BETTER... BUT SWANS STILL NEED MUCH MORE

THE more things change, the more they stay the same.

Leon Britton became the third man to stand in the Swansea City dug-out in the space of 12 months, the sixth in two years in fact.

And yet the undeniable truth is that, while it was better, it was still not good enough.

That’s no fault of Britton’s, it should be made clear. In fact, there should be much credit handed to the Liberty icon for providing the settling influence off the pitch with as much composure and character as he so often did on the pitch; Swansea’s first point from a losing position this season was testament to that.

But Britton knows as much as anyone that more is needed – and it very much remains to be seen whether contender No.7 will be able to make any difference.

After 19 games last season, Swansea were in-between managers, bottom of the table and four points from safety.

Though this comeback draw means they have one extra point to their name – Jordan Ayew’s impressive equaliser taking the tally to 13 – the situation remains exactly the same.

It took a survival mission of almost unprecedented levels to save Swansea last season, with the man who oversaw that relieved of his duties earlier this week.

But with yet more evidence that too many players aren’t of the levels required to be better, it’s a struggle to have faith that the same can happen again.

Furthermore, given the way recruitment has been so poor, is there any faith that new players for a new manager will be spark enough for things to really change? Not exactly a merry Christmas when you put it all like that.

While supporter anger continues – and there were again chants aimed at the chairman who, earlier in the day, had used his programme notes to defend his position following recent criticism by stressing the financial necessity of the 2016 share sale – there was at least some festive cheer from what they saw on the pitch.

Britton’s presence – small in stature, towering in inspiration – galvanised the crowd, created a supportive atmosphere, players responding and fans responding again in turn.

There was a bite and a snap in tackles, sprinting to break-up play, a greater determination and a greater appreciation as a result. Even in this time of turmoil, there was some sense of unity.

More importantly – and fair play to Britton and fellow caretakers Cameron Toshack and Gary Richards of the club’s Under-23 set-up – there was a greater tempo to things with play higher up the pitch. The passes were sharper, the speed of play so welcome.

And it asked more attacking questions than many games this season, though the answers are still not there.

Luciano Narsingh benefited, while Tom Carroll and Sam Clucas at least showed some drive that has not always been obvious. Even Martin Olsson reminded that he can produce from wide.

The problem was that it led to little. Tammy Abraham has flattered to deceive at times this year and here he did so again.

Swansea again took too long to register shots on goal and, when they then got a little sloppy, it invited Palace in.

The scramble defence worked well, but it had needed Lukasz Fabianski and a bit of desperation to keep Palace out.

That ended when Federico Fernandez left a trailing leg and Ruebn Loftus-Cheek accepted the chance to go over it.

Having been denied a good spotkick shout themselves in the first-half, it showed a change of manager doesn’t guarantee a change of luck. Luka Milijoveic showed little sympathy as he dispatched from 12 yards.

You did expect Swansea to crumble as they have done it the past in similar circumstances, but this was one pleasing change.

They were rallying rather than reeling after the goal, seemingly aware of the significance where it has not appeared so in the past.

Abraham missed chances, but Jordan Ayew did not, screaming a shot past Julian Speroni with 13 minutes to go with a lovely bit of skill to leave Palace’s goalscorer on his backside 20 yards out.

He might have had another – missing from a similar range soon after – and there were pushes for the winner that never came.

It leaves Swansea bottom at Christmas, a position few recover from, though there will be those who still cling to the fact the gap is not big enough to be dismissive of salvation.

And even if the change of manager does inspire it, more needs to change if it is not to stay the same.

Britton will not be able to hit the restart button in terms of the Swansea Way in his short time, which makes the hunt for the permanent man all the more important. Perhaps there is even a decision to be made whether getting the long-term approach right is more significant that the short-term survival. Clearly, there are players that need to be changed too. This is no quick fix.

And it will not be Britton’s job to do it. He might hope that a return of a couple of players will help (you do wonder what a fit Wilfried Bony might have done here) and perhaps an Anfield shock can spark a survival bid once more.

It might all look better by the time the new year rolls in. Whether it will be enough to ensure changes don’t leave it all staying the same is another thing.