18/08/2008 - Swans v forest - a fan's view
The match began amidst typical August weather - rain!There was a feeling of familiarity.
There was a sense of moving from primary school to comprehensive school. A comfort zone provided by someone you knew from your previous school, who were in the same class at the start of the new term.
However, Swansea were the quickest to settle.
A few early chances enabled the League One champions to acclimatise comfortably to their new environment.
The Swans imposed themselves on the game from the outset and finally got their reward, despite its fortuitous nature.
Leon Britton received the ball on the edge of the area and his shot was diverted goalwards via the post and goalkeeper Paul Smith's back.
To be fair, it was no more than Swansea deserved. And as expected following the goal, the Swans began to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. The midfield began to dictate proceedings and create chances aplenty.
One chance prior to the break was squandered by no fewer than three attackers. The ball was worked superbly to the Forest penalty area but the lack of conviction was evident to everyone.
The ball fell to numerous Swans players, but the inability to shoot on goal proved their downfall. Either a touch away or a lay-off away from goal prevented the Swans from extending their lead.
Ultimately, the Swans were undone because of their inability to kill the game off.
Ten minutes before half-time, Lee Martin's right-wing cross ended up in an undeserved equaliser.
Marcos Painter failed to deal with the Manchester United loanee as he crossed from the Forest right, indecision from Dorus de Vries resulted in his attempted punch rebounding into the goal via James Perch.
This was more than Forest deserved, so the Swans set about restoring their goal advantage. Unfortunately, Forest managed to survive quite comfortably until half-time.
So at 1-1 at the break, surely Colin Calderwood would have been the happier of the mangers. However, encouraging signs were evident for Roberto Martinez.
The second half started at a slightly slower tempo than the first, with both sides sharing possession. A lot of the half-time fans' talk had been about the effect Pintado would have on proceedings.
The obvious substitution would be Pintado for Scotland, but a forced change was imminent. Prior to this though, Matty Collins was sacrificed for the return of Angel Rangel who added an attacking option down the right-hand side.
On 70 minutes a ball played into the box was met by Thomas Butler who managed to poke it past a defender and go to ground.
Whether it was a penalty or not was debatable, but the referee pointed to spot.
A lacklustre strike from Ferrie Bodde was saved by Forest keeper Smith, only for Bodde to tap home for 2-1.
Following the penalty incident, Butler was replaced by Jordi Gomez. Another substitution which had an impact on the outcome of the game was Pintado replacing Scotland.
Where last year's top scorer struggled to have a real impact on the game El Toro marauded around the field to make his presence felt.
Pintado finally made his impact, a ball whipped in from the Swansea left by Mark Gower was struck home nonchalantly by Pintado to seal all three points for the Swans.
In summary, a good performance which should have seen the Swans at least a goal in front at half-time resulted in three points, and the inclusion of Andrea Orlandi, Gorka Pintado and Jordi Gomez in the starting XI can only be an improvement.
However, the players to be omitted at their expense would be a tough call. A selection headache for Mr Martinez.
Not such a bad thing!