Ian Walsh Questions Swansea Substitutions Amidst Goal-Scoring Difficulties

Ian Walsh expressed reservations regarding Luke Williams’ substitution choices after Swansea City suffered a 1-0 defeat to Millwall, conceding a goal in the final minutes. Zan Vipotnik and Liam Cullen, both forwards, were in the starting lineup against Millwall; however, Cullen played in a more withdrawn position. Despite Swansea maintaining possession and pressing for a winning goal while the score remained 0-0, Cullen was substituted for Joe Allen during the 66th minute of the match. Subsequently, Goncalo Franco was substituted for Ollie Cooper, and Vipotnik was replaced by Florian Bianchini. Nevertheless, Casper de Norre scored a decisive goal in the 90th minute, securing all three points for Neil Harris’ team. Walsh, a former forward for both Swansea and Wales, stated that he was somewhat puzzled by the choice to remove Cullen from the game when the outcome was still uncertain. “They played Liam Cullen in midfield, in the Ollie Cooper role, slightly deeper,” he told Call Rob.”For me, Liam is not a midfield player, he’s a goal poacher, in and around the penalty box. So that surprised me to begin with.”They brought off Liam Cullen and brought on Joe Allen. You’ve already got Franco and [Matt] Grimes in there and you bring Joe Allen on in that similar area.”At his advancing years, you don’t expect him to go out and make something happen.”On the other hand, Neil Harris the Millwall manager brought on three front players to try to change the game because he felt there was something in this game for him.”Swansea could have been here all day and not scored but if Millwall had half a chance, which they did in the end, they’d take all three points.”So that was my thought, why bring Joe Allen on when you’re struggling to score goals and take Liam Cullen off?”In the end, Bianchini came on up top and Cooper came on for Franco. It was a little bit too late.” Swansea has now gone five consecutive matches without scoring, marking the club’s longest drought without a league goal since 1996.