Swansea City have an opportunity to put this result behind them on Tuesday night in the League Cup and next Saturday when they host Sheffield United in the Championship. However, today was not a good watch at all, and very much expected by some. It’s how Alan Sheehan reacts now that matters most.

The first half saw the Swans far more livelier than we would see for the rest of this game, the first twenty minutes competing well and looking dangerous. There were a few half chances, one for Liam Cullen and an explosive first time shot from Ronald but the same lack of attention as to where their own team mates were was the story of this ninety plus minutes. The Swans ability to up the temperature of the game wasn’t there as the midfield battle centred around bookings and harsh challenges. At least then we were seeing some aggression in a white shirt.

Plaudits have to go though to Lawrence Vigouroux for a magnificent save during the first forty five.

The risk of playing Ben Cabango would backfire later in the game and we also saw Eom substituted in the second half, he was limping slightly. In fact we would see Kaelan Casey (for Cabango) and Zeidane Inoussa take the field, but they added nothing of any consequence as passes went astray and commitment lacking. We also saw Zăn Vipotnik who looked slow and cumbersome getting caught offside - and when the ball was at his feet he turned far too slowly and was easily checked by the Boro defence.

The goal that won this game was a simple corner from Morgan Whittaker who found Dael Fry in the Swans area, Cameron Burgess allowing him to stoop low and head the ball home. It was simplicity itself with the Swans defence at fault for not being switched on enough to clear the danger. That was early into the second half and you felt there was time for the Swans to do at least something to equalise. The fact they didn’t and looked like they could have played on until midnight will tell you exactly how uneventful the second half was for Swansea fans. There was absolutely no clear idea from the players on the pitch, they seemed disjointed, slow and far too casual. Again we saw walking football that produced frustration and threatened nothing. Nobody seemed able to take command and direct proceedings or inspire their team mates.

As we saw last season at times Franco went missing in midfield, especially when his side needed his commitment in an attacking role. Ethan Galbraith on his debut struggled after fifty minutes, he was subbed as well. Overall the whole strategy today was wrong, it did nothing to give anyone watching this fixture any hope. Yes, it is the first game of the season, and very much like the opening game of last season at the same venue Swansea City left without the points.

Very disappointing, and taken as a whole the concerns will start here that’s for certain. More analysis tomorrow with an update on transfers. Swans target, Malick Yalcouyé came on as substitute today for Brighton in their 2-0 win v Wolfsburg.

⚽️ Middlesbrough: Sol Brynn, Sammy Silvera, Luke Ayling, Morgan Whittaker, Delano Burgzorg (Abdoulaye Kante 71), Callum Brittain, Tommy Conway (Marcus Forss 90) Dael Fry (captain), Hayden Hackney, Alfie Jones, Aidan Morris.

Unused Substitutes: Tom Glover, Dan Barlaser, Neto Borges, Alex Gilbert, Law McCabe, George McCormick, Sonny Finch.

⚽️ Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux; 7 Josh Key, 6 Ben Cabango (captain) 6 (Kaelan Casey 76) 6 Cameron Burgess, 5 🟨 Josh Tymon 5 Jay Fulton 6 🟨 Ethan Galbraith 6 🟨 (Žan Vipotnik 65) 4 Gonçalo Franco 5 🟨 Ronald 7 (Melker Widell 71) 4 Jisung Eom 5 (Zeidane Inoussa 65) 5 Liam Cullen 5 🟨

Unused Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Bobby Wales, Ollie Cooper, Sam Parker, Cameron Congreve.

Referee: Farai Hallam (did an okay job overall) 6/10

⚽️ Attendance: 26,036 (OS 685 away) Our information at the ground was 791. How many were there you can only say well done the Jack Army.

Artwork by Swansea Independent

pete added 18:01 - Aug 9 good report thank you just hope the club can bring in the lad from brighton and a striker along with 1 or 3 others
0

Derby County Polls