Birtles Backs Swansea For Final Success
Garry Birtles Predicts Cracking Final |
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Sky Sports pundit Garry Birtles has predicted a great final tomorrow with Swansea and Barnsley both teams that "Like to play the game in the right manner and have players who are full of pace and will have a go" Birtles added "They are high tempo teams who will be able to keep going for the whole 90 minutes so it's tough to pick between them. Martin Devaney at Barnsley is a flying machine and could cause problems if they get the ball to him. But Swansea have Leon Britton and Andy Robinson on the wings and they are both attack minded. "I think if I had to choose a winner, it would just be Swansea as they have got the edge up front. But don't write off Barnsley. They beat Huddersfield in the semi-final and will be full of confidence and have nothing to fear." In the interview, which appeared in the Football League newsletter, both managers also looked forward to the game. Kenny Jackett said "You think about tactics when you go to bed at night. I've spent a lot of time looking at Barnsley. "I've just watched the videos of both our games against them this season and I watched the two semi-final games when we put out Brentford. "I'm trying to come up with a game plan off the back of all that. To be honest, planning and preparation is the best part of the game. Leon scored two great goals in the semi final so we will be hoping for more of the same. But it won't be easy. hey will have a game plan and we need to master that." Opposite number Andy Ritchie conceded that maybe Swansea have a slight edge when he said "They have a little bit of an advantage having already played there. They will have more fans than is because it is so close for them so it will be more like a home match. We know all about their forwards. With the likes of Lee Trundle on their bench it shows the firepower they have in their squad. "We had two close games in the League and we know we cannot afford to give them an inch. We can get goals through the likes of Daniel Nardiello and Martin Devaney. Both Kenny and I know our teams are capable of beating each other so it is going to come down to who can handle the occasion the best." What to read next: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. He was a revelation for the Swans for the few games he played this season, and now it emerges Sam Parker has ‘turned down’ a new Swansea City contract. News is thin on the ground, and some of it just incorrect as he looks to involve his representatives in some further negotiations. Plus his current contract runs for two more years. There were some worrying moments for the Swans yesterday, on three occasions mistakes from playing out from the back nearly saw the home side score. And is there now a case for Jamal Lowe to be offered a contract at Swansea ? |