It was the first time we haven’t seen a goal from the Swans at the New Stadium but it was no surprise as it what was a boring match to watch throughout. It was rare to see a goal opportunity and after half an hour into the first half, you wondered where the goals were going to come from.
Kenny Jackett was unable to shout instructions from the technical area and he served a one match touchline ban but a phone was on hand if he needed to make any tactical decisions.
With Monk picking up a knock in training on Thursday, Ricketts came back in on the left after completing his duty for Wales in the World Cup qualifiers. Goodfellow started on the left, replacing the injured Kevin McLeod. With Akinfenwa back from a suspension, he started up with Trunds and it was good to welcome back his power and strength to the side.
It was clear that we have the side capable of beating teams like Oldham at home based on past performances but today we didn’t show any improvement from last weekend, away at Yeovil. The visitors were making more use the ball and were passing it around a lot more easier and we struggled to make an impact on the game.
Akinfenwa went close in the first half and his low drive from around 18 yards was well parried by the keeper for a corner. Prior to that was our first effort after about 10 minutes when Trundle got to the bye line and after a few step-overs, he crossed the ball in, Bean and Britton went for the same ball and it went wide.
As half time approached, we desperately needed to improve things and buck up our ideas and we were hoping on skipper, Roberto Martinez to give us the lead before the break. It certainly wouldn’t have been deserved but the Spaniard curled it just wide of the post.
Britton and Tate weren’t linking up well on the right and we weren’t seeing enough balls going wide for the wingers to deliver crosses. Leon was always too far in the centre and Tate never had support ahead of him. Goodfellow meanwhile didn’t do enough to offer real competition with McLeod for the left midfield spot. Freezer was then replaced at the start of the second half for Adrian Forbes who joined Akinfenwa and Trundle in a new 4-3-3 formation.
The lack of atmosphere in the stadium during the game told the story as Oldham’s small number of supporters were being heard clearly. As the hour mark approached we needed another change if we were to get a goal and not until 18 minutes later, did Robbo come on for Martinez.
Oldham now seemed content to get a scoreless draw in Swansea and defended the pressure from the hosts but they did have a few chances in the last 15-20 minutes which Austin and Izzy were able to block.
Overall, the performance was truly awful and whereas I couldn’t find words to emphasise how good the Bristol City game was, I’m struggling to explain how bad today was! We lacked creativity and there was no imagination in our attacking play whatsoever. There was no signs of our previous impressive play and it didn’t look as if we’d score even if we played all week.
We need to show a huge improvement if we want to get anything at Torquay and Rotherham this week.
Player Ratings
Gueret 6
Didn’t have too much to do and dealt with what came his way.
Ricketts 5
Still not the best from Ricketts and was a bit slow.
Iriekpen 6
Went close in 2nd half and defensively ok.
Austin 6
Not as solid as he can be.
Tate 6
Had a lot of the ball but didn’t really do much with it. Couldn’t offer anything going forward.
Goodfellow 5
Should be playing a lot better if he wants to get in the first side, McLeod will replace him when he recovers from his injury.
Martinez 6
Didn’t deserve to get replaced and went close with a free kick.
Bean 6
Involved much more than previous games but defensively only.
Britton 7
Not wide enough sometimes and therefore wasn’t offering much width in first half but showed the most effort throughout the game to win man of the match.
Trundle 6
Marked well and didn’t really have much service in front of goal.
Akinfenwa 6
Power and strength was useful but with us performing the way we were, nothing was going to happen.
Forbes 5
Missed the beginning of the first half so wasn’t aware he was on, didn’t notice through the 2nd half either!
Robinson 6
Unable to make a difference that we all hoped/needed.
Manager Rating
Kenny Jackett was in the stands but was still able to give team talks and change tactics. Players didn’t show any improvement from the Yeovil game and half the time we didn’t know what to do with the ball. Maybe Robinson should have come on earlier.
Opponent Rating
Moore, the Oldham manager spoke of our danger men yesterday and got his team to defend well against Akinfenwa and Trundle.
Kenny Jackett:
“We just haven’t looked like scoring in our last two matches.
“Nothing much was created against us and we are pretty strong at the back as can be seen from just one goal against us from the last two games.
“We were the only team capable of winning the match but chances were few and far between.
“They only had one shot on target in the whole game and I tried to change it a bit with a couple of second-half substitutions and although that increased the tempo we couldn’t make it pay.”
Oldham Manager, Ronnie Moore:
“That was a totally professional performance against a good side up near the top of the table.
“Our keeper did not have too many saves to make and we tried to catch them out on the break but in all honesty didn’t create too much.
