SWANSEA V NORTHAMPTON

It's finally here! After 13 weeks of waiting, 13 weeks of boredom, 13 weeks without football (except for the obligitory England penalty shootout defeat) 13 weeks of anticipation and now it's time for the action to begin. The 2004/05 Coca-Cola League 2 season is about to get underway.

There's nothing quite like the first day of a new season and Saturday will be no different. The sun will shine and the pubs will be full to bursting as we all soak up the atmosphere that only the first day of the season can provide. It's also the day that we renew our friendships with "terrace friends" who we haven't seen for the last 3 months and share our views on how the new season will pan out.

Saturday will give most of us our first glimpse at the fruits of Kenny Jackett's summer rebuilding job, and the Swans boss is likely to give at least five of his players their home debuts, Forbes, Fisken, Monk, Ricketts and Gueret. By 4.45pm on Saturday afternoon we should all have a better idea of whether Jackett has got the mix right and whether the usual pre-season optimism has been misplaced or not.

Although a win does not give an indication of how the season will progress, one swallow does not make a summer after all, at least we'll have an idea of where we stand in the great scheme of things by the end of the weekend. The fact that we take on Northampton (many bookies promotion favourites) should give us a pretty good indication of the strength of Jackett's new team.

So here we go again, only a matter of hours away from the rollercoaster ride that is another season in the history of Swansea City Football Club. But as well as all the anticipation and excitement, for me tomorrow will be tinged with a little sadness, as it will be the last time we start a new season at the Vetch. Let's hope we can give the old girl a rousing send off over the next 9 months.

WHO ARE WE?................................JACKARMY!!!

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