A patched-up, sickness-ravaged Swans line-up dug deep to earn a late point against the Sky-Blues through Liam Cullen’s fantastic stoppage-time free-kick to earn a share of the spoils in the Midlands.
Midfielder Liam Walsh’s first goal for the club against his former employees had given the Swans the lead in the opening minutes of the contest as the Swans started the brighter of the two sides.
American forward Hadji Wright would, however, level for Coventry just minutes later as the forward would get the better of Bashir Humphries on the counter-attack before burying a low drive beyond Carl Rushworth from the edge of the area.
After an even first period, forward Yannick Bolasie should have restored the Swans lead minutes after half-time but squandered young debutant Sam Parker’s neat cross from the right-hand side over the crossbar.
Buoyed by the let-off, Coventry would then have the lion’s share of play and would get their due reward to take the lead for the first time. Former Everton striker Ellis Simms heading home Wright’s deep cross from close range midway through the half.
The Swans, however, would not lie down and would fight to the end in search of an equaliser. With seconds on the clock remaining substitute Jamal Lowe would be fouled on the edge of the box providing Liam Cullen with the opportunity to smash home a free-kick into the right-hand corner.
The former academy product’s goal just deserves for Sheehan who felt his side’s performance merited a share of the spoils.
“I think we were well worthy of a point. I’m really proud, it’s a difficult place to come, said Sheehan.
“A lot of things have gone against us in the last couple of days, there has been sickness ravaging the camp.
“I had to take Pato [Jamie Paterson] off at half-time, he was done. Joe Allen was up all night, so we’ve had to make decisions. A few lads are feeling absolutely drained.
“Questions had been asked after the last 20 minutes the other day, but all you can ask for is a response and to keep going.
“I thought we were fantastic for large amounts of the first-half. I thought we played some really good fluent football, we wanted to stretch the game.
“They were on top in the second-half and they pinned us back after a set-play, then they sustained the attacks for quite a while after that.
“We couldn’t get out and we stopped doing what we had been doing in the first 10/15 minutes of the half where we were causing problems.
“Yannick [Bolasie] misses a good opportunity and these are the big moments within games. We stayed in it though, and in the last 10/15 minutes, we finished stronger despite everything that has been going on.
“They have spent nearly £25 million in the summer and their team is gelling well together. I expect them to be in the running for the play-offs, the same with Southampton and West Brom. It’s been a really hard run with all that is going on.
“We’ve had a tough Christmas with a lot of travelling, all you can do is keep picking up points. You don’t have much time to do anything on the training ground, there’s a lot of classroom work with a lot of detail in that.”
Sheehan would also be full of praise for 17-year-old academy star Sam Parker who would impress on his debut for the Swans.
“I brought in Sam Parker – a 17-year-old that’s caught my eye and I thought be brave because fortune favours the brave. He can be very proud of himself tonight,” continued Sheehan.
“If you are good enough, you are old enough for me. He’s come through the academy, and I thought why not.
“He deserves it, he’s a wonderful kid, he’s got a high level of potential and I’m very happy for him and his family.”
[Lead image: Swansea City]
