SWANS: ‘A wonderful kid who just wants to play football’: Matos on Ronald’s winner and Seelt’s first start

Vitor Matos says Ronald “always makes everyone proud” after the Brazilian came off the bench to settle it late at Millwall.

The substitute side-footed home Joseph Opoku’s cross in the 90th minute as the Swans won 1-0 at the Den, keeping them top of the Championship.

“I think Ronnie deserves a lot [of credit],” Matos said. “He always makes everyone proud of his hard work, of his integrity as well. He’s a wonderful kid who just wants to play football and fight for his shirt.”

Ronald’s second goal off the bench this season, after Derby

It was a sweet moment for a player whose move to Millwall fell through on deadline day, and who Matos says never changed through all that uncertainty.

It was also his second goal as a substitute this season, after he drilled in a stoppage-time third in the 3-0 win at Derby in August.

“I’m really happy that he scored. He’s getting everyone used to this because he scored against Derby as well, an important one,” Matos said.

“He’s coming from the bench and having an impact and that’s what we want. I think he’s a really important player for us.”

Matos: Millwall’s long throw gave them early momentum

Matos admitted the Den was “a really hard place to come”, with Millwall making the game “really hard for us to control”.

“I think Millwall started really well. The beginning of it was really aggressive, both behind our line and fighting for the second ball. They had a long throw and that gave them the momentum in the beginning.”

He said his side knew those spells would come. “We knew as well how to stay in that situation with the concentration and use our structure, so that was massive.”

“Then going into the game, step by step, bringing the game to us, I think we ended up really well the first half. Then coming into the second, we were back in the control as well. We had two more chances, big ones that we could have scored.”

Jenson Seelt’s first start brings ‘freshness’ to the Swansea back line

On-loan Sunderland defender Jenson Seelt made his first start for the club, replacing Stephen Welsh, who had played in the 2-1 win over Norwich on Saturday.

Matos said the Scotland international needed a breather. “We knew that Welshy had played a lot of games with Scotland and we put him against Norwich in a really intense game.”

“We wanted for this game a little bit of freshness in the back line and physicality that Jenson brings. It was really important, especially in the beginning of the game.”

“I think he had a really good game. He was already important for us in a few games before. I’m really happy that he made his debut as a starter and with the performance.”

‘Staying in the game until the last second’: Swans turn the tables at the Den

Last season it was Millwall who struck late in this fixture. This time it was the Swans, and they kept a clean sheet too.

“We did [show character]. I think it was important to get clean sheet as well. It’s always important to have this mentality,” Matos said.

“Staying in the game until the last second is really important and having this mentality to fight for every situation, to try to get the best of any situation is important for us, even if it’s a dead ball or a counter or a pressing situation.”

Matos had warned before kick-off that Millwall never give up. He felt his side showed the same fight, with only two days between the Norwich win and the trip to London.

“I think it was a really mature performance, a really tactical, concentration game where we just had two days to go and then we needed to travel here. So, I think it was really good to celebrate.”

“It was a massive performance again for the team, for the togetherness, for the away fans, for everyone. We are really happy with the performance and the result, of course.”

The win takes the Swans six points clear of third, and keeps them two points ahead of Middlesbrough.