The third of David Durran’s articles reflects on the point gained in a backs-to-the-wall performance at the home of Garry Monk’s Birmingham City…
The Swans’ perfect start to life came to an end as they luckily escaped with a point after a battering at St Andrews. In truth they were never in the game and had to ride their luck as Birmingham missed a plethora of chances.
Unlike in the previous victories Potter’s men were hunted, harassed and given no time or space whatsoever to implement their style during the contest.
We certainly had a reality check as to what life in the Championship is all about!
Despite his obvious soft spot for his former club, Garry Monk sent his men out to ruffle some feathers. His team looked potent in attack with Omar Bogle, Lukas Jutkiewicz and particularly Jota causing all sorts of problems for our young defence.
The trio created plenty of chances and their side would have been ahead if Mulder wasn’t adjudged to have been fouled after Michael Morrison nodded in.
However, they definitely should have scored towards the end of the first half as Jutkiewicz collected, turned and fired just wide from inside the penalty area.
We did stabilise slightly after the break, yet still couldn’t create anything meaningful in the attacking third.
Birmingham continued to dictate the encounter but struggled to find the goal their energetic performance deserved.
The Swans did start to have a go towards the end but it was Birmingham that had the final chance as Martin Olsson used all his strength to prevent Jutkiewicz from bundling in at the back post.
After such a difficult 90 minutes I’m sure a draw will have felt like a win for Graham Potter. His side were nowhere near at their best but dug deep to maintain their unbeaten start.
However, despite the character displayed we simply cannot play like this on Tuesday night when we face Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds. After their incredible start you fear we may be torn to shreds without improvement…!