Away Days - Chesterfield
Away Days - Chesterfield |
The one solitary official coach left the Quadrant at 8am, on our way to Chesterfield for my 85th consecutive game (Sad, I think I need a life!). The talk was obviously about Leon Knight after Ugo told us that our top scorer was not in the squad for the game. It was all pure speculation at the time. What had he done etc, many wondering how we'd fare without him? We would find out in good time. We stopped off in a pub just outside Chesterfield, at around 12.30 and had a few orange juices before making our way to Saltergate; I noticed that there were no Under 16 prices today. So being the honest guy that I am I paid full price - They must have known I was going to be there!! The programme was a good re, 62 pages, 4 of them dedicated to the Swans, giving a brief history and a little write up on the fact that we were once managed by four people in the same season. As well as the usual profiles on the players. Saltergate is an old style ground, with not much development over the years, as far as I could tell. The away end was an old fashioned terrace with no cover - luckily it wasn't raining - the other sides of the ground aren't that much better. They do have planning permission for a new 11,000 seater stadium, about a mile away from their current ground, so obviously there's no point in them developing Saltergate. The other three sides of the ground all have cover, but they are very small stands; the pitch was in good condition so no need for Willy to worry about divots a la Paul Robinson. The Swans only took 271 fans, around 800+ less than last season and 1000 less than those who went to Forest, which is only 28 miles further. There was no roof on the away end so it was hard to create a loud atmosphere, the home fans weren't that much louder, only sang when they scored and a few chants of 'Spireites, spireites' The chant of the day being 'Willy, give us a smile' and he duly obliged. After a great away win the journey back seemed to go pretty quickly - strange that. A quick stop at the services, where some Bristol Rovers fans also decided to stop at - I wondered why there were tractors outside! That explained it. The Swans player's coach also passed us on the way back (how fast they must have been going to catch up with us I don't know!). Willy gave us a wave - shame he couldn't stick his hand up in the air to stop the Spireites's second goal though! Our bus (which worked this time) arrived back at Swansea at around 9.30, not too long to wait until the next game against Walsall in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy on Tuesday night. Ticket: £15 Coach: £16 Programme: £2.50 Current running total: £358 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 ? |