a way to win it.
I have to be honest and say we were not great. RND played well and some did well in spells but no one was that great outside of him. We had lots of so so games from players and as a unit not sure we looked that solid at the back or cohesive as an attacking force. It was a bitty performance but we still could have scored 4 goals (could have conceded 4 too). It was maybe a bit open for us as an away side and we need to be a bit more solid and break when we had to. On another day Piroe scored those two chances but then Berge and Brewster had two excellent ones too. It was an odd game as I thought it was poor but Sky and Lee Hendrie said it was a great game. I can’t say I agree. Yes there were chances and should have been more goals but not sure I thought either side played much great football. The chances came from one cross or one bit of play rather than any creative or cohesion.
Still, we take the win. We have one more last push before the break. I would have taken 4 points definitely from two away games (maybe took 2 draws or 1 in too being honest!) so now it’s almost a free hit at a tough defensive minded Preston side. Hopefully some of our attacking players will be more on son and we can have a better all around performance.
Ratings:
Foderingham 5.5/10 – Not his best night really despite a clean sheet. He made one routine save from Piroe but came and missed one cross and then made the low kick out (done a few of these and got away with them) and his could have led to a goal easily.
Baldock 6/10 – Ok in terms of his crossing with two decent ones first half actually - a great one to McBurnie actually. He started arguing too much with opponents and players and at times he gave too much space as al the team did but then improved in the final period of the game.
Norrington Davies 8/10 – Our best player again. He has been consistently excellent this season in the game he has played. He was competitive, used his pace well to cover and made good tackles too. He was one of our main threats going forward and put in some excellent crosses too. Great return to his former club. Seemed to shake off his knock too when we all thought ‘not another injury!’
Ahmedhodzic 6/10 – I thought he was a bit of a mixed bag tonight. Bit sloppy on the ball and he was not comfortable on the left-hand side despite Hecky saying he can and has played there. They got down this side a few times (like the throw in and the cut back). He can one run out and shot but defensively was not maybe alert enough at times. He did get better in the second half as he was switched over but another booking for a high foot (refs seem to be penalising those a lot and he has got two bookings for those offences – maybe his legs are too long!). He made that one great tackle too to deny the chance after the Wes error. Maybe tonight brought him down to earth a bit but he and the team cannot be great every game.
Basham 6/10 – Thought first half he looked very rusty and his touch and general play was off the pace. He seemed out of position a few times and did not look like he was in sync as they got through us down the sides a few times with passing moves. Weirdly he was better second half when on the left and after they had a few half chances, he improved and was more solid in his defending and made that great tackle at the end to deny them a chance.
Egan 6/10 – I thought the whole defence stood off too much and did not get tight enough. Piroe walked through us twice with the same skill and we got away with that. We just seemed to be not close enough to them and they had too much space. Not helped by the midfield at all who did not close them off. The mistake was more on Wes than him of course but I just thought we were not quite solid enough and gave them too many chances but did improve in the final third and denied them any clear opportunities.
Norwood 5.5/10 – Not sure any of the midfield were that great tonight. He started well with some good passing and moved it around but then quickly the midfield lost control and they closed him down and he was not in it for a long spell. He tried to dig in and do the defensive bits but they ran off the midfield quite a bit and the lack of legs/runners was noticeable. He did help us get some control towards the end again.
Doyle 5/10 – Really quiet night. He just seemed off the pace completely and he seemed caught between playing in front of Norwood or giving him more of a hand in the defensive side and saw us have big gaps in the midfield for a large period of the game that they picked though. He had one shot but did not get involved anywhere near enough and looked exhausted
Berge 5/10 – One of those frustrating Berge nights where he looked quite languid (lazy!). He started with one good run and cross but after that, a few neat and tidy passes but nothing of real consequence and off the ball he seemed to be going through the motions somewhat and not working hard enough. He seems to have these games more than you would like despite mostly very good form and it is annoying as it does look like he just can’t be bothered certain afternoons/nights – maybe that is harsh and it was just an off night but he needs to influence games more. He should take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Ndiaye 5/10 – As with Berge just not his game. He barely had anything of note other than a few moments of control and bits of link play. The rest of the game just passed him by and he was a non-factor as they played him really well. He had little service but normally he finds a way to influence the game even off the ball but he did not really have much influence and was right to be taken off.
McBurnie 5/10 – He too like those above him just had an ineffective night. One chance he should have done better on the stretch but outside of this he tussled and hussled all game but nothing realty happened and the game became one where we did not really get the strikers in the game or they did not get in the game. They have been great on and off the ball but were off it tonight not helped by the service and lack of fluency in our play. Hopefully they are back at it for the weekend.
Subs –
McAtee 5.5/10 – He looks terrified of physical contact at times and does get rid quite quick. Some neat and tidy bits and a few decent bits of passing but needs to be able to take those hits and not be afraid of drawing contact.
Brewster 7/10 – His mark may seem high as he missed that good chance but the goal was as much about him as Khadra as he showed determination, pace and composure to set it up. Looked rapid on this run and showed he is quicker than some of us think maybe.
Khadra – No mark as he came on quite late but he was involved. One great cross to Brewster but then some frustrating moments as he gave it away but then he was able to spot the chance and support Brewster and kept his cool to finish superbly and win the game! It has been a bit stop start but the front two has been playing well and he will get more time, I am sure. The goal will do him a world of good, I am sure.
Manager: Heckingbottom 7/10 – It’s a win. I am not sure he reacted quick enough to change our formation or style as Swansea had too much of the ball and were getting in good areas but the lads that came up did freshen it up and of course the two strikers make and take the winner! On the surface it’s a win and a clean sheet but he will know we can and will play better. Tonight, was just about the result.
Swansea – Started with us having a lot of possession but then they took over for a spell. They will point to some good chances but we had as many too so it was a fairly open game. They will rightly say they matched us and could have won it but then so could we. I am not sure they were brilliant and feel we were off the pace but then credit to them for maybe stifling our better players although I did think that some just had an off night.
They are a decent footballing side but lack that punch up the top although Piroe would normally take one of those chances but they do move it about nicely. They give teams chances by the way they play and that was shown at the other end. They look to me a side that will be around the middle of the league for these reasons. They are just way too open which is good to watch but means at home you should not concede so many chances really – again as I say not sure we were anywhere near our best but still had a fair few good opportunities. A draw might have been the fair result in the end on chances and how the game went but they made a mess of a clearance and Naughton was too busy trying to stop our man than go for the ball. They were wide open which was poor from one big kick out and cost them in the end.
I would find them frustrating to watch. At times if it comes off looks good but they would give me a heart attack with how they play out but actually tonight took probably less risks really.
Opponent Man of the Match –Piroe is a good player and clever but missed a few despite his set ups. The lad Grimes is busy and gets up and down well and always likes to get on the ball. Fulton also is a good technical player. Cabango did a good job on both our front players to be fair and might have been their stand out.
Opponent Weak link – I did not even know Joe Allen was playing for them till the end and he was quiet but maybe did a good job on the likes of Ndiaye and Berge. Naughton has got done for pace and made the big error at the end that led to the winner.
Referee/Officials – Darren Bond. An alice band. Mmmmm. He was annoying to be fair. Sometimes letting things go. Then he was stopping it. Really frustrating. I thought he favoured the home side on a lot of the 50-50 ones but then at the end, got it right. I am amazed Swansea thought it was a foul. Any contact was Naughton trying to block Brewster off who tried to get around him (had to bend his run) and was completely due to Naughton’s cynical attempt to block him off. Completely the right call. If he had pulled that up it would have been scandalous and rewarding cynical play. Hecky’s comments are how I saw it: "I didn't think it was a foul [before the goal]. I think Kyle [Naughton] realised he was in a foot race and he was going to get beaten. He tried to step across Rhian [Brewster]. What Rhian's done well, he put the brakes on and jumped so there was no contact. "But I would have complained if I was Russ, course I would, but it's not a foul." Martin feels it was a foul but any clipping of heels was caused by Naughton trying to step across. He was nowhere near the ball which Brewster was trying to get. As Martin actually says Naughton has run across him – yes to block him off!
