Which brings me up to date and the awful goalless draw against table-topping Oxford. When did we last witness such a boring, drab game of football? As was mentioned by several observers, it took us all back to the season we were promoted under 'honest' John Hollins – no flair but very tight at the back, with very few goals. It was like playing against eleven crack SAS troops, so well drilled were Ian Atkins' side. Their physical style totally stifled our fluent passing game and it was unfortunately the spectators who suffered the most. Highlight of the evening was the deserved abuse hurled at money-grabbing Matthew Bound.

So, Alan Tate has returned to Manchester United and we once again have Kris O'Leary back alongside Izzy Irekpien. There is no doubt that Kris plays with his heart and to be fair isn't a bad centre half. However, he is no Alan Tate and if the rumours that the Swans are looking to re-sign Christian Edwards from Bristol Rovers are true then Kris should once again be picking up splinters. I must admit that I had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye when Tatey threw his Swans shirt into the North Bank to reveal a t-shirt with ONCE A JACK, ALWAYS A JACK printed on it. I just hope he is one day given the chance to wear a Swans shirt again. The lad is quality.

Is Richard Duffy worth £500,000? Well, yes and no. Yes because I predict a bright future for the boy from Brynhyfryd who could one day be worth much more, and no because he's not worth half a million at the moment. So, what does the club do if Harry Redknapp comes up with the cash? Sell him, unfortunately. As high as the aspirations are at the Vetch, we are still a long way from where Portsmouth are at present and are running a much tighter ship so therefore have to sell if good offers come in for players. As for young Duffy himself, as much a true Jack as I'm sure he is, don't tell me he would turn down the chance to play in the Premiership, whichever club comes knocking on those big SCFC gates in Glamorgan Street. One thing I will say, if I see his agent (and good friend of mine) Wayne Elsey driving round in a gleaming new Ferrari, I'll become an agent myself overnight and drag Lee Trundle off to Real Madrid.

Would we prefer to play Preston or Reading in the next round of the FA Cup? I honestly don't mind. Was the draw unkind to us? I don't think so. It could have been much worse (Telford away) or much better (Manchester United home or away) but at least we'll have another bumper crowd at the Vetch and a realistic chance of reaching the 5th round.

If you remember where we were this time last year, it's an incredible change of fortune in twelve months. Suddenly it once again feels so good to be a Jack.

Ianto

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