Martin making mark as Swans evolution gains momentum...
SWANSEA City are now into their fourth month under the new regime.
The progress has been there for all to see. Russell Martin’s men claimed 12 points from their last six matches before the international break, which is one more than they achieved in their first 11 Championship games combined.
It means the Swans are now in the top half of the table and sit just three points behind the play-off spots with just over a third of the domestic campaign gone.
So how exactly have they transformed their style?
Starting from the back, goalkeepers Steven Benda and Ben Hamer have been allocated pivotal roles.
Their job is to essentially be an 11th outfield player, and one hook pass can help to start creating space further up the pitch. Kyle Naughton has proven to be the master of this.
Drawing in an opposition player, Swansea can create more space in other areas of the pitch with one pass. This is a clear example of players giving the receiver of a pass as much time and space on the ball as possible. But there also has to be an intensity to assist the goalkeeper and others in doing this.
After ending the 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Reading with a 100 per cent pass success rate from a central defensive role, Naughton has made the deep-lying position his own.
His efforts have been vital in helping Hamer safely and accurately get Swansea up the pitch, whether it be through Flynn Downes or Korey Smith and Naughton, the wide centre-backs, the wing-backs or even captain Matt Grimes.
The experienced defender is able to – along with the deepest midfielder – sit ahead of Hamer which allows the left and right-sided central defenders to get up the pitch and support attacks in addition to stemming counter attacks.
However, it’s off the ball where you can see the alterations in all their glory.
Having gone behind inside the opening minute against West Brom, Swansea produced a fine second half display to beat the Baggies 2-1 in October.
The aggression of both Cabango and Ryan Bennett played a key role in getting the hosts on the front foot after a testing opening 45, and a high defensive line has been a real feature this season.
Shortly after Joel Piroe lost possession in the West Brom box, Cabango was able to get Swansea back on the ball within five seconds, thanks largely to his high starting position. It also means opponents find it incredibly tough to make their way up the pitch given the security Naughton and the defensive midfielder - typically Downes or Smith - give Hamer.
Hamer has undoubtedly instilled a new level of composure at the back for the Swans. His actions at Luton Town were pivotal to what was a remarkable turnaround at Kenilworth Road while they also ignited the confidence levels of the team collectively.
With his side 3-0 down, Hamer continued to trust in Martin’s methods, and after playing a short ball to Bennett, Jamie Paterson had the ball in the net just 12 seconds later to get the visitors on the score sheet in Bedfordshire.
As late as the 81st minute, with Swansea still trailing 3-1, Hamer boldly evaded Elijah Adebayo in his own box to create additional space for those ahead of him. It took immense bravery and composure, but it pointed the way for others to continue to do the same, even with the picture looking bleak on the scoreboard.
Aggression has been a key theme under the current setup, with midfielders Grimes and Downes being immensely busy in that regard, both on and off the ball.
Downes and Smith have typically been the men to assist Naughton in mopping up at the back which gives Grimes licence to play further up the pitch - something that is music to the ears of Piroe, Paterson and Olivier Ntcham. Crucially, it all gives Piroe the best chance of doing the business in front of goal, something that wingbacks Ethan Laird and Jake Bidwell play a key role in helping happen.
The Dutchman is expected to have the fewest touches of his side’s outfield players, although, while he can so often appear to be on the periphery of proceedings, the striker always remains connected to the two attacking midfielders.
He is also instrumental in Swansea’s out-of-possession work.
Only West Brom boast a more aggressive press than that of Swansea in the Championship, although it certainly helps when you have a man with Piroe’s composure and calmness in front of goal when opportunities arise.
When pieced together, every adjustment and instruction issued by the new coaching staff helps the Swans to dictate proceedings on the pitch.
According to Wyscout, in the 20 matches in all competitions managed by Martin at Swansea so far, only Bristol City have had more possession that the Swans in a fixture.
Swansea have had more than 70% of possession in exactly a quarter of their fixtures so far this term while they have had more than 60% of the ball in 14 of their outings.
Their relentless control has brought on two other big rewards. Clean sheets and excellent goals.
Only league leaders Bournemouth have bettered Swansea’s total of eight league shutouts so far this season.
As for the goal stakes, the 3-0 demolition job of Peterborough United delivered two very contrasting examples of how the Swans have gone all
the way from the back to the opposition net.
Jake Bidwell struck little more than a minute into the contest with The Posh after a move that saw all 10 outfield players touch the ball in a 28-pass move. Peterborough’s first touch of the ball was to restart the game at 1-0 down.
The third goal in the same fixture saw Ntcham fire home his second goal for the Swans.
The Frenchman gathered Hamer’s 50-yard ball to the right flank, and after playing a one-two with Piroe, Ntcham rifled beyond David Cornell.
Direct and simple, because the space was there to exploit.
Improved fitness levels have allowed players to perform their new roles to an increased ability which naturally has played a part in the upturn in results.
There will continue to be scary moments.
There will be some more grim results this term, no doubt.
But the signs are positive for Swansea City under the current coaching staff, and, crucially, fans are enjoying watching their beloved stars once again.