It's been a long and difficult week for Bristol City and one which they will be glad to see the back of.
City played like a side who had seven players out injured and faced a run of seven games in 22 days, including taking on Manchester City, as Swansea took advantage of their tiredness to run out comfortable winners in Wales.
The hosts arrived into the game in dismal form with one win in 10 league matches but showed no signs that they were lacking confidence, immediately putting City on the back foot. They moved the ball quickly and efficiently, depleting what energy City had in their tank before punishing them with two efforts either side of half-time.
Nigel Pearson had no complaints with the result, although heavily criticised the decision not to award his side a penalty in the second half, but they can use this two-week break to reset and recuperate for the final eight games of the season.
Here's the talking points from the Swansea.com stadium on a testing afternoon across the border.
In with the new
To start with perhaps one of two positives to come out of the game, one being Kane Wilson's return from injury for the first time since October, was the performance of 19-year-old Omar Taylor-Clarke on his full league debut in midfield.
Born down the road in Newport, the young Welshman looked right at home in the City side and was arguably the player on the pitch in a red shirt. He looked slightly nervous in the opening exchanges, understandable given the occasion, but wasted little time growing into the game.
A moment before kick-off, he was receiving a few pointers from Andy King - 15 years his senior -but it was Taylor-Clarke who played like a senior pro. He started in a deeper role, in what was a very difficult game to come into given Swansea's desire to keep hold of the ball.
He's only small in stature but he has no qualms about sticking a boot in, throwing himself into the tackles and breaking up play. City needed his energy and he provided it, keeping his passes simple and looking for Alex Scott when he had possession.
In the second half, he was able to take more risks as City looked to force an equaliser and he almost provided it when Anis Mehmeti laid it off to him on the edge of the area. His strike was straight at the keeper to deny a sight to behold in front of the travelling supporters.
He was forced off just after Swansea's second goal, taking a knock to the leg but Taylor-Clarke announced himself as yet another talented player to break through the ranks in the senior side. When City have the likes of Matty James and Kal Naismith back in contention, his involvement between now and the end of the season might be reduced with Pearson likely to be cautious with his exposure.
However, he looked ready and willing, earning big praise from the manager after the game. Pearson said: "I thought he was outstanding. I don't think people will know him at all and he gets opportunities because our numbers are low at the moment. I was saying in another interview I wouldn't swap that because it's created some opportunities."
Captain Zak
It was only two months ago when Vyner was discussing how his responsibilities in the side have developed in regard to his leadership. Coincidentally, those comments came following the FA Cup victory over Swansea having been the oldest head in the back four at the age of 25.
It was a similar scenario yesterday, Vyner the most experienced head in the makeshift back four but only this time, he led out his side wearing the captain's armband for the first time since coming through the academy.
That in itself is a nod to how well his season is panning out and his resurgence in the side given his difficulties last season. If you can recall, it was the 3-1 away defeat at Swansea last year that contributed to his absence from the squad towards the end of the campaign.
Vyner's performances may have fallen slightly below the standards he has been setting himself in earlier months but that can be attributed to his number of minutes (no City player has earned more) and the fact he is playing alongside a third central defensive partner in Cam Pring in quick succession following the injuries to Rob Atkinson and Tomas Kalas.
The fact he was handed the captain's armband over the likes of Andy King is a statement in itself coming off the back of an underwhelming team performance at Luton. Pearson said it was something he deserved having "answered his critics" and is someone who is massively respected by the football club.
There may, and I must stress this as speculation, be an element of dangling a carrot by handing him the armband given his future. Bristol Live understands he has held talks over extending his contract, which currently expires at the end of the season, although the club does have the option of an extra year.
City are already going to be in the market for at least one, most likely two central defenders in the summer even if Vyner stays. Tomas Kalas' deal is expiring and his most recent injury casts doubt on his future at Ashton Gate while Rob Atkinson is being tasked with coming back from an ACL injury.
Ideal time for a break
After the defeat at Cardiff, Pearson wasn't prepared to use fatigue as an excuse. After the defeat against Luton, the City manager was also reluctant to go down that route.
Not one to look for excuses when his side are on the losing side, mostly because fans can see right through it, his comments that his team had suffered from mental fatigue seem entirely justified.
He said after the game: "The last two games the things that have not worked have been the decision making, I would suggest more that is down to mental fatigue.
"First goal is a disappointing one because we could have put more pressure on the ball and we've probably just run out of steam at the wrong time but we've got an opportunity now just to reset and try and finish the season as strongly as we can."
Those concentration levels, against a side like Swansea who dominate the ball, need to be spot on. They enjoyed 52.7 per cent of the possession and their intricate passes and quick movement in and around the box meant City had to remain focused and sharp throughout.
It was a lapse of concentration for the opening goal when Liam Cullen made the run across Vyner with Olivier Ntcham allowed too much space on the edge of the area. King also didn't have the pace to track his midfielders and follow their passes, again which can be attributed to playing four games in 12 days, meaning Swansea were given too much time on the ball without pressure.
Scott was impressive in spells during the first half but faded as the game went on. Playing in the No10, he was eager to contribute going forward but had to sacrifice those qualities in order to help defensively meaning Harry Cornick was isolated as the solo striker.
Cornick could only manage 18 touches of the ball, Sam Bell had 13. Weimann, a half-time substitute had 10 touches and therefore that lies the problem of City's lack of threat going forward. Anis Mehmeti's introduction on the hour mark did provide some positivity with his direct running but aside from Weimann's handball shout, there was no real evidence that City were going to get themselves back into the game.
The international break comes at the perfect time both to regroup and re-energise. City will also have three players back in action in Matty James, Kal Naismith and Tommy Conway when they take on Reading on April 1.
Familiar feelings
Yes, City didn't deserve to leave Swansea with a point but given the fine margins of the Championship, they should at least have been awarded a penalty in the second half to hand the chance of an equaliser.
It was a poor decision from official Jeremy Simpson who was standing close to the action when Andi Weimann looked to flick one over the head of Ben Cabango. It hit his outstretched arm and the City bench were immediately on their feet.
Play was waved on and after City's 469-day penalty wait was ended at Sunderland with two spot-kicks in two matches, it seems as though their luck has run out.
Pearson wasn't angry in his post-match comments, only a hint of frustration but he came across far from surprised that the decision went against them. A few weeks ago in a pre-match press conference, he made note of the number of reports and excuses they have received from the PGMOL, adding they could paper the walls with them at the High Performance Centre.
He said after the Huddersfield game, regarding a tackle on Matty James: "We joke about it, or make jokes at MOAS’ (Match Official Administration System) expense that we could wallpaper the office with all the excuses and poor reports that we get back."
Well, they should receive another one in the coming days. Pearson could afford a wry smile and a sarcastic quip in his post-match comments which led to a few chuckles from reporters listening intently. "Oh yes" was his response when asked if he felt they should have had a penalty.
"The assistant is looking straight at it, the referee is doing what he does and the fourth official is burying his head in his hands and their bench are laughing as well."
"We lost 2-0 and we didn't get it, I think I've spoken enough this season about our friends who patrol the pitch in a different colour. It's becoming a bit boring, to be honest with you.
"We've had two, wow! "We should have had three since though, but never mind. I thought Swansea played well and they deserved to win."
When the question was posed to Russell Martin, his convenient response was: "I haven't seen it."
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