It's Nearly All Positive

I have seen posted on a couple of Bury sites comments that we were lucky and that they didn't play well and maybe to a degree they have a point but let's have a look at a few things.

We scored four goals. None of them gifted to us by defensive mistakes. Maylett's second could be classed as lucky with the deflection but that is football and these things happen. I will guarantee you now that over the next 45 games we will have a 'lucky deflection' goal go against us so what does it matter. Yes, Bury made mistakes but we capitalised on them - something that we haven't always been capable of doing. This is a huge bonus as far as I am concerned and something we have watched other teams do to us before with some envy. If we can punish teams that make mistakes constantly then we will gain a lot of points over the course of the season.

I also take a lot of heart from the conditions yesterday. The heat was unbearable and I can only imagine what it was like to play in. Sitting in it was uncomfortable enough so I don't believe that we actually saw the best of our team yesterday. Again, how positive is that when you consider that we won by two clear goals playing what wasn't our 'A' game? It makes you shudder when you think what we are really capable of.

You can then highlight some individual performances. Maylett is the obvious one and this was by far his best game for the Swans and he will become a nightmare for opposition defences this season if he carries that on. Thomas and Trundle were nowhere near at the top of their game today but Trundle started to shine in the second half and these two have goals written all over them. Britton outstanding again and unlucky not to open his goal account - this is now surely only a matter of time. Martinez controlled the midfield but I know he can play better than he did yesterday - another frightening thought. O'Leary and Johnrose did well in the centre of defence as did Hylton and Jones in the full back role. And Murphy got stronger as the game went on after giving them their equaliser in the first half. All positives and I honestly believe that this again can only get better.

Then there was you, the fans. Awesome is the only words to describe it. This was the Vetch as it should be. Nine thousand people behind their team and making themselves heard. I stood on the North Bank for twenty years plus watching the Swans and now I sit in the centre stand I get a full appreciation of what the bank looks like to the players. When it sings in harmony there isn't many a sight like it. And many many pro-Swansea songs on the day - the way it should be. Who cares about the clue lot up the road - this is our team, in our ground and our fans - keep that part up! And of course keep coming back. Performances like yesterday will help that but keep these people coming back and the club is almost guaranteed to succeed. 23 home league games - if we can average 7500+ attendance then we will pick up 50 points at home I am convinced of it.

Of course there are a few negative comments and there always will be. What is important with any negative comment is that it is taken constructively and we learn from it. Some of it cannot be controlled but some of it can. There have been comments made about the refreshments yesterday. And it was poor in stages. We didn't seem equipped to handle the crowd we had asked for. Four people selling programmes before kick off was replaced by one selling drinks at half time. The west terrace I read sold out early on. I take yesterday as an exception - I have lived in and around Swansea most of my life and it's not usually that hot!!! But if we want the people to keep coming back then they need the service - off the pitch as well as on it. Not something for the board to take personally, or to get defensive about but one that they need to think about in the future.

I was also disappointed yesterday to take my usual walk out of the ground - behind the goal at the East Stand and through the gate in the East corner of the NB. Halfway across I was told "can't go this way there is no exit" The big gate in the corner of the ground suggested otherwise but we turned without argument - yesterday was too hot to argue over anything. But again the 20 or so people that had already taken that walk were clearly okay but for some reason power overcame the person on this occasion. Still, searing heat and a seven and a half month pregnant woman leaving in a big crowd - health and safety concious I am sure. Again, nothing to be taken personally and in the big scheme of things it's a little gripe.

I also hear one story of the club shop yesterday and rude/poor service but again just something to learn from along with the others. And not to take away from the great things that were happening on the pitch.

This club has come along way in eighteen months of the current ownership. In some places we are spot on, in others we have a way to go still but huge respect to them for what they have achieved and what the club is doing.

Nearly everything was positive from yesterday and if we can learn from the few negatives then we will become an even better club than we are now. I urge the board to take on board what their customers are saying (the customer is always right?) and not to get defensive over it.

And for once, I honestly can find nothing negative about the team performance and that, to me is the main thing.

JACK ARMY!

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