It’s match day again, when you play on a Wednesday they really come round quickly. After today v Portsmouth at the Swansea.com (3pm) the Swans will have a week off … before travelling to Luton for a game next Saturday.

We are extremely indebted to our writers on the Indy, Liam Walters who goes above and beyond, now on his last year at Uni he is putting in the miles from his home in the midlands to ensure we get our match day reports rounded off nicely. Today he is a ‘guest’ in the Swans media area via his University to fulfil one of his components for his course. However, he has deservedly been granted hospitality at the grounds he has been to this season. The normal fayre, as have most media areas. Derby he believes are up there plus West Bromwich Albion. To get him to games, arrange media passes, and costs does reach into our budget but we think it is justified due to the views, yes, Liam is well worth it.

We also have Trystan Bending, an excellent piece coming from him tomorrow, and of course Andrew Winfield, guys we cannot thank you enough. There is a chance we may have another recruit, Lewis Martin, but his exam results next year will determine his immediate future in journalism. For now he’s learning a few ropes, and we again thank him and his father for their assistance. And where else would we go if it were not for Gwyn Davies, our resident stat man and a bloody nice bloke.

⚽️ Gwyn Stato hits the right notes. @GwynStato on X

WILL FINNIE (Referee): Has been 4th Official once at the Stadium

JONATHAN HUNT (Assistant): Has been an Assistant 7 times at the Stadium

BHUPINDER SINGH GILL (Assistant) : Has been an Assistant twice and 4th official once.

DAVID ROCK (4th official): Has Referee’d once & 4th Official once at the Stadium.

⚽️ The Swans have an okay record against Pompey both at the Vetch Field and the Swansea.com.

PLAYED: 15
WON: 4 DRAWN: 8 LOST: 3
FOR: 16 AGAINST: 12

Quite a lot of draws there. Remember a lot of those games were when the Swans weren’t on their uppers.

The Swans and Pompey haven’t met in thirteen and a half years, the last meeting in April 2011 ending 0-0 at Fratton Park. That same season the Swans went down 2-1 at the Liberty. Those two games bar the FA Cup win at Fratton Park in January 2009 were the only ties since the 1983/84 season. Back then the away game in May1984 can be described as ‘fun and games’ as both sets of fans clashed before and after the game. That game was the catalyst for more trouble between the fans early the next season, but in a very odd way. In the November of the same year Swansea City were drawn at home to Bognor Regis in the FA Cup first round. As you can imagine cup fever swept Swansea at the thought of such a delicious tie. The city was hardly expecting hundreds of Portsmouth hooligans looking for revenge to attend the game at the Vetch which ended 1-1. The replay, possibly Bognor’s greatest night in their history, they beat the Swans 3-1. A nineteen year old Dean Saunders played for the Swans that night. He recalls only too well that they couldn’t get in the portacabin dressing room when the game finished. The door was locked. That left them to face an army of Swansea fans literally looking for blood. And the team was their focus. Dean describes it as his worst night ever in professional football.

There is still a 6.57am train out of Portsmouth (Hilsea) to Liverpool Street, London. The time of the train will resonate with some. In the FA Cup, 2009 the Swans triumphed in a great game again at Fratton Park with old Southampton favourite, Nathan Dyer (centre below) getting the treatment from the locals. Waving handbags at him. He rewarded them with the second goal of the game and victory for the Swans.

Portsmouth were FA Cup holders at the time. They beat er … Oh hang on who was it, in the final ?

A look at the team that day brings back a few memories. And yes, fifteen years ago.

Anyway less of all that, should be warmish this afternoon with temperatures around 13c sunny spells, clouds and a chance of rain. With a sold out away support it is certain the Jack Army will be there again to cheers on the Swans.

Check out our latest news below.

⚽️ Williams reveals a few secrets

⚽️ Pre match on the Indy

Team news later.

Have a safe afternoon and shout for the Swans !

Photograph Swansea City AFC, 2009 with permission Dimitris Legakis. Artwork Lewis Martin

Swansea City Polls