Your Swansea City headlines on Wednesday, November 2.
Piroe points to problem
Swansea striker Joel Piroe has pinpointed their problem at Preston - a lack of composure in front of goal.
Piroe returned to the starting line-up after missing the last three matches through suspension. But he could not find the back of the net as Swansea went down 1-0 at Deepdale following an error from Harry Darling.
It wasn't through the lack of trying though, believes the Dutchman.
“On another day, we could have won it,” said the striker.
“We just have to finish our chances because we had enough opportunities to score an equaliser, and score a winner, but if you don’t do that – and you concede a silly goal – then you don’t win games.
“We need to encourage each other and keep believing that we will score – I think a bit of composure is something that we missed.”
Piroe missed the wins over Reading and Cardiff City and the draw at Ashton Gate last weekend and he's determined to make up for lost time.
“It was frustrating to sit on the touch line,” he admitted. “I wanted to help the team out and wanted to perform, but the job the boys did was brilliant.
“I’m really happy to be back and I want to make a difference again. I think the next 10 days will be very demanding, but everyone is feeling fit, and I know everyone is physically ready for it.
“We always want to bounce back and get a win at home against Wigan Athletic on Saturday. We want to do it for the fans.”
Allen's row and biggest regret
Joe Allen's season has been a frustrating one thus far, with a hamstring injury keeping him on the sidelines for much of the campaign.
Martin revealed he won't play before the World Cup starts, which is his focus now. Ahead of the tournament, he sat down with former team-mate Owain Tudur Jones for an entertaining quickfire Q&A for S4C, where he talked about his best match, favourite stadium and the best players he had ever played with - Gareth Bale, Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez, if you're asking.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Kevin de Bruyne were his toughest opponents, while Ashley Williams was his pick as the wildest character on a night out.
His goal against Cardiff at Ninian Park is his favourite, while his biggest regret was a good one. He said with a smile: "A cover shot for the Chicken & Egg magazine, I think!"
"You've had a lot of stick about that over the years," replied Jones. "Yeah, so much," joked Allen. "Everyone talks about it, even now nearly eight, nine years in the future!"
He also revealed a row he had with former Swans coach Graeme Jones during his first spell with the club. "I've had a few but one that stands out is Graeme Jones, Swansea coach. Straight in my face saying 'My old man could do more than you!' with an expletive thrown in for good measure.
"I remember that game because he screamed in my face too!" added Jones. "What he told me was 'Owain, get out of second gear! You're too pedestrian'. As partners in midfield, we didn't have the best of nights that evening."
Oko-Flex improvement outlined
Russell Martin admits Armstrong Oko-Flex is getting closer to being given the chance to impress from the start for Swansea following his latest encouraging display as a substitute.
The West Ham loanee was pivotal off the bench as Swansea came from behind to beat Reading last month while he played a pivotal part in his side's strong second-half showing in the 1-0 loss to Preston North End on Tuesday night.
Oko-Flex's latest cameo display was his eighth appearance for the Swans, although they have all come as a substitute, but Martin says the 20-year-old will get an opportunity from the outset soon if he can be ready to cope with the intensity of the game.
"He's getting better and better," said the head coach. "There's a couple of bits we still need to work on with him to really cope with the intensity of a Championship game from the start.
"He's getting closer [to a start] and he just had to keep doing what he's doing when he enters the pitch, which is have a positive impact, help the team and then I'm sure at some point he'll get an opportunity like the rest of the guys who play like that do."
Lowe outlines Preston's successful plan
Ryan Lowe admits Preston North End's 5-3-2 defensive shape was pivotal to their 1-0 success against Swansea.
The Lilywhites took the lead in the 30th minute through Brad Potts and defended resolutely amid domination of the ball from Russell Martin's men.
Indeed, the visitors ended the contest in Lancashire having had 72 per cent of possession, although they only managed four shots on target - the same tally as the hosts.
For long periods, Swansea found it tough to break through Preston, although they did create some big chances at Deepdale, most notably for Jay Fulton and Ryan Manning. And Lowe admits his side had to switch from a back four for the visit of the Swans to bolster their chances of keeping what was ultimately an 11th league clean sheet of the campaign.
"I thought we got it spot on tactically," Lowe said, as quotes by our sister title LancsLive. "The character, resilience and desire shown from the group, to see it through was fantastic. We nullified them to four shots on target - the same as us - albeit they had loads of possession. It's tough, because you go to bed on Saturday night thinking of Swansea. We did play well as a 4-3-3, but I looked at the overloads Swansea get and that they'd probably get down the sides.
"We went back to a 3-5-2, matched it up and we knew they'd have large parts, but that we'd be solid and resolute. If we had gone for a 4-3-3, I think they beat most teams in that. The game plan was well worked around Ched Evans tonight - we felt we could get the ball up to him and he'd make it stick, which it did for large parts. They were ready to press and jump on us; the game plan was set around triggers of when to go and when not to go. If you go too early, they can pop it round you."
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Swans will be 'disappointed' - Woodman
Freddie Woodman admits Swansea will be disappointed not to have had something to show for their improved second-half display at Preston.
The visitors were below par in the first-half at Deepdale and fell behind to Brad Potts' strike on the half hour mark. They were significantly stronger after the restart and created some big openings, with former Swan Woodman making crucial saves to deny Ryan Manning and Jay Fulton.
But the goalkeeper - who now has 11 clean sheets to his name in the league this term - believes the Lilywhites were fully deserving of their victory over the Swans.
“Swansea had a lot of the ball, a lot of the play but I think with our defensive display, we were good for the three points," he told Preston North End's official website.
“We scored a good goal in the first half, created some chances and I thought we defended really really well and that’s been us this season, defending really well.
“I think Swansea will look at it and probably be a little bit disappointed, but it’s three points for us and a good performance.”
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