The draw was nothing less than the Swans deserved yesterday afternoon in Yorkshire when Zân Vipotnik levelled in injury time against Leeds United. Having said that despite a ridiculous comedy of errors at the start the formation and strategy for the game was pretty much spot on.

We had an inkling pre match that ‘something special or different’ was on the cards reviewing some of the information available it was pretty certain that changes would be made.

In no way was any of our hard work going to be announced until it was of no benefit to Leeds United, there’s nothing to be gained by flexing your muscle on social media. In this case affecting the plans of interim head coach, Alan Sheehan, why on earth would anyone do that ? However, we’ve seen that over the past months just for personal kudos. It does the club and its plans no good at all. And it also presents confusion.

What Sheehan and his coaching staff went for yesterday was Josh Tymon on the left wing with Hannes Delcroix assuming a defensive role behind him. Vipotnik was benched (or Vipnik as Paul Merson called him several times yesterday amongst other alternatives) the ignorance is astonishing when he was actually covering the game for Sky Sports. That took me back to Gary Neville calling Garry Monk, Barry Monk for the Swans first game in the Premier League v Manchester City away.

With Delcroix out left and Josh Key on the defensive right with less flexibility to roam forwards the Swans defence was complimented by a returning Harry Darling and Captain Ben Cabango, they looked solid. As Liam mentioned in his pre match report and match report the game could be won or lost in midfield. Im pretty certain that the introduction of Jay Fulton with a starting place was met by the usual groans, and in some cases these are very valid, but he did his bit yesterday. Personally I think it was his best game in two seasons. In fact he was very much the glue when Lewis O’Brien and Gonçalo Franco were overrun or muscled off the ball. The Sheehan tactic of moving the ball quickly in these areas we have since learned was because of the midfield dilemma. Utilising quick ball to Tymon left and Ronald out on the right paid off at times, unfortunately Liam Cullen didn’t have the best of games. The likes of Franco and O’Brien do have their moments either way, they can give the ball away and lose out to stronger players, but they also have desire and that coupled with their skills base shone through most of the time yesterday.

Alan Sheehan complimented that attitude and behaviour post match, “We talk about character, desire and application, and the players were just so determined to work hard for the badge. That was the message beforehand, you cannot do anything individually at a place like this, you have to do it as a collective and I am so, so proud of the players. When you come to places like this, you really find out things about your players. You have a nightmare start, and in that situation it’s about the quality and leadership of the group”

With goals being somewhat hard to come by this season from the Swans forward line it’s refreshing to see Vipotnik given exposure, albeit agent driven a few weeks ago. And then to see him get that goal yesterday. He has a rocket of a shot in his arsenal, heading wise there seems to be much to work on, but he needs some solid game time at home against Derby County next Saturday and Plymouth Argyle on the following Wednesday. Things do seem to be more fluid under Sheehan, with a far more expansive view of what he can do with the players he has got. That football intelligence wasn’t available under Luke Williams nor Michael Duff, in Sheehan we have an already proven tactician. Especially on set pieces.

The indifferent scoring and assist figures this season represent many Swans fans concerns.

Swansea City have ample opportunity to get the points they require to remain in the Championship and then (hopefully) give some form of positivity going into next season. The non UK manager still sits in the background, and we are putting it out there now we haven’t asked who they are. It isn’t time nor is it appropriate to do so. We concentrate on the here and now not baffling people with names that lead to arguments and eventually abuse. If it becomes appropriate we will, but Alan Sheehan and his staff know exactly what they have to do, and speculation on their futures is unprofessional. Especially when naming their potential successors.

But they are there.

The current league table displays there’s still work to do.

Alan Sheehan, ‘we think’ has to do so much to get the permanent manager role - and to ensure contracts for Mark Fotheringham and Richard Stearman who had been taking training over the previous nine days, before their official announcement. We are not even sure given what we know that another four wins would be enough for him. We are run by rich American businessmen on the whole with a slow draught of ‘expertise’ in Sporting Director (this month Director of football) Richard Montague and the appointment of a new CEO in the promoted Tom Gorringe. There is little trust in any of the clubs hierarchy irrespective of their financial weight. This money in the board of directors gift isn’t seen as being utilised quick enough. What they could spend it on since the end of the transfer window I’m unsure, but there are many things like construction and physical planning wise they can be thinking about. This away from profit and sustainability that should now be in place for the rest of the year. Or in planning.

Once again the Jack Army travelled in good numbers (below) no decent exact figures as this is a state secret, but in the region of 850 is the final tally. Leeds fans can mock all they like, there are four Championship sides in Yorkshire and many within a short journey after that. It isn’t as much the scope of their support but with those who find these things important (often with minimal life experience) a lack of any tangible understanding of economics and geography. There is a saying ‘Leeds would have taken more’ well, clearly not to their local schools. I say this as in general they are not a likeable fanbase, albeit I know several Leeds supporters who don’t seem to be like this. I know far too many away from that who are.

With all that has been said this was a superb start in the final interim tenure of Alan Sheehan, a game when you look at the missed penalty and hitting the post that could have been won. Sheehan employed an attacking principle with a very fluid system, and that changed throughout the game. The free hit earned the Swans a point but now for Sheehan’s sake and that of the Swansea City support there needs to be real focus on these next two home games. And most certainly performance wise a showing that convinces the Jack Army good days could well be ahead.

Full match report, exclusive pics, stats,teams & ratings below.
⚽️ Ha Ha Ha Harry Darling

⚽️ Alan Sheehan post match.

⚽️ Vipotnik reaction

⚽️ Daniel Farke gets a taste of his own medicine

⚽️ EFL Highlights

⚽️ FotMob

Photographs Reuters & open source / Swansea City AFC

waynearthur98 added 15:48 - Mar 30 Probably the most professional away performance for several seasons starting with Jay Fulton's convenient need for treatment at 1-0 down whjen we were under the cosh, the game changed after that. I am really p****d off at the comments of Merson and fellow idiots in the media that belittle out performance, It wasn't that Leeds played badly, simply they were not allowed to play well. Capped off by The People captioning a photo of Delcroix as their MoM Ben Cabango - roll on Gary Neville

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KeithHaynes added 16:26 - Mar 30 Top man Wayne, thanks for your comments.
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