Boxing day has seen some big games at the Vetch over the years, and they don't come much bigger than this Thursday's clash with Bristol Rovers. The fact that we're playing a vital relegation 6 pointer with half the season still to go shows just how desperate a situation the club is now in. Brian Flynn will be hoping to make a few changes from the side which seemingly lost it's way in the second half against Orient, and the return of Marc Richards to the squad will certainly give Flynn more attacking options. Another big boost could be the return of Jason Smith, Smudger will face a late fitness test on Thursday morning after making a much quicker recovery from his ankle injury than was hoped. Youngster Stuart Jones is also added to the squad and could well replace David Theobald in the starting eleven. Bristol manager Ray Graydon will be hoping that his Rovers side can halt a run which has seen them lose eight consecutive League games. In fact, Rovers haven't won a league game since October 12th. Graydon is expected to field the same side which lost at Cambridge last weekend. Nothing less than three points will do on Thursday, in what is the most important game of the season so far. A win could help us climb out of the dreaded bottom two, where as defeat could see us staring the conference in the face. Even though there are still a lot of points to play for, in my opinion, defeat on Boxing day will see us playing conference football in 2003/04. Enjoy your turkey on Christmas day and let's just hope that we give Rovers a "stuffing" the day after!!! Teams and Form Guides
Swansea v Bristol Rovers - Match Stats
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