Swans v Stevenage - Match Preview

After the demolition of higher division Rushden and Diamonds in Round One, it's lower division opposition this time around but no means an easier game as we entertain Conference Outfit Stevenage at the Vetch on Saturday.

Kris O'Leary will return to the side in place of Alan Tate in possibly the only change that Brian Flynn will make for the game although James Thomas, after his double for the reserves in midweek, must come under some consideration to partner Lee Trundle up front. With this being Trundle's last game before starting a three match ban don't bet against him signing off with a goal to remember him by for the next few weeks.

Stevenage have shouted their mouth off a little this week with the comments of their manager but Brian Flynn has remained tight lipped in response - no doubt hoping that his side's football will do more than enough talking for him on the pitch.

Westley has spent most of the week believing that his side are taking the game more seriously than the Swans although chairman Huw Jenkins did say earlier in the week that this is our biggest game of the season so far. Westley claims that his whole club are alive with the prospect of this game although he has just been blessed with the curse of being named the Conference Manager of the Month for November.

Stevenage have central midfielder Peter Costello returning to training after injury but Gary Holloway has been forced to miss training so far this week. Skipper Steve Watson returns after suspension, whilst Tony Battersby is rated at only 50/50 to be available for the game.

They will be backed by a travelling support of around 500, five official coaches have been filled and more are expected to take other modes of transport down from Hertfordshire. Despite his comments, Westley is not under estimating the task that faces his side. Speaking on the official Stevenage web-site he commented today "As I've said before,their thinking is understandable; they have a great history (I was a big Toshack fan and I loved what he did at Swansea; the Swansea rise was a dream story); they are the third best supported team in Div 3 and a passionately supported team at that; they have aproven Manager and some excellent players; on the whole their form has been decent; and taking the last 7 games aside, their home form has been very good. These are lots ofpositive things. So you can see why they think what they do. It is our job to work out how to overcome all this. And obviously, we have been working hard to do just that. It isn't straightforward. Planning this match has beenvery tough; I've had to put more into this match plan than into any other this season, including Stockport."

Whatever happens tomorrow, I just get the feeling that we are in for a cracking 90 minutes of football and although we will start at odds on favourites for the game, it could in reality be a little closer to call than that. I can't see the Swans losing tomorrow but I just hope that it is their name in the hat come 5pm tomorrow and not an either/or situation.

And let's not forget that a win tomorrow sees us just five more wins from the final!!

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