AYEW’S IMPACT HAILED BY SWANSEA MANAGER
STEVE Cooper handed four players their debuts in Swansea City’s 3-1 first-round Carabao Cup win over Northampton Town at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday night.
Here’s how they fared in the cup victory.
BEN WILMOT
The Watford loanee was the last of Swansea’s six summer signings to be given game-time by Cooper. And the 19-year-old certainly didn’t disappoint.
Wilmot showed great composure on the ball and looked every part a player who will slot in with the Swans’ style of play.
His range of passing was impressive against the Cobblers, with a couple of inch-perfect long balls over the top of the visitors’ defence catching the eye.
The youngster was also solid at the back, too, showing patience in possession while reading play well when it came to nullifying the attacking talents of Keith Curle’s side.
He has been forced to watch on from the bench so far in the Championship, but Wilmot has given Cooper food for thought with his efforts in this cup win.
BEN CABANGO
Cabango was featuring in a senior Swansea squad for the first time, and the centre-back was arguably the pick of the bunch of his side’s debutants.
The 19-year-old flourished alongside Wilmot at the heart of the defence and was dominant in the air in his own box.
“I was nervous at first but I’m so happy to make my debut and I think it went well,” said the Cardiff-born defender.
“It was really good playing with Ben and we know each other well from training.”
And his boss was impressed too. “There were four debuts and two full debuts, and I thought Ben Cabango was outstanding on the night,” said Cooper.
A fine debut for the Wales Under21 international.
JORDON GARRICK
With Swansea 1-0 down, Garrick followed goal hero Andre Ayew in coming off the bench in the second half.
And it’s safe to say the 21-year-old wreaked havoc during his 18 minutes on the pitch.
Within a minute of entering the fray Garrick had a golden opportunity to net a debut goal as he was played through on goal, although his shot was well saved by former Swan David Cornell.
Garrick didn’t let that miss affect him, though, and his direct approach along with his pace caused Northampton heaps of problems as Swansea upped the ante in the final quarter of the game.
Such was his guile, Garrick had the League Two side on the back foot during his short spell on the pitch. And he gave the hosts something of a different dimension, which is exactly what the doctor ordered when it came to breaking down a resilient Northampton side.
We could well see a fair bit more of the attacker this season.
KEES DE BOER
With victory sealed after Ayew netted his second goal of the night two minutes from time, de Boer was sent on to help Swansea see out the game, replacing Yan Dhanda in the middle of the park.
He had little time to make any kind of impact, but the few involvements he had will have done the former Ajax academy man’s confidence no harm whatsoever.
Speaking about both Garrick and de Boer, Cooper commented: “Obviously, Jordon Garrick came on and had an influential role.
“Kees came on as well, albeit as more of a cameo, and looked calm and assured during his time on the pitch.”