The Swans' approach play was intelligent with Leon Britton and the rejuvenated Brad Maylett catching the eye but the end product was still missing. The second half was a case of much of the same with most of the play confined to the middle third of the pitch, and chances were still at a premium. It was therefore no surprise when Trundle entered the arena on the hour mark, like a gladiator at the colosseum. Would this be a case of “cometh the hour, cometh the man”? The old warhorse Kevin Nugent climbed off his chariot to make way and was given an excellent ovation by the Vetch Field crowd. However, not even the fleet-footed mercurial skills of everyone's favourite Scouser could inject some life into this drab and dreary affair.

So, the season which started in swashbuckling and breathtaking style eventually ground to an uneventful halt at the Vetch on Saturday. A season with so much early promise saw a dramatic FA Cup run, yet another managerial change and the emergence of a spiky-haired, white-booted hero. There have also been quite a few memorable matches throughout the season. The 3-2 win against Yeovil at the Vetch and the amazing 4-3 victory at Cheltenham spring to mind but the most memorable of all? It has to be that 2-1 defeat of Preston in the FA Cup. Not the best performance by a long way but memories of those final eight minutes will be forever etched in my memory.

Saturday may well have been a stark contrast to this time last year but doesn't it feel better not to have had that haunting relegation worry over us until the final day of the season?

A new manager, a new stadium around the corner and a new wave of optimism.

I can't wait for next season.

Ianto

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