Durkan Makes 19

And Durkan Makes 19

It has long been said that Flynn wants to operate with a squad of 20 which will then give him options to bring in loan players when they are needed as well as the ability, if fans support the club, to strenghten the squad as the season goes on.

And, to be honest, with every look at the squad page, you tend to think that we are looking at the moment at 19 players who are more than capable of getting the club out of the third division this season.

Durkan may have been a player who has had his merits debated around the message board this summer, but Flynn clearly believes that he can offer something to the squad and his crossing ability has been commented on many a time. This is something that Swansea have lacked in recent seasons and with the likes of James Thomas, Lee Trundle and Kevin Nugent up front, a ball coming in from the by-line is something that is desperately needed and can now be provided by Durkan, Maylett and Karl Connolly amongst others.

Speaking to the South Wales Evening Post tonight, Durkan said "I'm desperate to get myself into the side as much as possible, And if I don't get in straightaway, I'll be pushing the lads who are in before me. There's a good feeling in the squad about what's ahead and I'm delighted to be part of it. Obviously we're looking for a much better season than last year - and the signs are good. There are some high-quality players here now so hopefully we can get off to the perfect start against Bury on Saturday."

Personally I think that Durkan will have to make do with a place on the bench for the opening game and will need to look to dislodge either Brad Maylett or Karl Connolly in the starting line-up. The side for Saturday now appears to almost pick itself after the successful pre-season with the only two question marks seemingly over the choice of goalkeeper and who will partner Kristian O'Leary in the centre of defence. I still expect Roger to get the nod ahead of Brian Murphy due mainly to his experience and Lenny Johnrose seems the man likely to line up in the centre of defence although Flynn may yet turn to either Stuart Jones or Leon Hylton to take this role.

Meanwhile despite increasing speculation, Brian Flynn has confirmed that Andrew Mumford has no option available to himself. Fans were starting to believe that Flynn may turn to Mumford to assist in his central defensive problems but he today told the Evening Post that there was no way back for him. It appears here that whatever the differences between Brian Flynn and Andrew Mumford they are not recoverable and we have definitely seen the last of Mumford in a Swansea shirt. I would also hazard a guess that due to the lack of interest in the player this summer that his football career is more likely to resume in the Welsh Leagues providing he can find a club.

A former Swan on the move today though is John Williams who has joined Kidderminster on a three month deal. Harriers manager Ian Britton said "John has done very well in training since he came here and put in some decent performances in the games he has played in. John is a good person to have around the place. He just wants to get out there and play football. "It was possible he would have earned himself a longer contract had he not have got injured against Leicester. However I have decided to give him three months to get himself properly fit and try and earn himself an extended deal." Williams will be pencilling the date of October 18 for a return to the Vetch.

With now just over 48 hours to go until the new season, football fever is picking up amongst Swans fans again and with the final cleaning of the seats and brushing of the terraces tomorrow, three months of planning is close to being put to the test as, at long last, the football season is back upon us.

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