Swansea 2-1 Latics - Latics Fall Short on Welsh Trip

The Latics suffered their fifth defeat of the season, as they were unable to pull off a late comeback against Swansea City on Saturday afternoon.

Spanish duo Pablo Hernandez and Miguel Michu struck the decisive blows within a crushing two minute spell. Despite a wonder goal from Emmerson Boyce, the Latics returned to the North West empty handed.  

Emmerson Boyce 

The Latics named an unchanged team from their clash with Everton two weeks ago and should have taken the lead in a tense opening half, when Shaun Maloney’s effort was kept out by Michel Vorm.

The opening goal of the game came when Pablo Hernandez, Swansea's club-record signing, broke the deadlock in the 65th minute with a low shot past Ali Al-Habsi from 18 yards. 

Michu added the crucial second for the Welsh club, with a close-range header from Jonathan de Guzman's corner for his seventh goal of the season. 

The Latics refused to lie down and were back in the game after Emmerson Boyce's exquisite 69th-minute back-flick, but were made to rue a contentious decision to rule out a header from Arouna Kone.

It was a decision that cost the Latics dear as they were unable to find that decisive blow late on, with even keeper Al Habsi going close with a header in the dying moments.

Roberto Martinez

Former Swansea boss Martinez, who was unsuccessful in his appeal against a disciplinary charge from the FA this week, was unhappy with yet another decision going against his side on the road:

“It was a call which didn't go our way. It was really costly. I felt it would have been an interesting final 10 minutes because we could have won the game. 

Sometimes you want to be honest with the referee's decision, but I have learned my lesson. I cannot really comment.

I need to accept it and give an official answer. Sometimes the calls go your way, sometimes they don't. But I thought we deserved a point.”

Up next for the Latics is a crucial home clash against West Ham, which will spark many a memory of a memorable afternoon the last time the Hammers visited the DW.

With the winter nights almost upon us, Martinez will use this week to pick his side up following this latest set back. He will be keen to bring this winless run to an end and give his side some breathing space above the teams currently occupying the bottom three as the league begins to take shape. 

 

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.