Did any one else see the guy getting nicked outside the bulldog pub.
Highlight of the otherwise miserable day.

Went to Swindon today not a great performance a bit dis-jointed.
Still top the league at xmas and new year.
Why was Gurney such a t**t today arguing with every swans player including KJ.
Happy to you jacks at home and abroad

does anybody know how long Trunds is out for and if a club were to make an offer for him god forbbid during the this month then would he still be able to go as he would be injured and fail a medical test?? KJ is going to need to bring in some players during the transfer window as back up for the squad and evan for the first XI

Happy New

Lets hope 2006 brings us greater things and that KJ and Co can take this great club onwards and upwards!!!

STID

In response to Vetch Flyer (Post 5065), Garry Monk against Rushden in the LDV a few weeks ago, near post header.

Happy New Year to all.

What league position do you think the Swans will be in this time next year?

Watching from afar, it is incredible that the Swans have won once in the last 6 games and are still top of the league. Talk about the results going the right way for us. It seems there is no Reading or Sheff Utd in this division - nobody to take a grip of the situation and forge a gap between them and the rest. All have faltered. Now it looks like Hudsfld have lost their way and the cracks have appeared in Brentford's sequence of good results. Meanwhile Southend have rallied and perhaps have regrouped for the final assault. The Swans have been treading water - 2 losses and some draws which should have been wins, represents a flat spot. Hopefully they too will regroup inthe New Year and forge ahead. The Division is there for the taking. Is it a coincidence that this flat spot has coincided with a Trundle goal famine? As I stated before it seems the team are 3 or 4 players short of being championship (and Championship) material. It'll be interesting to see what happens next month.

Happy New Year.

taff

I would just like to say happy new year to all you jacks out there!!!!!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and may all yur dreams and wishes come true in 2006. Onwards and upwards.

Concerning the Evening Post info, I have been reliabely informed that the evening post is now being printed overnight somewhere in the midlands due to Printer upgrades, and goes on sale the following morning so the news now being published by by the "Evening Post" is yesterdays news. Morelike a Morning than Evening Post.

Disappointing today we should have won it but could have lost it at the end. I think the key to our season will be how Kenny performs in the transfer window good signings we'll go up anything else and its play offs or worse.

Still top of the league going into the New Year we'd all have taken that at the start of the season.

Happy New Year to all

We are top of the league at the end of 2005,we can't really have anything to critisise about as we would have taken this at the start of the season.
A point gained I think, we have one more than we started today, some may look at two dropped, be positive and think it as a positive instead of it being negative.
The injuries to OTJ and God may prove to be critical as we have games thick and fast this month and hard ones next.
Maybe the guy behind me in the East Stand the game KOL got injured, shouting, he's s?$t, we dont need him with OTJ, Marty etc now eat his own words and choke.
Would like to wish all Swans fans over the world

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.
STID Jackarmyman(Ian)

May'be the NY alcohol talking

But how lovely to see the Swans and Southend in the top two spots.

We had a great time at Southend and I realy dislike the way Brentford and that dick Jackson from Uddersfield carry on.

Long may it continue

Cheers
to the Swans and our little Essex mates who both got promoted last year

JT

how did that swindon player miss that open goal in the last minute? i was sat directly in line with it in the home end and it was shocking how he miss hit it! easilly the worst miss ive ever seen, made kanu's look difficult

end of year

we are top of the league

stid

I definitely think that it was two points dropped this afternoon.Swindon were shocking and as they say league tables never lie.Did anyone else notice how small the pitch was-it just seemed that some of our players couldn't judge the size and as a result-a continuation of overhit balls in particular from roberto,monk and mcleod.The injury to Trunds and OTJ don't look to good for what is a crucial month of matches ahead-and although kenny doesn't look like strengthening a great deal a loan or permanent transfer is now required in the striker department-
A few good strikers are available in the likes of Lee Peacock from Sheff.Weds who has been told he is free to leave.Someone with pace to burn would be ideal in a situation where bayo,thorpe and connor who are all lacking in genuine pace.
Money has to be spent to keep our promotion hopes going and the squad is weakened again after todays game.
INTERESTING TO SEE THAT IFFY ONUARA SAYING ON SWINDONS OS THAT ANDY GURNEY LOOKS TO BE SIGNING NEXT WEEK-JUST A MEDICAL TO BE PASSED AND ONE OR TWO OTHER THINGS TO BE SORTED OUT.BUT LOOKS A DONE DEAL TO ME.

just one thing, I hope the Swans fan who thought that piZZin down the steps in the stand was funny gets a life and realises that regular supporters feel let down by this neanderthal behaviour,go to a game have a great day out but don't let the rest of us fans down and grow up.

Both stewards and plod did nothing,were they scared or what?

Mike - the safe driver. Thank you for going out of your way to give me a lift today. I have been trying to ring you. I forgot the bottle of pop I left in the car when we went to the match. It is on the floor behind the driver'seat. I am afraid someone will step on it getting into the car and it will burst and cause a sticky mess. Thanks again! Nice to meet you and Steve. Alf

I still don't think that we should have allowed Andy Gurney to play today. You have to maximise your chances. he was full of gamesmanship and near the knuckle challenges. I felt throughout that we could win today and we were unfortunate not to score when we applied so much pressure in the second half. However they could have won it in injury time so appreciate a point

Obviously happy to win the December Predictascore prize but would love to swap it for my pessimistic predictions being wrong and a few more league points.

To my eyes we had our best 20 minutes of the game and looked most like scoring immediately after Trundle went off.

A thought for new year's eve:
When Kenny Jackett took over Flynn's team that was meandering in mid-table after a teriffic start, what is the best that we could have wished for by December 31st 2005?
He assessed the squad for the remainder of the 03/04 season, got us promoted (just) in 04/05, and now we sit on top of League 1.
He literally couldn't have taken us any higher than he has. (yes I suppose we could be 10 points clear but let's be realistic)

Thanks Kenny and Happy new Year to you and the players and all Swans fans wherever you are.

I bumped into lee dineen at the services today and he said that as far as he is concerned people with gillingham tickets who can't make the rearranged date will be able to swap for another match or will be given a refund. they could not do anything until friday afternoon as the new date hadnt been agreed until then and therefore no announcements could be made. Sense prevails

Jacklad

thanks for the compliments. I have certainly asked the question and highlighted an argument on behalf of the fans (and so has Phil) but I think that you and others also need to give Leigh Dineen a bit of credit.

He has fought this issue more than any of us and whilst some finer details still have to be worked through, its Leigh's determination to stick up for the fans (with the backing of the trust board) which should hopefully see sense prevail.

I believe that there is a whole lot more than Swansea City can do to improve the way in which it works with its fans. I know that I and the rest of the Trust board are looking forward to helping the club with this in 2006

Cheers

Jim

TICKET REFUNDS

I meant to post this this morning but didnt get the chance before I left.

And yes I am aware of what it says in the EP

The Trust Board have made representation to our Supporter Director on the issue of refunds. Although there has been no official statement Leigh is confident that come Tuesday there will be an announcement with regards to refunds very likely to say that refunds will be given.

I did also run into Leigh earlier today and nothing has changed from that comment.

The EP comments from today I suspect were given yesterday morning - I believe any discussions with regards refunds took place yesterday afternoon.

When is the last time we scored from a corner (not counting McLeod v Bristol) or a free kick into the box

Watford (Jackett's era)used to pride themselves on this aspect of the game, he certainley hasn't improved us in this department

We've got some big guys OTJ, Bayo, Izzy and crossing isn't rocket science - why are we crap at set plays ?

A damp squib end to a rip roaring year.
2005 P46 W 22 D 12 L 12 F 77 A 51 Pts 77

2005 also brought us
- the last league match at the Vetch - fantastic atmosphere
- promotion with 4,700 at Bury, great contribution by the fans
- last ever match at the Vetch which was brilliant even on Tv
- White Rock, great stadium, great fans, great football
- Walsall, Chesterfield and Bristol City (waited a long long time for that)
- Lee Trundle - entertainer

My Man of the Year goes to Kenny Jackett - we've not seen the like of the football in 2005 in many years.

Special mentions to
- Vetch 1912-2005 team - thanks + congratulations on putting together a truly fitting tribute to the Vetch and its colourful history
- Jim White for giving his all for the Swans and now on the Trust Board
- Swans fans everywhere for doing their best to be noisy but friendly and gradually dispelling our image of a bunch of neanderthals.

Wishes for 2006 are
- promotion (obviously)
- stadco to be buried and replaced by some human beings
- club and trust to remember where this was all reborn just 4 years ago and treat all supporters with the respect and courtesy they deserve.

Our Club is now financially stronger than it has been for maybe 30 or 40 years. Its a great time to be supporting the Swans.

Happy New Year

Cup half full - we're top of the league. The Jacks are going up!

Cup half empty. One win in six league games is hardly promotion form.

I hope the rumours aren't true about us getting nobody of note in the transfer window. We need several quality players in key positions to ensure getting out of this division without the lottery of the playoffs.

Arrived back just over 90 minutes ago and although alot of supporters are disappointed with the result I still think a point is useful especially as results tended to go our way again.

We have two home matches coming up and there is every chance we will win them but the month of January is by far the most important with KJ in charge. We need to add some depth to the squad and if we can bring in the right personnel then there is no reason why we cannot sustain our challenge for promotion. He has to bring in the right people , of that there is no doubt.

Today Swindon were saved by their keeper but if the ball had been on the other foot they could have nicked it right at the end.So All in all although disappointed a point is useful especially as you see Colchester losing there earlier on in the week.

The down side is the injuries sustained by LT and OTJ but there are plenty of people who are capable of delivering the right balls in to the box but like I said earlier Mr Jackett has a wonderful opportunity to strenghten the squad and there is no time to lose in achieving the right players.

Jim

Good work from you and Phil on behalf of Trust members who have been adversley affected by the club's initial decision not to offer refunds. Exactly the sort of response from the Trust we were asking for. Hopefully the club will see sense and cough up otherwise further action should be considered.

So far as today's game is concerned I agree that it was 2 points lost rather than 1 gained. They were a very poor side and we should have taken full advantage. With Trundle and OTJ now injured, the weaknesses in the squad are ever more apparent. I hope that KJ was simply playing his cards close to his chest the other day when he indicated that he wasn't that bothered about strengthening. January provides the club with the chance to push on to promotion by making the 4/5 signings necessary. A failure to do so will amount to a serious error of judgement and a wasted opportunity.

Some good thoughts posted on the game. I am now coming to the conclusion Clive and Evs that it was 2 points lost.

The good thing is that we stopped a loosing run.

Andy B, I would agree with most of your comments (barring the right back one) - I would like to see us strengthen in the back 4 to keep everyone on their toes, but I actually think our first choice back 4 (Tate, Monk, Izzy, Rickets) is quality.

I do agree on the need for a combative midfield player and maybe even suggest we need 2 in this area.

I also think that we need 2 out and out strikers. I would like to see one big chap brought in to put pressure on Bayo and do what you say and win some headers. I would also like to see a more astute gambler/running onto flick on's centre forward brought in as well

I do think that the Bournemouth 2 (Hayter and Stock) could well be very interesting for us.

I just wish that I had a crystal ball for the next month

Cheers

Jim

All,

On the issue of refunds, please see the comment below from Phil Sumbler, Swans Trust spokesperson

P_Sumbler Posted on 31/12

I meant to post this this morning but didnt get the chance before I left.

And yes I am aware of what it says in the EP

The Trust Board have made representation to our Supporter Director on the issue of refunds. Although there has been no official statement Leigh is confident that come Tuesday there will be an announcement with regards to refunds very likely to say that refunds will be given.

I did also run into Leigh earlier today and nothing has changed from that comment.

The EP comments from today I suspect were given yesterday morning - I believe any discussions with regards refunds took place yesterday afternoon

As a trust, we still expect the refunds to be issued and if they are not, then the Supporters Trust will pursue this

Cheers

Jim

Barnsley went ahead on the 42nd minute, 1-0.

Huddersfield equalised on them 76th, 1-1.

Barnsley pulled ahead on the 81st, on a goal from Daniel Nardiello, 2-1.

Huddersfield equalised at the death.

Congratulations to Paul Gray for winning the December monthly Predictascore competition.

Well done, Paul.

Need -

Right back with pace
Centre midfield (combative who can
create a bit )
Striker who can win headers and put
a few away from corners

Don't need -

More utility players
Forward attacking midfielders
Forwards that have no pace

Need -

Players to play in correct positions
Not play hoof ball

Don't need -

Mcleod at LB
Ricketts at RB


The squad is stretched .

The window is open

We might be top of League One at the end of 2005 but today's result at Swindon is very disappointing

I really hope OTJ and Trundle can recover from their injury's ASAP

Happy New Year to all you Jacks out there and hope you all have a good night

Surely Goodfellow has got to be given a run in the team now. We looked much better balanced with Robbo and Martinez in the centre and Freezer and Leon on the wings. Desperately short up front though especially with Trunds injured. Maybe we need 2 new strikers in January?

Jim, I'll say 2 points dropped today, they were garbage and how we didn't score in that second half i'll never know. Unbelievable how the top teams in the League can't string a run together. With a few home games coming up we could really put some distance between ourselves and the rest of them come the end of Jan!

One other point, teams with no roofs on away ends should be kicked out of the league. Luckily it didn't hammer down today but the likes of Yeovil and Swindon should be made to provide proper facilities for away fans. Disgraceful!!

I take it back for now.
Reading it again I think the E.P. are just going over old ground with info a couple of days old.

Info such as below is out of date as the game has been rearranged

Swans director David Morgan said efforts were being made to rearrange the game as soon as possible, with discussions taking place between Swansea, Gillingham and the Football League.

mom for me was roberto,he controlled midfield and managed to avoid the rather wayward tackles of one andy gurney.

leon and robbo did their bit but the final ball was sometimes asking to much from both of them.

yes we should have won against a struggling team but there they could easily have snatched it at the end when to score looked the easier option.

pity about the two injuries,but could this be a blessing in disguise,no offers for LT and a replacement forward now being a matter of urgency?

we are back on top and just need to stay there ,easy isn't it?

So it's in the E.P that there will be no refunds.

The club have shot themselves in the foot.

They want fans to buy tickets in advance so as not to have congestion on match days.

Can you see people now changing to buying on the day ?

With immaculate timing, no sooner have I posted with a cheery "Hooray for the Club", than they behave like complete jerks over the Gillingham tickets refund issue. Just refund the money to those that can't make the rearranged game, and keep the goodwill of the supporters. By the way, I couldn't make the game so have no agenda for myself on this one...I just don't see how it could hurt the Club that much to return money paid out for an event that didn't take place.
This is behaviour of a Silver Shield nature and unworthy of the current board. Shame on them.
And, on another matter, why aren't we ensuring the future of Roberto Martinez at Swansea? He has been our best player by far recently and is surely deserving of a new contract.

Jim

I'd go for 2 lost. Many players again didn't seem up for the battle. An extra % an we could have won today. Agree Leon shaded Robinson as MoM

Im not sure whether today was a point gained or 2 lost. My gut feel is that it was 2 lost as I don't think Swindon are a very good side at all, but they did battle hard and have only lost once in 11.

We arent playing with the same fluency that we did earlier on in the season but that is probably to be expected at this time of year. The division is going to be tough but with some new additions in the squad and 3 homes games to come, hopefully we can stretch our lead at the top.

I think its harsh to say that Macca had a stinker at full back. Give the guy credit, he is a left winger playing out of position and i think that he battled hard whilst not looking totally comfortable.

I thought that Goodfellow had a good game when he came on and offered something and the defence seemed pretty solid. My MOM would either be Andy Robinson who i thought had another good game or Leon. It probably goes to Leon as i felt their left back was shitting himself every time Leon ran at him.

I thought that the Swans fans were again a bit subdued. Thanks to Daf for trying to get them going but in the end, there werent many singing.

We now have these games at home and they + the window opening tomorrow are going to be crucial. If they make Kenny realise that he has to strengthen then that's a good thing.

We need a bit of a spark at the moment (even though I am chuffed to bits with where we are in the table and how we are battling) and hopefully that will come in the next few weeks

Happy New Year to everyone! Lets hope that 2006 is another promotion winning year!!

Cheers

Jim

I have uploaded the latest Predictascore Table.

Find it by returning to the Home page and clicking on the Predictascore link, or by copying and pasting the following URL. Then click the link to ?view standings so far.?

http://www.scfc.co.uk/guess.html

Swindon 0 Swansea o
Swans had 13 corners.
Goodfellow hit the crossbar, plus the save of the match from Swindon goalkeeper Evans. McCleod has a stinker at full back. Trundle and OTJ off injured, OTJ twisted knee ligaments, out 4-6 weeks. Trundle definitely out for Monday's game, they're unsure how long he'll be out (will this keep the predators at bay?). Tate,Austin and new boy Williams are available for Monday though.
Anderson is not appealing his ban and is no longer a Swansea City player according to Kenny's after match comments.

Here's a quote from scfc Board member David Morgan regarding non-refunds:

"We have done everything we can but, at the end of the day, the weather is completely out of our control and it was the referee's decision to stop the game."

"the weather is completely out of our control." Correct.

"it was the referee's decision to stop the game." Correct.

"We have done everything we can." INCORRECT.

Allowing supporters to exchange a Gillingham ticket for a ticket for another game IS within the club's control. The club CAN do something about this.

I can understand the club not giving refunds on tickets purchased for a game that was played as scheduled, but the club's decision not to allow exchanges in this situation is so short-sighted it is beyond belief.

It seems the club are becoming more and more willing to drive supporters away.

Todays's team

Gueret, Ricketts, Monk, Iriekpen, McLeod, Britton, Martinez, Tudur-Jones, Robinson, Akinfenwa, Trundle

Subs - Goodfellow, Connor, Thorpe, Forbes, Murphy

Good Luck to the lads today and Happy New Year to all Swans fans all over the globe

Shouldn't imagine you'd have a problem getting a ticket on the day Liam. Ticket office is usually open right up to half time on a match day.

Was just wondering if someone could tell me whether I need to buy a ticket for the Walsall LDV game in advance. I'm planning to come down from Powys and book myself into a B+B for the night so would be ticked off to get all the way there and not be able to get in!!!!
P.S. Anybody else going to Rhyl away?

all the best today boys and shows us what your all made off.i havnt been to swindow for a few years(i used to work there as a steward lol)but i do know its a freezing cold place even on a good day so wrap up warm.and i bet its going to be 1 hell of a sight both ends of the ground behind both goals are going to be full with jacks.just goes to show how far we have come as a club only a couple of years ago we were getting 3000-3500 crowds down the vetch now like today were take 3500 away lol

come on you whitesssssssssss

Gavin Williams might have been a good signing, but not at the prices being quoted. ?150-?200,000 maybe, but not ?350,000.

G.Williams is not good enough! and im not being bitter.