Swansea v Blackburn

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Tough game coming up on Saturday as we meet 2nd in the table Blackburn in a tea-time kick off for Sky Sports. Goals win games and they have a 20 goal striker up front who must be shackled if we are to get anything from this game. Our own goal machine Piroe is on 11 goals but is going through a lean patch since Paterson’s been out of the side.
The good news is that Paterson is back and could be in the squad for Saturday. Naughton is doubtful after going off with a thigh strain against Luton.
With one defeat in the last six games, a surprise 2-0 reverse at lowly Hull recently, Blackburn are beatable. Last time out they drew 0-0 at Luton but were without their whizz-kid striker Brereton-Diaz who was on international duty with Chile.

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Swans: Andy Fisher, Ben Cabango, Flynn Downes, Ryan Manning, Cyrus Christie, Olivier Ntcham, Matt Grimes (c), Hannes Wolf, Jamie Paterson, Joel Piroe, Michael Obafemi.
Subs: Ben Hamer, Ryan Bennett, Jay Fulton, Korey Smith, Kyle Joseph, Joel Latibeaudiere, Finley Burns.

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Flynn Downes centre of the back three, Pato starts, Wolf and Christie wing-backs!

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16’ Pato crosses, Obafemi unmarked heads home 1-0

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A weakened Blackburn had the chances but couldn’t take them. Sam Gallagher out injured, Brereton-Diaz benched due to International duty for Chile mid-week.
Manning harshly sent off for two yellows, second card his boot was high trying to clear the ball, his eyes were on the ball and Lenihan comes rushing in, boot hits him on the arm, he goes down clutching his head exaggerating the coming together and his play-acting got Manning sent off.
A tremendous rear guard defensive action for the rest of the second half, subs shoring up our defence and Blackburn unable to break us down. It was an excellent and well earned three points by the Swans against a side second in the table, who are a nasty, niggling, protest at every decision bunch, who don’t need that part of their game, as without it they are a very good team.
Ex-Swan Ryan Hedges didn’t come back to haunt us with a goal as ex-Swans players usually do, and was eventually subbed.
Ryan Giles who we just missed out on, he went to Blackburn on loan from Wolves instead, was their stand out player, with multiple pin point crosses into our box, but brave defending made sure they produced nothing.
Praise for the Jack Army who were in fine voice, just like old times in the PL, and they gave Pato a good reception on his return.

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Praise for Pato -

https://www.swanseacity.com/news/mar...aterson-impact

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Highlights -

https://www.swanseacity.com/news/hig...kburn-rovers-1

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Extended highlights -

https://www.swanseacity.com/news/ext...kburn-rovers-1

[Iolo]

I wonder whether we would have won that if Manning hadn’t been sent off.
Great defensive display from us to keep out free scoring Blackburn.
We had a bit of luck with their fluffed chances but you need that sometimes.
Can we carry this display into future games, hopefully.
Paterson makes a big difference to us when he plays and he set up the goal for Obafemi.
Manning will be a big miss for the Stoke away match on Tuesday.

[Estoban]

Who’d have thought we’d win this one beforehand.
Is this the turning point in our season?
Downes at the centre of defence, wing backs were Wolf and Christie.
Playing catch-up with our games in hand we’ve got another three match week so squad rotation is key.