It was another night for the brave to venture out in Swansea last night. Driving rain and the lure of a warm night in with a plethora of football matches to choose from won for many again. Those that did venture out in their thousands yet again are still wondering this morning of any of their efforts are worth it.

We get a number of texts and emails, private messages and social media DM’s but this morning it has gone into overload. It is more about disappointment than anger, the feeling that current head coach, Alan Sheehan is cheating himself more than anyone else this season. Last night was the tipping point for many, a lacklustre game does that to you especially when your teams performance is so dull when expectations remain high.

This is about football remember, but the current majority owners, Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen will be greatly concerned. They act swiftly but calmly we know that. Despite the performances and losses they will be thinking this one through. Speaking to the contact who broke the early news in an exclusive to us on the takeover and change of board a year ago they are not so certain. The belief is that a measured response will be the preferred option. But as we saw with Richard Montague that trigger can be pulled in minutes. That though must come with a note of caution, don’t think his position will not have already been discussed. And please don’t think replacements haven’t been researched. Pulling the trigger now unless it’s Sheehans choice isn’t the best idea. Next week the Swans host Manchester City in the fourth round of the League Cup, thereafter they travel to the Valley for an away fixture at Charlton Athletic.

But of course strength in adversity is the best way to describe Cravatt and Cohen.

It is our belief unless something unfolds naturally in the coming days that as we move into November and the international break that real decisions will be made. Not only on a replacement manager if needed, a review of all the dynamic behind the scenes will be done. It’s amazing what one win can do for a club, and with the glory of a cup game on the horizon dreams can become reality. A beleaguered Alan Sheehan briefly faced the cameras last night, that’s always a sign of disappointment. He made it clear the performance wasn’t good enough as the Championship’s bottom feeders when it comes to scoring goals had failed again. We can look at the effort albeit in the closing minutes. Up until then a shot on goal wasn’t registered until the game was nearly done, not one player was seemingly capable of getting the game by the scruff and make things happen. Ethan Galbraith when he switched back into midfield tried, Josh Key tried to raid forwards on the Swans right but ran into trouble every time with the ball ending up with the Swans defence again.

Stand out players, and yes there were some have to be Lawrence Vigouroux in goal, just where the Swans would be without him is anyone’s guess. Josh Tymon too left it all out there as the Swans struggled to make chances to get something out of the game. Eom had one of his better matches as did Marko Stamenic. Overall the control was too cautious, the ideas lacking and the creativity tinged with a mundane coat of sleepwalking at times. Adam Idah put in the hard yards in the second half but was left to his own devices when trying to go and force the game. Chances for both him and Zân Vipotnik have not been plentiful this season. Zân did have two very good chances to equalise very late on, how he again missed that chance almost on the line sums up the night. It took us back to the many other situations where he has been a split second too late to the ball. (Below)

It was a very frustrating watch, and Alan Sheehan doesn’t send his team out to play in this way, that much we do know, he talks about positivity and free flowing football but it doesn’t materialise on the pitch. The calls today for his head are premature to some. What we know of the owners and our discussion this morning illustrates the fact they are now in a decisive decision making mode. However there is one note of caution in amongst all this. The ownership group haven’t shirked away from taking responsibility for the upkeep of the club and recruiting of new players. They have spent the money. They have supported Sheehan and his coaching team, but there are other factors.

The gates are decreasing that is always a concern for any owner. Their incredible work in relation to getting world famous names connected to the club is admirable. These names will want to see success connected to their story. No big wheel in world media wants to be connected to failure, and Swansea City are mindful of that negativity spilling over and affecting their patrons and investors. Potential investors will take one look at the current situation and lay low on their plans, a pause to ‘gain more information on their investment’ That’s when investors, the club and indeed the financial accounts are tested. The overview of all of this will be of concern despite some respite with the unplanned income from the League Cup next week. This is where the real decisions will be made.

The picture isn’t complete of course, but before people start their loud shouts for Sheehan to go just remember this line. ‘As a result of the sacking of Alan Sheehan we are pleased to announce that his assistant Darren O’Dea will step in and cover managerial duties whilst we search for a replacement’ Yes, think about that, think long and hard and be careful what you wish for.

Picking up the pieces is sometimes harder than many think.

Photographs open source & Swansea Independent

shandyjack added 12:19 - Oct 23 'It was a very frustrating watch, and Alan Sheehan doesn’t send his team out to play in this way, that much we do know, he talks about positivity and free flowing football but it doesn’t materialise on the pitch' Must say i really do disagree with this statement. It's exactly how he sends his team out. It's to contain and not concede and stay in the game.
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KeithHaynes added 12:52 - Oct 23 Then he’s talking and not walking 👍
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dangermouse added 08:15 - Oct 24 I find it depressing how qyuickly fans forget and getthe knives out for a manager who has done wonders to stabilise the club and create a harmonious squad. Ideas that he is not up to it or people like the above projecting that he 'sends his team out to defend is really made up opinion masquerading as facts. This is all about fans impatience and demands for success in an incredibly competitive league. I don't consider those with the knicves out to be real fans. Just a bunch of babies as usual crying for wins. and if they don't get satisfaction they turn on the team. The most disloyal are those who criticise every defeat or when things go against us. I rally behind the manager and team myself rather than join the mob of dissenters.

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