Mark Robins' claim that Stoke City were the "better team from start to finish" in Saturday's victory over Swansea City was a debatable one. Swansea, after all, managed 14 shots to Stoke's eight, while the visitors' xG of 1.14 was almost double that of the home side. The Swans had more possession (59.5 %), too, as they pushed Robins' promotion-chasing team right up until the final whistle.
Mark Robins' claim that Stoke City were the "better team from start to finish" in Saturday's victory over Swansea City was a debatable one.
Swansea, after all, managed 14 shots to Stoke's eight, while the visitors' xG of 1.14 was almost double that of the home side.
The Swans had more possession (59.5 %), too, as they pushed Robins' promotion-chasing team right up until the final whistle.
So there were some encouraging signs for Vitor Matos.
Swansea played with more attacking intent than they have on many occasions this season, and appeared to have a little more belief on the back of successive home wins over Oxford and Portsmouth.
But even if there were some positives for Swansea in Potteries, the fact is that they came away from the game with nothing for the sixth time in the past eight Championship games.
As a result, Swansea find themselves only four points above the relegation places in 19th, with the two sides immediately below, Blackburn and Portsmouth, each having a game in hand.
Relegation concerns remain heading into the festive period, with the pressure on once more as Swansea prepare to host a Wrexham side who are in much better form next Friday night.
After that comes a trip to Coventry City, before another meeting with Oxford, a New Year's Day home game with West Brom and a trip to a Millwall side who currently sit fourth three days later.
There will be 15 points on offer in the space of a little over two weeks.
As demanding as some of their fixtures are, Swansea need to bank a fair few of them if they are to lighten the new year mood.
Category: General Sports
