Ian Mitchelmore runs through the key talking points from Swansea City's 3-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

An old debate re-emerges

Kristoffer Nordfeldt was widely expected to be Swansea's first choice goalkeeper at the start of the season following the departure of Lukasz Fabianski to West Ham.

The Swedish shot stopper started in between the sticks for the opening two matches of the campaign against Sheffield United and Preston.

But as Erwin Mulder impressed after being given the chance to shine by Graham Potter, Nordfeldt's game time with the Swans rapidly decreased.

After three-and-a-half months without a first team appearance, Nordfeldt returned to action in the 4-1 FA Cup fifth round win over Brentford last weekend.

And he retained his place for the hefty defeat to the Owls in South Yorkshire.

In fairness, shoddy defending was to blame for the opening two goals, while you have to take your hat off to Steven Fletcher for scoring a spectacular third for the hosts.

However, Nordfeldt's distribution - particularly at times in the second half - was occasionally nervy.

And his performance didn't exactly fill the travelling members of the Jack Army with confidence.

Goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt

Addressing the goalkeeper's display against Sheffield Wednesday and on his decision to choose Nordfeldt over Mulder, Potter said: "I thought he did well against Brentford and he's got his qualities that we thought he could use in the game.

"He was fine during the game, obviously when you concede three it's disappointing but I thought his overall performance was one of courage and character."

The Swans have only 13 league games left to play this term while they also have the added bonus of an FA Cup quarter-final against Man City at the Liberty Stadium to look forward to.

But it seems strange that even at this stage of the season, Potter is still willing to chop and change his goalkeepers.

Does he have concerns over the pair? It remains to be seen.

Why Swansea's awful first half shouldn't be a major concern

After 42 minutes at Hillsborough, the outcome of the game was never in doubt.

To their credit, Swansea were far better in the second half and gave themselves a glimmer of hope as Wayne Routledge's shot was deflected into the back of Kieren Westwood's net.

But they did carve out openings in the first half too.

Daniel James and Oli McBurnie were both presented with opportunities by Bersant Celina with the score at 1-0 to the home side.

And there was never a case of heads dropping after Adam Reach's first goal.

Steven Fletcher of Sheffield Wednesday celebrates his goal

It typified the type of resilience shown by Swansea who have come from behind to win on five occasions in all competitions so far this term, with only Leeds United and Derby managing to do so more times than the Swans in the Championship this season.

Ultimately it was basic defensive errors that proved costly. And that's not something that's been said too often this term.

Swansea weren't being outplayed by Sheffield Wednesday in the first half. They were undone by their own mistakes.

The first half against Brentford in the FA Cup and the opening 45 minutes against Leeds at Elland Road should be far more concerning as the Swans were totally outplayed.

You hope the type of defensive mistakes made by the Swans at Hillsborough can be eradicated, because had the game remained 1-0 - or possibly even 2-0 - to Steve Bruce's side at the break rather than 3-0, you feel that Swansea would have had the capability of getting something from the game.

The official stats will tell you that Swansea dominated possession and that they had a total of 12 shots at goal, with six of those (one fewer than Sheffield Wednesday managed) being on target.

And while few would deny that Wednesday were worthy winners in the end, the result was largely the case of Swansea being the victims of their own downfall rather than the Owls being too hot to handle.

A problem emerges just as one was being rectified

Potter and assistant Billy Reid often spoke about the need to address the home form in the second half of the season when discussing Swansea's efforts after the Christmas period.

And since the turn of the year, Swansea have played five times at the Liberty Stadium.

Potter's troops have won four of those games, drawing the other against Birmingham two days before transfer deadline day.

But as their home fortunes have changed for the better, Swansea's form on the road has dramatically dipped.

The Swans remain without a league win away from home since they defeated Reading 4-1 at the Madejski Stadium on New Year's Day, with their last away triumph coming in the third round of the FA Cup against Aston Villa.

Ian Mitchelmore's verdict on Swansea City's defeat to Sheffield Wednesday

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Prior to the home win over Sheffield United last month, Swansea had claimed more league points (19) on the road than they had at home (18).

And following the 1-1 draw with Preston at Deepdale a week before the triumph against the Blades, Swansea have suffered consecutive away defeats to Bristol City, Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday.

Those three sides were all in top form when they were visited by Potter's side, so with the inexperience in Swansea's ranks, some leeway probably needs to be given.

But with the promotion chasing duo of Norwich City and West Brom being Swansea's next two opponents on the road, the away concerns could quickly become alarming unless the Swans spring a surprise at Carrow Road or the Hawthorns.

Do the Swans have a leader?

Given that so many experienced players have left Swansea in the last two transfer windows, it's understandable that consistency in terms of performances and results are somewhat difficult to come by.

But with so many members of Potter's squad having so little experience of playing at times where far more is at stake than usual, you feel that Swansea need some leaders to guide them through the tough moments.

Mike van der Hoorn has captained the side in the absence of regular skipper Leroy Fer, and the Dutchman admits there was a lack of fighting spirit from the Swans against the Owls.

“We have an idea of how to play but it is also about the fight and duels on the pitch. You need to want to have the ball and courage to beat your opponent," the Dutchman told the club's official website.

Mike van der Hoorn looks dejected during Swansea City's clash with Sheffield Wednesday

“I feel we missed some balls and fighting spirit in today’s game and that we were below our level.

“We were too nice today and sometimes there needs to be a switch that we flick where we turn into a team that wants to completely dominate your opponent on the pitch.

“We did not show that and we lacked a ruthless edge today."

The youngsters will only get better with time.

But the more senior figures must have a duty to take the heat off the young guns when the going gets tough on the pitch.