Garry Monk focussed on the positives
20th September
Garry Monk felt there were positives to take after his ten-man Swans suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Southampton at the Liberty Stadium.
Substitute Victor Wanyama came off the bench to strike the visitors a 80th minute winner after Wilfried Bony was sent off for two bookable offences in the first half.
The Ivory Coast international's 39th minute sending off proved the turning point as Monk's men dominated the opening period.
But the Swans were forced to change their game plan in the second half to fend off pressure from the visiting Saints.
And that resistance was finally broken with ten minutes left on the clock when Wanyama poked home past Lukasz Fabianski, following a clever through ball by Graziano Pelle.
The defeat means the Swans drop to fifth position in the Barclays Premier League, but Monk felt the outcome might have been different had his side not been reduced to ten men.
"The sending off changed the game," said the Swans boss. "We were so dominant in the first half.
"We played some great stuff and it looked like only a matter of time before we would score.
"Going down to ten men didn't help. We got to half-time and had to reassess the situation. The second half was always going to be difficult against a team who wants to have the ball as well.
"We had to try and control the game without the ball and hold our shape.
"And until the goal in the 80th minute, they didn't have a shot on our goal, which shows how well we limited them and held our shape. Their goal was the one time we switched off.
"There were positives. We didn't deserve to lose the game. In the first half, we dominated in every aspect, and in the second half we controlled it without the ball.
"It's difficult to do, and It shows how good and clever our players are. We'll have a very successful season if we keep improving."
Meanwhile, Southampton boss Ronald Koeman also acknowledged the fact that Bony's red card was pivotal moment in the game.
"It was a a tough game against a strong Swansea side," said Koeman. "The red card changed the game slightly.
"But after that we had to be patient to create possibilities. We scored a great goal, which was enough for the three points.
"We didn't create a lot, but we put them under pressure in the second half."