In The Programme - Scunthorpe

So we are back again and I suspect that we are not a happy bunch after the results of the last few weeks. The draw against Doncaster was followed up by sheer disappointment against Rochdale, Southend and lastly Macclesfield. I have to say that I wasn't at any of these three games but the joys of the internet put you close to being at them when you read the comments of those that have been there.

And the comments have not made for good reading. There has been much written about a lack of passion from the people doing the job for us on the pitch and that hurts, it will hurt most fans who have taken the time to read what I have written here. As fans we give our all to our football club. We give up Saturdays with the families, we give up time to travel long distances and more importantly we give some of our hard earned money to watch the team that we have chosen (or in many cases were born to) support. What do we want in return for that? We want a team that shows it is proud of the shirt that they play in. We want a team that gives everything that they have for the name of Swansea City Football Club. We'd like a little bit of success built into the bargain as part of all that but we have the intelligence to realise that success can't always happen (ask Man Utd!)

From what I have read over the past few weeks through my enforced absence from this football club tends to suggest that we haven't been given any of what we ask for. I have read that we have been second to many a loose ball, we have been bettered by sides that, no disrespect to them, should not be able to compete with us. We haven't looked the part and we certainly haven't looked the team that lit up this division back in August and September. Many have written that we haven't really looked a team that has improved from the side that went through the horrors of last season. They are all worrying comments and they hurt when you read them. They also make people angry. People who travelled to Macclesfield on a Tuesday night in the middle of March. Who settled for arriving back in Swansea in the early hours before going to give a days work. These people deserve better and there will be eleven people on the pitch this afternoon (in White) who can give that to them.

Our support is there. We pay our money every week to watch the Swans because we care so deeply about this club. We pay the wages of the people who we want to deliver a performance for us. We can accept being beaten but let's make the opposition work hard if they want the points and give us the belief that we are better than the league table suggests?

There are numerous rumours that circulate the internet over how many hours a week we train for matches and the fitness levels of the players. They are, at the end of the day, only rumours but if they had a fraction of truth in them then they are worrying. There are people reading this who work 50 hours a week for a fraction of what we pay our players. Is it any wonder that people get angry when they feel that the end product is sub standard? Surely the management and players can understand the feelings of the fans at this moment in time?

I am not here to criticise anyone as an individual. We are all in this together and I hope that we all want the same thing - to see Swansea City at a higher plane with the type of football that we enjoyed back late last summer? I don't know how many players will take the time to read this. If one of you does then please realise that you will be watched by several thousand people this afternoon who would give many things to swap places with you and have the ability to play in that white shirt. Make us proud and give us three points. Battle for the name of Swansea City. Please?

JACK ARMY!

Phil Sumbler (phil@sumbler.freeserve.co.uk)

You can keep up to date with the fans views on Swansea City by visiting www.jackarmy.net - Supporting the Swans, All Day, Every Day.

Why not check out the latest Vetch Verdict on the BBC site?

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