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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

'Outstanding' Chiedozie Ogbene shows Swansea City exactly what they missed out on after running them ragged

Swansea City fans had been hoping to see Chiedozie Ogbene's name on the score sheet regularly at the Swansea.com Stadium following the January transfer window.

Little did they know just a month ago though that the Republic of Ireland international would be ending his own run of 11 matches without a goal by scoring against the team who have attempted to sign him in each of the previous two transfer windows to earn Rotherham their first point of the season from a losing position.

Throughout Monday night's 1-1 draw, Ogbene demonstrated why he was been sought after by a number of Championship clubs, including the Swans, in the winter window.

READ MORE: Russell Martin reveals talks with Swansea City players after Rotherham boos and makes concerning summer admission

The 25-year-old's direct running and ability to beat a man was a joy to watch while he was also a real goal threat for a side who showed real unity in their battle to avoid relegation into League One.

Ogbene made a joint-game high of four dribbles while he also won five free-kicks, significantly more than any other player on the pitch. And having scored the equaliser, it's no surprise that the 13-cap Irishman took the Sky Sports Man of the Match award.

Of course, Ogbene is set to become a free agent in the summer and could yet move to Swansea when his Rotherham contract expires, and speaking after the draw with Matt Taylor's side, Martin offered a subtle hint that he could yet be in the market for the attacker later this year.

"I think he has something we don't possess very much of which is real power and pace," said Martin. "He does a great job for Rotherham and I'm sure if he leaves there in the summer, he'll be of huge benefit and value to whoever he plays for."

Boss Matt Taylor reserved special praise for Ogbene following his vital goal in south Wales - one that takes him to eight for the season in all competitions.

And Sky Sports pundits Clinton Morrison and Paul Robinson both referred to Ogbene's refreshing traits after his star performance against the Swans.

"I thought he was outstanding, he was always a threat," said Morrison. "He plays on the right-hand side, but whatever position you ask him to do, he'll do a job for the team.

"He's a threat, he's a handful, he's been outstanding for Rotherham. He always wants to take his full-back on and commit people.

"His goal is very fortunate, but if you don't get in that six-yard box, you don't score goals. I thought he caused Swansea problems all evening."

Robinson added: "He's direct isn't he? He's not afraid of taking players on. He finds himself quite isolated at the top of the pitch in this formation that they play, but he's not afraid to try and make something of a situation.

"I thought Rotherham were really good tonight. We discussed before the game about how poor their away record is, I thought it was an all-round excellent performance by them."

Many fans feared the Swans were going to suffer yet more late heartache when the ball fell to substitute Georgie Kelly around six yards out from goal from a corner.

Fortunately for Martin's side, the substitute drilled straight at Andy Fisher from close range with what was his first touch to ensure the points were ultimately shared, although the statistics typify how impressive Rotherham were.

They ended the contest with five shots on target, one more than the Swans managed while they had a total of 14 shots at goal, double what the home side achieved, and it all backed up Ogbene's belief that Rotherham could well have left Swansea with victory.

"I think we worked really hard today," he said in his post-match interview. "We know how tough this league is and to come away from home and get a point is special today.

"We're quite tough on ourselves, we're quite disappointed we didn't come from here with three points. I think we started very well and to gift them that goal out of nowhere, we were quite disappointed at half-time and we just said 'let's come out in the second-half and see what can happen'.

"We just need to find consistency, I think that's what we're lacking, but I think we're building on it."

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