Swansea City boss Paul Clement owned up to his mistakes after watching his side concede a 90th minute goal to lose their third consecutive home game of the season against Watford.
Some fans showed their disapproval of Clement`s starting eleven and formation, as he stuck with a 3-5-2 system, giving Bony his first League start, while resting Sanches and not starting Mesa – opting for Clucas in the centre of midfield instead.
The first half performance was simply shocking, full of mistakes whilst in possession and out of it, as Bony helped Watford to a 13th minute opener when his poor pass was picked up in our own half before Gray finished past Fabianski.
Swansea`s failure to do the basics meant that they couldn`t get going and get back into the game before the break, and Watford probably should have given themselves a bigger lead going in at half time.
It was clear after around 15-20 minutes that the system was completely ineffective, but Paul Clement refused to make a much-needed change until the restart, when he brought off van der Hoorn and Clucas for Mesa and Abraham, switching to a 4-3-3 – with Abraham playing wide right in a front three.
The system and personnel change didn`t take long to make a difference, and within 11 minutes, Abraham netted his first home goal of the season, as he pounced on the ball as the goalkeeper could only get a hand to Bony`s effort.
But the Swans shot themselves in the foot in the final few minutes. Mesa was in possession and under pressure in his own half. His attempted inside pass to Fernandez was cut out, and a weak effort to clear the ball by Mawson allowed Richarlison to nip in and finish past Fabianski.
After the game, Clement told the Official site:
“I thought we played really poorly in the first half and I have to take responsibility,”
“I chose the shape and the line-up and it proved to be incorrect.
“I think I did the right thing making changes to the shape and the personnel at the break.
“We played well from the start of the second half. We took the initiative and had more control.
“We got the goal back and it looked like there was only going to be one team who would go on and win it at that stage.
“But the most important thing is not to lose the game in that situation and, when I look back at the goals we conceded today, they were gifted.
“One goes into the front, it bounces all the way back, the next minute it is in our box, the block comes from the wrong side and goal.
“Then the second goal is a misplaced pass, a missed tackle and you end up losing the game.”
Clement also added that he could understand the fans` frustrations at half time, as he felt the same having watched such an awful display.
“The game was 90 minutes plus five minutes, and we probably played for 40 minutes,”
“That`s not enough. I am very disappointed for the supporters because they have come here three times this season and we have lost every game.
“It`s supposed to be easier at home, but for some reason it`s not at the moment.
“We played very well here at the end of last season. The crowd were disappointed at the end of the first half and I could understand that because I was the same.
“We were better in the second half, but it wasn`t enough. And even if you are struggling in spells, you have to be compact and do not give away missed chances.”
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