At the time of writing Brendan Rodgers’s side have gone second in the Championship table after a comfortable victory over struggling Palace. New Eagles boss Dougie Freedman has got some real problems scrapping for survival at the other end. In many ways though these two clubs may have contrasting fortunes but they are suffering from one similar problem - a goalscoring centre forward.
The good form of former Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair, coupled with the Swans’ excellent defensive record has offset the lack of firepower from strikers. Rodgers’s lads have become the experts at winning matches by a single goal, playing expansive football in a 4-3-3 system that dates back to the days of two promotions under ex-manager Roberto Martinez.
With two widemen in the kind of form they showed today you would think Swansea would have a centre forward who could bag some goals from all the chances they create, but the latest to try Luke Moore couldn’t find the net. Of the permanently contracted players Rodgers has at his disposal the two strikers Craig Beattie and Stephen Dobbie have contributed just seven goals between them this season and that’s in all competitions. The latter was signed from the Scottish league to replace Jason Scotland who was prolific for the Swans, but lightning did not strike twice.
This has placed a burden on the midfield three to contribute and the box-to-box Darren Pratley has stepped up to net five league goals, as well as finding the net in both domestic cups. He broke into the box only once during the Palace, albeit with the desired effect of giving Swansea the lead before half time, but he needs to do more of it. Young Joe Allen lacks his maturity and experience and Mark Gower who completes this trio has netted only once for his current club.
You can’t help but feel the addition of someone who can repeat Scotland’s twenty-plus goals is the final piece of the puzzle for the nearly team of the Championship. This is the Swans’ third attempt at promotion after just missing out on the play-offs by a single point last season after successive top eight finishes. It would be a real achievement as many squad members have had to step up time and again as the Liberty Stadium outfit climbed the leagues. For the likes of club captain Garry Monk playing Premier League football would be a dream come true.
As for Palace they have problems throughout the team with the notable exception of goalkeeper and cult hero Julian Speroni. In defence they lack pace at centre half and depth at full-back. Luke Moore might not have found the net, but he did come close by playing of the shoulder of Paddy McCarthy and looked a threat. Highly rated Nathaniel Clyne had kept Sinclair quiet for the entire first half until the goal. Whilst he has a fantastic engine, positioning is something he still learning. Clyne was equal to the man he marked in a foot race, but when he was caught square Swansea punished the Eagles.
In midfield Dougie Freedman needs to do something George Burley didn’t and replace Shaun Derry. Palace lack a defensively minded midfielder; if Owen Garvan continues to play it is not getting the best out of him and in all likelihood he will be sent off again. Andy Dorman was anonymous from the left and whilst Wilfred Zaha is undoubtedly a talent his clever flicks and touches are meaningless unless he can get the basics right.
Losing James Vaughan back to parent club Everton to cover the absence of Tim Cahill, away with Australia at the Asian Cup, has hit Palace hard up front. Pablo Counago looks to have had his day and the signing of 34-year old Steffen Iversen can only work out if the Norwegian can get the right service that he depends on. Calvin Andrew has nothing short of an abysmal goalscoring record for a target man. All of these issues have combined to result in the Eagles being third bottom.
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