Looking back at Swansea City's narrow 1-0 victory over Watford F.C. on Monday at Liberty Stadium, here are some things we learned about the Swans.
Blunt attack
Whether it is the midfield or the forwards, the offense needs to pick up their efforts. In the last 10 games, the Swans have managed to net only eight goals and were shut-out four times. Amazingly, Swansea have played 22 games in the English Premier League this season and they have only scored 20 goals while giving up 30.
It is no surprise then that the Jacks are in a relegation battle this season. The problem for their goal shortage is simple; they do not finish their chances at a high rate or even put the ball on target. In the Swans last 10 games they have created 111 shots and only placed 36 of them on frame - a poor output to say the least.
The game against Watford was no different. The Swans took 10 shots, but only placed two of them on target. If it was not for Jacks captain Ashley Williams’ header in the 27th minute, the Welsh club's winless streak would have reached five.
Bafetimbi Gomis, Andre Ayew and Gylfi Sigurdsson have a combined 17 goals for the Swans in all competitions this season. However, if the Welsh club cannot turn it around soon, then they will be playing the 2016-2017 season in the Championship. Swansea’s new head coach Francesco Guidolin will have the tall task of reenergizing this struggling attack.
The first thing he will need to do is get Ayew going. The Ghanaian international has scored seven goals and notched an assist for the team in 21 games. At moments, the speedy forward shows glimpses of his talent and raw strength. However, in some games he simply falls flat alongside the rest of the team's attack.
Lacking in the centre
Another thing that needs to be improved upon after this recent result is the midfield. At times, the Swans midfield shows their strength and can take over a game - harking back to the slick and smooth passing style adopted by the Welsh club a few years ago. However, they have not had a full 90 minute solid performance in a while.
In the first half the Swans were in control, but the main reason was because Watford had a slow start to the match. That is why the Jacks were able to create seven shots in the first 45 minutes. In the second half, the Golden Boys took over the match and the midfield of the Welsh club disappeared.
The final 45 minutes proved to be challenging for Swansea. There were long stretches that they struggled to string a few passes together. The visitors prevented 2012 League Cup champions from building up any sort of rhythm by completing 32 tackles. In result, the Hornets produced nine chances in the second half.
Luckily for the Swans, Watford wasted nearly all of their chances in the match. The Hornets created 13 shots on Monday, but only two of them were on target. Even when the defense of Swansea looked increasingly weak, the Golden Boys were still not able to convert.
Character aplenty
However, the one positive part that was shown off this victory was that Swansea still has some fight in them. When Watford completely took over in the second half, the Welsh club kept their composure to retain the narrow 1-0 lead.
It was not pretty but it did get the job done and the Jacks held on and earned three crucial points. Even though Guidolin has his work cut out for him to turn this club's momentum around and stave off relegation, the one thing that will help him is the players will to stay in the top level of football in England.
If the performance was not enough to show it, then Williams comment about the new coach to the assembled media after the victory said it all.
“When you have been in a bit of a rut, the freshness will probably help. I’m sure he will have lots of ideas about us as players and as a team –and it that helps, then brilliant.”