From My Seat: Swansea (H)

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Three points and a clean sheet for the first time at home this season sees the Blues send the faithful into Christmas on a positive note.

A game that never really came alive was nevertheless enthralling in as much that the Blues had most of the attacking threat without making much of it leaving many a fan wondering if this would be the game that Swansea finally got an away win. As things turned out they lived up to their billing of a Pass, Pass, Pass side without really looking dangerous where it matters. With our record of goal scoring at home being abysmal a knife edge situation arose where there should have been no need. The absolute need for points from both teams ensured a fascinating if not convincing displays.

For the first half hour or so it was at best drab and at worst frustrating as the Blues looked quite the superior side until that last third syndrome kicked in time after time. At the end of that half hour Coleman who it must be said looked poor was replaced by Gueye and the way Coleman left the field suggested he had not recovered from his thigh strain. Should he have started?.

With no disrespect to Coleman but the change brought an instant lifting of the Blues performance and we all but laid siege to the visitor?s goal. Heitinga and Saha misdirected headers and missed the target. Then Gueye hit a Baines pass with venom that the keeper did well to parry but only back to Gueye who hit again goalwards only for a Swansea defender to block away amid frantic appeals for handball in the area from players and fans, the ref our own Mr Friend didn?t live up to his name and waved away appeals. To end the half Drenthe hit a free kick well but over the bar. We had a few of these and no matter who took them they all seemed to close to goal to get the ball up and down to have any chance of a score and it left me wondering why we do not ever try something inventive rather than ?Get the crowd hopeful then put it over the bar? which is what happens on most occasions.

The second half started and low and behold we got a free kick which Neville took quickly and fed Osman through but the surprise of it saw him only able to toe poke toward the keeper. We kept up our momentum and had Swansea rocking but in truth you could not see a goal coming from anywhere, everything was floundering in the last third.

On the hour mark we forced a couple of corners the first of which Drenthe took and hammered it over everyone and out on the far side. Then we forced another and I thought give it to someone else but no Royston took it this time a pearler that saw Osman rise and hammer a header home much to the delight of all assembled of a Blue persuasion. From then on it was dig in time and get what you can on the break. Swansea kept passing and we kept picking them off near the 18yd line and breaking if we could. On 75mins the manager sent on Stracqualursi for Saha and he ran about a lot and didn?t get very far and on one occasion got put through on goal but seemed to have no idea on how to finish.

10mins to go and Cahill replaced Drenthe which I thought was a good move as Drenthe was becoming more than erratic. Swansea did create one gilt edged chance from good build up down the right and Graham met the cross with a powerful header but luckily for us straight at Howard when a yard either side would have resulted in 1-1. We saw out the rest of the game including 3added mins and ?If yer know yer ?Istory? at last rang out after a home game.

M.o.t.M ? Osman just shading from Fellaini.

Overall the three points were everything but I thought in spells we played some decent stuff but we do seem to have an aversion to that final third. Hard to put your finger on because we build up quite well but the problem was highlighted in the first half when a ball was put across the box from a breakaway and not a Blue shirt had got in to contest it much to the displeasure of the faithful who didn?t hold back their concern. Again we won the shots on target count easily and the corner count was all ours but tangible reward was non-existent. Drenthe is becoming a favourite as witnessed by his ovation as he was subbed. You sure as hell don?t know what to expect. Stracqualursi? Not in a month of Sundays for me. Can?t see him staying.

Much talk tonight re the Rodwell press stories. Some for selling some not. My view is the club will do what they do regardless of fans feelings. One thing strikes me though. If we sell in Jan then any takeover is pie in the sky and finances have to come first but if we have no outgoing action of players such as Rodwell or Barkley then who knows. Fringe players moved on and maybe just a couple of additions (though don?t expect star names) plus the Donovan loan hopefully will see us kick on in the second half of the season. Personally I can?t see anything better than mid table but I am open to being surprised.

A good night out, a good three points that will do me over the festive days until it is time to lock horns with the Wearsiders in their industrial estate, who compiles these fixtures?

To anyone who reads this may I wish you and yours all the very best for Christmas. Have a Gud Un.

UP THE BLUES

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