Both Naughton and Bennett got yellows because they couldn’t get goalside of their man.
Professional fouls, not tiredness. Manchester City do that when they lose the ball and when there is a danger to concede from a counter-attack. And God knows our centre-halves lack pace. So, I am glad both Bennett and Naughts do what is necessary to stop counters.
"The opposition...waiting for the lack of concentration or sloppy pass. Then wham! They have the ball and are in our box like a ferret up a drainpipe."
That's what most lesser teams do, and that's how we played under Cooper. But tell me, how many times did Barnsley succeed to get in our box and actually threaten us? Once? Twice? I mean, they played at home turf and they virtually didn't have a shot on target. That's embarassing, and far from being "like ferrets up in a drainpipe".
Also,
we force opposition to "wait for the lack of concentration and sloppy pass" because they can't get the ball. It's not something opposition choose to do.
These stats are recorded between 64th and 94th minute, and tired teams don't have such stats. (Grey are Barnsley, and blue are Swans)
I know our football was boring up til 65th minute, and I'd rather had we scored 2 goals in the first half, and then pass them to death, but I am pretty sure the tactics against Barnsley was quite the opposite - tire them out and then strike when they get tired.
I must admit
I don't like how we play at the moment, it's boring, and I hope Martin will develop this style to something more attractive. I want us to be more direct and more attacking-minded, to shoot more, put more crosses in the opposition box, and to play with much more intensity.