Talking Tactics | Swansea City v Blackburn Rovers
Football stats experts WhoScored.com take a look at the form of new Swansea City signing Ryan Bennett, and the impact he could have in this weekend's game against Blackburn Rovers.
Swansea City got their promotion push back on track in midweek with a 2-0 win over Stoke to end a three-match winless run. The schedule doesn't let up, however, as Steve Cooper prepares for the visit of Blackburn Rovers.
Tony Mowbray's side haven't been in great form of late, with Reading inflicting a 4-2 defeat upon Rovers in midweek, their third in their last four matches.
At the time of writing only relegation-threatened Wycombe (seven), Coventry and Derby (both five) have lost more games than Blackburn (four) in the Championship this season, but Swansea will not be underestimating Mowbray's side this weekend.
While only Coventry and Wycombe (both 16) have conceded more goals than Rovers (11) at the time of writing, Blackburn have been superb in the final third, netting more league goals (18) than any other Championship side in 2020-21.
It means eight of their nine statistically calculated WhoScored.com strengths are attack-focused, including 'creating scoring chances' and 'finishing scoring chances', so Swansea need to keep their wits about them to contain a potent attack.
However, with the experienced Ryan Bennett impressing following his arrival from Wolves, Swansea have the defensive solidity to keep this rampant Rovers attack at bay.
Only Andre Ayew (7.20) and Jake Bidwell (7.19) have gained a better WhoScored.com rating than Bennett (7.15) of all current Swansea players in the Championship this season, with the 30-year-old taking to his new surroundings with ease.
Bennett is one of five players to earn a WhoScored.com man of the match award for Swansea in 2020-21, which speaks volumes of his impact for Cooper's side in the short time since his arrival.
However, Saturday could arguably mark his toughest test of the campaign so far.
Of the 18 league goals Rovers have scored this season, 11 have come on their travels, with Mowbray's side excelling on the road.
That said, their recent form at the Liberty Stadium has been poor to say the least. Indeed, Swansea are unbeaten in their last three home meetings with Rovers, winning two, and Bennett - who can call upon his Premier League experience to help the Swans - will be looking to play his part as the south Wales side seek to put another three points on the board.
Considering only Reading (three) and Watford (four) have conceded fewer goals than Swansea (five) in the Championship this season, Blackburn will have their work cut out as they seek to get back to winning ways on Saturday, but then Mowbray is able to call upon the league's top goalscorer at the Liberty Stadium.
Adam Armstrong has nine goals to his name from eight league outings this term, and the striker has scored in three of his four away appearances this season, including a brace at Coventry last time away from Ewood Park.
A WhoScored.com rating of 7.52 is the fourth best in the league at the time of writing and, if left unchecked, he has the ability to wreak havoc in and around the Swansea penalty area.
Yet Bennett boasts the top-flight nous and experience to ensure Armstrong endures a quiet afternoon at the Liberty Stadium, as Swansea seek to maintain their promotion push and inflict a fifth defeat of the campaign upon Blackburn.
