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Press cuttings |
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Saturday, January 18, 2003 Bluebirds pair in big Swans rescue mission |
| Western Mail
JOHN WILLIAMS aims to make the most of his reunion with former Cardiff City strike partner Kevin Nugent in Swansea's do-or-die battle at York |
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Friday, January 17, 2003 Get off Brian's back |
| Western Mail CRISIS club Swansea City last night vowed not to give in to the Vetch boo brigade by sacking under-fire Brian Flynn. The club's five-man board of directors moved to state their case amid growing unrest about Flynn from certain sections of the Swans supporters. The Swans reiterated their support for their embattled boss as his team remain anchored to the bottom of the Football League with the relegation trapdoor to the Conference looming larger by the day. Fans turned on Flynn midway through Swansea's devastating 3-2 home defeat on Tuesday. They fear an end to the Swans' League status is a real possibility unless drastic action is taken. But the Board last night stood by the statement they made after the 1-0 defeat at Lincoln City on December 28 which gave overwhelming backing to their Director of Football. `'Nothing has changed from what was said two weeks ago,'' said a Swans spokesman. `'We said then that what this club needs is stability - something that has been sadly lacking in recent years - and we stand by that.'' The Board, who released the earlier statement as bookmakers started taking bets on a possible successor to Flynn, said they envisaged the former Wrexham manager remaining at the Vetch until he retired. That caused alarm amongst the anti-Flynn brigade who pay their money to watch the team. However, last night the board insisted Flynn's tenure in the Vetch hot seat was dependent on results. "As we said over the past few weeks, we see Brian's job at Swansea as one lasting for some time,'' said the Swans' spokesman. "But we want to make it clear that we did not state he had a job for good here. "There is no such thing as a job for good at a football club.'' The club's comments will still do little to appease those fans who fear Swansea are on the verge of losing their League status with Flynn at the helm. Although the former Wales midfielder succeeded in keeping Wrexham in the League during his 12-year spell at The Racecourse, a glance at the statistics do little to suggest the Swansea board were correct to appoint Flynn last September. Since succeeding Nick Cusack after the 1-0 defeat at Boston, the Swans have picked up only12 points from a possible 48 with Flynn at the helm. Flynn's backers argue he inherited a poor squad from Cusack. But the Board have permitted him to make several changes to the playing staff in the belief that he would ensure Swansea's League future. So far Flynn's signings have failed to help lift the club from the relegation mire as the team stand four points adrift at the bottom. Concerned supporters are pointing to the fact that on Tuesday midfielder Paul Reid and striker James Thomas were the only Cusack signings to take the field. They argue that Flynn has already moulded his own side and yet there has been no improvement in results. Flynn, though, is prepared to ride out the storm and accept the fans' criticisms. He said, "I'm the manager, I select the team and so I have to be prepared for the criticism that comes my way. "As a team, we have a duty to excite the fans and to produce decent results, but if the team are not playing well, I have to accept what the fans say.'' |
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Friday, January 17, 2003 Swansea may not sing York's swansong |
| Western Mail York City, who face Swansea on Saturday in what looked set to be their last ever match before being wound up, could yet get a last minute reprieve. Administrators for York have revealed that a second party could step forward and make an offer to buy the club despite missing today's noon deadline. One unnamed bidder has already submitted an offer to buy the Division Three club, who have been in administration since December 18. The Minstermen have also been given a short-term lifeline after a member of the York City Supporters' Trust pledged an unspecified cash sum to see the club through the next few weeks. City are understood to be losing around £20,000 a week, but administrator David Willis of Jacksons Colliffe Cork said in a statement: "A representative from the York City Football Club Supporters' Trust has confirmed the Trust's commitment to providing funding to enable the club to continue to trade while attempts are made to conclude a sale. "The club can only trade beyond the Swansea match with the commitment of external funding being made available. "I can also confirm one firm offer has been received for the business and assets of YCFC. In addition, I have received a commitment from a second interested party, that they intend to submit an offer but have been unable to comply with the deadline. "At present I am unable to disclose the identities of either party. "The offer received is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are beyond the direct control of the administrator. Therefore, over the course of the next 48 hours, we will assess the viability of the offer and speak to the other interested party involved. "If an acceptable offer can be negotiated it is likely the legal work to conclude a sale may take between two and four weeks. The identity of any purchaser will only be disclosed when a sale is concluded." |
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Friday, January 17, 2003 Ex-Bluebird vows to rescue Swans |
| Western Mail FORMER Cardiff City striker Kevin Nugent has been charged with leading Swansea City to Football League survival. Nugent, who spent five years with the Swans' arch-rivals, has joined the Third Division strugglers on a one-month loan from Leyton Orient. And the ex-Bluebird, who will go straight into the team at York tomorrow, said he hoped Swansea supporters would put aside their bitter rivalry with Cardiff and welcome him to the Vetch. "I know it's possible that I could be the target of abuse if I'm not successful at Swansea, but I hope the fans will get behind me," said Nugent, who left Ninian Park for Orient 12 months ago. "Swansea need someone to help score goals to get them out of trouble and that's why I have joined." Edmonton-born Nugent will be reunited with Swans striker John Williams, four years after the pair fired Cardiff to promotion from Division Three. But 33-year-old Nugent was frozen out during Alan Cork's spell in charge of the Bluebirds, making just one appearance last season before moving to east London. This year the big target-man has struggled to hold down a place in the Orient side. "Joining Swansea gives me the chance to put myself in the shop window," he said. "I know Swansea are in a huge relegation battle and it's a case of all hands on deck. But I don't go there feeling huge pressure on my shoulders. I'll just do my best." Swans boss Brian Flynn said, "Kevin's a good signing for us. He's an experienced player who has a good eye for goal." |
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Thursday, January 16, 2003 SUPPORT IS STILL FANTASTIC |
| Evening Post
Despite the traumatic events at the Vetch, Swansea City have the eighth highest average |
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Thursday, January 16, 2003 DIE-HARD FANS ARE GIVING IT THEIR ALL |
| Evening Post
Are these the most loyal fans in the country? |
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Thursday, January 16, 2003 LEAGUE THROW SWANS LIFELINE |
| Evening Post
Swansea City's hopes of Nationwide League survival could today be handed a massive boost - by York City. |
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Wednesday, January 15, 2003 GET OFF OUR BACKS |
| Evening Post
New Swansea City skipper Jason Smith hit back at the Vetch Field boo-boys after defeat by Bury last night, declaring that Nationwide League survival means more to the club's players than the fans. |
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Wednesday, January 15, 2003 SWANS LATE SHOW FAILS TO EASE FEARS OF DROP |
| Evening Post
It was a night to wheel out the old footballing cliches at Vetch Field - a funny old game, a game of two halves and all that. Sadly, Brian did not finish up over the moon. |
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Wednesday, January 15, 2003 PLANNING FOR OUR FUTURE |
| Evening Post
As we go into a new year, the trust board is looking to publish shortly the plan setting out the short, medium and long-term goals for the trust. |
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Tuesday, January 14, 2003 THOMAS BACK IN HIS OLD SCORING ROLE |
| Evening Post
Goal-shy Swansea City finally kick off 2003 against Bury tonight (7.45) with James Thomas hoping for a belated Happy New Year. |
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Tuesday, January 14, 2003 Swansea midfielder Lacey retires |
| Western Mail GARETH PHILLIPS has paid tribute to Swansea City team-mate Damian Lacey ahead of tonight's crunch Division Three clash against Bury. Lacey has been forced to retire from professional football after conceding defeat in his long-term battle against a foot injury that he sustained more than four years ago. The Bridgend-born midfielder, who has made 10 league appearances this season, the last being the 1-0 defeat at Lincoln on December 28, fractured a heel bone that has left him on the sidelines for long periods. Lacey, who came through the ranks at the Vetch and made his debut under Jan Molby in August 1996, hopes to stay with the Swans in a coaching capacity after making a total of 105 league appearances. Phillips, who came through the Swans youth system alongside Lacey, said it was tragic his friend and team-mate had been forced to call time on his Vetch career. "I feel very sad for Damian because he's worked so hard to shake off the injury," said 23-year-old Phillips. "He suffered one set-back after another but he kept on going and that took a lot of character. "In the end, there was nothing more he or the medical staff could do and sadly he has been forced to retire at a very young age. "Something like this acts as a reminder that any player can pick up a career-threatening injury. "I'm just glad I'm not in Damian's shoes. Touch wood, I've been quite lucky with injuries and I hope I've got a few years in front of me." Ironically, Phillips is likely to benefit from Lacey's retirement, in terms of the reduced competition for places in central midfield. But, having started the season on the fringes of the first-team squad, Pontypridd-born Phillips has in any defence. case been heavily involved this season, making 18 league and cup appearances. And the former Wales Under-21 midfielder, who signed for the Swans in July 1998, is desperate to be at the Vetch next season. "The players are thinking about earning new contracts and I'm no different in trying to persuade the manager that I'm worth one," said Phillips. "But that has to stay at the back of our minds until the end of the season because we must concentrate on getting results." Swansea are four points adrift of safety after fellow strugglers Exeter snatched a draw at Hull City on Saturday. With a daunting trip to York City at the weekend, the Swans - beaten 3-2 at Gigg Lane earlier in the season - cannot afford to lose tonight's rearranged tie against fifth-placed Bury. Director of football Brian Flynn, who will hand Kieron Durkan his debut on the right of mid-field, is boosted by the return of Jason Smith in "We need to win this game to close the gap at the bottom," said Phillips. "Being cut five or six points adrift is the last thing we want." |
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Tuesday, January 14, 2003 Faithful Swan hopes Cardiff win |
| Western Mail IT'S the last thing you would expect from a Swansea City fan but Neil Edwards will be rooting for Cardiff City when they meet Coventry tomorrow. Edwards is the Rochdale goal-keeper who will face the Swans' arch-rivals in the fourth round of the competition should they triumph in the third-round replay against Gary McAllister's side But - in stark contrast to most of the Swansea faithful - the former Wales Under-21 international would be happy to see the Bluebirds succeed rather than fall flat on their faces at Highfield Road. "Before I last played Cardiff, a newspaper ran an article about how I was a big Swansea fan and how I hated the Bluebirds," said Aberdare-born Edwards. "As you can imagine, the Cardiff fans then made my life a misery by giving me a whole load of stick. "I would no doubt get more abuse if Cardiff beat Coventry and played us in the fourth round because the fans never forget these things. "But if I'm honest, I quite look forward to it. In a way it would be good if Cardiff got through - it would certainly make life more interesting!" The 32-year-old goalkeeper, keeping his fingers crossed that the Swans escape relegation from the Football League this season, said Rochdale would be confident of success against Cardiff or Coventry. "From a Welsh point of view I would prefer to play Cardiff, but beyond that it doesn't really matter," said Edwards. "The fact is we are equally confident of beating either Cardiff or Coventry. "I don't mean to sound arrogant but we beat (First Division) Preston in the third round, so why should we fear those sides? "And let's face it - I don't think Cardiff or Coventry were too chuffed when they drew us in the fourth round. "We will have home advantage and they won't relish coming here. I think we've got a good chance of reaching the fifth round." He may be a lifelong Swan but Edwards, who began his career as a trainee at Leeds before joining Stockport in 1991 and then Rochdale six years later, bears no ill feeling towards Cardiff. "The fierce rivalry between Swansea and Cardiff supporters is well known but it's not a hate thing with me," he said. "I have always looked forward to playing against Cardiff and I always keep an eye out for their results. "Where I grew up, in Aberdare, it was split - some people went to watch Cardiff and others supported the Swans. "Many of my friends are Cardiff fans but I used to go down the Vetch as a youngster and I've remained a Swansea fan." And Edwards admits he would be devastated if the Swans failed to avoid relegation to the Conference. "Having watched Swansea in the early 1980s when they were in the old First Division, it saddens me to see them where they are now," he said. "The last thing I want is for the Swans to go down. It would be devastating for the fans, the city and Welsh football as a whole." Edwards, back to his best after a knee injury restricted him to just 10 league and cup appearances last season, is a friend of veteran Swans goalkeeper Roger Freestone. "I really feel for Roger because, at the end of the day, he's the man who has to keep picking the ball from the back of the net," said Edwards. "If the Swans went down, I would probably give Roger a call just to express my sympathy. "But what do you say in those circumstances? I hope it's a call that I never have to make." |
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Tuesday, January 14, 2003 Swansea game could be York's last |
| Western Mail York manager Terry Dolan is preparing for the home clash with Swansea on Saturday in the knowledge that it could be the club's last ever game. City, who went into administration last month, have a January 18 deadline to secure new ownership and it seems unlikely an extension will be granted beyond the weekend. "The only way they [the administrators] have said they will extend that deadline is if, during this week, it's looking very positive that somebody will eventually take over the running of the club," Dolan told the League Managers' Association website. "If it's going to take two or three weeks for the paperwork to be done, I think they might just extend it. Other than that, they've said no. "So I think people might understand, in that situation we are a little bit different to other clubs." Should the deadline pass without a rescue package, the club could close their doors for the final time on Saturday. "We play Swansea on the 18th and that would be our last game. We'd be finished. We'd be in liquidation the following day," said Dolan. "The administrators have budgeted in their cash-flow projections that they would have enough money to keep the club going until Saturday. The players aren't getting paid anyway at the moment, so it's amazing how they have managed to keep going. "The administrators, to be fair, are trying to be positive and say Ôwell, we're hopeful', but when there are 24 players' futures at stake and everybody on the staff's future at stake, four days to go and nothing has been set down in concrete, then it's a little bit worrying." Dolan is attempting to prepare as normal for the game against the Third Division's bottom side, with a view to reaching the play-offs should the situation be resolved in time. "From my own point of view, if we can come out of this week and come out the right side and still be in existence next week, then I think - I've had 16 years in management, I'm pretty certain - I'll be able to cope with anything in the future, because I've never encountered anything like this before," he added. "But we've tried to prepare. Whether it's a coincidence or not I don't know, but since we went into administration on December 18, having had a nine-match unbeaten run prior to that, we haven't won a game. "I wouldn't want to use that as an excuse - we've drawn two and lost three -but we're still in the pack and from the point of view of the rest of the season, we've still got a fighting chance of getting into the play-offs, and who knows what from there. "The important thing is that come next Monday, York City is still in existence, and if that's the case we can all look forward to the future and we've all got to remain positive." |
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Tuesday, January 14, 2003 Ex-Swans in frame for Cheltenham job |
| South Wales Echo TWO former Swansea City managers are among the contenders to take charge at Cheltenham Town, who visit Ninian Park on Saturday. Jan Molby and John Hollins are being considered by Cheltenham, who want an experienced man to take charge following the departure of Graham Allner. It is likely that senior players Mark Yates and Chris Banks, plus youth team manager Bob Bloomer, will prepare the Robins' team for Saturday's Second Division clash with the Bluebirds. Allner was sacked with Cheltenham lying second from bottom in the table with 23 points from 25 games. A statement from the directors yesterday said: "The board no longer has the confidence that Graham Allner is the man to keep Cheltenham Town in Nationwide League Division Two." |
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Monday, January 13, 2003 IT'S HOME, JAMES |
| Evening Post
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Monday, January 13, 2003 Rio and Robbie's tips will give Swans' new youngster a helping hand |
| Western Mail
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Sunday, January 12, 2003 Lacey forced to retire |
| BBC Online A heel injury has forced Swansea City's Damian Lacey to end his career at the age of 25.
The Bridgend-born player suffered a fractured heel bone four years ago and the problem has recurred ever since. Lacey has made 10 league appearances this season, the last being the 1-0 defeat at Lincoln on 28 December. His decision was on the advice of the club's medical staff who have tried everything to solve the problem. It was feared that there may be long-term repercussions if he continued to pay on. "It's disappointing, but we've reached the end of the road in terms of what we can do to keep me playing week-in, week-out," Lacey told the club's official website. He hopes to continue at the Vetch in a coaching capacity. |
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Friday, January 10, 2003 MADE-UP DURKAN HAS POINT TO PROVE |
| Evening Post
Kieron Durkan has suffered a season of frustration at Spotland but he is hoping to prove a few people wrong as he starts a new career at Vetch Field.
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Rochdale manager Paul Simpson could not find a place in the first team for the Chester-born winger and Durkan is delighted to be given a new start under his old manager.|
Friday, January 10, 2003 Swans accept defeat in search for striker |
| Western Mail SWANSEA CITY have conceded defeat in their bid to sign an experienced striker ahead of tomorrow's home match with Bury, writes Ian Hunt. Director of football Brian Flynn, who yesterday completed the signing of Rochdale midfielder Kieran Durkan, wanted to bolster his strike-force to help end a goal drought that stretches back five weeks. The Swans are without a goal since the 2-0 win against Shrewsbury Town on November 30 and leading scorer James Thomas has not found the net since late October. But first-team coach Kevin Reeves admitted last night that Swansea were unlikely to include a new striker against Bury. "We've been working hard to bring someone in, but we're coming up against a few brick walls," he said. "To play against Bury a new signing would need to be registered by lunchtime on Friday, which is unlikely to happen. "It will probably be the early part of next week before something happens." Among Swansea's list of possible targets was veteran marksman Brett Angell, but it is understood the former Everton man has been offered an extension to his contract at Queens Park Rangers. "The problem we face is that clubs involved in promotion or relegation issues are reluctant to let strikers go ," said Reeves. "But we will keep plugging away and, fingers crossed, will be able to freshen things up next week." Swansea would appear to have an experienced striker in the shape of David Moss, but the former Falkirk man is out of favour at the Vetch. But Reeves said, "We have not discounted anyone and the option of playing David has been considered. "Nick (Cusack) saw him as a centre-forward, but David sees himself as more of an attacking midfielder." Durkan will make his Swans debut in a match the club must win to avoid being cast further adrift. "I really believe Brian and Kevin can turn it round and hope-fully I can help in that," said the former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international. |
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Thursday, January 09, 2003 Flynn has high hopes for Durkan |
| Western Mail BRIAN FLYNN last night vowed to get the most out of his former Wrexham player Kieran Durkan when the midfielder signs for Swansea City. The Rochdale winger arrived in South Wales last night and, as forecast in Tuesday's The Western Mail, will today join the struggling Swans on a short-term contract. Chester-born Durkan, 29, has been frozen out of the first-team picture at Spotland this season and sees the link-up with his old mentor as a chance to revive his career. "I need to be playing regular football and hopefully the move will give me that," said Durkan, who made his league debut under Flynn as a Racecourse trainee. And the former Wrexham manager, who will throw Durkan straight into action in Saturday's home clash against Bury, insisted he was not signing a player whose best days are behind him. "OK, things haven't worked out for Kieran at Rochdale this year, but he's not on the soccer scrap-heap at the age of 29," said Swans director of football Flynn. "I'm confident Kieran can do a job for us - he is an experienced player who will give us natural width on the left or right." Flynn and Durkan, who joined Stockport in 1996 after four years at the Racecourse, share some fond memories of their time at the Race-course. The midfielder helped dump Ipswich Town out of the FA Cup when he scored in the Dragons's 2-1 third-round win in January 1995. |
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Thursday, January 09, 2003 Smith determined to see Swans beat drop |
| Western Mail JASON SMITH last night spelled out his determination to ensure Swansea City are not playing Nationwide Conference football next season. The defender, who has declared himself fit for Saturday's home game against Bury, spoke of his frustration at missing the past month with an ankle injury. In his absence Swansea have slumped to four successive 1-0 defeats and - three points adrift of safety at the bottom of Division Three - are staring relegation to the Conference in the face. But the inspirational centre-half, who was last week appointed club captain, told The Western Mail he was desperate to steer clear of injury for the rest of the season so he could lead Swansea's battle for Football League survival. "It has been incredibly frustrating to miss the last few weeks," said 28-year-old Smith. "With the team struggling, I've just wanted to be out there getting stuck in. "I was so disappointed to pick up the ankle injury in training (after the 2-0 win against Shrewsbury) because I had already missed a chunk of the season with a groin problem. "But I don't want to grumble about the injuries. I'm fit now, ready for Bury on Saturday, and I want to stay fit for the rest of the season so I don't miss any more matches. "The club is battling for survival and I want to be in there fighting. We all realise what's at stake. The players' careers are on the line and we know how important it is to turn things round." The Swans avoided the prospect of going five points adrift last night when Bristol Rovers's match against Torquay and Exeter's meeting with Kidderminster were both frozen off. But defeat against the third-placed Shakers on Saturday is almost certain to widen the gap. However, Smith insists the Swans must concentrate solely on their own results. "We can't look beyond ourselves at the moment," he said. "All we know is that it's imperative that we start stringing a few wins together, otherwise that gap will get bigger and bigger. "The fact we haven't won an away game is a concern and it means we're relying on our home form. "But it's not something that preys on my mind. I approach each game as a clean slate, confident of getting a good result." Meanwhile, the Swans' FAW Premier Cup clash at Newport County will be screened live by BBC Wales on January 28 with a 6.55pm kick-off. |
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Wednesday, January 08, 2003 MURPHY STARTS THE LONG HAUL BACK |
| Evening Post
Matt Murphy was in positive mood today as he began his long rehabilitation from injury.
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Wednesday, January 08, 2003 Ex-Vetch player bids to help club |
| Western Mail ONE of Swansea City's former players is looking to help bail out the cash-strapped club. Tony Guard, 38, a former Swans apprentice who made one first-team appearance in the 1983-84 season, has launched an innovative new internet business which he hopes can boost the club's coffers. Swansea-born Guard, who arrived at the Vetch as a 16-year-old and played in the old First Division under John Toshack, has launched EnergySpy.co.uk, and has promised to donate a substantial cut of the profits to Swansea City Supporters Trust. He has devised a website where customers can find out their cheapest energy supplier and switch companies in a matter of seconds, and Guard's company is paid a fee every time someone does so. And the former Swans defender, who later had playing spells at clubs in Australia, Malta and the Republic of Ireland, as well as in the Welsh League, will donate 20% of any takings from the Swansea area to the trust. The trust recently asked fans to donate £5 so the club - fighting to avoid relegation to the Nationwide Conference - can afford to bring in new players on loan. And the initiative could provide another much-needed cash boost to the Swans, who fear they could lose £250,000 by the end of the season because of falling gate receipts. And Guard, who said he dreamed up the idea three years ago partly out of distaste for the energy companies' practice of employing door-to-door salesmen to offer cheaper energy, wants to help his home-town club. He said, "Tony Petty (former chairman) bought the club for £1, and two weeks later sacked 10 or 12 players. That's not the way to run a football club. "It's had a ripple effect, and that's why the club is in such a mess. "When you're down at the bottom, decisions go against you. "But there are some good people down there - respected figures - and too many people who care for the club for them to go under." Guard, who is currently setting up a call centre in Cardiff, but plans to base the business in Swansea, is in talks with Wrexham with a view to setting up a similar profit-cut scheme in the area. His company has become the first in Wales to be approved by regulator Ofgem, and hopes it can see off the salesmen for good. The scheme works for the whole of the UK.The company can be found at www.energyspy.co.uk |
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Tuesday, January 07, 2003 CLUBS DRAW UP PLANS TO FIGHT THE FREEZE |
| Evening Post
Plans were being drawn up today to prevent the freeze playing havoc with next weekend's sporting fixtures. |
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Tuesday, January 07, 2003 Wood out for four games |
| Teamtalk Swansea striker Jamie Wood has been hit with a four-match ban following his red card against Lincoln on December 28. The sending-off was Wood's second of the season, as he was also dismissed against Boston in September, resulting in the extension of the usual three-match suspension. The ban is effective immediately, meaning Wood will miss the home games against Bury and Lincoln and the trips to York and Rushden & Diamonds.
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Tuesday, January 07, 2003 Durkan target for old mentor |
| Western Mail SWANSEA CITY director of football Brian Flynn last night confirmed he has made an approach for former Wrexham midfielder Kieran Durkan. Flynn, aiming to strengthen his midfield ahead of Saturday's home clash against Bury, has opened talks with the out-of-favour Rochdale winger about joining the Swans on a short-term contract. And the Swansea boss, who handed 29-year-old Durkan his Football League debut when he was in charge at the Racecourse, said the Chester-born player was keen on a move to South Wales. "Kieron is on our list of possible acquisitions and he is interested in joining us," said Flynn, who is also tracking experienced Queens Park Rangers striker Brett Angell. "I have spoken to (Rochdale playermanager) Paul Simpson and talks are ongoing. It would be nice if we could bring Kieron in before the Bury game." Durkan started his career at Wrexham where he made 75 appearances in four years before joining Stockport County for £95,000 in February 1996. Two years later the former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international switched to Macclesfield Town before joining Rochdale - via a loan spell at York City - in 2001. But Durkan, who can also operate as a striker, has made just 36 appearances in 18 months at Spotland and Simpson is willing to let him go. "Kieran is keen to come as he hasn't been involved at Rochdale and obviously wants first-team football," said Flynn. "I brought him up as a kid at Wrexham so I'm aware of what he can do. Sometimes it's a case of better the devil you know in the transfer market. "Kieran is at the right age and he would certainly strengthen our midfield. He's a strong player who is mainly a right winger but he can supply good crosses with either foot." Talks with Durkan will continue today and Simpson said he hoped the two clubs could reach an agreement that would allow the player to resurrect his career at the Vetch. "It would make a lot of sense for all concerned if a deal can be concluded," said the Rochdale boss. "But there are a number of matters that need to be ironed out. It's not just a case of dotting the i's and crossing the t's." Flynn is also searching for an experienced striker to ease a goal drought that has seen Swansea fail to hit the target since the 2-0 win against Shrewsbury Town on November 30. And he revealed that journeyman striker Angell - currently at Loftus Road on a short-term basis - is one player under consideration. "Brett is on our wanted list because he's an experienced target-man and that's what we're looking for at the moment," said the former Wrexham manager. "He has plenty of experience ( during spells at Stockport, Southend, Everton, Sunderland and Walsall) and has scored goals wherever he has been. But we have not made an approach for Brett at this stage. I have not contacted Queens Park Rangers about him." Swans captain Jason Smith came through his first training session in a month yesterday after recovering from an ankle injury. James Thomas, Andrew Mumford and Paul Reid - all of whom trained without their respective injuries flaring up - also hope to be fit for the must-win clash against Bury. "It will be good to have them back," said Flynn. "We need our best players available at such an important stage of the season." |
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Sunday, January 05, 2003 Sharp targets return |
| BBCi Swansea City's Neil Sharp has targeted next month's game against Macclesfield for his return to action. Sharp has not played for the Swans since September and has struggled to recover from surgery on damaged ankle ligaments. The Merthyr-born player is due to attend an intensive week of one-to-one treatment at the National Sports Centre, Lilleshall. "I need to be playing again as soon as possible," the central defender told the club's official website. "I've targeted the game against Macclesfield on 8 February and I'll be disappointed if I don't make that. "It's a case of working hard over the next four or five weeks and keeping my fingers crossed." The Professional Footballers' Association will pay for the cost of the treatment. |
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Saturday, January 04, 2003 Giles predicts massive clear-out at the Vetch |
| Evening Post FORMER Swansea City favourite David Giles last night predicted that only five members of the current squad would escape the chop at the end of the season. Every Swans player, apart from midfielder Andrew Mumford, will be out of contract in the summer and a massive Vetch clear-out is expected. Much will depend on whether-Swansea escape the drop to the Conference, but Giles believes only goalkeeper Roger Freestone, defenders Terry Evans and Stuart Jones, midfielder Lee Jenkins and striker James Thomas will be retained. And the former Swansea winger, now a local radio pundit, said it would be a "massive regret" to all members of the squad should Swansea lose their Football League status. "If Swansea go down, those boys will carry the burden for the rest of their lives," said Giles, who spent a four-year stint with the Swans from 1978-82. "I'd urge them all to sort the situation out because I'm sure they would like to be remembered as heroes not losers. "Going out of the Football League is something they would remember for a long time, regardless of whether they are at the club next season. "And, don't forget, players who are not retained still need to find themselves another club. They need to think about their futures." Having inherited a poor squad from former player-coach Nick Cusack when he took charge last September, director of football Brian Flynn is certain to make major changes to the playing staff. It is likely to spell the end of several long-serving Swans players as well as those Cusack brought in on short-term contracts last summer. And, in a frank assessment of the current squad, Giles said, "Unless there is a major turnaround at the club, a lot of the players will struggle to get new contracts. "Starting at the back, I think young Stuart Jones will stay because he has a lot of potential and Terry Evans is also worth retaining. "But Jason Smith, though he is a popular player and works hard when he's in the side, misses too many games through injury, so I believe he will go. "Kris O'Leary is not having the best of seasons which is a shame because he's Swansea through and through. I would keep him, but I don't think Brian will. "Michael Howard has been there a long time, but his time is probably up because he has been exposed quite a number of times this season." Midfield has been a problem area for Swansea this season, with both Cusack and Flynn struggling to find a solution to a lack of width and penetration. Said Giles, "Lee Jenkins might get another contract because he has a bit to offer - including pace - and I'd keep Gareth Phillips because I think the best is yet to come from him, but he might not survive. "Up front, Brian has to keep James Thomas because, even though he has dipped recently, he has shown enough promise by scoring nine goals. "Steve Watkin and John Williams have had good careers, but their time at the club is coming to an end, and I don't see David Moss being retained. "The loan players - Leon Britton, Alan Tate and Mark Richards - have been impressive, but I'm not sure what will happen to them." Giles said the players must try to "play without fear" for the rest of the season - for their sake and the club's. "The sad fact is that a lot of them haven't played to their best abilities this season," he said. "They have to play with more courage and try to forget about their league position." Sharp comeback INJURED Swansea City defender Neil Sharp has targeted the February 8 clash at Macclesfield Town for a comeback. The 24-year-old centre-half is desperate to return after spending four months on the sidelines with ankle ligament damage he sustained in the 2-2 draw against Hartlepool on September 7. "I need to be playing again as soon as possible and I'll be disappointed if I don't make the Macclesfield game," said the former Merthyr defender. "If I'm going to get a new contract, I've got a lot of work to do and helping keep Swansea in Division Three will certainly help the cause."
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Saturday, January 04, 2003 EXPERIENCED DUO TOPS WANTED LIST |
| Evening Post
Swansea City boss Brian Flynn has revealed plans to bolster his squad with two experienced attacking players before the meeting with Bury in eight days time. |
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Friday, January 03, 2003 Murphy to undergo knee surgery |
| Western Mail Swansea's Matt Murphy is undergoing surgery to repair damage sustained to his knee in the 1-0 defeat at Exeter last month. The 31-year-old former Oxford and Bury player suffered cruciate ligament and cartilage damage when he landed awkwardly after going for a header. "Matt faces the very real possibility that he may never wear a Swans shirt again as the estimated time of recovery of five months would take him to the end of the season when his contract expires," it said on the club's official website. |
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Friday, January 03, 2003 Flynn bids to end drought with new striker |
| Western Mail BRIAN FLYNN hopes to end Swansea City's goal drought by signing an experienced striker in time for the visit of Bury tomorrow week. The Swans, bottom of the Third Division after the New Year's Day clash at Bournemouth, was postponed, desperately need a goalscorer since they have suffered four consecutive 1-0 defeats. Swansea, who are in danger of being cut further adrift as they are without a match this weekend, haven't found the net since the 2-0 win against Shrews-bury on November 30 and top scorer James Thomas has gone 10 games without a goal. But director of football Flynn, who shrugged off speculation about his future at the Vetch, said there were no easy pickings to be had in the transfer market. "Finding a new striker is a bit like searching for the holy grail," said Flynn. "The problem is we are all looking for one and there is not a huge supply. "We clearly need a goalscorer as we haven't scored in four games and only two players have got on the scoresheet in the last 10. "Finding a striker is not easy - players who are scoring goals week in week-out are obviously not available - but we hope to have something in place for the Bury game." Flynn has come under attack for bringing in four young players on loan, he said the emphasis would now be on experience. "I think we've got a full quota of young players at the club now," said Flynn, who also hopes to sign a seasoned midfielder ahead of the meeting with Bury. "If youth is the only option available, you have to go with it. But if there is the choice of a 19-year-old or a 28-year-old, I would edge towards experience. "We have an experienced goalkeeper and experience in defence. We would benefit from experience in midfield." Swansea have no game this weekend as their scheduled fixture against Darlington was postponed because the Quakers are in FA Cup action. With fellow strugglers Boston, Bristol Rovers and Carlisle all playing, that means the Swans could be cast five points adrift of safety if results go against them. "There could be a psychological disadvantage, but we have to deal with that," said Flynn. "We have to be able to handle the pressure. "And it's no good worrying about what the teams around us are doing. We'll have two games in hand on some of them and it's up to us to concentrate on our own job." As for the pressure on himself, Flynn said he was heartened to have received the backing of the club's board of directors earlier this week. The committee dismissed speculation that Flynn's job was on the line - fuelled by bookmakers taking bets on a possible successor - by insisting he had a job for life at the Vetch. "I'm glad I didn't get the dreaded vote of confidence," joked Flynn. "Seriously, what they said was encouraging as they obviously appreciate what I'm trying to achieve here. "I'm not bothered by speculation about my job. It happens in football. " Swans midfielder Matt Murphy underwent surgery on his knee yesterday to repair ligament and cartilage damage. It could spell the end of Murphy's career at the Vetch as the estimated recovery time of five months would take him to the end of the season when his contract expires. |
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Friday, January 03, 2003 Hollins blames Swans' flop on Ninth Floor |
| Western Mail FORMER Swansea City manager John Hollins last night claimed the seeds of the club's demise were sown the season after he led them to the Division Three championship in 1999-2000. Speaking for the first time about Swansea's struggle, Hollins said he was saddened to see the club fighting for Football League survival less than three years after that memorable promotion win. Hollins's side clinched the Third Division title with a club record 85 points and broke several other Swansea records along the way including most clean sheets in a season (22) and least number of goals conceded (30). But the Swans, who came straight back down in 2000-01, have been in a downward spiral ever since and face the prospect of relegation to the Conference for the first time in their 82-year league history. And Hollins, who was sacked in September 2001, believes Swansea's current predicament stems from the season after they won the championship when Ninth Floor owned the club. "After we won promotion to the Second Division, two things were needed: investment and the belief that we build on what we had achieved," said Hollins, now scouting for Leeds after a spell in charge at Rochdale. "But the investment was missing. For example, we didn't sign a new centre forward until October when I brought Giovanni Savarese in. "There was an opportunity for us to push even further ahead - to become a strong Second Division side - but they (Swansea) didn't invest. "It is perhaps that some people haven't had the belief that Swansea could go on and be a success, which may explain the lack of investment. "Had that belief and investment been there, Swansea might not be in the position they are now." Hollins, who said he was still fighting for compensation, said the club's cause hadn't been helped by the number of managerial changes over the past two years. Colin Addison, Nick Cusack and Brian Flynn have all occupied the Vetch hot-seat since Hollins left 16 months ago, with Swansea forced to admit this week that Cusack's appointment had been a mistake. "If Nick's appointment was a mis-take and they should have gone for experience, why did they get rid of Addison and Nicholas?" said Hollins. "Giving Nick the manager's job placed an awful lot on the shoulders of a young man and it was difficult for him to be a player, a coach and a manager all at once. "It was a harsh experience for Nick, but then again Swansea were bottom of the league when he was sacked and where are they now?" Hollins said the key to Swansea avoiding relegation was whether the players had enough confidence. "Swansea will only stay up if they have the belief that they can. They've got to say to themselves `We can do this.'" |
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Thursday, January 02, 2003 SWANS POSTPONMENT COULD BE BLESSING |
| Evening Post
Coach Alan Curtis says yesterday's postponement of the Nationwide League Third Division match at Bournemouth could work in Swansea City's favour as the season unwinds. |
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Wednesday, January 01, 2003 CHANCE TO SUGGEST NAME OF STADIUM |
| Evening Post
What's in a name? The answer is a lot if you are a Swans or a Whites fan. |
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Wednesday, January 01, 2003 Swans admit Cusack was a mistake |
| Western Mail Swansea City's board of dierectors last night admitted they made a mistake by appointing Nick Cusack player-coach. The Third Division club's five-man board said they should have opted for experience rather than hand the untried Cusack the reins after Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas were sacked last March. And Swansea moved to quash speculation about the future of Cusack's replacement by insisting Brian Flynn had a job for life as Director of Football at the Vetch. "Looking back our mistake was that we should have appointed someone with more exprerience (than Cusack)," said director Leigh Dineen. "Hindsight is a brilliant thing, but that (Cusack's appointment) has cost the club financially and has set us back three or four months in what we are trying to achieve." Dineen's fellow director Huw Jenkins added, "We now have one of the top 10 managers in the lower leagues in Brian Flynn - he is Mr Reliable and what the club needs. "Brian did not come here as a short term fix. We want to build this club bit by bit and gaining success over a period of time and we see Brian staying here until he retires. "The squad was not up to the standard needed when Brian arrived. Ten players have since come in or out and there are likely to be more changes over the next 10 days or so." |
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Tuesday, December 31, 2002 Premiership duo staying at Vetch |
| BBCi Swansea City's hopes of football league survival were boosted with the news that loan signings Leon Britton and Marc Richards will stay at the club until the end of the season. Twenty-year-old Blackburn striker Richards was given permission to stay by boss Graeme Souness, a relief to Swansea Director of Football Brian Flynn after forward James Thomas suffered a leg injury. Seventeen-year-old West Ham midfielder Britton's boss Glenn Roeder is glad to see his talented youngster get some fiirst-team football under his belt. There have been criticisms of Flynn's use of inexperienced loan players to try to save his struggling side, but he is confident that their footballing pedigree will help save the Swans. As well as Richards and Britton, Flynn has 20-year-old Manchester Utd defender Alan Tate on loan, plus 18-year-old Leeds striker Craig Stiens. Both Tate and Stiens will also be with the club until the end of the season. Former Swansea player and director Mel Nurse has questioned the ability of the youngsters to stand up to the heat of a relegation battle. But Flynn has always believed in his sides playing themselves out of trouble and he will not change his philosophy now. Flynn told the club's official website: "I'm grateful to the managers back at the clubs for allowing us to keep them. "I have always tried to make the best use of the loan system. I'm sure that Marc and Leon are going to play a major role in the battle that lies ahead of us."
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Tuesday, December 31, 2002 Flynn wins the backing of directors |
| Western Mail
SWANSEA CITY'S five-man board last night handed embattled director of football Brian Flynn their backing as bookmakers reported bets on a possible New Year successor. Speculation about Flynn's future has intensified after Swansea's 1-0 reverse at Lincoln City on Saturday - their fourth successive defeat by that scoreline - left them anchored to the bottom of the Football League. Defeat at Bournemouth tomorrow would leave the Third Division strugglers with one foot in the Nationwide Conference since they could be cut six points adrift of safety if results elsewhere fail to go their way. The former Wrexham manager - who has picked up only 12 points from a possible 45 since succeeding Nick Cusack after the 1-0 defeat at Boston on September 18 - insists he will fight on to ensure Swansea's 82-year Football League status is preserved. But South Wales bookmakers Jack Brown have started taking bets on a possible successor to Flynn, with former Liverpool and England stars Nigel Clough (2-1) and Mark Wright (3-1) installed as firm favourites. It comes amid mounting criticism of Flynn among a section of Swans supporters, with some questioning his tactics and team selection. But the club's board of directors last night moved to quell speculation about his position by insisting another managerial change would serve only to create more turbulence. "Stability has been lacking at this club for far too long," director Huw Jenkins told The Western Mail. "Over the last four years there have been numerous owners and managers. As a result, there has been no consistency from the start of the season to the end - never mind from season to season." But Jack Brown have drawn up a list of possible candidates to replace Flynn, believing the Swansea board could nonetheless feel forced to make a change with the threat of Conference football looming ever closer. Favourite is former Nottingham Forest midfielder Clough, who has successfully steered Midlands club Burton Albion out of the Dr Martens League and into the Conference. Clough is followed by Wright who has this season guided Chester to within three points of Conference leaders Yeovil Town after short stints in charge of Oxford United and Southport. Also on the list are John Cornforth, a former Swansea City player (9-2), and former Swans managers Jan Molby (5-1), Colin Addison (6-1), Terry Yorath (20-1) as well as Leighton James (8-1). "People are asking for prices on the next Swansea manager should Brian Flynn be sacked, leave of his own accord or move upstairs," said Karl Williams, spokesman for Jack Brown. "That's usually a sure sign that things are not rosy at the club and that something could be in the pipeline. "The general feeling is that the honeymoon period is over for Flynn and if the club was going to change manager, now would not be a bad time to do it." Another defeat at Dean Court would pile more pressure on Flynn, though yesterday he was concentrating on strengthening his side for the relegation battle ahead. And the former Wales midfielder received encouraging news with confirmation that loan signings Marc Richards and Leon Britton will stay at the Vetch for the rest of the season. Richards's initial six-week loan spell was due to expire today, but Blackburn Rovers manager Graeme Souness said he was happy for the striker to gain more experience with the Swans. Britton has impressed since arriving from West Ham and Flynn, who also has Manchester United defender Alan Tate and Leeds striker Craig Stiens on loan until the end of the season, said he was "extremely pleased" to have retained his and Richards's services. Flynn will need to shuffle his pack for tomorrow's trip to the south coast since striker James Thomas is ruled out with the dead leg he sustained at Lincoln. Andrew Mumford and Paul Reid (both hamstring) will also be sidelined, but Swansea are hopeful defender Jason Smith could be fit. Meanwhile, the club have decided not to appeal against Jamie Wood's sending off at Lincoln. The striker is facing a four-match ban since it was his second red card this season. |
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Monday, December 30, 2002 Flynn bids to keep Richards until May | ||||||||||||||||||
| Western Mail BRIAN FLYNN will today attempt to keep striker Marc Richards at Swansea City until the end of the season. The beleaguered Swansea director of football hopes to bolster his strikeforce after four straight 1-0 defeats have anchored his team to the foot of the Third Division. Richards, whose current one-month loan spell expired after Saturday's defeat at Lincoln City, was the last Swansea player to score when he netted in a 2-0 home win over Shrewsbury Town on November 30 - more than six hours of football ago. Flynn's desire to do the deal has been accelerated by the leg injury to James Thomas that makes him doubtful for Wednesday's visit to Bournemouth and the prospect of Jamie Wood facing a four-match ban following his second dismissal of the season at Sincil Bank. "I'm looking to keep Marc until the end of the season and I'll be dealing with that on Monday," said Flynn after Kristian O'Leary's last-minute own goal put them three points adrift of the safety zone. "We obviously have to speak to Blackburn, but I'd like Marc to stay. He did well and had half-a-chance at the end where we got a ball in the box after they scored. He just couldn't get a contact on it." Flynn insisted Swansea can still avoid the drop into the Nationwide Conference after a miserable holiday period when festive spirit has been in short supply. "What we came in here to do was to try and improve the players we've got and get more out of them and I think we are doing that," he said. "The aim is to keep Swansea in the League, the support is behind us and everyone in Swansea and most parts of South Wales wants us to stay in the League. "Teams will go on runs around and about us, but we have to be concerned by ourselves. At the We are in a particularly bad time, but we haven't played poorly. "If we were being beaten convincingly I would be concerned. That's the light I'm looking at - that little bit of light at the end of the tunnel - because I don't intend to be involved with losers."
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Tuesday, December 24, 2002 GOAL DROUGHT GOES ON, BUT THOMAS STAYS CALM |
| Evening Post Eight games without scoring a goal and you might think that James Thomas would be losing his cool. But the Morriston-born Swansea City striker is calmness personified ahead of the Boxing Day crunch with Bristol Rovers at the Vetch. Rovers are the only side below Swansea in Division Three after Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Leyton Orient. Thomas recognises the importance of the game but reckons he and the players will go out in the same frame of mind as they would if they were top of the tree at Christmas. ''Thursday is a massive game for us, obviously,'' said Thomas, ''but I don't think anything has changed from the beginning of the season. ''The lads will go into this match with the same attitude as if we were not in the position we are in. ''Obviously there is a little bit more pressure on us because of where we are. ''But we have to make this home advantage count. We have to put more pressure on sides and start to take our chances. ''For me personally I know I haven't scored for eight games but all strikers go through a barren spell and I am sure that once I get one the rest will come.'' Saturday's defeat was Swansea's second 1-0 reverse against fellow strugglers but their record is still not as poor as their Boxing Day opponents. Bristol Rovers have lost eight matches in a row in the league and have tasted defeat 12 times in their last 17 league and cup games, winning only twice, against Runcorn in the FA Cup and Lincoln in the league. ''They are on an even worse run than we are,'' said Thomas. ''But we still have to raise our performance from that on Saturday. ''I am sure the gaffer can get us up for Thursday and hopefully I can get among the goals again and we can get three points.'' Thomas's barren run has coincided with his move out left in a front three employed by Brian Flynn, but he is happy to play anywhere as long as Swansea benefit. ''Of course I would like to play right up the front,'' said the ex-Wales under-21 star. ''It has been a little bit frustrating playing out wide but if the gaffer wants me to play there then I will happily do it. ''Anything that's good for the team I will do. Hopefully the goals will return and we can start moving up the table. ''That's the most important thing right now.'' Flynn will be hoping that Thomas's scoring touch returns against Rovers otherwise he could be looking up from an unenviable position - bottom of the pile at Christmas time.
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Tuesday, December 24, 2002 LET'S CONCENTRATE ON OUR GAME, SAYS REID |
| Evening Post Paul Reid reckons that Swansea have the quality to get out of the mess they are in but they must concentrate on their own game. Reid, captain against Leyton Orient, says it is important to get the performance right on Thursday. ''We owe them one after they beat us up there earlier in the season,'' he said. ''It's really a local derby and the fact that we are both at the bottom means it's a massive game. ''But I think we have what it takes to get out of the mess we are in now. ''We certainly have it in us but we cannot worry about what everyone else around us is doing. ''We just have to go out and get as many points as we can. ''As long as we get results we will be OK.'' Swansea were missing the aerial skills of Matt Murphy in the 1-0 defeat on Saturday and Reid took time to say a few words for his team-mate both this season and last at Bury. ''I am gutted for Matt,'' said Reid. ''He was starting to do well for us and he was scoring goals. ''He has been a revelation up front. ''I spoke to him last week and he was on his way home. ''He was a gutted, especially with his contract up in the summer and having to cope with a bad injury. ''I just hope he can get back in quick time.'' Meanwhile, Rovers assistant manager John Still is well aware of the problems plaguing his side. After the latest loss at Cambridge, Still said: ''We are making it too easy for sides by the way we defend. ''All three goals were sloppy and that is where we have to start our bid to get out of trouble. ''We are playing some good football at times but we are giving the ball away in good positions and letting in soft goals.''
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Monday, December 23, 2002 IMPROVE OR ELSE |
| Evening Post Brian Flynn sent a simple Christmas message to his players after defeat by Leyton Orient on Saturday: ''Things must improve or we are going down.'' Chris Tate's breakaway strike condemned Swansea City to defeat No. 12 of the season and sent them plunging back into the Third Division relegation places. And Flynn, who took over the Vetch Field reins from Nick Cusack in September, admits that much more is required in the second half of the campaign if Swansea are to avoid the dreaded drop to non-league football. ''We are nearly half way through the season so we can assess things and know exactly what we have to do and need to improve,'' said Swansea's director of football. ''We are going to have to have a better second half of the season than the first.'' The visit of Bristol Rovers to the Vetch on Boxing Day marks the midway point of what has been a miserable campaign to date. And with Rovers the only side below Swansea in Division Three after defeat at Cambridge over the weekend, the game is being billed as the biggest of the season for both clubs. ''We're back in the bottom two and that makes Thursday one hell of a game,'' continued Flynn. ''It's a big one because we lost at home to Leyton Orient. The rest of the season is going to be tough and as I've said all along, I think it will be a yo-yo situation at the bottom with teams going up and down every week.'' Flynn was expecting on-loan Blackburn Rovers striker Marc Richards back in South Wales today after the 20-year-old returned to Ewood Park for treatment on an Achilles problem 10 days ago. And the former Wrexham boss is hopeful of having the young frontman available to face Ray Graydon's Rovers after his side failed to break down 10-man Orient. Flynn is also keeping his fingers crossed over first-choice central defender Jason Smith (ankle ligaments), who he wants to deploy alongside Alan Tate. Swansea have been drawn away at Peter Nicholas's Newport County in the quarter-final of the FAW Premier Cup, which will be played at the end of January. Flynn added: ''We're looking forward to it. It will be nice to go and play Newport in a competition that, touch wood, I've had a good success rate in.'' Draw: TNS v Cardiff City, Newport County v Swansea, Afan Lido v Wrexham, Rhyl v Barry.
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Monday, December 23, 2002 BELLS, RINGING AT VETCH |
| Evening Post ''We'll see where we are at Christmas'' has been Brian Flynn's catchphrase since the early autumn day when he was unveiled as the man to save Swansea City. Well the sleigh bells are all but ringing, and Flynn will tuck into his turkey on Wednesday with his misfiring side exactly where they were when he arrived back on September 19 - the Third Division relegation zone. Twelve points have come from a possible 39 under the former Wrexham boss, and only the dreadful form of one of the other 'too-big-to-go-down' clubs, Bristol Rovers, has saved Swansea from being bottom of the pile. For now. The two sides meet at Vetch Field on Boxing Day in what looks, without wishing to go over the top, a rather important contest. Even Flynn, not a man who deals in hyperbole, was forced to concede after Saturday's home reverse against Leyton Orient that the Rovers game was looming ex-tremely large as a result. Bottom against bottom-but-one in Division Three, a real festive treat it is unlikely to be. There will be high tension, there could be high drama: Swans fans will be hoping excitement rather than worry sets the pulses racing. Something to shout about would be nice, for there was precious little to spark Welsh smiles once Orient's Scott Canham was shown the red card after just 28 minutes over the weekend. Up until then Swansea had been running the show, Gareth Phillips scuffing a golden opportunity and James Thomas stinging the keeper's palms. Leon Britton's surge through the middle was only halted by a Canham lunge which brought the first yellow card. Five minutes later, a rare attacking foray from the visitors saw the same player clatter into Roger Freestone in an attempt to make amends for his own miscontrol and that was the end of the former Brentford midfielder's afternoon. 'Cheerio, cheerio,' gloated the home fans, sensing victory was now guaranteed. In fact they were waving goodbye to the three points. Orient reorganised, posting the impressive Jabo Ibehre on the right flank and leaving Chris Tate all on his own up front. 5-3-2 had become 4-4-1 and the home side never adapted. ''Swansea started well. There was some good passing and good movement and we were under pressure with 11 men on the field,'' said Orient boss Paul Brush. ''And in the end we played better with 10 men. We set our stall out and I think we made them edgy on the ball.'' The fluid football of the early stages long gone, Swansea were reduced to lofting hopeful - some might say hopeless - balls forward from the back. Orient duly cleared, time after time. The only hint of a threat on Scott Barrett's goal was coming from distance, with Paul Reid and Alan Tate both sending fizzers past the woodwork. ''We played every ball in front of them,'' lamented director of football Flynn. ''I think there was only one diagonal ball in the second half, from Paul Reid to Craig Stiens, and that was it. ''We had to play diagonal balls to create something but we didn't in the second half and that was poor. ''It's not necessarily the fault of the people who play the balls that we didn't get in behind them because you've got to make runs. A run makes a pass, a pass does not make a run.'' Amid all the Swansea possession, one neat ball from Andy Harris saw Ibehre race inside Michael Howard and then pull back for Chris Tate. The man with the fake tan - and two strikes in three matches before the trip to South Wales - sidefooted neatly into the corner. It was the only occasion when Orient gave Freestone something to do, but nobody could have blamed an away team with only 10 men for so long for not coming forward more often. John Williams might have levelled things after Britton's through ball 14 minutes from the end, but the substitute's toe poke was too tame to trouble Barrett and Orient survived. By then there was a sense that this was destined to be another of Swansea's sour afternoons in 2002. ''I thought we might have learned our lesson playing against 10 men,'' added Flynn. ''We went 1-0 up against Rochdale at home and they had a man sent off but we conceded a late equaliser. Not putting away sides who are a man short is not a habit I like.'' He continued: ''It's frustrating because we have gradually been getting better at home and the first half against Orient was okay. The movement was bright, we were passing the ball well and we were creating chances. ''But after the break there was only Leon Britton and Paul Reid trying to be creative - apart from them we did not look a threat. We were too predictable.'' So all eyes on Bristol Rovers, when another defeat would leave Swansea in dire straits as they begin the turn for home in what could just be their last Nationwide League season for a while. Flynn wants 50 points, Swansea have just 18 with next Thursday match number 23 of the campaign - the halfway point. ''I can't overemphasise the huge challenge that we face,'' Flynn's programme notes had stressed on Saturday. No Brian, you can't. |
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Monday, December 23, 2002 Boxing Day win vital for Swans |
| Western Mail SWANSEA CITY will head into their Boxing Day clash against Bristol Rovers knowing nothing less than a victory will do after this crushing defeat by Leyton Orient. The Swans, dreadful away from home, lost at the Vetch for the first time in two months after failing to capitalise against a team reduced to 10 men for three-quarters of the game. Little more than three weeks after climbing five places off the bottom with their emphatic 2-0 win against Shrewsbury, Swansea will be back in 24th place if they slip up again when the Pirates visit the Vetch for Thursday's crucial basement battle. The stark fact is Swansea simply cannot afford to lose at home and a repeat of Saturday's result against Rovers - propping up the table after losing at Cambridge - would almost certainly make them favourites for the drop. "Bristol Rovers is going to be one hell of a game," said Swans director of football Brian Flynn. "The match will mark the half-way point of the season and it's clear that the second half needs to be better than the first." With 22 games played and only 18 points collected - mustered from four wins and six draws - Swansea can scarcely expect to survive without a significant improvementon their return so far. A glance at last season's final table shows Lincoln City finished three off the bottom with 46 points but Swansea may need to aim for 50 to be certain of Third Division survival. Statistics aside, rose-tinted statements such as "we're too good to go down" should be dismissed because, on the evidence of Swansea's hopeless second-half display against Orient, that simply isn't true. They started the first half with a flourish but, with Orient depleted after midfielder Scott Canham was dismissed for two yellow cards, faded into oblivion after the interval. Swansea lacked penetration, their distribution was dreadful and movement off the ball was virtually non-existent. Orient were scarcely much better, but they did the one thing Swansea have failed to do all season - capitalise on their possession. Chris Tate's 54th-minute goal - secured after Jabo Ibehre had exploited a chasm in the Swans defence - condemned Swansea to a painful defeat and left Flynn bemoaning his side's second-half ineffectiveness. "For a start, we should have learnt a lesson from the Rochdale game (October 5) when we went 1-0 up, they then had a man sent off but scored a late equaliser," he said. "Once again, we didn't make the extra man count and it's not a very pleasing habit." Swansea will certainly need to be more inventive against Rovers - surely the most important match in Flynn's three-month reign. "Our second-half performance against Orient was predictable," said Flynn, more critical of his side than in recent weeks. "We were very poor at creating anything and attacking wise, we did not present a threat. "Every ball was played in front of them (Orient). There was just one diagonal ball in the second half and that's not good enough. "You've got to make runs behind people - there was space to do it - but we didn't and therefore couldn't capitalise on our possession." Flynn made three changes to the side that lost at Exeter - David Theobald and Paul Reid were preferred to Kris O'Leary and Andrew Mumford, while Steve Watkin replaced the injured Matt Murphy - but it was to little effect. The result was compounded by another dreadful refereeing performance from Berkshire official Paul Armstrong. As the rain fell, so the conditions worsened but Armstrong chose not to view the increasingly slippy surface as a mitigating factor and brandished seven yellow cards as well as the one red. A booking for Swansea's Alan Tate blemished an otherwise outstanding performance from the on-loan Manchester United defender. Tate was once again solid at the back and made a number of confident moves forward, including a 30-yard dash in the seventh minute that created an opening for James Thomas. The Swansea striker almost claimed his first goal since the 2-2 draw at Carlisle on October 26 when he collected Watkin's square pass and hit a first-time shot with the outside of his boot that was flipped over the crossbar by Orient keeper Scott Barrett. The visitors were reduced to 10 men after 28 minutes when Canham, booked only five minutes earlier for a foul on Leon Britton, challenged Roger Freestone. It didn't look reckless - Canham was entitled to go for a 50-50 ball - but the referee clearly deemed the midfielder had launched in with studs showing and off he went. Orient attempted to close the game down in the hope of re- SportWales treating to east London with a point so imagine their delight that they managed to grab all three. With the second half only nine minutes old, Andy Harris supplied Ibehre who, catching Michael Howard out of position, squared for Tate to tuck into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. Swansea came close on a couple of occasions - Alan Tate tried his luck from 40 yards and substitute John Williams almost got a boot in ahead of Barrett - but the latter stages were dominated by the referee and his notebook. So to Rovers on Boxing Day when Swansea could have on-loan Blackburn striker Marc Richards and defender Jason Smith back available again after their injuries. "We're back in the bottom two but, as I've said all along, there will be a yo-yo effect," said Flynn. "We'll assess the situation again after the Bristol game. It's going to be tough but, make no mistake, we're prepared for it." |
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Sunday, December 22, 2002 Flynn's verdict |
| Wales on Sunday BRIAN FLYNN slammed his side's lack of professionalism as they slipped back into the relegation places. "I thought we might have learnt a lesson playing against 10 men. "That happened against Rochdale when we were winning 1-0. We just had to hit diagonal balls in this match. We played far too many straight balls and made no runs behind them. "There was plenty of space at the back and we didn't go looking for it. "When you play against 10 men you expect to have most of the possession but we were far too predictable and played very poorly in the second half." And Flynn admitted that the first-half sending off of Orient midfielder Scott Canham turned the game. "We started well against the 11 men but didn't improve. I brought on three subs in an effort to try and change the game but it just did not work." Swansea play fellow relegation rivals Bristol Rovers on Thursday in what is now a must-win game. Flynn added: "It's yo-yo football at the moment with sides going back and forward in the league. "It will be tough on Thursday but, as I have always said, we will be well prepared for it." Flynn refused to comment on the sending off but he suggested the referee had a far from impressive game. "I cannot comment on the sending off as I don't know whether Freestone asked for the ref not to send the player off. "I don't think he took the conditions completely into account when he went on booking players." |
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Sunday, December 22, 2002 Wales star expresses his love for Vetch club |
| Wales on Sunday WALES hit-man John Hartson has reiterated his desire to play for crisis club Swansea City before his career ends. Hartson spoke of his determination to run out in the white shirt of his hometown club in a special Q&A session with Celtic View, the official magazine of the Scottish champions. The man whose goal fired Celtic into the next round of the UEFA Cup also opened up in the revealing interview on: HIS fears that Mark Hughes would be lured away from Wales by a top Premiership club; THE anger he feels over claims that his big mate Robbie Savage feigned injury to miss the recent Euro 2004 qualifier in Azerbaijan; THE special rapport he has had down the years with Vinnie Jones; HOW he has made up with old West Ham adversary Eyal Berkovic; WHY he gets annoyed at people constantly linking him with a big-money transfer away from Celtic Park. Swans fans will be particularly intrigued at Hartson's continued desire to sign for The Vetch club one day. Hartson says he can see it happening towards the end of his career, but stressed he had to be useful to the Swans and not just use a move home to Wales as a simple final pay day. Answering questions from Celtic fans for the magazine interview, Hartson said: "I'd love to go back home to Swansea and play for the club one day. "It's a situation which might not come around until I'm in my mid-30s, but I would genuinely love to play in front of my own people. "Swansea is very important to me in terms of my roots. If I went back, I would want to make sure I could still play well and score a lot of goals. "I would be little use to the Swans if I couldn't run any more. "We will see, but I would love it to happen." Hartson is in the middle of his own golden period at present, having established himself as Wales's No1 striker and re-established his position in Celtic's team. But while he has had an excellent 2002 personally - including winning his first medals in professional football - Hartson has been saddened at the plight of his hometown club. The Swans' very survival as a Football League team was in jeopardy for a while - and Hartson had to look on from afar with sadness as the club plummeted to the bottom of the table. "I still look for Swansea's result before I find how any of my old teams, Luton, Arsenal, West Ham, Wimbledon and Coventry, have got on," he explained. "The Swans are my team, they're the only club I would say that I actually support. "I followed Liverpool until I was a teenager, but it was Swansea I used to go and watch and my love for the club just grew from there. The Swans had a great side back then." Circumstances have radically changed since, of course, and Hartson is desperate to see his hometown outfit begin climbing the Leagues. But he hopes in five years' time to be able to play himself for a flourishing-again Swans XI. "I'm definitely going back to buy a home in Wales anyway," said Hartson. "Maybe not Swansea, but definitely somewhere in Wales. But I would love to play for them. "A lot of my mates work down on Swansea docks. I'd probably have ended up down there with them if I hadn't made it as a professional footballer." Hartson continued: "Career-wise, I'd like to go into the media side of things, maybe in Welsh television, once I finish playing. "The fact I can speak fluent Welsh would help in that respect and I feel I'd do an okay job once I pick up more experience and knowledge of the game." |
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Sunday, December 22, 2002 FOOTBALL: SWANS IN A BIG FLAP |
| Sunday Mirror SWANSEA crashed back into a dreaded relegation spot after falling victims to a smash and grab raid by 10-man Orient. The Londoners snatched a surprise lead after 53 minutes when Chris Tate was on hand to meet Jabo Ibehre's low cross and rifle his drive past the helpless Swansea keeper Roger Freestone. Orient had midfielder Scott Canham sent off in the 27th minute after his second yellow card in five minutes. It seemed a harsh decision as he was dismissed after a lunge at Freestone. But, ironically, the sending off lifted his own side. Until that incident Swansea had dictated the game and only a flying stop from Orient's keeper Scott Barrett prevented top-scorer James Thomas from putting them ahead after 17 minutes. Swansea manager Brian Flynn said: "We began brightly enough, but so often the whole game changes when one side is reduced to 10 men. And that's what happened today." |
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Sunday, December 22, 2002 FOOTBALL: SWANSEA. . . . . 0 ORIENT. . . . . 1 |
| Sunday Mirror ORIENT, down to ten men for more than an hour, lifted themselves clearer of a relegation nightmare with their third successive win. Midfielder Scott Canham was dismissed after 27 minutes for a lunge at Swansea keeper Roger Freestone. It was his second yellow card in five minutes. But Orient produced a spirited revival and snatched the points when Chris Tate fired home the only goal of the game after 53 minutes. Manager Paul Brush said: "We played better with ten men than with 11. We got them anxious and then you could see their players were beginning to get a bit edgy." "We had to sweat for it in the closing stages but we did show the character and the tenacity needed." |
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Friday, December 20, 2002 Swans clinch Tate deal |
| BBCi Manchester United defender Alan Tate will be staying with Swansea City until the end of the season. Tate's original loan period was due to end after the Leyton Orient game on Saturday, but United manager Alex Ferguson has agreed to extend the deal. The club's Supporters Trust pay for Tate's wages, and the 20-year-old centre back has already won over the fans will some impressive performances. "I'm delighted that Sir Alex is allowing Alan to stay with us," Swansea boss Brian Flynn told the club's website. I know that United will be watching me while I'm here Alan Tate "He has shown already what he is capable of and given a long run in the side I feel we'll see him develop and improve game on game. "Alan was very keen to arrange a long-term loan as he has settled well in the area and is enjoying the competitive edge of first-team football that you just cannot get when playing for the reserves. "Sir Alex appreciates that aspect of the game and makes good use of the loan system to help develop his younger players." Tate added: "It's nice to get thing settled early so that I know where I stand and I'm now looking forward to doing what I can to help the team move up the league table. "I know that United will be watching me while I'm here, so hopefully, if I'm doing well then I might have more of a chance of making the first team when I go back there."
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Friday, December 20, 2002 MURPHY OUT FOR REST OF SEASON |
| Evening Post Swansea City's Third Division survival plans have suffered a hammer blow with the news that Matt Murphy is out for the rest of the season. The makeshift striker, who has three goals in his last five matches, was told by a specialist yesterday he would almost certainly not play again this term because of a knee problem. And with the 31-year-old's Swansea contract up next summer, he now faces an agonising spell on the sidelines wondering whether he has a future at Vetch Field. ''I've just had the news that Matt will probably not play again this season and it's a real blow,'' admitted director of football Brian Flynn. ''It's a blow for the team and it's a blow for him because he has really started to find his form in the last few weeks.'' Murphy, who faces an operation, picked up the knee cartilage problem rising unchallenged for a header at Exeter last Saturday. With Marc Richards also out, his place in attack tomorrow could be taken by Steve Watkin, John Williams or Craig Stiens, while Paul Reid may force his way back into midfield after hamstring trouble. On-loan Manchester United defender Alan Tate continues at the back with Flynn hoping it is not the 20-year-old's last game in a Swansea shirt. ''I have spoken with Sir Alex Ferguson and he seems fairly positive,'' added Flynn, who hopes to keep the centre-back until the end of the season. ''He just needs to check up on the injury situation at Old Trafford. ''Unlike a short-term deal, a player cannot be recalled by his club when he is on a long-term loan unless circumstances are extraordinary, so that's why it's not simple. ''We need to get it sorted out because tomorrow is Alan's last game in the initial spell and I think he can have a big influence if he stays.'' He continued: ''Getting it finalised will boost the squad for Leyton Orient. It's all about us tomorrow. I'm sure the fans would agree that we've improved at home apart from one blip and if we're not going to win away, we'll have to do it at home.'' Orient, whose place in Division Three looks a little less perilous than a couple of weeks ago after two straight wins, are short of centre-backs to handle Swansea's rejigged attack. The impressive Justin Miller returned to Ipswich this week to try his luck under new boss Joe Royle after a three-month loan stay. Simon Downer (cruciate ligaments) and Dave McGhee (Achilles) are also absent, meaning Os boss Paul Brush must deploy right back Matt Joseph and left-back Billy Jones in his back three. Midfielder Carl Hutchings (hamstring) is also a doubt.
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Friday, December 20, 2002 JERMAIN'S WORDS TO INSPIRE HIS BEST MATE |
| Evening Post
Leon Britton makes his home debut for Swansea City tomorrow with a message from best mate Jermain Defoe ringing in his ears: ''Do exactly what I did.'' |
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Friday, December 20, 2002 THIS BRITTON CAN TURN OUT TO BE GREAT - FLYNN |
| Evening Post Swansea City boss Brian Flynn has already seen enough of Leon Britton to know he wants to keep the midfielder at Vetch field for much longer than a month. The West Ham United youngster was Swansea's best player on debut in the defeat at Exeter last weekend. And with Britton's initial one-month loan spell up in mid-January, Flynn has revealed plans to extend the 20-year-old's stay in South Wales. ''I think Leon is a bit unfortunate not to have broken into the West Ham first team yet,'' said Swansea's director of football. ''He was one of the few bright points for us at Exeter. ''He showed he's a good, intelligent player who uses the ball well and also that he punches his weight. ''Straight away he has shown his quality, and we would like to keep him here for longer than a month.'' Meanwhile, striker Jamie Wood has outlined Swansea's target for tomorrow's meeting with Leyton Orient and the crunch clash with Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day: six points. ''We've got two home games and it's vital to get points from both, hopefully six,'' he said.
''And I certainly think with the players we've got we shouldn't have any worries this season. We've got the ability to do the job.'' |
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Friday, December 20, 2002 Left-back Smith shown door by Swansea |
| Western Mail DAVID SMITH last night expressed his disappointment at not being given more first-team opportunities after becoming the fifth Swansea City player to be shown the door by director of football Brian Flynn. The former Coventry City defender's contract has been paid up only six months after he was signed from Grimsby Town by former boss Nick Cusack. And 34-year-old Smith, who changed his mind after originally rejecting the offer of a pay-off when Leigh De-Vulgt left, said he was unhappy at having made only four appearances. "It's disappointing not to have played a bigger part at the club this season," said the former England U21 international. "It would have been nice to have had more chances to show what I can do." Cusack hailed Smith as having "a cultured left foot and a very good pedigree" when he arrived amid the pre-season optimism sweeping the Vetch. Smith started the season as Cusack's first-choice left-back - scoring once at Darlington on August 13 - and played the first three games before a groin injury kept him out for a month. But the former West Bromwich Albion player never regained his place after Michael Howard was let in and made just one appearance under Flynn, as a substitute in the 1-0 defeat against Torquay United. "I haven't had much chance to impress since coming back from injury and I've dropped even further down the pecking order with the manager bringing in a number of new faces," said Smith. "Having moved my family down to Swansea it's upsetting for this to happen only six months into my contract. But that's football. It's the manager's decision and there's nothing I can do about it." Smith follows Michael Jackson, Jonathan Keaveny, Andrew Marsh and De-Vulgt out of the Vetch. "David was fully aware that he was only going to be a fringe player for the rest of the season and that he would not be involved in the first team as much as he would want to be," said Flynn. "Without regular reserve action there seemed to be little point in us retaining his services." Meanwhile, Flynn was dealt a blow yesterday when on-loan Blackburn Rovers striker Marc Richards was ruled out of Saturday's clash against Leyton Orient. Richards had treatment on an Achilles problem earlier this week but has since aggravated the injury in training. SWANSEA'S home clash against Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day is a 1pm kick-off and fans can pay on the gate. |
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Thursday, December 19, 2002 FULL-BACK SMITH JOINS THE LIST OF VETCH FIELD PAY-OFFS |
| Evening Post
David Smith has become the fifth player to be shown the Vetch Field exit door by Brian Flynn. |
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