Swans the best we’ve played, says Deeney
TROY Deeney says Swansea are the best team Birmingham City have faced this season in terms of style.
Deeney broke Swansea hearts when he netted a late equaliser at St Andrew’s on Tuesday night, a game in which the Blues took the lead. Swansea started poorly but hit back through Olivier Ntcham and Matt Grimes and looked set for all three points before Deeney pounced.
“It could be a good point if we win on Friday,” said Deeney post-match. “I said the same about Millwall. We started the game really well, pressed them really well, stuck to the plan, won it off them quite high. I would probably say they are the best team we have played this year with regards to style, sticking to their principals, knowing who and what they are.
“But frustration. We let in what would be considered poor goals from our standpoint. Obviously whenever a goal goes in, the opposite team will say it’s a poor goal but yeah, they are a really good team. Switching it up in the first half they were passing and spun us a couple of times and made us have to think about things.
“I didn’t think we reacted to that and obviously they ended going in 2-1 up. In the second half we adjusted and did well and limited their chances to breakaways really. I always thought we were going to get a goal but I always feel that anyway because I am an optimist.
“We got one in the end and a draw was a fair result on reflection - they would probably argue different it is what it is.”
Swansea defender Harry Darling says they must stop shooting themselves in the foot after another two points went begging at Birmingham.
It has become a habit in recent weeks for Swansea to hand the advantage to their opponents in games before wrestling themselves back into matches.
It was the same at St Andrew’s where a sloppy opener was given away and a heartbreaking equaliser conceded at the death. Darling has stressed it has to stop.
“It’s frustrating,” he said. “We’re conceding too many goals.
“We’re not defending properly as a team and we need to cut it out because you can’t concede two goals away from home and expect to win.
“That’s something we’ll work on and hopefully put it right. You can argue that it’s a good point but from the position we were in, we should see the game out and win it.
“We’ve got to stop shooting ourselves in the foot like that.”
Unai Emery says he thinks Aston Villa outcast Morgan Sanson can help the club after he was brought in from the cold.
Swansea had been linked with a loan move for Sanson in January, but that was before former boss Steven Gerrard, who had frozen the midfield out at Villa Park, was sacked.
Now, with Emery in charge, things have changed and the Spaniard’s comments would suggest he has a future in the Midlands.
The 28-year-old came off the bench in the win over Manchester United last weekend and more opportunities could be forthcoming, hinted Emery.
He said: “He’s done very well in the days that we have been in the training ground.
“I knew him when he was playing in Marseille when I was in Paris. I think he’s a good player.
“He was injured and out of matches. I think he can help us. Against United, for example, in the last minute, he kept the position he usually plays and his skills were good to help us.”
Swansea and Sunderland were linked with the former Marseille man.