SWANSEA City skipper Nick Cusack warned his teammates last night: We can't afford any more banana skins.

Swansea take on Oxford today and Cusack's old club make the trip to Wales bottom of the table and without a point away from home. Cusack said: "Anything less than a win will be unacceptable to the players, the manager and, more importantly, our fans.

"We've proved we can pick up points on the road, but we really must start winning our home games if we want to move up from 18th and get the fans behind us again.

"We've slipped on too many banana skins against struggling teams in the past to take anything for granted.
"But Oxford will be low in confidence and we've got to take advantage of that straight from the kick-off." Cusack, who spent nearly three season at the Manor Ground in the early 90's, also offered Swansea a word of warning about Oxford's star man Joey Beauchamp.

"He's a talented player who can win a game on his own. That's why West Ham once paid £ l million for him.
"He had the attributes to play and stay in the Premiership, but was too much of an Oxford boy."

Pressure

Swansea have taken just two points from the last 15 and manager John Hollins could come under severe pressure if they lose.

The Swansea boss is hoping that Venezuelan hot-shot Giovanni Savarese can continue his rich run of form in front of goal.

That would be a kick in the teeth for Oxford former boss Dennis Smith took a look at Savarese on trial at QPR earlier in the season, but failed to find the funds to sign him.

Swansea City cannot afford to fail in their quest for a first Second Division win in seven games against bottom club Oxford United at the Vetch Field today.

"This is a match we are expected to win but we haven't always done as expected," said Swans manager John Hollins.

"We have played poorly but not been punished too heavily and been beaten by three or four when we played well.

"We haven't pulled up any trees but I think we are now getting an idea of what this league is about. This should be an opportunity for us to collect three points. If we perform as well as I know we can they might not be able to hold us. It's a matter of starting sharply and staying bright. But that doesn't mean to say we are going to murder Oxford.

"Having new people in charge can give a team fresh impetus, especially when they are experienced men like manager David Kemp and Joe Kinnear (director of coaching)."

Kemp was assistant to Kinnear at Wimbledon before a heart attack ended the manager's long reign at Selhurst Park in March last year.

He has replaced Denis Smith, who resigned last month and appointed previous Millwall manager Alan McLeary as his right-hand man, assisted by coach Mike Ford, the former Cardiff City defender.

Michael Howard resumes his left-back place for Swansea after serving a one-match ban, relegating Lee DeVulgt to the subs' bench.

"Lee did well at Oldham last Saturday and in the midweek FAW Premier Cup-tie against Barry Town," said Hollins.

"From the smile on his face he enjoyed the experience and I now know he is capable of coming in and doing a good job. But Michael is the experienced man for the position." Jamaica international Walter Boyd, who has been troubled by a hamstring injury, returned for the cup-tie at Jenner Park. But the Swans will probably start with the strike force of Steve Watkin and Giovanni Savarese, who has scored five goals in six starts since his move from Venezuela.

Oxford's new managerial team this week signed 32-year-old Northern Ireland international striker Phil Gray from Burnley and borrowed midfielder Keith Andrews and defender Keith Brown from Wolves and Barnsley.

The U's include former Cardiff City defender Lee Jarman and former Swans winger Joey Beauchamp returns from suspension and ex-Wimbledon midfielder Peter Fear is back in favour.

Former Cardiff City defender Lee Jarman is hoping to silence the Swansea boo-boys today after putting his career back on track.

Oxford summer signing Jarman is expecting a rough ride from the Vetch Field terraces - but he is unconcerned after salvaging a career that once appeared destined for the highest levels of the game.

"I played at the Vetch last season for Exeter and got quite a bit of stick," said the 22-year-old Cardiff-born defender.

"Swansea fans always remember old Cardiff players and Cardiff players remember the old Swansea ones.

"When I went to the Vetch last season it was Swansea's last home game of the season and they needed to win to get promotion, so it was a packed house,

"The abuse I had was quite bad but it didn't bother me. To be honest, there's not much you can do about it. You've just got to laugh it off." Jarman is currently repairing his career at bottom-of-the-table Oxford after being released by the Bluebirds half-way through last season.

As a 17-year-old at Ninian Park he was tipped for greatness with Cardiff managers Phil Neal and Kenny Hibbitt backing him to play in the Premiership.

But a year ago, and after only one substitute appearance in 15 months, Frank Burrows showed him the door at Ninian Park.

After trials with Wigan and Brentford he turned out for Merthyr and Exeter, being released by Grecians manager Noel Blake during the summer.

"Oxford have given me a chance and I'm delighted by that," said Jarman. "Other people may say different but I don't think I was getting a fair chance at Cardiff.

"The season before I left Frank Burrows gave me a new two-year contract. Then the next season he didn't want to know me.

"After Kenny Hibbitt left it started going downhill for me. I was sad to leave because it was my hometown club. But in a way I was also happy because I was getting nowhere at Cardiff.

"The only problem was I thought it would be easy to get another club, it wasn't."

Jarman's desperate search for a club was in sharp contrast to his much-hyped breakthrough into senior football five years ago.

After only three senior starts for Cardiff, Bobby Gould called him into the Welsh squad for a European Championship qualifier in Albania. Hibbitt said he was the best 17-year-old footballer he had seen as Jarman and the rest of the Wales Under-21 defence held off the Dutch in a memorable 1-0 win at Breda.

"Looking back some of the stuff that was said in the newspapers wasn't good for me," said Jarman.

"We're having a bit of a nightmare at the moment but I'm just happy to be playing again."

Swansea City striker Giovanni Savarese will be out to make Oxford pay for the day they missed out on his signature as the two sides clash at Vetch Field tomorrow in a crucial encounter (3).

Former Oxford boss Dennis Smith came close to signing the Venezuelan sensation earlier in the season when the 29-year-old spent a short spell on trial at QPR.

But Oxford failed to find to the funds to bring Savarese out of the American Major League and into the British game.

Since then Oxford's loss has been Swansea's gain as the Venezuelan international, who also attracted interest from Bristol City, has gone on to hit five goals in six starts.

"I'm hoping Giovanni can continue his rich vein of goal-scoring form, because tomorrow's game is vital," said Swansea manager John Hollins.

"It's the one that everyone wants to win. We are at home and to make those last two draws count we've got to add another three points to our tally.

"All the lads are up for it. But, saying that, if they weren't then I'd be telling them they are in the wrong business."

Hollins is only likely to make one change for tomorrow's encounter with left-back Michael Howard returning from suspension for young Leigh De-Vulgt despite the latter's encouraging full League debut at Oldham last Saturday.

Defender Steve Jones has also made a rapid recovery from a groin operation less than a month ago, but Hollins is unlikely to throw him in.

"He's done it again," declared Hollins. "He's come back from injury quicker than anybody expected and now he's knocking on my door looking for a game.

"The words 'Bionic Man' spring to mind yet again."

Oxford, bottom of the table, are expected to unveil new loan signing Phil Gray from Burnley in the hope that the former Spurs, Sunderland and Luton striker can secure them their first away point of the season.

Midfielder Keith Andrews is also in line for his Oxford debut with the club trying to rush through his loan move from Wolves.

Swansea City : from Freestone, Price, Howard, Smith, Bound, Roberts, Cusack, Jenkins, Romo, Watkin, Savarese, Boyd, Appleby, De-Vulgt, Thomas, O'Leary, Keegan, Jones (J).
Oxford United : from Knight, Robertson, Powell, Fear, Richardson, Murphy, Anthrobus, Lilley, Beauchamp, Weatherstone, Linighan, Jarman, Hackett, Omoyimni, McGowan, Glass, Gray, Andrews.

THE Swans continued to show much more dog on Saturday — and the result was a creditable 1-1 draw from a tricky trip to Oldham.

After that dismal home shocker against Port Vale 10 days ago — it was followed by a 100 per cent improvement against Bristol City the following Tuesday — the Swans dug in and, according to my spies at Boundary Park, battled hard to come away with a point.

And it was our Venezuelan hitman Giovanni Savarcse who proved the hero again — notching the equaliser to add to his super two-goal salvo against Bristol. Savarese has now netted five times since his switch to English football from the American Major Soccer League and is starting to come to terms with the game over here very nicely indeed thank you.

Won't it be lovely if he now makes radio and TV critic Mark Aizlewood — the ex-Cardiff player so beloved of us Swans fans — eat his words.

While Swans and Cardiff fans usually can't wait to tear each other to bits, their rugby counterparts behave in an altogether more civilised manner sharing a bit of good-natured banter in the stands and then a beer or three after the game.

Imagine the mayhem there would be if so-called Swans and Bluebirds supporters managed to find themselves in the same watering hole. It doesn't really bear thinking about.

On Saturday evening, however, rugby fans mingled happily with one and other in the ground and later in the bars. The contrast really is quite remarkable, and baffling.

It's definitely a case for my psychologist pal Brian, but I'm not sure whether he will have all, if any, of the answers.

Swansea City assistant manager Alan Curtis warned his side today that nothing less than three points will be good enough against Oxford on Saturday.

Oxford will arrive at Vetch Field rooted to the bottom of the Second Division, but with a new management team in place in former Wimbledon duo David Kemp and Joe Kinnear.

"'There is no hiding the fact that we need to beat them," declared Curtis. "We've picked up two consecutive points which will only look good if we add a win to them.

"We've got our performances back on track against Bristol City and Oldham, but I'll settle for the three points at the expense of the performance for this one."

Manager John Hollins has slight injury doubts over Michael Keegan (back) and Walter Boyd (ankle) following their midweek defeat at Barry in the FAW Premier Cup.

But the Swansea boss was celebrating one bit of good news today as midfielder Damian Lacey continued his comeback from long-term injury.

The 23-year-old has been out of action since February last season with a stress fracture in his foot which needed further treatment after ankle problems developed.

But the Bridgend-born work-horse resumed training this week. with Hollins delighted with his progress.

"He is coming on at a rapid pace now," declared Hollins. "I would say he's not that far away from playing again which will be a huge bonus."

Oxford go into the Swansea match without the backing of the bookmakers, who heavily fancy a home win even though Swansea are close to the bottom.

Oxford may be seven points away from second from bottom Luton, and 12 points behind Swansea but the fact that they have lost all their away games means they are marked as an outside bet at 9/2 whilst Swansea are odds on with Ladbrokes at 8/15.

It isn't much brighter with regard to Oxford's hopes for the league. They are currently off the list to win the Division Two title, Bournemouth currently are the distant outsiders with a price of 1250/1 to make a late surge to win automatic promotion to the First Division.

Dennis Norden would have been in his element at Jenner Park watching Swansea City deliver enough gaffes to fill 'It'll Be Alright On The Night' on their own.

Unfortunately the comedy of errors left Swansea boss John Hollins without even the slightest smirk as Barry once again produced the goods in the FAW Premier Cup.

Defeat was hard to take, even if Swansea did field a relatively young and inexperienced side, but it was the manner of the defeat which prompted Hollins to announce that a few of his players will have some explaining to do in the privacy of his office today.

No doubt there will be a few home truths delivered — and rightly so after Swansea committed soccer suicide.

Twice they fell behind and twice they came back only to throw away what would have been a good point three minutes into injury time.

This was no defeat in the Caernarfon category because Barry are too good a side to be classed in the same League of Wales mould.

But Swansea, with the likes of Martin Thomas, Michael Howard, Kristian O'Leary and Walter Boyd in the side, should have had enough about them to produce a result.

Instead they gifted Barry three goals — two of which came from comical mistakes — and three points to kick off their Group C campaign.

Swansea had started well enough in a 3-5-2 formation as Boyd produced a good run and a well-struck shot which forced Lee Kendall into a fine sixth minute save.

But 18-year-old defender Chris Todd will probably rue the moment he lost concentration carrying the ball out of defence. Everyone in the ground, except the embarrassed Todd that is, saw Gary Lloyd move in from the left to pinch the ball.

The Llanelli-based left-back tried to round Jason Jones, and although the goalkeeper did manage to get an outstretched leg to the ball, his clearance fell straight to former Watford striker Jamie Moralee who put Barry ahead with 19 minutes gone.

It gave Barry even more confidence. Passing the ball around with far more composure than their Football League counterparts, they went in at the interval deservedly ahead.

Swansea did come out for the second half with more purpose. Michael Keegan's early effort was tipped around the post by Kendall while Richie Appleby, shackled by Gary Lloyd all night, fired another good chance wide.

The equaliser did arrive in the 69th minute when Bari Morgan, the smallest player on the field, headed home a dangerous Keegan corner.

But Swansea were level for just three minutes. Andrew York flicked on a Jamie Jenkins long throw, the ball looped over Jones towards the far post, and Moralee seemed to use his hand to help the ball in.

While the ball would have probably gone in without Moralee's assistance, it was a goal which infuriated Hollins and his players.

"It looked like handball to me," blasted Hollins.

"The boys said he punched it in.

"But the referee said he never saw it, so it's a goal — a dubious goal."

Swansea managed to wipe out Moralee's second effort in the 82nd minute when Leigh De-Vulgt's deep cross was headed back in by Appleby for striker Tommy Mutton, on as substitute for Boyd, to apply the finishing touch with a close-range header.

If anyone looked like winning it after that it was Swansea as they finished the final period of normal time the stronger of the two sides.

But three minutes into injury time they threw it all away again as Jones raced to the edge of his area to clear a long through ball.

But the Swansea goalkeeper only managed to slice his clearance straight to the grateful Terry Evans who despatched a 25-yard winning finish.

"It was probably the only good finish in the game," quipped Hollins.

Swansea City boss John Hollins has described his side's defeat at Barry Town last night as ‘a crime".

Hollins saw his side commit soccer suicide to crash 3-2 against the League of Wales outfit at Jenner Park to lose their 100 per cent record in the FAW Premier Cup.

Goalkeeper Jason Jones and first-year professional Chris Todd made two dreadful errors to gift Peter Nicholas's side another Football League scalp, while Hollins claimed Barry's second goal should have been ruled out for handball.

Although Hollins fielded a young and inexperienced side, the Swansea manager hit out: "The team we put out was good enough to beat Barry."

Swansea pulled the lead back on two occassions through Bari Morgan and Tommy Mutton only to throw it away three minutes into injury time.

"It's a crime," added Hollins. "When you get back into the game like that then we are the team who should have won the game.

"It's a crime to lose 3-2 when we had the majority of the second half. But you can't expect to get anything when you give away three bad goals like that."

But Nicholas felt his side deserved their victory. "Overall I felt we had the better of the 90 minutes, even though all five goals were sloppy," he said.

"It's a great way to open our Premier Cup campaign and the result proves we are improving as a team."

Although Swansea remain top of the group with six points, Hollins knows his side can ill afford any more slip-ups when they start their Vetch Field campaign.

TERRY EVANS scored a goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time as Barry stretched their unbeaten run against the Swans to four games in last night’s FAW Premier Cup tie at Jenner Park.

A sliced clearance by Swans ’keeper Jason Jones from the edge of his penalty area left his goal unprotected and full-back Evans kept his composure to drive home from 30 yards.

Jamie Moralee had twice given the League of Wales club the lead but the visitors equalised each time.

Bari Morgan, the smallest player on the field, headed Swansea level the first time from Michael Keegan’s 68th-minute corner. Former Watford striker Moralee restored his side’s lead three minutes later by hooking a long throw from Jamie Jenkins over a packed defence and ’keeper Jones to claim his sixth goal of the season.

More slack marking allowed substitute Tommy Mutton to put Swansea on terms again with a close-range header eight minutes from time.

But Evans opened Barry’s account in the competition with the late, late winner - Swansea’s first defeat in three qualifying matches.

Peter Nicholas’s side showed early enterprise but it was Swansea who almost took a sixth-minute lead from a touch of magic by Walter Boyd.

Clever close control enabled the Jamaican international to turn sharply and ghost passed four challenges to create space for a shot that Lee Kendall did well to push aside.

The Dragons were weakened in midfield by the absence of player-coach Richard Jones, experiencing problems after a knee operation and the ineligible Mike Flynn, a recent signing from Newport County.

But they competed strongly in the middle third helped by the experience of Luke Staton, formerly with Blackburn Rovers and Bolton, and the strong-running Jon French, previously with Hull City and Bristol Rovers.

Barry put the Swans under pressure from a series of dangerous crosses although stray passing plunged them into unnecessary difficulties on several occasions.

However, it was a comedy of errors by Swansea which led to Barry taking a 19th-minute lead.

’Keeper Jones dithered over making a clearance as he was closed down quickly by Danny Hockton and Chris Todd, a first-year professional, compounded the error by allowing Gary Lloyd to dispossess him when he had ample time to clear.

Lloyd, operating as an advanced wing-back, tried to dribble round the ’keeper but the ball broke loose for Moralee to stroke it into the empty net.

Barry, winners of their last four league games without conceding a goal, had chances to increase their lead. Lee Phillips could not convert Hockton’s glancing header from Staton’s corner and Moralee went close from a tight angle after skilfully controlling Staton’s slanting pass.

A lapse in concentration forced Kendall to concede the corner from which Kris O’Leary headed over but the Wales under-21 ’keeper, on loan from Crystal Palace, protected Barry’s lead with a brave smothering save from Ryan Casey’s cross-shot.

Kendall produced another quality save from Keegan within minutes of the restart but Barry had a let-off when Lloyd’s mistake gave Richard Appleby a chance which he put into the side netting.

Morgan was booked for a foul on Phillips within minutes of scoring Swansea’s first equaliser while Staton was cautioned for a foul.

Barry manager Nicholas was delighted with the victory. “We have made good strides forward in the past month,” said the former midfielder capped 73 times by Wales.

PETER NICHOLAS attempts to gain the upper hand over the man who helped him reach the top as a player, at Jenner Park tonight.

Nicholas manages Barry Town against John Hollins’s Swansea City in an FAW Premier Cup group C qualifier (7.15pm).

They have been firm friends since they were team-mates at Arsenal between 1980 and 1982.

“We used to travel in together every day for training,” said 40-year-old Nicholas, capped 73 times by Wales.

“I was a youngster at Arsenal and John was a great help to me. He was an established player who gave me so much guidance on and off the field.

“He was an excellent footballer and I’m not surprised he’s doing so well as a manager with Swansea. He’s his own man with his own methods.

“But Swansea are still finding their feet in the Second Division. Hope-fully we can give them a good game.

“We have won our last four games in the League of Wales without conceding a goal.

“This cup-tie will help me assess the progress we’ve made after a couple of early losses when we were disrupted by having to postpone matches.”

Nicholas has rebuilt a side by recruiting from Nationwide League clubs - former Watford striker Jamie Moralee, ex-Norwich and West Ham defender Kenny Brown, Luke Staton (Blackburn and Bolton), Jon French (Hull City) Danny Hocton (Millwall) and ’keeper Lee Kendall, on loan from Crystal Palace.

Hollins, who intends fielding “the best team I can” may call on Jamaica striker Walter Boyd, recovered from a hamstring problem, to partner Steve Watkin or Giovanni Savarese, scorer of five goals in six starts.

Fit-again winger Richard Appleby and ’keeper Jason Jones, permanent understudy to Roger Freestone, could also be in the starting line-up.

“This is an important competition we want to win,” said Hollins.

“As a Second Division side we are expected to win these cup-ties.

“But Connah’s Quay Nomads and TNS gave us tough ties and Barry could be even harder to beat.

“They are a full-time professional club which is good for the League of Wales. Peter Nicholas has brought in his experience and their recent record is good.”

Bangor City’s group A match against Aberystwyth tonight could be washed out for a second time. There will be a morning inspection of the Farrar Road pitch.

Swansea City are facing a five-pronged attack from the Premiership for their 15-year-old Welsh international Richard Jones.

Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Spurs and old foes Southampton are all chasing Swansea's most promising youngster.

The Gowerton School pupil has already been to Anfield to talk to Liverpool on the permission of Swansea, with Manchester City and Southampton the next in line to speak to the central defender.

"We are doing everything we can to keep him in a Swansea shirt," explained Swansea manager John Hollins. "While he's here we will continue to do everything we can to keep him."

Swansea lost young star Matthew Crowell to Southampton over the summer in a compensation case which filled the Vetch Field coffers with an initial £100,000, but with the possibility of a further £400,000 pending League appearances.

News of Southampton's interest in Jones was met with a fierce attack by Swansea chairman Neil McClure.

"Enough is enough," blasted McClure. "Premiership club or not, I'm not having the Southampton academy plundering our youth development scheme.

"We are going to speak to the Premiership and Football League to make our protests known.

"We kicked up enough fuss last time over Matthew Crowell, yet the same thing is happening again. It's quite outrageous."

Meanwhile, Swansea will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent record in the FAW Premier Cup tomorrow night when they travel to Jenner Park to face League of Wales outfit Barry Town.

Having already beaten Connah's Quay and TNS on the road, this will be Swansea's toughest test in the group with Barry on a five-game winning run after a poor start to the League of Wales campaign.

Swansea City FC has followed the recent signing of a French and Venezuelan player with its third major signing - a partnership deal with Halifax Card Services to provide a Swans-branded supporters' credit card.

Halifax Card Services will become the Swans official credit card partner, offering supporters of the club the chance to have their very own Swansea City Football Club credit card.

The club has announced that all contributions from the deal will be used to further enhance the team's youth development programme.

Mike Lewis, Swansea City managing director, said: "We are delighted to have formed a partnership with Halifax Card Services to provide our own Swans credit card.

"As well as being a great new way for Swansea City fans to show allegiance to their team, the deal also provides cash support for the club.

"We will be using all the contributions from this partnership to strengthen our youth development programme and we hope that our fans will see the value in having a credit card that ploughs money back into the club."

James Corcoran, managing director of Halifax Card Services, said: "We are extremely pleased to have been chosen as Swansea City's credit card partner.

"We have worked closely with the club to give the fans a highly competitive football credit card - one that will inject money back into the club."

As news broke that Premiership Southampton looked poised to capture another of Swansea’s babes - Richard Jones - Leigh De’Vulgt slipped quietly off Ron Walton’s Vetch production line on Saturday.

Forget the old oval ball fly-half factory - Second Division Swans are finding soccer pearls down by the sea. The club is already £500,000 richer since Saints signed Matthew Crowell last summer.

The19-year-old De’Vulgt, the latest to be given a league baptism by John Hollins, made an impressive start at Oldham. Born within a goal-kick of the Vetch, De’Vulgt - with only a handful of FAW Premier Cup starts behind him - stood firm alongside Jason Smith and Matthew Bound as the Latics and the elements raged.

Swansea grabbed a point against rivals who are gridlocked with them near the basement of the Second Division, but De’Vulgt - who came in for the suspended Michael Howard - admitted to pre-game nerves.

He said, “The gaffer (Hollins) told me I’d be playing after the Port Vale match a week ago, and bedded me in during training all the following week. He wanted me to know exactly what would be expected. But I had a sleepless night on Friday.”

Blond De’Vulgt is the latest starlet to break into Swansea’s senior ranks. With Jon Coates, Kris O’Leary, Lee Jenkins and Stuart Roberts among 16 jewels in or hovering near the first-team frame, it’s plain to see the value of youth man Walton’s 16-year contribution at the Vetch.

Declared De’Vulgt, “He keeps us all on our toes and makes sure that all of us have individual targets.

“We’ve got some brilliant talent coming through. There are some lads a lot younger than me who are so gifted.

“It was always my dream to play for Swansea City because I’m from the place. I’ve finally had my chance, but now I want to play in front of a packed North Bank at the Vetch.”

BOUNDARY PARK, Oldham, is never the easiest of places to visit as winter closes in. Add the elements which engulfed the second highest venue above sea-level in the Football League and the Swans’ precarious position in the Second Division to the equation and Saturday’s point was mega.

When the days draw out come May, this result should have maximum value.

“We had it all to do because this is never an easy place to visit, but I’m pleased we’ve come away with something,” said Swans manager John Hollins.

“I’m not one to smash teacups and rant, but I did have a couple of words at half-time. I thought we looked brighter in the second half, though.”

Against a typical Lowry backdrop, events appeared to take a fateful twist for the worse 13 minutes from time as Latics defender Paul Jones - in for suspended ex-Swan Shaun Garnett - powered in his first of the season.

With Steve Watkin crashing a golden chance against an upright two minutes later, the wind whistling in from the Pennines seemed that little bit more cutting.

In the gathering gloom, however, up popped Giovanni Savarese with an 85th-minute intervention.

It was the perfect reply by the 29-year-old Venezuelan international, collecting his fifth goal in six starts, to soccer pundit Mark Aizlewood’s criticism.

Former Wales defender Aizlewood had forecast that the former San Jose Earthquakes predator wouldn’t bag 10 goals by spring.

Savarese said quietly, “I haven’t heard the criticism, but I tend to set my own targets, anyway. I don’t need others to do that for me.

“I never make predictions as to how many goals I’ll score. I see myself as a team player, not an individual.

“The most important thing is that Swansea obtain the required results. I’m optimistic for our future because we are now showing collective determination.”

And Savarese, with 28 appearances for Venezuela, now wants his Swans to clinch a first victory in six league matches against rock-bottom Oxford at the Vetch Field next Saturday.

He said, “It was important we avoided defeat at Oldham because they are just below us in the table. We’ve collected a couple of valuable draws in recent matches, but we need to take things to the next stage now and win.”

Swansea clinched a third point from their last 18 on offer, mainly due to a second-half renaissance.

Former Preston favourite David Eyre was conjuring persistent trouble down the left for the Swans, while former Bradford City veteran Lee Duxbury held an iron grip on midfield for the Latics early on. Yet Hollins’s overrun army had a couple of early chances. Steve Watkin saw a looping 12-yard header turned acrobatically over by Gary Kelly before Jason Smith - so commanding at the back - missed from close range.

Oldham appeared to adjust the better to a treacherous surface passed suitable for play only two hours before kick-off. Eyre and Mark Innes saw piercing drives saved by Roger Freestone before Neil Adams smacked the woodwork on the half-hour.

Swansea’s central defensive trio of Smith, Matthew Bound and the debut-making Leigh De’Vulgt was standing tall, though after 74 minutes they needed the assistance of Freestone.

Latics substitute Craig Dudley swept past Nick Cusack and Lee Jenkins before former Chelsea goalkeeper Freestone responded to the threat with a superb right-handed stop.

Three minutes later, though, Oldham finally nosed ahead. Eyre drilled over his team’s 11th corner and former Tranmere defender Jones’s finish was emphatic from eight yards.

Brave Swansea roared back. Watkin smacked the far post when it looked easier to score before that man Savarese had the last word.

Frenchman David Romo’s left-side corner was pinpoint. Smith was blocked, but in a flash Savarese speared home the rebound.

And it was all too much for furious Latics manager Andy Richie, who branded Swansea lucky.

He snapped, “They didn’t deserve anything. Swansea’s goal was poor. We should have prevented it. It was just a punt up field, and we couldn’t defend the corner.

“They hardly created anything from open play. This is two points lost, and we’re kicking ourselves.”

SWANS chief Neil McClure has slammed the John Hollins boo merchants who call for the manager's head on the internet.

And he expressed 'utter astonishment at some fans demanding old boss Frank Burrows be brought in as Hollins's No 2.

In possibly one of the sporting quotes of the year, McClure said: "To me, these people are the technological equivalent of some loud mouth standing up in the middle of Swansea market with a big megaphone.

"They have the technical equivalent, namely a computer, which means they can write on a website "It appears they have a direct impact because of the effect of the internet.

"But while we can gauge what these fans are saying - it can be quite important to do that - we can't change our beliefs on account of what people say on the Internet.

"Remember, there is an element who haven't liked John from day one. But it would be a daft way to run a football club if we reacted to every single person's little rant on the internet."

Interestingly, those in the know say Hollins is still being linked as a contender for the Portsmouth job, if things go wrong with Steve Claridge. But McClure stressed: "When you hear talk like that, and the fact that Leicester were interested in him last season, don't people realise what a good manager we have got?

"The craziest thing I saw was the other day with people urging: Bring back Frankie to get the best out of our young players. "I thought at the time, 'Have you not learned anything'. Frank was never one for youth. If he were given the option, he would go out and buy an experienced player.

"We are light years ahead of Cardiff City in terms of youth development. Frank used to be their manager, John is ours - so judge for yourself why. "The idea of Frank coming back here is plain daft. End of story."

McClure acknowledges results have not been great recently, but he stressed: "People only see what happens during 90 minutes of a first team game against a side like Port Vale:" perhaps the worst performance under Hollins's tenure.

"What about everything else that happens at this club?"

He went on: "Anyway, just because we play badly is not entirely down to John Hollins.

"The players have to stand up and take responsibility as well. They have to say of the Port Vale performance, 'We didn't try enough'.

"I suppose you can blame the manager and say it's his job to get them motivated. But sometimes, short of putting a gun in their backs, there is not much John can do."

McClure stressed: "I've made it clear to John that I never wanted to be quoted about him and use the words 'confident' or 'confidence' in the sentence. "You know what I'm getting at: a chairman's vote of confidence and that sort of thing. "But in John's case, take it from me, it is not even an issue. I'm as strong about that as Steve Hamer was when he was chairman here." McClure concluded: "We always knew this season, with the step up in standard, was going to be tough. But at the end of the season we'll be okay."

SWANS chief Neil McClure has slammed the John Hollins boo merchants who call for the manager's head on the internet.

And he expressed 'utter astonishment at some fans demanding old boss Frank Burrows be brought in as Hollins's No 2.

In possibly one of the sporting quotes of the year, McClure said: "To me, these people are the technological equivalent of some loud mouth standing up in the middle of Swansea market with a big megaphone.

"They have the technical equivalent, namely a computer, which means they can write on a website "It appears they have a direct impact because of the effect of the internet.

"But while we can gauge what these fans are saying - it can be quite important to do that - we can't change our beliefs on account of what people say on the Internet.

"Remember, there is an element who haven't liked John from day one. But it would be a daft way to run a football club if we reacted to every single person's little rant on the internet."

Interestingly, those in the know say Hollins is still being linked as a contender for the Portsmouth job, if things go wrong with Steve Claridge. But McClure stressed: "When you hear talk like that, and the fact that Leicester were interested in him last season, don't people realise what a good manager we have got?

"The craziest thing I saw was the other day with people urging: Bring back Frankie to get the best out of our young players. "I thought at the time, 'Have you not learned anything'. Frank was never one for youth. If he were given the option, he would go out and buy an experienced player.

"We are light years ahead of Cardiff City in terms of youth development. Frank used to be their manager, John is ours - so judge for yourself why. "The idea of Frank coming back here is plain daft. End of story."

McClure acknowledges results have not been great recently, but he stressed: "People only see what happens during 90 minutes of a first team game against a side like Port Vale:" perhaps the worst performance under Hollins's tenure.

"What about everything else that happens at this club?"

He went on: "Anyway, just because we play badly is not entirely down to John Hollins.

"The players have to stand up and take responsibility as well. They have to say of the Port Vale performance, 'We didn't try enough'.

"I suppose you can blame the manager and say it's his job to get them motivated. But sometimes, short of putting a gun in their backs, there is not much John can do."

McClure stressed: "I've made it clear to John that I never wanted to be quoted about him and use the words 'confident' or 'confidence' in the sentence. "You know what I'm getting at: a chairman's vote of confidence and that sort of thing. "But in John's case, take it from me, it is not even an issue. I'm as strong about that as Steve Hamer was when he was chairman here." McClure concluded: "We always knew this season, with the step up in standard, was going to be tough. But at the end of the season we'll be okay."

ANGRY Swansea City chief Neil McClure last night warned one of the Premiership big guns: 'Stop plundering our best young players'

His furious outburst comes after he claimed Southampton were about to capture one of Welsh football's teenage jewels for the second time in a few months. The Swans won a £500,000 tribunal case after complaining about the way Southampton poached young starlet Matthew Crowell away from the Vetch. But McClure says now they're talking to one of John Hollins's bright young talents, Wales Youth skipper Richard Jones.

He fumed: "Enough is enough. Premiership club or not, I'm not having the Southampton academy plundering our youth development scheme.

"They've taken young Crowell, they're about to have another one in Jones and It's about time the little man stood up.

"We're going to speak to the Premiership and Football League to make our protest known. I'm also going to speak to our lawyers to review the whole thing and find out what we can do about it legally."

One link between Southampton and the Swans' best youngsters is Malcolm Elias, head of development at the Premiership club's centre of excellence. Elias had a similar role at The Vetch and McClure fumed: "Why should we put up with the best young Welsh talent being permitted to drain out of Wales? "No, I'm not having this any more. I'm concerned on two fronts: number one, that we're losing good young players; number two that hard work is being used to improve the lot of Southampton."

McClure says he plans to take up the issue with his Southampton counterpart Rupert Lowe, ironically a close friend and neighbour of former Swans chief Steve Hamer.

But he declared: "We kicked up enough of a fuss last time. Yet the same thing is happening again. It is quite outrageous.

"Growing our own young talent is a key part of how a club like Swansea actually exist.

"Not because we sell on the young players for big fees, but because of the way we build teams.

"John throws the youngsters into the first team early and 16 of his first-team squad are home-grown players. "The other day he was purring at the fact that we beat Llanelli in a match and our side contained 10 Welsh players under the age of 21. "Why should we identify the best young talent in Wales, and work on grooming those players, only for Southampton to sneak in and poach those players."

A GOAL six minutes from time from Savarese snatched a vital point for Swansea at Boundary Park.

Remo's corner fell to the South Amercian striker, who managed to force the ball over the line at the second attempt. It gave the visitors only their third point from 18.

Oldham looked to have had the game won following Jones' first goal of the season after 77 minutes.

OLDHAM 1 SWANSEA 1

JASON SMITH doesn't score very often but he earned a precious late point for Swansea.

The sturdy defender bagged a rare and vital goal but even this was not enough to satisfy boss John Hollins.

"It is still not good enough," insisted Hollins.

"We did well to go in at the break 0-0 and I had a few words.

"We came out brighter and sharper but we had it all to do when Oldham went in front. We should have hurt them a lot more than we did."

Despite atrociously wet conditions it was an exciting end-to-end contest. Oldham struck first when they went ahead in the 77th minute and looked to be heading for their fourth win in five games.

A corner from David Eyres bounced off a defender and Paul Jones was first to react to head in from close range for his first goal of the season. Swansea immediately hit the post with a header from Steve Watkin but Smith made no mistake with the equaliser five minutes from the end.

David Romo curled over a corner and the home defence failed to clear. Smith was quickly in to force the ball over the line at the second attempt to give the Swans only their third point from the last 18.