Swansea City 1 - West Bromwich Albion 2

Brendan Clegg:

Really solid and important victory.

Few arguments in Big Dave going with the same team and formation.

I thought the bench was a bit unbalanced- 4 midfielders and no wingers seemed a bit dull and... narrow minded in every sense of the phrase.

I thought we started brightly but probably got too excited with the high press and left ourselves wide open.

Swansea were decent tactically and their numbers out wide, combined with decent pace caused our narrow system problems.

The goal was poor - our midfield didn’t track a basic run, SJ made a right meal of the routine save and we stood static as Swansea finished.

Fortunately for us we were back in it from a corner before we had time to think - Daws with a right looper with the Mulder in goal for Swansea looking into the night sky for aliens.

The rest of the half was quite open with both teams having decent spells - our better moments when Mozza was able to get hold of the ball but often breaking down through impatience of other players.

We took the lead from another nothing corner, once again with Mulder trying to solve the mystery of the strange flying object that kept going over his head, and went in at halftime ahead despite Swansea shading it as the better side.

Second half Swansea came out with purpose and put us under pressure but we defended admirably and should probably have made better of our chances on the break.

Barnes, having a stinker, hit the post with a bit of magic and there were other occasions where better finishing or composure on the break with each pass would’ve gained us a third.

Generally we looked solid despite Swansea throwing a lot at us and SJ didn’t really have a save to make - the only shaky moment was when I think Hegazi headed on top of his own bar defending a corner.

We’re miles better with 4 at the back. It’s laughable the other system was persisted with for so long but all that matters now is we stick at it. The players look happier, there is more balance through the team and, I thought more than ever tonight, enough of them look like they’re in control and know what it takes to get out of this league.

Some of the better teams in the league, not that there are many, might work the 4-3-3 out so I think we need a plan B but it’s looking better and that old feeling of actually looking forward to games is there.

• SJ - 6 Ropey. Doubt we’ll see a better baggies keeper in my lifetime than Foster but he doesn’t look to be Kiely or Hoult level yet.
• Tosin - 7 Some big tackles in a tough game where the system trusts him to face 2 players. Did well.
• Daws - 7 Struggled in the opening but got on top and was solid.
• Hegazi - 8 Dominant, some big blocks, far better on the ball.
• Gibbs - 7 No problems here.
• Phillips- 6 Not as influential but decent game.
• Livermore- 7 Thought he had one of his better games. Lots of covering.
• Mozza - 7 Shooting boots are MIA and drifts in and out but when he gets onto the ball he’s mustard.
• HRK - 7 Thought he really put a shift in and led the line well. Just lacked that pace to get away but plenty of good work.
• JRod - 7 Not been his biggest fan but a great away performance in terms of running and dropping into midfield when we needed him.
• Barnes - 5 Has suffered in this formation as he doesn’t receive the ball on the charge and isn’t blazing quick, still nearly scored.

• Barry & Gayle- Not really on long enough but Gayle did some dirty work when we needed it.