Kris O'Leary Receives PFA Award
O'Leary Receives His Award |
It has been a great start to the season for both Swansea and Kris O'Leary. The one-time centre-half has been a rock in the heart of Swansea's midfield and is enjoying a new lease of life under Kenny Jackett. The 27-year-old Neath-born player has amassed nearly 250 games for the Swans during his career. He is also the sole remaining member of the Championship winning team of 2000 that this current squad is trying to emulate. They are making a pretty good fist of it as they are lying in second place, two points adrift of Scunthorpe with a game in hand. O'Leary's renaissance in a central midfield role has been recognised by the Swansea faithful and they voted him as the PFA Fans' Player of the Month winner for September. Ian Clarkson spoke to O'Leary exclusively about what winning the award meant to him. But first, a few words from the fan winner - Gavin Morgan. He said: "O'Leary has had a lot of stick from sections of his own fans over the years while playing in defence for the Swansea. But since Kenny Jackett took over he has been playing O'Leary in a defensive midfield position, which seems to suit him. "So far this season he has been consistently performing which has also coincided with the Swans march up the league." Now over to the man himself… Q. HOW DOES IT FEEL TO WIN THIS AWARD? A. It is a great honour and it is nice to be recognised by your fans. It is an extra special award because it is voted for by the supporters. It is a nice to know that they appreciate what I have done. I still don't know whether I am a fans favourite or not though! Q. HAVE YOU BEEN PLEASED WITH YOUR OWN FORM? A. I have been very pleased with my own form and I have had to adapt to a change of position as well. Normally I am a centre half but the manager has been playing me in a central midfield role and I am really enjoying it there. Q. AND THE TEAM'S FORM HAS BEEN GOOD AS WELL HASN'T IT? A. We are going well so far, but there is a long, long way to go yet. I think the manager is looking to make a couple of new signings and that can only strengthen us further. SOURCE: PFA WEB SITE What to read next:Against Stoke City Russell martin selected a side that was very much a second string line up, with the play offs looming should the manager repeat this for the trip to take on Leeds on Saturday. A big big game for just Leeds now, although by Saturday the odds on them going up automatically might have changed slightly so here is all the info for those travelling Saints fans who are still going, The hope of getting back into the Premier League automatically has long gone, but the season is not yet over and we now have a good chance of getting to Wembley and going up through the play offs, here we look at who we could meet. This should have been a celebratory day for Saints fans, there should have been a feeling of positivity, but the truth is that the fight has been knocked out of the supporter base and we go into the play offs with confidence both on and off the pitch at a low ebb. Southampton 0 - 1 Stoke City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report. In the second part of our pictorial look back at some of our games against Stoke City from the past, here we look back at more recent games, so most of you would have been at them. We have looked through our photo archives for a look back as some games against Stoke City over the years, what are your memories of these games ? Saints go into the last two games of the season with their hopes of automatic promotion ended, even the hope of finishing 3rd is only a point away from being ended, but they do have something to play for and that is getting back the togetherness, character & fight Russell Martin has recently be moaned. Not my words, but those of Southampton manager Russell Martin, who should ask himself the question why two months ago we had all those attributes and now we don't ! The big question is how can a side that was so tight at the back, so clinical up front and who could pass the ball around almost with their eyes closed, become the disorganised rabble that they were at the Leicester City this evening. |