Josh Kilmister with his take on our 1-1 draw at Loftus Road
Oh the joy of being cheated out of victory. At Sunday league level it’s acceptable, but in the Premier League? Away to a QPR side whose home form is fairly good to say the least, the last thing we needed was yet another poor referee; but that’s exactly what we got. However, I guess that made Bony’s equaliser at the death all the more brilliant.
Starting XI
Lukasz Fabianski – 6.5
After a tough time last time out against Liverpool, Fabianski didn’t look fazed and seemed to be back to his usual shot-stopping self. Anyone who say’s he should have done better with Leroy Fer’s shot is lying, as he simply couldn’t have. He didn’t make any notable mistakes, but was perhaps slightly lucky that Vargas didn’t score late on when he chose to stay on his line.
Neil Taylor – 6
Neil Taylor has now officially made more starts this season than he has in the previous two combined. Tayls but a good shift in, and looked relatively solid. Vargas seemed to trouble him a fair bit, but couldn’t capitalise. Going forward was probably his stronger aspect of his performance, particularly in the second half.
Ashley Williams – 7
Up against the physical Bobby Zamora, Williams loved every second of his battle. Dominant in the air and in tackles, he continued his excellent form into Loftus Road and was a contender for my man of the match award. He contributed hugely to our 60/60 successful headed clearances and was the heart of a defence that won twenty aerial duels, which shouldn’t go unsaid, considering the difficult windy conditions.
Federico Fernandez – 6
A mixed game from the Argentina international who, like Williams, enjoyed success in the majority of his physical battles. However, a poor header gifted the ball to Leroy Fer and with nobody closing him down, he hammered it in from twenty-five yards. His passing wasn’t quite as good as usual, but he made up for it with his great work in defence. Not his best game in a Swansea shirt, but by no means a poor performance.
Angel Rangel – 6
Back in the starting eleven after featuring as a half-time substitute at Anfield, Rangel didn’t look convincing in the back and shouts for a new full-back this month are only getting louder. He did contribute largely to attacks on the right flank, which is something we will need to look for in any possible replacements. A couple of blocks from the Spaniard in the dying minutes of the match prevented a QPR winner.
Leon Britton – 7 (Man of the match)
My man of the match, Leon stood his ground just in front of the back four despite not quite having the physical presence of QPR’s midfield. Leon took responsibility for the pressing in midfield and did well to offer himself in both defence and attack, finding space between the gaps of the QPR midfield.
Ki Sung-Yueng – 6.5
In his final match before the Asia Cup in Australia, Ki didn’t quite have the impact that he usually does in terms of controlling the midfield and didn’t dictate the game as well as we all know he can. However, after a change in formation, his darting run through the middle was vital in Wilfried Bony’s late equaliser.
Wayne Routledge – 5.5
Routs was through on goal early on before losing the ball to a Rob Green handball which wasn’t given. He worked hard to get into the right positions but as it has in recent games, his final product let him down. Lost possession of the ball far too often and was caught wrong-footed in the play that led to Fer’s goal. Pushed onto the right when Emnes came on his luck didn’t change much, but he did see a shot from twenty-yards fizz wide of Rob Green’s near post. On the receiving end of two poor tackles from Karl Henry, reacted poorly but appropriately to the second. Given a straight red, but will surely be rescinded – just one of the many poor decisions made by referee Anthony Taylor.
Gylfi Sigurdsson – 7
The most promising Gyfli has looked in recent weeks, he was a key figure in all of our work in the final third. His ability to keep the ball was useful against a strong QPR midfield, and some beautiful ball work by the Iceman had the R’s defence troubled a couple of times. Surprisingly replaced by Bony, the substitution definitely worked out.
Nathan Dyer – 5
Continued his poor form into the QPR game, Dyer’s first half consisted of poor decision making, poor shooting, poor final balls and an overall poor performance. The only surprise in taking him off was that it wasn’t done earlier, replaced by Marvin Emnes who looked a lot more promising.
Bafetimbi Gomis – 7
A shock to see Gomis in the starting eleven for Bony’s last game before the African Cup of Nations, Gomis did everything apart from score. He will no doubt be disappointed that he didn’t get a goal in the first half but his confidence will have risen considerably. Didn’t do as much when paired in a front two, but had he got a goal probably would’ve been my man of the match. Given the rumours of him moving to Crystal Palace are false, Gomis will do a job up front in Bony’s absence.
Substitutes
Marvin Emnes – 6.5 (for Dyer, 60)
Improvement on Dyer’s performance but Emnes is generally ineffective on the wing. Embarrassed Joey Barton, putting him on the floor just before Bony’s equaliser, so the substitution was definitely worthwhile.
Wilfried Bony – 11 (for Sigurdsson, 71)
Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a little…
Wilfried Bony – 8
Came on for Gylfi and scored the winning goal right at the death with a superb turn and finish. Before that had a free-kick excellently saved by Green. His last appearance before the African Cup of Nations, and if Sky Sports pundits are anything to go by, maybe his last appearance the white (black and red) of Swansea. Reported interest from Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool and even the mighty Real Madrid will undoubtedly be clarified within the next month - despite Bony’s celebration which seemed to indicate his desire to stay.
Summary
Had Rob Green been sent off, there is no doubt in my mind that we would’ve gone on to win; we deserved to even with their 12 men. All Anthony Taylor seemed to be missing on the day was a QPR shirt . However, considering our struggles away from home and QPR’s success at Loftus Road this season, a draw really isn’t a bad result.
Away to Tranmere on Saturday, our absentees won’t be missed as much as they will be next week where we take on West Ham at home. Bony, Ki, Shelvey, Montero and maybe even Routledge will all be missing for the coming month, and I think we might have to grind out points if we want to sustain our top half position.
Thanks to Josh as usual for his player ratings. Agree? Disagree? How would you have rated the team? Get in touch below.