Swansea City vs. Watford
Npower Championship
08/03/2011
KO 1945

Swansea City could only manage a draw at the Liberty stadium this week. Brendan Rodgers men cantered to a 1-1 result with Watford. Stephen Dobbie’s first half goal was cancelled out by championship top scorer, Danny Graham.

Swansea had wasted a good chance to gain some ground on championship leaders QPR and to increase the gap between them and local rivals Cardiff city, who both lost their midweek games.

Rodgers decided to field the same team that gave Leeds such a hiding, nine days earlier. Britton and Beattie, who started the Scunthorpe game dropped to the bench and were joined by Darren Pratley, who returned after illness.

It started so well for the home side, Joey Allen started by sliding a through ball right into the path of Nathan Dyer who was perhaps too indecisive when deciding to shoot or square the ball. In the end a rushing Loach was on hand to squander the chance. 

From the resulting corner, the ball arrived at the feet of Spaniard Angel Rangel who stood 40 meters from goal, He took the shot on with plenty of power and Loach did well to parry the shot away.

The start of the game was not as impressive for Watford as Dale Bennett saw yellow within ten minutes for a rash tackle on Scott Sinclair.

As the half went on, Swansea continued to show off their slick passing game, reaching 77 per cent possession. With control like this it wouldn't be long before the swans chances arrived.

Watford’s chance came from some miss timed headers from centre back Ashley Williams. Danny Graham won the ball and was soon one on one with Dorus De Vries but he rushed his shot and pulled the ball well wide.

Swans third chance of the game came in the shape of Nathan Dyer. Dyer hit a long shot after beating Will Buckley, keeper Scott Loach was again on hand to parry the ball away.

The first goal of the night came after some good possession play from the swans. Joe Allen and Angel Rangel were involved before Mark Gower played an inch perfect ball into the feet of Scotsman Stephen Dobbie, who made no trouble with the finish.

Watford were to get two more opportunities at goal before the half time whistle, De Vries first denying Will Buckley from a tight angle then Danny Graham after the championship top scorer beat the offside trap.

The second half started with two long range efforts from the Swans, first Stephen Dobbie then Nathan Dyer. Scott Loach managed to make a fingertip save with Dobbie’s shot, but no save was needed for Dyer’s shot as it sailed over the Hornets crossbar.

After this, Swansea went into their shells, all the passing and the chance making went out the window. Their sloppiness was punished when Troy Deeney chipped a ball through to Danny Graham. Alan Tate was at fault for losing Graham who made no mistake with slotting home for his 22nd goal of the season.

Swansea were shell-shocked and had no real reply. Gower was almost punished for trying to take on the Watford team from his own penalty box, luckily for him, Sordell shot wide after he had taken it from the midfielder.

The sloppiness continued as Ashley Williams tried his trademark burst forward, he knocked the ball too far forward and his frustration saw him lunge in on John Eustace, earning the Welshman a yellow card.

It wasn’t until the 87th minute where Swansea made their first change; Craig Beattie was brought on for Luke Moore who had an uneventful game.

The game ended with a final chance for Alan Tate to make up for his earlier fault. Tate lined up a long shot that crept past the right hand post. It saw Tate’s head drop to his hands as the final whistle went. 

A disappointing night for Swansea as Brendan Rodgers stated its two points dropped opposed to a point gained. Rodgers also said he was ‘surprised at Swansea’s defending, considering the man in the box was the championships top scorer’.

It’s Derby County next in the league for the Swans and they will want to put a lid on these last two dodgy performances before it develops into a bad patch of form.

Sam Richards