SWANSEA City Venezuelan hit-man Giovanni Savarese will be out to gun down big spending Wigan today and help make himself a world-wide TV star.

Savarese has been the major plus point at a relegation-threatened Vetch Field this season after scoring eight goals in 11 league starts since his free transfer from American Major League side San Jose Earthquakes in October.

The Venezuelan international is so highly rated hack home in South America that foreign television crews have been descending on Swansea this week to feature the club's top scorer in a special documentary.

The man from Caracas is being featured alongside the likes of the Premiership's South American stars Gus Poyet (Chelsea), Arcan (Sunderland), Noluerto Solano (Newcastle) and Dundee's Claudio Caniggia.

"He is in the series because he deserves to be," explained Argentine television producer Fernano Spannaus. "He has an international record that is second to none, was a major star in the States and is now doing well with Swansea."

Savarese's contract expires at Swansea at the end of the season, but the Second Division strugglers have the first option to re-sign him.

"I want to stay and I will do what I can to keep Swansea up," explained Savarese. "There is too much talent in the squad to go down."

The 29-year-old admits that he had his doubts when he first came to Swansea, especially after seeing how close the fans were to the Vetch Field pitch. "In America the English game has a reputation for violence," added Savarese.

"Unfortunately that is the way it is perceive throughout the world. "You can imagine what I thought when I saw how close the fans were to the pitch here, especially coming from a country where there was always a running track around the pitch and the crowds were very family orientated.

"I remember thinking how easy it was for the fans to jump onto the pitch at the Vetch.
"But, thankfully, the violent perception I came with is a world apart from the real thing."

Savarese put those fears behind him to score twice on his debut in a 3-1 win over Stoke - Swansea's only victory for 12 games until Walsall succumbed to goals from Savarese, Steve Watkin and Steve Jones on Boxing Day.

It still wasn't enough to move Swansea out of the relegation zone and they face promotion hopefuls Wigan today still struggling fourth from bottom.

SWANSEA CITY are looking to Ryan Casey’s emergence as a quality left sided player to help them survive in the Second Division.

Coventry-born Casey played only 26 league games in his first three seasons with the Swans.

And last season he was confined to 11 substitute appearances for their Third Division championship-winning side.

Promoted to the starting line for the last game on Boxing Day, Casey, who was 22 on Wednesday, produced an eye catching display to help John Hollins’s side beat second-placed Walsall.

“Ryan has matured into a strapping 6ft 2in forward,” said Alan Curtis, assistant to Hollins.

“He seems to have worked a lot harder in terms of training and is definitely much fitter.

“He hasn’t played many first team games and probably tired in the last third against Walsall.

“But he was excellent for an hour. He is a terrific runner, has a great left foot and the ability to beat an opponent.

“He is in the team on merit and with a little more strength and stamina he can become a regular in the side.”

Swansea’s holiday games - home to Brentford and away to Colchester - were both frozen off.

“It’s been frustrating because we wanted to carry on after the great win over Walsall,” added Curtis.

“But at least the break has enabled everyone to get fit apart from Martin Thomas who has an ankle injury.”

Thomas and Jason Price have been placed on the transfer list after rejecting new contract offers.

But Aberdare-born Price will probably start against high-flying Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium today.

“Jason is looking to play at a higher level and feels that now is the right time in his career to move,” said Curtis.

“There’s nothing we can do about it . His contract is up at the end of the season so reluctantly the club has put him on the list.

“But we have told him we will not leave him high and dry. He will continue to be in the team as long as he’s worth his place, as will Martin Thomas when he is fit.

“I’m sure both players will give 100 per cent commitment for as long as they are at the club.”

Wigan are unbeaten on their own ground this season but Swansea will be encouraged by Wrexham gaining a point there last week.

“We would settle for a similar result. We drew with Wigan in the first game of the season at the Vetch Field and would have won if Jason Price had converted the game’s best chance,” added Curtis.

“We seem to compete better against the top teams than sides near the bottom. We don’t treat every game the same.”

Swansea will have to subdue Wales international Simon Haworth, the former Cardiff City striker who scored his 12th goal in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Luton.

MERTHYR TYDFIL have signed Tommy Mutton on loan from Swansea City in their search for more strike power.

Player-manager Keith Walker is hoping the transfer-listed Mutton can recapture his prolific scoring form for Bangor City before the Swans signed him for £20,000.

“”We’ve been creating good scoring chances but not taking them,” said Walker who has also borrowed midfielder Gareth Phillips from his old club.

The former Swans defender is hoping that Mutton will take some of the pressure off Dai Thomas, struggling for goals since his move from Cardiff City.

“Dai is an accomplished scorer and I’m sure it will all come together,” said Walker.

Mutton and Phillips are poised to make their debuts in the Dr Martens League premier division at Ilkestone today.

Newport County attempt to end a difficult week during which chairman John Williams resigned by capturing Burton Albion’s ground record today.

“All we must concentrate on is getting some thing against second-placed Burton,” said manager Tim Harris.

“John’s resignation was a disappointment. I have every respect for him and enjoyed working with him over the past two years when he put in a lot of hard work.”

County striker Gary Shephard has scored eight goals in as many matches.

Swans boss John Hollins has welcomed news that the FA Cup Final will be coming to Wales for the next three years.

The announcement that the Millennium Stadium will host the showpiece event as well as other domestic finals and play-offs was made this morning. "It's good news particularly for Wales," said Hollins.

"Nobody can deny it's a terrific stadium. "There's not many places where you could house 72,000 and you can even close the roof if the weather gets bad.

"I'm sure that all the doubts and worries about the pitch will have been cleared up by the time the first final is played there and I think it's a great chance for Wales to show what they can do."

Well, 2001 is finally here and I hope you all have a very Happy New Year.

Looking back on 2000, I feel it has been a very successful year for the Swans.

Last season's tremendous achievement in winning the Division Three championship was a brilliant experience for everyone concerned with Swansea City and the euphoria of all that was carried into the new season as everyone looked forward to life in Division Two.
Early-season results suggested mid-table security, with a draw against big guns like Wigan and victories over Peterborough and Notts County being extremely enjoyable.

Doubts over a lack of goals continued to be the major concern among the supporters, and in October we welcomed Giovanni Savarese, who proved to be a great hit with everyone. His eight goals so far have gone a long way to appeasing the fears.

I have always felt that the squad has too much ability and character to struggle all season, but there is much hard work to be done to prevent a swift return to Division Three.

The lowest point for me has been the early exit from this season's FA Cup with that 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth in November.
Welsh football at international level has enjoyed a mini revival under Mark Hughes and the introduction of playing at the Millennium Stadium has been a massive boost for all the players.

Bringing the FA Cup final and other major finals to Cardiff has also raised interest levels among Welsh fans and I hope we can justify everyone's faith and stage these showpiece games in the expected manner.

So, looking back, overall it has been a year of great success with harsh reality thrown in, and hopefully next May we can all look forward to another season in Division Two.

Awards for the year 2000: Team: Swansea City; Player: Roger Freestone; Young Player: Stuart Roberts.

Elsewhere in football, Manchester United continue to dominate in the Premiership and the only question now left is how many points will the winning margin actually be.

Arsenal's relatively poor Christmas and New Year results have almost ended their chances of winning the title and no other club can be seriously considered as a contender for No. 1 spot.

At least the League of Wales had new champions in 2000, with TNS pipping Barry Town for the title during a season which saw my own Llanelli team making a massive impact on the LoW by playing some fantastic football.

Who will possibly forget that memorable night at Stebonheath last January in a game widely regarded as one of the best ever LoW games?

Sadly, they have failed to live up to expectations but I'm sure that they, like the Swans, have got enough quality to survive in the LoW. I certainly hope so.

I hope you continue to enjoy your football in 2001.

The U-13 Centre of Excellence side return to action this week, following the postponement of all their Christmas fixtures. They host Rhondda on Friday 5th January at The Ashlands playing fields in Port Tennant, with a 11am kick-off.

Paul Compton, the Director of Youth Development, has asked fans to come along and support the next generation of Swans.

Swansea City boss John Hollins made two New Year's resolutions as his squad re-assembled at Vetch Field for a hectic second half of the season.

With Swansea still balanced precariously fourth from bottom in the Second Division and virtually facing two games a week until the end of the campaign, Hollins is hoping for a more prosperous New Year in their battle for survival.

"After Brentford and Colchester were called off, my first resolution has to be to actually get a game played," quipped Hollins.

"My second resolution is to keep repeating the form we showed against Walsall on Boxing Day.

"We've got some massive games coming up against the likes of Reading and Millwall, but if we can reproduce that form the only way we'll be going is up."

Swansea will face the first of those "massive games" on Saturday when they make the trip to Wigan encouraged by Wrexham's goalless draw at the impressive JJB Stadium on New Year's Day.

Wrexham became only the second team this season to leave Lancashire with a point as Bruce Rioch's side remain unbeaten at home.

Such was Rioch's disappointment, he hit out at the busy Christmas and New Year fixture programme that left him sporting a number of injury concerns ahead of Swansea's visit.

While Swansea had the day off yesterday after a Sunday training session on the beach, results were going their way elsewhere at the lower end of the table.

Bottom club Oxford remain seven points adrift of Luton following their 3-0 defeat at Brentford, while the Hatters also went down 3-2 at Bournemouth courtesy of a late goal from in-form Jermain Defoe.

Port Vale's home game with fellow strugglers Bristol Rovers was postponed while Swindon remain a point above Swansea, who now have two games in hand over the Robins after a 1-0 defeat at Walsall.

SWANSEA CITY are entering the New Year with fixture pile-up problems as well as relegation worries.

The Swans have had three league games - Brentford at home and away games at Northampton and Colch-ester - postponed in as many weeks.

Fitting in fixtures may prove difficult as Swansea are still in the LDV Vans Trophy - visiting Bournemouth in the last 16 of the southern section next Tuesday - and are only half-way through their FAW Premier Cup group programme.

And home games against Barry Town, Connah’s Quay Nomads and TNS are poised to put a further strain on the Vetch Field’s playing surface.

“I was disappointed that both games were called off,” said manager John Hollins after the New Year’s Day trip to Colchester fell victim to a frozen pitch - Swansea’s second postponement in 48 hours.

“We were desperate to play and build on the winning performance against Walsall on Boxing Day.

“But I am grateful that Colchester made the decision early and our fans did not make a wasted journey.”

Swansea will hope for better luck at Wigan on Saturday where Martin Thomas may return after injury.

Striker asks for move from Vetch

Swansea City added a third name to the Vetch Field transfer list today when striker Tommy Mutton asked to leave the Second Division club.

Mutton has joined Martin Thomas and Jason Price on the transfer list after failing to establish himself in the first-team frame.

The former Burnley striker joined Vetch Field in September, 1999, from League of Wales side Bangor City.

The 22-year-old speed merchant cost Swansea £22,500 and remains manager John Hollins's only cash signing in over two years.

Mutton, despite making his debut the same week against Hull City, has failed to force his way past fellow strikers Steve Watkin, Giovanni Savarese and Walter Boyd.

He made just two League appearances last season and five so far this campaign. His contract is due to expire at the end of the season.

"Tommy came to see me and felt he was better off looking elsewhere to continue his career," confirmed Hollins.

"It has been difficult for him because he has lacked games and with it the opportunity to figure in the first-team on a regular basis."

Mutton isn't the only one likely to be kicking his heels tomorrow with a noon pitch inspection today set to confirm the postponement of their Second Division encounter with Brentford.

Large sections of the Vetch Field were still covered in a thick sheet of ice this morning as Hollins was forced to take to the beach for a short, sharp training session.

"We really want the game to go ahead," explained Hollins. "But unless we get a serious thaw it is not looking good at all.

"The last thing we want is the game to be called off. After showing a second-half improvement at Wycombe and turning in a winning display against Walsall, we are desperate to keep the momentum going."

Brentford's new boss Ray Lewington was under no illusion that his side faced a difficult game despite Swansea beingfourth from bottom.

"I think it's going to be tough," confirmed Lewington. "We are capable of beating anyone, but we are also capable of losing to anyone."

The Bees were hoping to welcome back Martin Rowlands who missed the Swindon trip with a stomach bug.

Meanwhile, Amman Sports Tours have a few places left for their trip to Colchester on New Year's Day, priced at £18 and £15 with local pick-up points. For further details tel: 01269 826652 or 07866 644731.

Swansea City : from Freestone, Jones (S), Howard, Smith, Bound, Price, Cusack, Romo, Casey, Watkin, Savarese, Jenkins, O'Leary, Roberts, Lacey, Mounty, Boyd, De-Vulgt.

Brentford : from Gottskalksson, Dobson, Marshall, Gibbs, O'Connor, Quinn, Evans, Ingimarsson, Owusu, Mahon, Partridge, Scott, Lovett, McCammon, Williams, Smith, Theobald, Rowlands.

Swans clash at Colchester called off Swansea's game against Colchester United at Layer Road on New Year's Day has been postponed due to the recent snow and frost.

The pitch was deemed unplayable after a pitch inspection today and no new date has been decided on yet for a re-scheduled match.