Graham Potter admits Swansea were fortunate to claim point at Birmingham

Posted Saturday, August 18, 2018 by PA

Boss Graham Potter admitted Swansea were lucky to come away from Birmingham with a point.

Swans goalkeeper Erwin Mulder denied the hosts victory on Friday after an inspired first-half display earned a 0-0 draw at St Andrew’s.

The 29-year-old, who made his Swans debut last weekend 408 days after signing last summer, pulled off a string of stops from Omar Bogle, Lukas Jutkiewicz and Jota.

It moved Swansea joint top of the Sky Bet Championship after two wins and a draw since relegation from the Premier League but Potter knows they must improve.

He said: “It doesn’t change things too much in terms of where are are. We know we are at the start of something and will come across games which will challenge us.

“We have to be open to the fact we’re not perfect and that means the players we have and, while the window is open, we’re looking for possibilities to improve.

“We have to credit Birmingham, they did what they wanted to do really well. Credit to Garry (Monk) and his team, they deserved to win the match. We were fortunate to be 0-0 at half-time.”

Swansea never carried a threat with Birmingham goalkeeper Lee Camp a spectator for much of the game with opposite number Mulder the visitors’ resistance.

Potter said: “He was fantastic. He contributed with a clean sheet and I’m really pleased for him. He has worked hard, as has Kris (Nordfeldt), and there are a lot of players who are waiting to get their opportunity.”

Michael Morrison had a goal disallowed for offside for the hosts when he bundled in after 33 minutes while Che Adams and Jutkiewicz came closest in a second half which lacked spark.

Birmingham are still searching for their first win of the season after opening with two draws and a defeat.

Blues remain in trouble off the pitch having lost three senior members of their administration staff this week and are expected to be punished by the EFL for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations.

But, after their off-field issues, boss Garry Monk, a former Swansea player and manager, believes his side deserved to win.

He said: “All you can ask for is when you put your players on the pitch is for them to perform. We were totally dominant in all areas. The only thing which was missing were the goals.

“I was very proud of that performance. I should be sat here with six points, we were a minute away in the first game (against Norwich) and totally deserved to win tonight.

“I feel very disappointed for the players.”