Francesco Guidolin: Swansea City deserved more against Hull City
20th August
Francesco Guidolin reckoned Swansea City were not rewarded for their attacking intent as their first home game of the season ended in a 2-0 defeat to Hull City.
The Swans dominated possession for large swathes of the contest and looked the more likely side to find a breakthrough in the first period.
But despite their control of the ball, the home side's threat faded after the break and it was Hull who struck a couple of decisive late blows.
The opener came from a set-piece as Curtis Davies flicked on Robert Snodgrass's corner and sub Shaun Maloney touched home point-blank range.
And Hull sealed the win in stoppage time as Abel Hernandez swept the ball into the net after being fed by Maloney.
Following a rousing opening-day triumph at Burnley, defeat on home soil was a blow for the Swans.
But Guidolin insisted his team will respond from their first reverse of 2016-17.
"I am disappointed because I dreamed of being top of the league," he said.
"But this is our job - it's not a good day for us. Our legs were not brilliant, but we didn't deserve to lose because we attacked for 95 minutes.
"Hull defended for 93 minutes with 11 players behind the ball. I have no problem with this - I respect all opponents and they can play whichever way they want.
"It's not easy for us to play against 11 men defending, but we have to accept the defeat.
"I am disappointed, but tomorrow is another day and we have to prepare for the next game against Peterborough."
The Swans' best effort of the day came after only six minutes, when Eldin Jakupovic tipped Gylfi Sigurdsson's volley onto the bar.
Fernando Llorente twice headed off target, while Wayne Routledge's backheel rolled wide of the post.
But all those efforts came in the first 45 minutes, and it was Hull who threatened most often - usually on the counter - in the second half.
"We have to be quicker in possession," Guidolin added, "but it's not easy when a team have 11 players in their half.
"We tried to get Mo (Barrow) one v one, we tried to cross, we tried to come inside and we tried to attack down the middle.
"Often we risked the counter-attack because if you miss a pass in the last third, it's easy for the opponents to counter.
"But it's no excuse. It's a step back for us, but we have to return to work and prepare for the next game."
Guidolin was particularly frustrated to see his team concede the all-important first goal from a corner.
"I'm disappointed," he admitted. "Last week we were happy with how we defended set-pieces and today we did quite well also, but then we conceded a goal.
"Now we have to spend another week trying to improve and trying to be ready for the next game. I am confident we can do that."
Guidolin revealed that he met with the Swans' new majority shareholders, Jason Levien and Stephen Kaplan, on the eve of Hull's visit.
The American duo watched on from the directors' box for the first time since they took charge of the club last month.
"We spoke about a lot of situations," Guidolin said."I am disappointed because it's the first game at home for them and I would have been happy if we had won for them, for us and for the fans, but it wasn't a good day."
