John Hollins has responded to conflicting claims in the press from the club's board over the availability of money for players.

He said: "There has been much speculation, and many statements and counter-statements made recently by various people on the subject of playing budgets. I can confirm that I have money for loan players only, so that's what I'm looking for.

"I have been working on this for the last two weeks, and continue to work on it. I am hopeful of bringing somebody to Swansea City Football Club and there is a chance they may be at the club soon."

Bumper crowd expected for LDV tie

The Swans are hoping to attract a substantially increased crowd for their LDV Vans Trophy area quarter-final against Reading on Tuesday night.

The clash against the promotion-chasers at The Vetch has reduced ticket prices. It now costs £5 for adults and £2 for OAP's - and there'll also be a free match programme for spectators when they come through the turnstiles.

Testing trip for youths

Swans Under 19s make the tough trip to Cirencester tomorrow in the South West & South Wales Youth Alliance League. City faced them just before Christmas at the Vetch, in the FA Youth Cup, and put in one of the best performances of the season to triumph 5-2.

A repeat tomorrow would be gratefully accepted.

Kick-off is at 11:00am.

Swansea City could be without striker Walter Boyd for parts of their Second Division relegation battle if he is called on for international duty.

Jamaica play World Cup qualifiers against Trinidad and Tobago on February 28, Mexico on March 25 and Honduras on April 25. The Swans have league games against Reading, Bury, Bournemouth, Oldham and Oxford around those dates and could conceivably lose the Blacka Pearl for some or all of the fixtures.

A team of officials from the Jamaica Football Federation will fly in this weekend to ensure that all British-based Reggae Boyz will be available for World Cup duty.
"We must not force our players to choose between club and country. An agreement must be reached," said JFF president Captain Horace Burrell. But Swans chief executive Mike Lewis said there was no issue over whether Boyd would go if selected.
"As part of our arrangements with the Jamaican Federation and Fifa we have to release the player if he is called upon. If he is fit and he gets called up, Walter will go," said Lewis.

The Football Association of Wales looks set to allow the Swans, Wrexham and Cardiff to play in the Welsh Cup. The winners will then be nominated by the FAW for a place in the Uefa Cup though at present that is no guarantee.

Swansea would have to move to the Morfa for their ground to meet Uefa criteria. Wales manager Mark Hughes' plans to hold a second week's squad training in La Manga, Spain, next month has been granted by the FAW.

Mike Lewis, chief executive at struggling second division Swansea says cash for new players is available for manager John Hollins.

The Swans are currently languishing fourth bottom of Division Two and were thrashed 5-1 by Walsall at the weekend.

"John Hollins has the authority to sign a loan signing or even a permanent signing to try and get us out of our present predicament," said Lewis.

Lewis defended the board's position, insisting they had given Hollins full support in the transfer market.

Proposition

"John has always got what he asked for, I don't think we have ever said no to him.

"But now we are struggling in the second division and it's down to John to come to the board and say 'look chaps I want to buy a player.'

"And until we get that proposition we can not react," Lewis said.

Strength in depth

The Swansea chief executive would not comment on whether the board regarded the current squad as good enough - "I am not a football coach," was his reply.

But assistant manager Alan Curtis said both he and manager John Hollins beleived they have a squad strong enough to stay in the Second Division

"We feel we've got pleanty of strength in depth, but results have seemed to prove otherwise. "I think it's not so much a question of buying players but bringing some in on loan."

He added that they could possibly strengthen the team in every department, and have certian players in mind who could improve the squad.

Patching up

Lewis also revealed Swansea would be playing at the redeveloped Morfa Stadium by the 2002/3 season. "The ground will be ready in July that year and the pitch will be laid this summer.

"I can assure all the cynics that the scheme will go ahead," he said. "We can not stay at the Vetch any longer as the patching up is costing us a fortune," he explained.

SWANSEA CITY will closely monitor the visit of Jamaica Football Federation officials to Great Britain next week, Swans John Hollins has not been affected by Jamaica’s controversial decision to play two friendlies on the other side of the world this week as striker Walter Boyd is not in the Reggae Boyz squad.

But JFF officials are keen to avoid the sort of negative publicity aroused by the comments of furious Derby County manager Jim Smith.

Smith, who has two Jamaican internationals in his squad, described their games against Bolivia in Miami today and Bulgaria in Kingston on Sunday as “an abuse of the fixture calendar.”

Smith is without midfielder Darryl Powell and striker Deon Burton for tomorrow’s FA Cup match at Blackburn - and possibly next Tuesday’s Premiership clash against Charlton - because of these friendly fixtures.

“Jamaica abuse the fixture calendar more than most,” said Smith. “They are playing two games while everyone else has one.

“They should know better than that as most of their players come from the English leagues anyway.

“It must be a tough decision for the players. They have the choice of playing for the people who pay their wages or they can play for their country.

“In fairness, they shouldn’t be in a position where they have to decide. The football federations have got to get together and try to come to some arrangement that won’t affect the players’ club too much.”

Four other British-based players are included in the Jamaica squad - Jamie Lawrence, of Bradford City, Ricardo Gardner, of Bolton Wanderers, and Hull City pair Ian Goodison and Theodore Whitmore.

Hollins, who has had to let Boyd go on international duty several times, last night refused to comment on the situation.

JFF officials will arrive next week to get assurances from British clubs that their players will be available for World Cup qualifying games.

“We must not force our players to choose between club and country. An agreement must be reached,” said JFF president Horace Burrell.

Swansea City assistant manager Alan Curtis was a disappointed man today as he reflected on last night's 1-1 draw with Barry Town.

The Swans needed a victory and two more in their final group games against Connah's Quay Nomads and TNS to guarantee home advantage in the FAW Premier Cup quarter-finals.

But former Crystal Palace and Millwall striker Jamie Moralee's 69th minute goal, following an error by keeper Jason Jones, was enough for a share of the points after Steve Watkin's early strike.

"We are not really pleased with the result, and the performance was disappointing," said Curtis.

"We were comfortable at 1-0 but a bad goalkeeping mistake gave them the equaliser. It is annoying because Jones never had a shot to save and was never under any real pressure."

A red card for Jason Price after two bookable offences and a Martin Thomas injury on his return from an ankle problem completed a sorry night for a good-looking Swansea side on paper.

Curtis said: "Jason's sending-off seemed a ridiculous decision, then Martin got clattered in the back and their player got away with it."

One boost for the Swans management team was the news that midfielder Damian Lacey has signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract, as revealed in later editions of the Evening Post yesterday.

Boss John Hollins was delighted to secure the services of the 23-year-old youth product from Bridgend until 2003.

He said: "It is good news for the club and it shows we are building for the future."

Lacey has been dogged by injuries since making his Swansea debut on the opening day of the 1996-97 season, although he is currently holding down a first-team place.

He follows in the footsteps of Kristian O' Leary, Roger Freestone and Steve Watkin who have all signed new deals in recent months.

Former Swans chairman Steve Hamer has admitted he may return to the club after the current owners confirmed they may sell up.

Ninth Floor have released a statement which reads: “The company continues to look closely at a possible flotation or a trade sale of Swansea City FC.”

Hamer was sacked by current supremo Neil McClure for failing to sign flotation documents he didn’t agree with, and now says: “I’m not surprised at this situation. The healthiest thing that could happen for the club is for new owners to be found who have a love for it – people who eat, sleep and drink Swansea 24 hours a day.

“I’m watching the situation very closely, and I have a strong interest.” He added: "If you care about Welsh football, you have to say Ninth Floor seems to be finding it hard to continue backing the club and wants to find new owners. That should be encouraged. Let’s hope the right people can be found and if that’s people like me, then so be it.”

Mutton looks to the future

Striker Tommy Mutton is determined to make his loan spell at Merthyr Tydfil only a stepping stone on the way to securing a settled league future.

The transfer-listed striker said: “Last season was disappointing for me. Not to make excuses, but whenever I looked set to break into the first team, I got injured!

“I’ve certainly no regrets about my time at Swansea – I’ve really enjoyed it – but I just don’t think I’ve done myself real justice. I certainly haven’t given up with Swansea and I intend to keep scrapping for a first team spot.”

He added: “I asked to go on the list for two reasons. Firstly, if I don’t get a new deal in the summer, then at least other clubs are already alerted about me and secondly, it can put me in the shop window, as will moving to Merthyr for a month.

“I’ve got to perform, whether it’s in Swansea reserves or with Merthyr. You never know who is watching.”

Swansea City...1
Barry Town...1

A horrendous error by goalkeeper Jason Jones gifted Barry Town a goal and denied Swansea all three points in this FAW Group C decider played at Merthyr Tydfil's Penydarren ground last night.

Jones looked to have enough time to deal with a back pass, but his intended hoof upfield turned to disaster as the ball spun off the outside of his boot and landed at the feet of Jamie Moralee.

The Dragons' striker capitalised fully by burying the easiest of chances with Jones left floundering in a desperate attempt to get at the ball.

And just to cap a pretty unsatisfactory evening for the Swans, Jason Price was sent off after receiving two yellow cards, both of which were harsh decisions by the referee, and Martin Thomas, coming on as a substitute for Walter Boyd in the 62nd minute, lasted less than 20 minutes, before he himself was substituted.

Hollins will not be happy with the way his players responded in the second half when Barry stepped up a gear.

It was a succession of errors which led to the Swans taking the lead after just nine minutes through Steve Watkin.

A Jones goal-kick had only managed to reach Moralee and he tried to set up co-striker John French.

But some desperate defending saw the ball cleared deep into the Barry half where the Town's Wales under-21 international Lee Phillips seemed to have the situation under control.

As Watkin looked to close Phillips down, the former Cardiff City defender under-hit a back pass to Barry's keeper Tony Tucker.

Watkin reacted sharply, taking the ball past Tucker and side-footing from a narrow angle into the empty net.

With a goal in the bag the Swans just played a containing game.

Now familiar with Barry's style of play, Hollins's side was more than happy to let the League of Wales leaders pass the ball around the back but were quick to press and harry whenever they strayed over the halfway line.

Not used to this level of pressure, Barry were forced into committing errors.

Watkin forced a save from Tucker with a sharply-hit shot from an acute angle.

He failed to make the most of a Jason Price cross which he did well to take down on his chest, but followed through with a weak shot and the ball just rolled into Tucker's arms.

Watkin tried to return the complement for Price, but he just misjudged his run and was given offside.

Boyd, who was having a quiet game, had the ball nicked off his boot by Kenny Brown as he prepared to shoot from the edge of the penalty area as he tried to exploit a mix-up in the Barry defence.

Barry kept to their passing game, but apart from two crosses from Mike Flynn at either end of the half, the Swans were in control and looking comfortable.

This was no team of second stringers Hollins had put out and what should have been a shut-up shop scenario from Swansea turned into an uncomfortable second half as City found themselves having to defend against a determined Barry onslaught.

Barry boss Peter Nicholas brought on striker Nicky Burke for defender Phillips and pushed John French out wide. The changes definitely gave Swansea a few more problems.

Jones turned a 25-yard shot from Burke around the post for Barry's first corner of the game.

Then came the Jones horror show on 69 minutes followed by Price's sending off.

The game became fractious and scrappy.

But still the 10 men of Swansea could have won the game.

With the Swans strike force looking lost, it was defenders Jason Smith and Mathew Bound who both went close with a couple of half-chances.

Smith hit a post after his challenge from a cross resulted in Tucker dropping the ball. The big defender was first to react as two Barry defenders closed in, but he was forced to shoot from the narrowest of angles.

And Bound, up in the Barry penalty area, could not keep a volley low enough to trouble Tucker and the ball flew over the bar.

But a point each will satisfy both teams.

Barry now look favourites to top the group while the Swans will need to secure some more points against TNS and Connah's Quay Nomads to make the next round.

But despite the point, this result would have done nothing to boost morale at the Vetch.

Swansea City:
J. Jones, L. De-Vulgt, M. Howard, N. Cusack, J. Smith, M. Bound, J. Price, D. Lacey, W. Boyd, S. Watkin, L. Jenkins. Subs: M. Thomas for Boyd (62), K. O'Leary for Thomas (80). Not used: A. Mumford.

Barry Town:
T. Tucker, T. Evans, G. Lloyd, J. Jenkins , A. York, L. Phillips (N Burke 56 min), K. Bortwn, J. French, J. Moralee, M. Flynn, L. Staton. Subs: G. Maclean for Jenkins 56), N. Burke for Phillips (56). Not used: G Beddard.

Star Choice:
Jason Smith

MIKE LEWIS has denied that Swansea City have financial problems which prevent new signings to strengthen a side in danger of plunging straight back to the Third Division.

“People are suggesting the club is in a perilous state but it’s not,” said Swansea managing director.

“We are struggling to survive in Division Two and, of course, the board is concerned. We can’t really afford to go down again. We are a big city club with a huge catchment area of support and we need to maintain our present status.

“Do we need new players? Yes we do - and that’s down to the manager John Hollins.

“Had he wanted new players we would have responded to his request. But he has not come to us with a proposition for a player. When he does it will be considered favourably, either for a loan signing or a purchase.”

And Lewis, speaking on BBC Radio Wales, dismissed suggestions of a club takeover by a consortium headed by former Swans chairman Steve Hamer as “pie in the sky”.

He added, “The owners of the club, Ninth Floor plc, have said that if someone locally or nationally came forward with an interesting deal they would consider it. There’s no club outside the top six in the Premiership who could afford to say otherwise.

“Ninth Floor has put £4.5m into the club in the last three and a half years and there comes a time when you have to ask, ‘can we continue to do that?’.

“The Morfa scheme has been repeat-edly put back and Neil Mc-Clure (Ninth Floor managing director and Swansea chairman) has lost patience and is rightly asking ‘where do we go from here?’.

“He will make a statement in terms of a trade sale of the club or a flotation in two or three weeks. For the moment it’s business as usual. Ninth Floor will continue to finance the club for the foreseeable future.

“We are running a serious business and the fans deserve better than to be hawked from one situation to another on the basis of rumour and speculation.”

Swansea City 1 Barry Town 1

IT was a tale of two goalkeepers at Penydarren Park last night as two horrendous errors left the honours even in this FAW Premier Cup clash.

Mistakes by Barry ’keeper, Anthony Tucker, in the first half and Swansea’s Jason Jones in the second, made gifts of the game’s two goals.

And even when Swansea were reduced to 10 men after the dismissal of Jason Price in the second half, only another error looked likely to bring a further goal.

Barry goalkeeper Tucker, on loan from Fulham, did not have long to wait for his moment in the unwanted limelight.

A total mix-up between him and his defence allowing Steve Watkin to pounce on the ball inside the box.

Watkin still had a lot to do, but managed to steer the ball into the unguarded net.

After taking the lead so early in the half, Swansea quickly took charge, absorbing any pressure Barry could bring to bear and breaking well.

On 15 minutes Watkin nearly doubled his tally when he broke through on the left, but his efforts was well blocked by Tucker. And it was Watkin who had another good chance on 20 minutes when he chested down a cross from Price in the box, but a weak shot was smothered by Tucker.

After that flurry, Swansea sat back and allowed Barry some space in midfield, but the League of Wales outfit seemed unable or unwilling to take advantage.

Even Walter Boyd, who spent his 62 minutes of the game looking like he wished he was anywhere but Merthyr on a Wednesday, almost made the score-sheet when he raced through on to a long goal-kick after 38 minutes.

But despite his efforts to turn away from the Barry defence, he was quickly closed down.

Barry opened the second half in brighter fashion but in front of a meagre crowd seemed unlikely to score until the Swansea ’keeper, Jason Jones, decided to make a terrible hash of a simple clearance and let Jamie Moralee in to equalise.

Despite their best efforts to retrieve the situation, Swansea, now down to 10 men after Price’s dismissal for a second bookable offence, were unable to score again.

But at the end of a cold night in Merthyr both sides could travel home knowing that a place in the quarterfinals of this FAW Premier Cup competition was still almost assured for them.

Swansea City chairman Neil McClure has claimed the club is in a far better position now than it was when Silver Shield took over in 1997.

McClure said the Swans were a good enough side to fight off relegation and put their current league position down to the efforts of the players.

The Swansea chairman, who did not travel to the Bescot Stadium for the Walsall match, said: "From what I've been told the players' heads dropped when we conceded the second goal. It's all about guts and character now. It's time for the players to perform.

I think they are under-achieving. They are highly-paid professionals, but they must decide if they want to play in the Second or Third Division."

McClure insisted money was available for manager John Hollins to make loan signings, but that with a squad of 30 he would not sanction permanent moves.

"We are intent on keeping the team in Division Two and the resources are there to make it happen."

Meanwhile, the Swans' FAW Premier Cup tie against Barry Town, originally scheduled for Vetch Field last night, will be played tonight at Merthyr's Penydarren Park (7.15).

The Vetch surface is under pools of water and the switch has been made to avoid fixture congestion later in the season.

Swans managing director Mike Lewis said: "If we played at the Vetch, it is unlikely next week's LDV Trophy game would go ahead and the damage might last longer than that.

"The ground staff have put in sterling efforts around the clock to make the pitch playable to no avail.

"We have made this move to ensure the game goes ahead and we are looking at new ways of protecting the pitch for the rest of the season."

Admission for the game is £3 for adults and £1 for concessions.

SWANSEA CITY chairman Neil McClure last night criticised his players as under-achievers - but insisted the club is in a healthier state now than when his company Ninth Floor plc acquired it.

McClure, who yesterday announced he is ready to sell the relegation-haunted club, claimed the current Swansea squad is good enough to stay in the Second Division.

He stressed there is money available for manager John Hollins to bring in new players, but only on loan.

“Swansea City is in a much better position compared to when we took over,” said McClure. “There are no black holes, there is a pile of youngsters coming through, we’ve got a top-quality manager, a first-class commercial team and the exciting prospect of a new stadium.”

The Swans, currently fourth-bottom in Division Two with only one win in their last 15 league games, lost 5-1 at Walsall last Saturday.

McClure did not see the match at the Bescot Stadium, but he has received reports of the game and is angry at the Swans’ second-half display that saw them concede four goals in the last 36 minutes.

“From what I’ve been told, the players’ heads dropped when we conceded the second goal. It’s all about guts and character now,” he said.

“It’s time for the players to perform. I think they are under-achieving. Considering the size of the squad and the talent that’s in it, we should be doing better than we are.

“The players have had healthy increases in their contracts over the last 12 months, recognising they have won promotion and that we wanted to keep them.

“They are highly-paid professionals, but they must decide if they want to play in the Second Division or the Third.”

McClure also slammed critics who have accused him of not giving Hollins money to strengthen the side.

Since arriving at the Vetch in 1998, Hollins has spent only £20,000 on Bangor City striker Tommy Mutton. His other signings - Walter Boyd, Giovanni Savarese and David Romo - have all been free transfers.

“We have one of the biggest squads in the division and I believe it’s good enough to stay up. That’s what John told me at the beginning of the year,” said McClure, chief executive of Ninth Floor.

“John said, quite clearly, that he was confident of avoiding relegation.

“He did ask me a couple of weeks ago if he could buy players. I never got to know who the play-ers were, but we have a squad of 30 and I thought buying more players wasn’t right.

“But there is plenty of money to bring in loan players. There always has been.

“We’re intent on keeping the team in Division Two and the resources are there to make it happen.

“All the money we received from Southampton for youngsters

Matthew Crowell and Richard Jones (reputedly £350,000) has gone back into John’s budget.

“One route we could take is to reduce the size of the squad but improve its quality. I wanted to mention this but was told that it would be interfering with the manager. But that’s still my view.

“Considering we don’t have reserve football anymore, I think a squad of 22-23 players - 17-18 first-class professionals plus a few youngsters - is good enough.”

Swansea supporters are clamouring for new signings following last week’s Walsall thrashing, but McClure said, “Spending money is no guarantee of success.

“Look how much Ron Noades has spent at Brentford and Sir Jack Hayward at Wolves. Lots of clubs spend money but don’t achieve.”

Swansea v Barry - postponed

Swansea City assistant manager is not under estimating the challenge of League of Wales side Barry Town in Tuesday's Premier Cup Group C match at the Vetch.

Barry shocked Nationwide Swansea 3-2 at Jenner Park in November and Curtis was quick to pay compliments to Peter Nicholas' side.

"They have got a great record against ourselves and other league sides, they pass the ball well and it will be a difficult game. "We know we have to defeat them after losing at Jenner Park as we want to top the group and get home advantage in the next stage of the competition," Curtis said.

Barry have already qualified for the quarter-finals, but Swansea must battle it out with Total Network Solutions for the remaining spot. "We know what we have to do and we will be very focused," Curtis said.

Giovanni Savarese did not train on Monday after picking up a knock in Saturday's 5-1 thrashing at Walsall. The Venezeulan also has 'flu.

Frenchman David Romo also sat out Monday's training session.

Swansea midfielder Michael Keegan will miss the rest of the FAW Premier Cup group stages after having received a three-game ban.

Keegan was charged with "conduct likely to bring the game into disrepute" by the FAW after the 3-2 defeat at Barry Town on November 7. The suspension comes following a post-match incident where it was alleged that he swore at the referee.

The player did not attend the hearing and the club accepted the charge.

Keegan will now miss tonight's return fixture at the Vetch (7.15) against Barry, and the remaining ties against Connah's Quay Nomads and TNS.

An outbreak of flu means there are a number other doubts ahead of this evening's game.

Top scorer Giovanni Savarese, Stuart Roberts, Ryan Casey, David Romo and Lyndon Gregson have all been suffering, while Steve Jones may not play because of a thigh strain.

Despite the long list of casualties, manager John Hollins is very keen to get the game played to avoid a fixture pile-up following the postponement of next Saturday's match with Wycombe.

He said: "We are determined to play this game come rain, wind, sleet or snow."

Meanwhile, striker Steve Watkin will miss next week's LDV Trophy home clash with Reading.

He has been given an automatic one-game ban after receiving his fifth booking of the season in the 2-2 draw with Peterborough.

FORMER Swansea City chairman Steve Hamer last night expressed an immediate interest in returning after the club’s owners confirmed they are ready to sell.

The asking price for the ailing Second Division club is likely to be around £3m and Hamer - who left the club last September - could possibly return to head a business consortium.

But a takeover would not affect the club’s move from the Vetch Field to a new home at Morfa which planners have urged Swansea City and County Council to approve next Monday.

Ninth Floor plc, owners of Swansea City, yesterday issued a statement ending weeks of speculation about the club’s future.

It said, “The company continues to look closely at a possible flotation or a trade sale of Swansea City FC.”

The company had undertaken certain preparatory work which would enable the club to be floated on the Alternative Investment Market - but only subject to market conditions being suitable, the statement added.

Stock market sentiment having turned sharply against quoted football clubs, especially those in the lower divisions, a flotation is highly unlikely.

Ninth Floor will make a further statement at the time of its interim financial report in 21 days.

With the club believed to be losing in the region of £20,000 to £25,000 a week, the half-yearly accounts are expected to show a loss of more than £500,000.

This would make it more difficult for the parent company, whose shares have slumped from 94p each to 8p, to dispose of the club.

Neil McClure, Ninth Floor’s chief executive and Swansea City’s chairman, was unavailable for comment yesterday.

But Neath-born Hamer was not surprised and welcomed the announcement that the company was considering selling the club.

“The healthiest thing that could happen is for new owners to be found with a love for the club, prepared to eat, sleep and breathe Swansea City 24 hours a day,” he said. “I am watching the situation very closely.”

Asked if he was heading a would-be takeover consortium of businessmen he added, “I have a strong interest. Whether or not it is achievable remains to be seen, but it would be wrong to say that I am not keeping a close eye on developments.”

Hamer was summarily sacked as chairman by McClure and removed from the Swansea board for refusing to sign documents for a flotation with which he did not agree.

He is dismayed to see the Swans struggling to stay in Division Two after becoming Division Three champions last season.

He said, “If you are interested in Welsh football, you have to say that Ninth Floor is finding it difficult to continue backing the club and apparently want to find new owners.

“That should be encouraged. Let’s hope the right people take over. If it’s people like me, so be it.”

Swansea City and County Council is expected to approve the £75m Morfa scheme at a special meeting on January 29.

The city’s soccer and rugby union clubs would share the 25,000-seater stadium, costing £23m.

Developers Centros Miller will market the project to include a 60-bedroom hotel, superstore, associated shops, 14-screen cinema complex, health and fitness club, 10-pin bowling alley and club shops.

“We are talking about many hundreds of jobs here with people living in Bonymaen, Plasmarl and other areas local to Morfa having rich pickings in terms of employment,” said Swansea City and County Council leader Mike Hedges, who also sees the facility as an alternative to the Millennium Stadium for major events.

Second Division strugglers Swansea City are set to be put up for sale by their owners, Ninth Floor Plc. The windscreen replacement company are also said to be considering a stock market flotation of the club.

Ninth Floor chief executive Neil McClure is believed to be looking for around £3 million for the club, who are currently fourth from bottom of Division Two.

Shares in Ninth Floor gained almost 15 per cent in the first hour of trading on Monday morning following weekend newspaper speculation that the Swans would be sold.

John Hollins' (pictured) side, who were promoted as champions of the Third Division last season, were beaten 5-1 at Walsall on Saturday, and sit a point adrift of safety having played two games more than nearest rivals Port Vale.

The cash-strapped club have brought in only two new faces this season, Giovanni Savarese and David Romo, but although Savarese is top scorer, with nine goals, he has been unable to fire the club away from the bottom four.

SWANSEA CITY manager John Hollins criticised referee Mike North after his side’s 5-1 defeat at Walsall on Saturday for disallowing what might have proved a vital goal early in the first-half.

With the match 10 minutes old and the score 0-0, Swansea striker Giovanni Savarese appeared to give the Swans the lead, poking the ball home after Walsall goalkeeper Jimmy Walker dropped David Romo’s free-kick.

But North, in his first season as a Football League referee, disallowed the goal claiming Savarese had fouled Walker as he tried to force the ball over the line.

The Swansea players thought the goal was perfectly valid and after the match a baffled Hollins said, “These things change games and that could have changed it for us.

“We thought it was a decent goal. The ’keeper dropped it, the ball was there and Giovanni put it in. Why the referee disallowed it, I don’t know.

“I maintain it was a goal. When the ’keeper drops the ball it’s fair game.”

Hollins’s side had the better of the first-half but conceded four goals after the break and left the West Midlands still fourth from bottom of Division Two.

Club captain Nick Cusack, who came on as a second-half substitute for the injured Savarese, said the result could have been different had the Venezuelan international’s early effort been allowed.

“When their ’keeper dropped the ball it was fair game for ‘Gio’. We can’t understand the referee’s decision.

“Had we gone 1-0 ahead we would have been in a comfortable position because at that time we were holding our own.”

At the Bescot Stadium the Swans suffered their heaviest defeat since the 5-1 loss at Reading on September 23.

“I don’t like to criticise referees but if he sits down and looks at it on video I’m sure he’ll admit he made an error,” added Cusack. “Who knows, that goal might have led to Walsall’s demise.

“Goalkeepers are given too much protection and this is something that has happened over the last few years.

“In the old days it was weighed in favour of strikers but now the pendulum has definitely swung the other way.

“If they’ve gone for a ball they can’t win all goalkeepers have got to do is fall down because they know they will get a free-kick.”

Even the Walsall players felt Savarese’s goal was valid.

Striker Brett Angell, who scored the Saddlers’ first two goals, said, “If I was a Swansea player I would be very unhappy.

“I don’t think there was anything wrong with Savarese’s goal, but when you’re down all the luck seems to go against you.”

Swansea - one point from safety - have 21 matches left to save themselves, starting with Bristol City at Ashton Gate on February 3.

Hollins’s side kept 22 clean sheets during last season’s Third Division championship triumph but this season they have already conceded 39 goals.

“It’s disconcerting because we were so tight last season. This is a better quality league, no question about that,” said Cusack.

JOHN HOLLINS had every right to look glum. He had seen his side lose by four goals, and the relegation noose had tightened a little bit more.

But there were some words of encouragement for him from Ray Graydon, manager of the Walsall side that had just inflicted one of Swansea City’s worst defeats of the season.

“Swansea are quite capable of getting out of the bottom four. There’s plenty of fight in the team,” said Graydon. “John Hollins is a good coach.”

But with only one win from the last 15 league games the Swans need results - and quickly.

For most of the first half it looked as if Hollins’s team would go home with some reward. They played the better football and created the better opportunities.

But their confidence is fragile, and when the Saddlers scored their second shortly after the break they capitulated and looked like a team destined for the drop.

“You make mistakes and you’re punished,” remarked Hollins. “I don’t think we deserved that result, but that’s what we’ve got.”

Walsall, in third place before the kick-off, went in at the interval a goal ahead, but it should have been the other way round.

Swansea striker Giovanni Savarese, a constant thorn in Walsall’s side until he limped off with a shin injury at the start of the second half, had a great chance to silence the home fans after 10 minutes.

Kris O’Leary’s long pass cut the Walsall rearguard in half and Savarese, charging into the penalty area, held off two defenders before seeing Jimmy Walker tip his rasping right-footer wide.

Not long after that came the decision that infuriated Hollins and his players. Walker fumbled David Romo’s curling free-kick and Savarese was first on the scene to force the ball home.

But referee Mike North disallowed the goal, ruling that the striker had fouled Walker.

The Swans, who beat Walsall 3-1 at the Vetch on Boxing Day, continued to press forward, with Lee Jenkins and Jason Price particularly impressive in midfield and Savarese proving a handful for Walsall’s central defenders.

Price dispossessed Pedro Matias out on the right and galloped at least 80 yards before slipping the ball to Jenkins, who scuffed his shot.

Although the Bescot Stadium’s frost-affected surface cut up easily - the fixture was given the go-ahead only after a pitch inspection earlier in the day - Hollins’s men were intent on playing slick and confident football.

Walsall, their irritated fans starting to heckle them, had to wait until the 30th minute before they tested Roger Freestone.

Paul Hall met Dean Keates’s cross at the far post and Freestone brilliantly saved with his legs.

In the 43rd minute, and against the run of play, the Saddlers went in front.

Keates again was the provider, this time for the unmarked Brett Angell, whose miscued effort bobbled past Freestone and trick-The second half was only six minutes old when the Midlanders doubled their lead courtesy of a rare but calamitous mistake by Freestone.

The Welsh international sprinted out of his area to clear as Walsall attacked. He evaded Jorge Leitao, but instead of hoofing the ball to safety he tried to beat the onrushing Hall as well.

Hall robbed him and passed to Leitao, who then supplied Angell, who collected his second of the afternoon. The former Everton striker stroked the ball home from close range.

After that it looked bleak for the Swans, especially as Savarese - scorer of so many important goals this season - was forced to leave the action in the 50th minute.

Graydon’s men were now in complete control and displaying the class that has made them contenders for automatic promotion.

A mix-up between Jason Smith and Freestone nearly allowed Leitao to nod a third for Walsall. Hall then tried his luck from 25 yards with a fine effort, and Tom Bennett shot wide after an exhilarating counter-attack.

Walsall’s inevitable third goal came in the 65th minute, and it was best of the game. Bennett picked out Matias on the left

led over the line. wing. He whipped in a delightful cross and Freestone could only stand and admire Leitao’s glancing header.

The Swans were thrown a life-line three minutes later when they were awarded a penalty. Nick Cu-sack, who had replaced Savarese, was fouled by Ian Roper and Steve Watkin made no mistake from the spot.

Hollins’s side at last began to enjoy some possession and pushed for a second goal. But in the 74th minute Walsall scored a fourth to crush any hope of a comeback.

Matias delivered another cross from the left and Hall, completely unmarked, headed past the helpless Freestone. The Swansea goalkeeper, quite rightly, berated his defenders. Where were they?

By this stage Swansea were a ragged, demoralised unit. With every attack Walsall looked as if they were going to score.

Jamaican international Hall netted their fifth two minutes from time. He was put clean through by substitute Gabor Bukran’s wonderful pass and kept his composure to beat Freestone.

“The first goal was down to the condition of the pitch,” said Hollins. “That’s not making any excuses. We wanted the game played, and so did they. But it re-ally was a bad goal and they didn’t deserve it.

“We went at half-time 1-0 down but I didn’t feel we had too many problems. I maintain the disallowed goal was a good goal.

“As for the second half, in those conditions goalkeepers can’t dribble with the ball. That’s not on.”

Graydon, enraged by his team’s 2-1 defeat at bottom club Oxford the previous week, added, “Swansea caught us on the wrong day. They caught us after my team had been whipped.

“They’ve been whipped all week. There was a reaction and, unfortunately for Swansea, they felt it.

“The other thing was we didn’t perform at Swansea the other week and I think my crew wanted to show they were better.

“I’m very pleased with what my players did. There were some fantastic performances and some fantastic goals. As far as effort was concerned, there were no weak links.

“But the game could easily have gone Swansea’s way. They had a couple of chances in the first half and caused us plenty of problems. Had those goals gone in who knows what might have happened?”