Swansea's discipline may not be impressing Paulo Sousa, but the last week has certainly lifted Matthew Phillips' spirits...
It's amazing what happens when you shoot
Swansea's discipline may not be anything to write home about, but the last week has certainly lifted Matthew Phillips' spirits...
What a difference a week makes! Seven points in the last three matches with just one goal conceded in the last five, I'm sure no Swansea fan can complain at those statistics. Things are improving and we're moving in the right direction.
In my last article I was concerned about our lack of goals, we are still the lowest scorers in the Championship but four goals in our last three games is definitely an improvement. We are shooting a lot more at goal and with a bit more luck we'll put the ball in the back of the net more often I'm sure.
Firstly I would like to wish Ferrie Bodde the best of luck on recovering from his latest injury, his comeback hit a setback as he was injured against Sheffield Utd after just eight minutes - the outcome being that he'll miss the rest of the season.
It's such a shame for such a talented player that he isn't able to perform after missing so much of last season too. Fingers crossed he'll come back stronger and more determined, but he must be so frustrated at the moment.
Sheffield United
It was such a relief to win our first home league match of the season against Sheffield Utd at the end of September, by the time the final whistle blew we only had nine men too! Both of the red cards were correct and the two players (Lopez and Dyer) were silly to get themselves booked a second time.
It wasn't the best of performances from the Swans but we had the win we required and it took a good goal from Tom Butler (who seems to have his better games against the Blades strangely) to seal it.
Doncaster
Three days later we faced Doncaster and beforehand I would have taken a point, considering the amount of injuries and suspensions we had to our midfield. Our fourth 0-0 of the season was achieved at The Keepmoat, with a makeshift midfield it was a decent result, though we did have the better chances but just didn't have the luck.
QPR
Onto the most recent game against the riches of QPR and everyone in attendance saw something rarer than a solar eclipse - midfielder Mark Gower scored a goal for Swansea City. Yes that's right, Mark Gower scored a goal for Swansea City! It only took him 53 games to achieve that feat but well worth the wait. So congratulations to him, I hope it doesn't take him another 53 games to score again.
I thought QPR were a decent team and I predict they'll finish in the play-offs this season, they play football in the right way and didn't look to hoof the ball - unlike a lot of teams in this division. Up until the first sending off, the match could have gone either way, thankfully it went our way and Paulo Sousa probably had a big grin on his face after getting one over on his old club.
A special mention to Dutch goalkeeper Dorus De Vries, he made two outstanding saves against QPR at 0-0. One was reminiscent of David Seaman's save against Sheffield Utd in the FA Cup a few seasons ago, it would have been repeated over and over on the TV had it been in the Premier League.
De Vries has been superb for us so far this season; he seems to be improving all the time and doesn't flap as much as he used to. I can't think of many better goalkeepers than him in this division, let's just hope we can keep hold of him.
Looking good
Welsh International Ashley Williams has also been a rock at the back, his performances seem to be improving all the time and if he continues in this form it won't be long until other clubs want him. Credit should also go to Monk, Tate and Rangel for playing well as a unit.
It was also nice to see Darren Pratley back in the team, we have really missed his energy and driving force forward - he didn't look like he had only just started training after recovering from a shoulder injury and mumps. Keep it up Dazza.
Our performances have been much improved too, our defence looks very strong and (I know I keep saying it) but when our midfield players are back in the team and fully fit we'll rise up the table. Lee Trundle and Craig Beattie will be up to full match fitness soon along with the returning Stephen Dobbie, if Sousa can find a way to accommodate the strikers into the team we'll be scoring goals with more regularity.
Sousa doesn't seem afraid to try out different tactics and changing the team around during the game. Although his hands were tied slightly, playing Ashley Williams just behind the midfield (an unfamiliar position for him) against Sheffield Utd worked a treat.
Our defence look more threatening from corners and better at defending them than I've ever know in my lifetime. When you consider the amount of injuries we have had I think he's done an excellent job so far.
In Swansea's next match we take on Ipswich Town (who have yet to win a match in the league). It has been known in the past for Swansea City teams to end other's bad runs. They have to win at some point surely? Let's just hope it's AFTER they face us.
Enjoy the international break folks, it give us more time to get Joe Allen, Darren Pratley and the other injured players fully fit. Time will tell whether it's come at the wrong time for us.
Onwards and upwards.
