Rochdale 0 Swansea City 2

Jackett made a number of changes to his side ahead of tonight’s clash, with new signing Garry Monk taking over the captaincy, after Martinez failed a fitness test. Kevin Austin replaced young full-back Stuart Jones and there was a surprise appearance for assistant manager Kevin Nugent, who partnered ex-Rochdale striker Paul Connor up front. This meant that Forbes was moved on to the right wing, with Britton occupying Martinez’s central role alongside O’Leary.

The first half was a very tight affair, with few chances created at both ends. Rochdale’s start was hampered by two injuries within the first ten minutes, to Daryl Burgess and then Scott Warner. After a dull opening twenty minutes, Adrian Forbes delivered an accurate cross from the right onto Kevin Nugent’s head, with the assistant manager burying a header from six yards out. Swansea were looking pretty solid at the back and held on until half-time, with Rochdale offering very little in terms of attacking football.

Rochdale came out in the second half with a renewed purpose and began attempting to force an equaliser. Swansea were forced to defend a succession of corners and almost lost their lead, as Grant Holt and Gareth Griffiths found themselves with attacking headers in decent positions. Thankfully for the Swans, both missed the target.

Just five minutes after Willy Gueret was called into action for the first time, by saving a low shot from Pat McCourt, Swansea doubled their lead with a strike from Andy Robinson from outside the box. Rochdale re-doubled their efforts, with Gueret forced to save from Leo Bertos before Tate blocked a goal-bound Jamie Clarke effort – but Swansea were determined to hold on.

James Thomas and Gary Fisken came on late on, but by then it was too late for the home side and Swansea grabbed three crucial points.