Wigan 0-2 Swansea - 3 things we've learned

Gylfi Sigurdsson – Has a big future in the game

The Icelandic international on loan from German outfit Hoffenheim stole the show with two outstanding strikes from outside the area.

The former Reading man has been instrumental since his arrival in January and scored in their away win at West Brom. He is no stranger to wonder goals with his first strike for former club Reading coming from 35 yards out at home to Burton Albion in the Carling Cup.

Gylfi Sigurdsson 

Yesterday he looked cool and composed figure in the heart of the midfield and stood up well to the challenge of the tough Wigan midfield. His strike on the stroke of half time ensured the Swans took the lead before the break after dominating much of the opening period.

It was only ten minutes into the second half when after Nathan Dyer was fouled he left Al Habsi rooted to the spot as he curled an outstanding free kick to send the Swansea fans into delirium.

His signing is testament again to Brendan Rodgers as he has settled into the side and yesterday’s showing was testament to how pivotal he is to the Welsh club. The sending off of Dyer meant Sigurdsson had to be sacrfied as they held firm for the final half an hour.

He will get a lot of interest from a number of clubs in the summer and Rodgers will be hoping he can secure the signature as he adds something different to the his cultured side.

Wigan – They are in big trouble

The weekend’s result will leave many Latics fans frustrated as they missed out on a huge opportunity to move out of the drop zone.

Results elsewhere over the weekend have been kind to Roberto Martinez and his men as they still find themselves only two points from safety with eleven games to go.

Jean Beausejour 

The big issue for Wigan is that they are yet again involved in a scrap for Premier League survival in what is now their sixth season in the top flight.

Taking the next step forward is key for Wigan if they are genuinely to be considered as an established Premier League team, you get a feeling if they were to drop back into the Championship they would struggle to come back.

The job that Dave Whelan has done has been nothing short of remarkable to take this small town living in the shadow of the likes of Manchester United into the promise land and maintain their presence.

The big question is can they take the next step up. Investment is a huge issue for them, with the likes of QPR coming up and spending big and with Swansea and Norwich proving to be a more attractive choice for players, getting genuine talent through the door in is proving to be huge problem.

In order to stay up they have to improve at home one win against QPR back in August is the only time they have picked up three points at the DW stadium. West Brom and Stoke provide the opposition in their next two games at home in what are now must win games.

Martinez cannot afford to leave the likes of Mohammed Diame and Victor Moses on the bench as he did on Saturday. Connor Sammon was poor an infective and did not look up for the fight, encouragingly new singing Jean Beausejour looked lively throughout and will provide the front men with the required ammunition.

It is going to be tough for Wigan to pull off yet another great escape but do not bet against them, they seem to thrive in adversity, right now they are low but on Saturday’s showing things can only get better.

Swansea – Big win at the right time

Brendan Rodgers’ hailed his side after a terrific performance ensured they picked up their third win on the road this season and ease any concerns they might have over being dragged into the relegation dog fight.

The performance highlighted the quality Rodgers’ has at his disposal right across the pitch. They created a number of chances with Scott Sinclair having a chance cleared off the line before Gylfi Sigurdsson’s wonderful opener. He then doubled the lead before Nathan Dyer’s somewhat harsh dismissal meant a change of plan was required. 

Nathan Dyer 

Stalwart Alan Tate was called upon to tighten up defence in preparation for the Wigan onslaught that never materialised in the final part of the game. At the back the pairing of Ashley Williams and Steven Caulker were strong and on either flank Neil Taylor and Angel Rangel offered great support going forward and held firm when they were down to ten men 

What has impressed me the most about Swansea this season is how organised they are defensively. Despite going down to ten men they never looked under pressure and you got a feeling that they would big up their third victory on the road this season.

With eleven games to go they find themselves comfortably eleven points clear of the dog fight and Rodgers' will ensure his side pick up the remaining seven points they need to hit the magic forty points mark. 

They will now look forward to the visit of league leaders Manchester City to South Wales next weekend. If they continue with their impressive form they will grace the top flight for a second consecutive season something that will delight their fans and neutrals alike.  

Swans looking to keep defensive rock

Swansea City’s attacking style of football on their return to the top flight has impressed many but their rock at the back Ashley Williams looks set for a bright future and Brendan Rodgers looks to ensure it is in South Wales.

Described this week as invaluable to Swansea, the former Stockport County player has been integral to the Swans rise since his arrival in 2008. He has since gained international recognition making his debut against Luxembourg and has led the team also.

Ashley Williams

He is one of the first names on the team sheet for club and country and with a number of top clubs struggling to keep clean sheets it looks certain that he is going to attract attention from the ‘big boys’ sooner rather than later.

Alongside Joe Allen and Michel Vorm, he has played a key role in securing their current position of fourteenth eight points clear of the drop. Unlike many before them Swansea have got a solid defensive rock in Williams who looks at ease in the league. He has come away with man of the match performances against Liverpool, Tottenham and as recent as Wednesday night against Chelsea.

Michel Vorm

He adds calm and class to the backline and alongside Tottenham loan signing Steven Caulker has ensured a number of clean sheets which is sure to continue well into the season. 

Rodgers will be keen to ensure that his side preserve their top flight status and then the players that have done the job for him. A number of clubs will be sniffing around his club and there is no doubt that Williams will top the bill.

Rodgers’ Welsh Dragons Breathe Fire into the League

As Swansea beat Arsenal at their own game on Sunday, their exhilarating performance finally has the rest of the league standing up and taking notice.

After their opening weekend thrashing at the hands of Manchester City, not many would have had the Swans in the top half of the league, just over half way through the season.

Brendan Rodgers

The man who has worked beneath one of the best, in Jose Mourinho, refused point black to change his philosophy. Many before him have played great football Hull City and most recently Blackpool, but both sides ultimately failed in their goal of survival and growth in the top flight.

What has impressed me most is their solid defensive unit, and to their credit, their record has been immense. To date nine clean sheets is nothing short of remarkable. The signing of the season for me if Michel Vorm, an outstanding acquisition from Dutch outfit Utrecht for only £1.5 million leaving a number of clubs wondering how they missed out on him.

The captain, Ashley Williams looks like a player at ease at this level and the loan signing of Steven Caulker from Tottenham has proven to be yet another masterstroke from Rodgers and his backroom staff. Former Wrexham man Neil Taylor has emerged as one of brightest talents in Welsh football, in fact they did very well to hold of strong interest from Newcastle in the summer.

Joe Allen has been at the heart of all that is good from the Swans going forward. Scott Sinclair and Nathan Dyer have been the best pair of wingers the league has seen in a number of seasons. And then there is Wayne Routledge who finally found the net in their first away win of the campaign at Aston Villa.

Goals have been hard to come by at times this season but they did not panic and kept the faith with former Watford man Danny Graham who has come good and netted his seventh goal of the season to cap of a wonderful team display on Sunday.

Swansea have proved that playing as a team does get you success and sticking to your principles does pay off. It would have been easy for Rodgers to listen to the experts and stop ‘playing football’ because nothing was expected of his side.

With seventeen games left to play they are only fourteen points from the promise land of the forty points mark. Indeed they have been on runs where results have not quite gone and the best example being their home game against QPR where they were second best for the majority, but their solidity and ethos ensured they would have a share of the points.

Danny Graham

They have also turned games at key points such as they did against Fulham when Vorm denied Clint Dempsey from the spot and Graham netted a wonderful goal to secure all three points.  

Tactically Rodgers and Norwich City’s Paul Lambert, are miles ahead of the likes of Ian Holloway and the now departed Neil Warnock. They are a new breed of manager who are fantastic for the game, they want their teams to play football and are not afraid to stick with what they think is best for their sides.

Going forward Rodgers has the platform at Swansea to establish them in the top flight, and what a credit they have been to the whole of Wales, a worthy edition to the league and long may it continue.