Bury Preview

Seven days ago the Swans faithful were preparing to say goodbye to the Vetch Field as we built up to the final league game against Shrewsbury. Tomorrow, around half the number of fans will ensure Gigg Lane is host to a sea of Jacks in what we hope will be the game that sees us say goodbye to League Two.

It's just over two years since we last prepared for a fixture of this magnitude. The result then could have been the same but the exit door was facing in the wrong direction. Then we managed to slam it shut but today we would hope that it remains very much open and closed behind us providing results go our way elsewhere.

The Swans travel North with one of their biggest travelling supports in 25 years. Over 5,000 tickets have been sold to Swans fans and as a result Bury have provided them with two sides of their ground as they prepare for their biggest gate of the season. Jacks will fill the South Stand and Manchester Road ends of Gigg Lane with Bury season ticket holders being moved for the occasion.

It was 1978 that the Swans last triumphed there but it was also 1978 that Wales last won the Grand Slam so is there an omen on our side? Add to that the death of a pope and Liverpool in the European Cup Final surely it's all pointing to success for the Swans? On 1981, Prince Charles got married, Liverpool were in the European Cup final and Swansea won promotion in Lancashire on the last day of the season. It's there, I tell you it is!

Memories of Preston in 81 have been spouted and the M6 heading North will be a sea of Black and White as both Swansea and West Brom travel north for two matches that could eventually see them separated by just one division at the end of the season.

Swansea head into the game in fourth place knowing that a win could see them end up as champions but also the same result could see them preparing for a play-off such is the closeness of the top four going into the last weekend. Leaders Yeovil could miss out if results go against them although they will start as clear favourites being the only side in the top four playing on their own pitch. One eye will be kept on the scoreboard at Bury which we are told will relay latest scores to us and one ear to the radio and mobile phones as the Swans await news from elsewhere that will have a part to play in their destiny. From the players perspective they have to concentrate on the job in hand on the pitch and I guess what will be will be elsewhere.

This is an unusual one for the Swans as nearly always we have found our destiny in our own hands but not tomorrow. It will be a nerve wracking 90 minutes for all at Gigg Lane and we have been promised a lap of honour at the end of the game should the fans stay off the pitch.

Swansea's only new doubt is Izzy Iriekpen who is suffering from flu - Kevin Austin stands by to return to the centre of defence which could end up with what many say is our strongest defensive line up. With Andy Robinson serving the second of a four match ban, Kevin McLeod seems certain to retain his place in the starting line up. Kenny Jackett has promised to throw everything at Bury which could mean three up front although Lee Thorpe is more likely to start on the bench.

The home side are one of the form teams in the division but they will be without John Newby, Chris Porter and Lee Unsworth all through injury. Colin Woodthorpe came through last week's win with no reaction and will start the game.

So What Can Happen

Yeovil will be promoted if they get at least a point from their fixture against Lincoln. With Lincoln's place in the play offs secured due to a superior goal difference, you wouldn't bet against this happening.

Scunthorpe will go up if they win at Shrewsbury. After a good run of form, they will start as favourites to get that win. In all likelihood they will also be promoted if they get a point barring both Swansea and Southend winning by huge landslides. Anything other than a win for Swansea and Southend will see Scunny promoted irrespective of their own result.

Southend will go up if they win by the same margin as Swansea or if Scunthorpe are beaten at Shrewsbury. If Southend get a point and Swansea do as well then it is promotion for the Shrimpers. With a one goal better goal better goal difference than the Swans, they start as marginal favourites to finish ahead of us. Any result better than ours will seal their promotion.

Swansea will go up if they win and Southend fail to do so. Similarly if Swans and Southend win and Scunny lose, then the Swans are up. A better result than Southend anyway will see us promoted. An unlikely occurrence but if we lose but Southend lose by 2 more goals than us we are promoted on a better goal difference.

Plenty of permutations for us to work on but the basics are the Swans should be looking to win and hoping that results elsewhere mean that it is good enough for us.

Will we do it? My heart seriously wants to predict a Swans win tomorrow but my head is saying we will get a point. I do however feel that the point I have predicted will be good enough as Southend lose at Grimsby. 1st, 2nd or 3rd I don't really care providing we are promoted come 5pm tomorrow evening.

LETS MAKE SOME NOISE!

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Predictions So Far - 21:45 MAY 06