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From My Seat: Swansea (H)

Frustration was the theme again for the Blues as they were held to a goalless draw

On a cold January day almost 36,000 of us turned up to witness a game full of frustration as a confident Swansea side who, first and foremost, were determined not to lose and when possible look for something on the break. Their display mirrored their efforts of mid-week at Chelsea with the exception that we gifted them nothing.

We started well and were very bright within minutes and Jelavic had three chances within the first quarter hour. On three mins the keeper got hands to a shot then Vorm just about denied the Croatian by getting his body in the way of his shot with the rebound falling to big Vic who hesitated a little and the keeper was in the way again and then from a Pienaar cross Jelavic tried the spectacular when confronted with only a nano-second to respond and scuffed agonisingly wide of the far post. After this passage with no reward forthcoming my thoughts turned to the importance of keeping our first clean sheet for some time.

As you may imagine Swansea crafted moves forward with neat pass and move stuff but without really causing much of a worry however Michu showed why he is being talked about when he got in down the left and fired in a shot that only the hand of Howard and the crossbar prevented us from going behind. Next we had Coleman who was having influence going forward as the Swansea man on his side didn’t track back allot put in Fellaini who shot straight at the keeper.

Oh for a yard either side and we would have had a quite different game. Pienaar who was blowing hot and cold won a free kick taken by a sluggish Baines saw Osman head over when better could have been expected. Jags headed over and wide from a corner, Distin repelled a couple of Swansea foray’s forward with some ease before after one min of injury time the ref called a halt to a half dominated by the Blues with no reward which was scant recompense for chances created.

The half time chat centred on the paucity of quality on the bench for the manager to change much. Like for like seemed his best bet but non on the bench were really any better than anyone who may be replaced or able to offer anything different to trouble Swansea. The two names on all lips Gibson and Mirallas were unavailable again. No doubting their quality but if you’re not fit then unfortunately no use.

Second half we carried on from the first and had all the running and in no time at all Coleman was racing clear into the box when Neville seemed to take the ball off him and make a hash of his goal attempt. Seemed to sum up Neville today – not the best game he has had in his time with us. We tried to mix the game up more this half and Jags pumped a few high and toward Jelavic or Fellaini but the back two for the Swans, Williams and Chico were very firm and repelled most. Baines just didn’t look fit and Pienaar out of sorts which left Fellaini frustrated and his hand and arm gestures seemed to indicate his doubt of those around him. We were not getting as many chances now and the faithful tried to lift the players with a touch of the ‘Goodison Roar’ but were ultimately beaten back to cat calling, especially toward Neville and Anichebe. The mood wasn’t helped when the visitors broke and a shot stung the hands of Howard, good job that was straight at him I thought.

Some good joined up stuff played with patience saw a good delivery in completely missed by Jelavic as he tried a spectacular bicycle kick. Looked a bit of a prat but if it had come off ‘Wonder Goal’.

Eventually Moyes had seen enough of the stuttering Neville and hooked him in favour of Naismith on 70mins. Fellaini went deeper and Big Vic went behind Jelavic, well that is what was supposed to happen I think but let’s just say they became flexible but not always where others expected them to be consequently we went a touch staccato It started to get a bit desperate for both teams and we had penalty shouts waved away at least three times (Never Pens) and a few niggling fouls started to take place.

We did get a corner that Baines delivered well and Jags headed over when at least the target should have been hit, gilt edged in my book. Baines then picked up a yellow card for a spat with the wonderfully named Angel Rangel and then with ten to go Moyes replaced the totally ineffective Anichebe with what turned out to be the totally ineffective Vellios who put our defence under more pressure than the visitors. It was a ‘hareum scareum ‘finish as desperation took over in the search of a winner.

All the predictable things took place, their keeper booked for time wasting as was out field player Routledge. Balls into the box without much thought especially from Naismith who over hit a couple of crosses with a vengeance that didn’t sit well with those assembled, Fellaini got on the end of a cross but was pulled up for an offence of some kind. Swansea continued to defend stoically and so the end was called after 4mins of added time. (What about the time wasting that brought bookings?) A few boo’s at the end which I wondered whether they were for team or Ref.

MotM - Osman or Fellaini?

Overall a frustrating afternoon out, a clean sheet at last but no win. A display that saw us looking more tired than our visitors who had a draining cup tie on Wednesday. Champions league? well, there is always hope. Transfer activity? Not according to the club but you never know. Three top players players back fit for the rest of the season very soon? Seems unlikely. The good news we are just one win away from safety from relegation. Just the scenario that sees us bomb on and confound all of us.

The Saints next and another six pointer to look forward to.

Keep the faith
UP THE BLUES

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