Swansea 0 Oldham 1

After a Loss at Cheltenham , Swansea were hoping to bounce back with a win against fellow promotion challengers Oldham. However this was one of the most disappointing

erformances of the season and saw a low crowd of only 9,880 a low for a Saturday game.

From the start Swansea were torn from pillar to post and were overly stretched on the flanks. Alan Tate was turned early on with the Latics setting the early pace when Chris Taylor turned Tate and surged forwards towards the Swansea box only to be fouled by the former Manchester United player.

Early Oldham pressure was immense and caused the defensive backs a lot of problems with well timed runs and balls from the Oldham flanks. A great chance for Swansea to go ahead through some fine play from midfield saw Pawel Abbott with a chance to run through the heart of the Latics defence but was stopped short by the good central defensive partnership of Gregan and Haining. Oldham continued to press with good link up play and brought Taylor in who had the beating of Tate in the first half.

Oldham took the lead 32 minutes in with a Porter shot initially saved by Willy Gueret, the rebound shot from a tight angle from Warne found the back of the net and was met with rapturous applause by the 400 or so Travelling Latics supporters. Paul Warne was instrumental in the Oldham win and continued to press and on 44 minutes Oldham came close to making in 2-0. A defensive mistake by Dennis Lawrence saw Warne with the chance to finish only inches from the Swansea goal, Alan Tate slid in to prevent a clear second goal. Sean Gregan was booked after a challenge on Pawel Abbott. Oldham nearly went close again from a cross into the box, which left Gureat stranded and left a empty net.

Swansea made 2 changes at half time with Painter and Bayo coming on for Tate and Abbott who both did not really make an impact in the first half.

The Second half started as the first with Oldham pressing and pushing and pulling the Swansea defence all over the place. However a chance to equalise was on the cards when Lee Trundle was fouled just outside the Oldham box. Andy Robinson's free kick beat Oldham's Australian Keeper Pogliamcomi but struck the post, and rebounded into the danger area but no Swans player was able to capitalise on this.

Swansea continued to press but the impressive Taylor on the flanks continued to pile pressure on the left flank so much so Britton and Painter were both tasked to man mark him much was the threat from the Oldham youngster.

Oldham had the chance to make it 2-0 with a Free Kick from experienced Latics stalwart Andy Liddell but his shot was Blocked by Recalled defender Izzy Iriekpen. Swansea were then forced into another substitution when Leon Britton went into a challenge only to come out second best. Britton limped off and went straight down the tunnel for treatment for a dead leg. His contribution to the game done as Kevin Austin Came on for Leon on 75 minutes.

We continued to press for the equaliser but could not break down the down the vastly experienced Oldham defence. It ended 1-0 to the Latics, this result has been indicative of the way Swansea are at the moment, no passion, no flair, no tactical noose and a manager who has run the end of his course here at the Liberty. Kenny Jackett has no excuses for this display while his counterpart John Sheridan got everything right and the Latics were more than worthy of the result.

Match report by Lisa Higgins.

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No one deserves it after such a lacklustre performance.

Player ratings and comments by 'swanjackal'.
No chance for goal after initial good save. Made some half decent saves, but distribution and communication with back 4 was no short of shocking. Poorest first 20 minutes I have ever seen him play, started to drive forward and play better towards half time, but subbed after that. Out of position for goal as were all the back 4, but made an excellent goal line clearance near end of first half. Troubled all afternoon, embarrasing at times to watch. Awful spindly legged performance again, suicidal in his play and torn apart again, apart from some very lucky interceptions. Didn't do alot wrong, or right. Poor overall, looking a shadow of fresh faced tooth monster he was during his first spell. Not a wideman!!!!!! Play him in the center where he has most affect. Another lacklustre performance no effort or drive. Shameful to watch as a fan who has bigged him up in past seasons.] Incapable! Pros: Run alot today cons: no leadership, no telling passes, lost balls on numerous ocassions, showed petulance, play acted, did not make a challenge count, weak in air, weak in tackle, weak in passing. No passion....for god sake strip him of captaincy for his own sake.....maybe he can then get back to the player some people think he was at the season start (I for one have not been impressed at all by Pratley all season). The worst performance I have witnessed by any player for the last 20 years and that includes shaun chapple. He is consistently awful, offers nothing to our team. Lost possession the three times he touched the ball all game. Passing was awful, did not make a meaningful challenge, off the pace of the game form first minute and has a shot with the least amount of power and accuracy you will ever see, even in an under 6 girls parapalegic haemophiliac team. Accrington must be laughing all the way to the bank. Running at brick walls all game, no support from midfield or the front pairings. Injured and hope its not serious or season is well and truly over for us. Poor half, was puffing after 20 mins. Not fit and does not look like he is the answer to the typical long ball game jackett enjoys playing. Hopefully fitness can improve him, or we could have another donkey on our hands (and no that isn't a pop at fallon.....i thought fallon was a decent player and was genuinely gutted when he and leon knight went). Yet again an awful performance......lazy, lost posession when trying the fancy and not creating chances or space for others. Slug like pace, no commitment to do anything. Like robinson, another player living on past glories at the moment.

Worked hard but didn't have any meaningful contribution. Very quiet with an awful all round 2nd half performance by the whole team. Worked hard when he came on, has the spirit of Tate and Britton, just a shame thats only 3 out of 11 players. Exposed by pace, but covered back well. Looked shaky in the short period he was on, shame considering recent performances have rolled back the years. More and more fans want him out now, enough said.

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