Swans will strike back
RUSSELL MARTIN believes Swansea are close to rediscovering their goalscoring touch – despite this frustrating stalemate.
The Swans dominated but failed to break down Hull’s defence and sit 21st in the standings.
However, boss Martin reckons his men will find their goalscoring boots to climb the table after failing to add to their single goal at home this season.
“I am frustrated for the players because I thought they were outstanding,” he said.
“That next bit is going to come, I know it’s easy to say, but you could see that and I am disappointed for the players.
“However, I am positive because that was a big step in the right direction.”
Hull keeper Matt Ingram was the hero in a first half controlled by the hosts.
He denied Joel Piroe after Olivier Ntcham carved out the chance, tipped Matt Grimes’ free-kick onto the post and was equal to Kyle Naughton’s powerful shot.
Swans had a penalty shout rejected after Ethan Laird went down under Callum Elder’s challenge. Ref Keith Stroud said no again when Di’shon Bernard blocked Jamie Paterson.
Hull’s first shot on target came in injury time, when Ryan Longman stung the hands of Ben Hamer.
“We limited them to very little,” said Tigers boss Grant Mccann. “People want to hit us when we’re down.
“We’ve been missing a lot of players and we’ve got guys coming back from injuries, but we’ve got two clean sheets in a row.”
SWANSEA: Hamer 6; Williams 6, Bennett 6, Naughton 7 (Cabango 86); Laird 7, Grimes 7, Downes 7, Bidwell 6 (Obafemi 76), Ntcham 8 (Manning 70, 6), Paterson 6; Piroe 7.
Unused subs: Benda, Fulton, Cullen, Latibeaudiere.
HULL CITY: Ingram 9, Coyle 7, Bernard 5, Greaves 6, Elder 6; Moncur 5 (Longman 81, 6), Huddlestone 5; Lewis-potter 6, Docherty 5, Wilks 5 (M Smith 64, 6); Magennis 5 (T Smith 71, 5).
Unused subs: Baxter, Smallwood, Emmanuel, Mcloughlin.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Matt Ingram. A rock between the
goalposts as he helped Hull claim a hard-earned point.
REFEREE: Keith Stroud 5.