In The Programme - Oxford United
In The Programme - Cambridge United |
Hold onto your seats folks, it's going to be a roller coaster finish but be honest - did you really expect any different? After five games unbeaten and three consecutive wins, it was a last minute cruel goal at Lincoln last Saturday that robbed us of what was looking like a well deserved point. With wins for Scunthorpe and Yeovil on the day, it was doubly painful and as we go into this game we are back outside the automatic places with just four to play. The good news (with respect to all teams) is that on paper we have arguably the easiest run in but as this division has proved all season anybody can beat anybody. I know that is a cliché but it is true and has proved itself several times already this season. I'm sure that we won't do it but we have to ensure we don't under estimate anybody that we are facing and do the job that we need to do. The big question is will the 80 points that have long since been set as a target be enough? For most of the season I have believed it would be more than enough. As everyone struggled to string together a real run of results it looked as if 78 may be nearer the mark. Now as we come down to the crunch I wonder if it will be. But I will stick my neck out here and say that if we win three of our remaining four games then we will go up automatically. Yeovil still have to play Southend which means points dropped for one or both of those teams and with Scunthorpe up against both Cambridge and Rushden then that promises to be two massively tough games. So will we get those three wins. Well to start with we have to be aiming to win both the games here at the Vetch which gives us two of them and then it is perm any one of Bristol Rovers or Bury. With big support at both games we know we are more than capable of doing that and if I were to stick that neck out even further then I will say we will do it at Bury no matter how romantic the notion of clinching promotion here on April 30 sounds. One thing I do know is that I don't want the play offs. No matter how much winning them can bring to the club financially, the scars of that last minute defeat at Wembley in 1997 are still there and I don't think I could take defeat in them too lightly any more. But hopefully that won't happen so it's a plea to Kenny and the boys get us through automatically and we'll celebrate here in the FAW Final if we can't do it by April 30! Last weekend saw Jacks making two trips on the road. Whilst 600 travelled to Lincoln on Saturday, there was a fair representation in Cardiff supporting Wrexham in the LDV Final which of course they won in extra time. Now that could of course be good news for us in that it disrupts the unbeaten run of Southend but it is also an incredible achievement for our North Walian cousins. A 10 point deduction. Non payment of wages, constant worries over their ground and their future have all been played out this season at the Racecourse but to win through at the Mill Stad in front of close on 40,000 people was a joy to watch. The finances will come in very handy up there of course but it does show what a spirit of togetherness they have within their camp and well done to them. We have been through similar woes to Wrexham and we can only hope that there is better days around the corner for both clubs - an announcement of a £100k+ profit here proves that those days are becoming closer and closer. I would like to end this week with a well done for Kenny Jackett. Many on the internet have written James Thomas off over the past two seasons with his injury problems but Kenny has said that he will have a look at him pre-season now we have (hopefully) identified the problem. I sincerely hope that Thommo does prove his fitness and gets a chance in the squad - maybe it's a romantic notion again but there is nothing that would please me more than seeing him banging the goals in again. Of course if it doesn't happen then so be it but let's never forget that hat-trick on that magical day in May 2003 whatever happens? And so I sign off for the last but one league game at the Vetch - let's help them along and do it for the lads - BE LOUD, BE PROUD, BE SWANSEA! You can keep updated on the views of the fans by visiting www.jackarmy.net - Supporting the Swans, All Day, Every Day What to read next:Glyn is back with his favourite stats as we build up to the last game of the season. That comes in the form of Millwall who it seems are close to selling their requested 1,148 allocation, so its down to the Jack Army to do their bit this bank holiday weekend. Swansea City bring this season to a close on Saturday with a home game against Millwall. However, what about those bygone days when footballers had no choice but to go down the pit after their career ended, or open a toy shop, pub or retrain ? That thought would petrify todays modern footballer. We have been told by numerous Swansea fans of a chance meeting in a service station between Jamal Lowe and those returning from Norwich yesterday. Nothing in that or indeed the conversation they had yesterday. Indeed there has to be some interpretation from what we know already on Jamal Lowe. It was a pulsating game to watch and very much one of my favourite away games of the season. The Swans looked an entirely different side to that we saw at Middlesbrough when it is clear a catalyst for commitment was agreed behind the scenes at Swansea City. To a man every player grafted and wore the shirt with pride. To see the players really acknowledge the Swans support at Carrow Road this afternoon was emotional. Norwich City 2 - 2 Swansea City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report. The Swans are on the Norfolk Broads, punting and boating their way to the end of the season. Hopefully the city of Norwich is obliging. Swansea City have set out on their second long distance away trip in two weekends, this time to Norwich for todays clash between the Swans and Canaries (3pm) Over the last ten meetings between the clubs Swansea City have won five times, Norwich the same. As a result of the news reported by Sky on Wednesday that five military horses had escaped and ran through central London, a Cardiff City follower thought it wise to relate the incident to the death of Swansea fan Terry Coles, 42. Liam Cullen has had his request for a new contract dismissed by Swansea City after discussions broke down last week. The lowest paid ‘senior’ player at the club ( he is twenty five) asked for a better contract increasing his £3,500 a week to around £7,000 a week over three years. Thanks to Gwyn we have a thorough assessment of this weeks officials who will take charge at Carrow Road this Saturday at 3pm. Norwich City will be keen to get the points to guarantee their play off slot, and Saturday is their first go. |