The Swans boss was pleased by the impact of his bench in the draw with WatfordSwansea City manager Alan Sheehan shows his emotions on the touchline.(Image: Huw Evans)

Swansea City boss Alan Sheehan says the impact of his substitutes was the key factor in turning the tide in Saturday’s 1-1 with Watford at the Swansea.com Stadium.

The Swans looked to be heading for a second defeat of the season after Nestory Irankunda’s first-half free-kick had put the visitors in front, but battled their way back into the game, ultimately claiming a point courtesy of Zan Vipotnik’s first goal of the season.

After coming off the bench on the opening day against Middlesbrough, the Slovenian wasn’t involved at all during the win over Sheffield United last weekend, and his long-term future at the club has come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks, particularly in light of the club’s search for a new striker. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here

But while it appears that Liam Cullen is currently ahead of the former Bordeaux man in the pecking order, Sheehan was nevertheless left pleased by Vipotnik’s contribution against the Hornets.

“He has had a bitty pre-season,” he said. “I stuck with the same team. But we want for our game-changers is to come on and impact the game and he did.

“He scored the goal – he scored one of them in training yesterday so it gives you that feeling.

“It was a good ball in and they are the ones we have potentially not been getting on the end of enough in the last couple of games. He got on the end of it and nearly got on the end of another.

“I think with the tempo we play at, the minute you feel a little drop-off or something needs to change… obviously you plan before the game.

“But Vipi came on and he was hungry to make a difference and I am happy about that.”

It’s understood Vipotnik is attracting some interest from abroad ahead of the final week of the transfer window, and should the Swans land the quality number nine they’ve been looking for this summer, there is a chance City might be willing to listen to offers.

However, Sheehan says he was impressed by the enthusiasm of his current number nine.

“We’re talking about Vipi like he’s never played here before,” he added. “He’s played, I think 13 games last year, so everybody’s had an opportunity to see what’s needed to play in this team.

“If you train hard, and if you play hard and you’re fit at the right time, you get opportunities.”

Meanwhile, Sheehan has revealed he met up with Snoop Dogg’s son Cordell Broadus, who was in attendance for the game, and came bearing gifts for the Swans boss. Sign up to the Swansea City WhatsApp service to get breaking news and top stories sent to your phone.

“He got me some nice hoodies and that,” he said. “I think there’s a new commercial thing. They’re nice hoodies.

“I like black hoodies. I don’t know if you knew that.

“It looks nice. I might give it a run out against Plymouth and then see.

“I do really like hoodies and sometimes it’s really difficult to know whether to wear a T-shirt or a hoody.

“So to have those options now is wonderful,” he joked.