Alan Sheehan admitted Swansea City were far from their fluent best against Watford – but was still proud of his players’ resilience after they clawed back a point at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Super-sub Zan Vipotnik came off the bench to head home his first goal of the season eight minutes from time, salvaging a 1-1 draw in a Championship clash where the visitors had dominated for large spells.
Though Sheehan conceded his team had lacked fluency, he was keen to underline the determination they showed to turn the contest.
“As a manager, you want a team that keeps going until the final minute and the fans felt that there was only one team that was going to win that game,” Sheehan said.
“I think the first half, a worldie free-kick and a headed chance for their striker, kind of changes the perception; really apart from that, not a whole lot in the game.
“Were we the best versions of ourselves? No, but it was very bitty against a physical team that went man-to-man, so breaking up the play.
“And I think then after 55 minutes when we made the changes and made a few tactical tweaks, I thought we were the better team.
“We were gathering rhythm and just kept going until the end and we got a point and on another day we should have three points, but I'm proud of the lads.”
Watford looked to be on course for victory after Nestory Irankunda’s thunderous first-half free-kick gave them a deserved lead.
The Hornets’ physicality and attacking threat caused Swansea repeated problems, with Luca Kjerrumgaard twice denied by sharp saves from Lawrence Vigouroux.
READ MORE: Alan Sheehan Hails Swansea City Victory And Confirms New International Signing
For an hour, Paulo Pezzolano’s side looked in control. But Swansea rallied after the break, striking the post through Liam Cullen before eventually equalising through Vipotnik – who had only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes.
Swansea’s substitutes played a crucial role in shifting momentum.
Marko Stamenic – making his debut after arriving from Nottingham Forest – and Zeidane Inoussa added energy and drive, while Vipotnik provided the finishing touch that had eluded Sheehan’s men until the 82nd minute.
“I am proud of the lads,” Sheehan reiterated.
“When we spoke at half-time we knew we going to make changes and we wanted to put our stamp on the game. We were in the ascendancy in the second half and Watford struggled to match our tempo.”
Of Vipotnik’s impact, the Swansea boss added: “He has had a bitty pre-season, but what we want is for our game-changers is to come on and impact the game and he did.
“He scored the goal – he scored one of them in training yesterday so it gives you that feeling.
“It was a good ball in and they are the ones we have potentially not been getting on the end of enough in the last couple of games. He got on the end of it and nearly got on the end of another.”
READ MORE: Zan Vipotnik Is Fully Pumped And Ready For Welsh Derby, Says Swansea City Boss Luke Williams
Swansea almost won it in stoppage time, with Vipotnik inches away from turning in a second goal that would have capped the comeback.
As it was, they had to settle for a point – leaving Sheehan encouraged by his side’s persistence but aware of the need to sharpen up in future matches.
For Watford, the result ended a run of six successive away league defeats, though head coach Pezzolano felt his team had thrown away two points after their impressive opening hour.
“It was a very good 65 to 70 minutes from us, they couldn't find a way to harm us,” Pezzolano said.
“Very happy with the first half. The team was very good, very solid, on and off the ball.
“It was a lot of what we expected from the game and what we did over the week – so very pleased with that.
“And maybe what leaves a bad taste in his mouth is the fact that we cannot drop these types of points.
“Based on what we did in the first half and part of the second half, we should have won this game and it's a shame. But, at the same time, we have many young players and these types of matches are a good experience for them.
“We maybe lacked legs in the second half, but what's important is the team is growing and that's what we hold on to.”
Both sides left the field frustrated – Watford lamenting a missed chance to claim their first away victory since March, Swansea knowing that their late rally might easily have delivered all three points.
For Sheehan, however, the real story was his team’s refusal to give up on a difficult afternoon.
“They showed real character and that’s the minimum we’ll always demand.”
