Flynn Downes comments on the Swansea City official site reminded me of an article I read around 1977 as a very young swans fan. Back then it was Jeremy Charles saying exactly the same thing as Downes ( referencing the first division of course ) Charles then was a young player making his mark at the swans, and I’m pretty certain it was one of those yearly annuals he made those comments in. And the swans were in the fourth division !

They both want first team football with Swansea City in the top flight.

However, and somewhat timely today Flynn Downes has maturely responded to the rumours of his leaving the swans in the summer stating his personal objectives for the future. “But next year, when we have had more time, I can see us going into every game and being fully confident that we are going to win every game. You have got to aim high, haven’t you?”

Of course Flynn isn’t going to say, ‘Oh I’m not sure I might not be here next season’ And talk is cheap in football, but we have to take Downes on face value. Especially when he says “I am happy and hopefully (I can achieve my goal of playing in the Premier League here). I really do believe that, it’s not just me coming in here and saying it. I really do believe we will.”

Swans fans have to take notice of this too, sometimes giving the best players at the club better contracts to retain their services is as good as any new signing. Players like Flynn and Joel Piroe should be next in the firing line for new deals. Jamie Paterson we understand has had an indication his offer will come very shortly. With Kyle Naughton also contracted for another year last week, he is having his best season for years. The swans really do have the nucleus of a promising team. The improvements in Joel Latibeudiere are more than evident as well, it takes time and it’s a pleasure to see players developing.

Flynn agrees, “It’s a year of transition and I think in the last few games you can see it is really starting to kick in,” he said. The boys are putting in really good performances so that’s exciting for next year. I can’t thank the gaffer enough. He put a lot of trust in me and believed in me and that’s why I go out there and try to perform, to prove that I can do it. I think next year is looking really, really promising. I am more than excited. From what we have done this year, if you just give us a bit more time and we have a full pre-season together, I think it could be scary. I am really happy here, I have just bought a house down here and am getting settled. It was a bit stressful, but we got there in the end ! But, there is more to life than money, I am loving my football down here. I love everything about this place, the coaches, the players, the staff, the area”

As we have said it’s a timely interview, Russell Martin is playing his role in all this as well, certain people will see exactly what he is doing after his interview on Flynn the other day. The swans go in to their next home game on Saturday against Middlesbrough. It’s a 3pm kick off at the Swansea.com with Middlesbrough again being in the same situation as Barnsley and Reading recently. That is they really have to win the game as they try and put a dent in matters, and try and get in to the play offs.

Boro haven’t scored for four games after trouncing Peterborough United away 4-0 at the start of the month. That in itself will inspire the away team to get amongst the goals on Saturday. A big away support will follow their team this weekend as well. With four games to go, and three of those at home the target of seventy points is still very much achievable and the swans have far more chance of doing that with Flynn Downes orchestrating matters in midfield.

Photographs licensed from Reuters

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