And so with twelve games left, we come to the real business end of the season. Whilst the points on the board gained so far have placed us firmly in the top six it is the remaining twelve games that will decide whether we celebrate promotion on May 6, the lottery of the play offs or stand amongst the League One also rans. And all three are distinct possibilities at this moment in time.
When Sky TV announced that they were going to cover live this Friday's game from White Rock, it was expected that it would almost be a championship decider. At the time, the Swans and Huddersfield looked like the class acts in the division and no doubt people expected at the time to see them pull away.
Since the announcement though, both sides have stuttered through their fixtures and now lie 3rd and 4th respectively, looking up at those that are pulling away and nervously down at the likes of Brentford and their games in hand column. But for both sides nothing is lost and with the Swans and Huddersfield being just 6 and 4 points off the top respectively then there is still plenty to play for. 36 points to be exact.
I an hear people now saying that we aren't playing well enough, we can't turn it around. We don't have the players. We don't have a chance. Any negative statement you choose. Or reality statements as some prefer to refer to them as. That's fine. You may prove to have been right at the end of the season but for now, we have to be backing the team. We have to be behind them for twelve games. Maybe fourteen or fifteen if the results go against us.
It is hard to see us turning form around and winning what may have to be 8 or 9 games from the 12 but that at the moment isn't the point. We are fans and for 90 minutes during games, we need to be behind the side. Not sniping from the sidelines, or in the case of Friday night the pub but behind the side.
A quick look at the fixtures see that Southend, Huddersfield and Brentford still have to come here and face us. Three massive games and ones where the extra mile is needed from everyone. From the management right through the coaching staff, the players and the fans we all need to be united and giving that little bit extra for the cause. If it fails then let it fail with the thought "at least we gave it all we had" rather than the thought train of "if only we had done the extra little bit"
I have heard people say that they won't bother on Friday night as it's on the television. Maybe understandable for those that live away from Swansea but from here in the city, what a pile of crap. Sorry, but it is. You are needed inside the ground on Friday, not in the pub. The pub will be open before and after the game, but for 90 minutes you are needed inside the ground. Every effort helps. A wall of noise. We know it lifts the side so lets create it. Now I can hear the "yeah but the stewards don't let us" The stewards were very heavy on seating at Scunny on Saturday but there was plenty of noise there. It can be done. We need it to happen. We need to do all we can do.
It seems that every season at the same stage we hear the same rallying cry. Three years ago, it was to preserve league status, two years to try and get back into the play off hunt and last year to get promotion. Two of them worked, one didn't. C'est la vie, let's make it 3-1 for success rather than 2 each?
This is our best chance of promotion to the second tier in over 20 years. We are within touching distance of the automatic places as March looms. For one last effort lets unite together and see if we can achieve that goal. And if it fails then it won't be through a lack of effort.
What do you think? Can we do it? Cast your vote in the poll here and share your comments below.
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