KIDDERMINSTER Harriers players are being told to `stay positive' in their bid to avoid relegation from the Nationwide League Division Three.

Director of football Jan Mol-by's men have slumped to within a point of the dreaded drop zone after a depressing run of seven league matches without a win.

They were aiming to stop the rot this afternoon against Swansea City at Aggborough.

Molby and his assistant Gary Barnett adopted a different ploy this week by taking the players for a two-day training stint at the National Sports Centre at Lilleshall.

They are hoping the change of routine will help improve league fortunes which have nose-dived since December 28 - the last time they won.

Barnett said: "We have to bounce back and the only way to do that is by staying positive.

"It's no good sulking or moping in the position we are in."

Harriers main problem has been their shortage of goals.

Indeed, the last time a striker managed to find the net in a league game was on Boxing Day when John Williams pounced in a 2-1 away victory over Yeovil Town.

Last season Harriers were well served by Bo Henriksen who collected an impressive haul of 20 league goals.

He looked like repeating the medicine this term when his bagged a brace in his side's opening day 2-1 home win over Mansfield Town.

However, he has failed to score again in a injury-troubled campaign.

After today's clash against Swansea, who used to be managed by ex-Liverpool star Molby, Kidderminster will be preparing for their trip to take on Doncaster Rovers next Friday (7.45pm).

Alan Tate has escaped suspension after Swansea City's appeal against his FA Cup red card was supported by the Football Association of Wales. The FAW's disciplinary panel studied the video of last Saturday's sending-off in the dying moments against Tranmere and ruled Tate would not have to serve a three-match ban.

While the suspension was lifted, the red card will stay on his record.

Director of football Brian Flynn was always confident that the FAW would go with the club and was delighted to have got the decision.

'''We looked at the video earlier in the week and we could see there was no contact made by Alan,'' he said. ''You never know with these things how they will turn out, but the fact that both the Tranmere players and Brian Little thought the sending-off was harsh, was paramount for me, and as I said on Saturday, through no prompting from me, the referee said he would be looking at the incident again. To me that said a lot.''

Bouyed by that good news, Flynn has called on his players to sieze the moment against Kidderminster tomorrow if they are to achieve his target of a play-off spot.

Wednesday's draw with relegation-haunted Boston left Swansea nine points adrift of the promotion pack, with Lincoln their immediate targets.

Swansea played their best football on the road for some time but lacked a killer instinct in front of goal to allow Adam Boyd to nick a late leveller to cancel out Leon Britton's first-half strike.

Failure to win at Aggborough would almost certainly condemn Flynn's men to another season in the Third Division and that would hurt the ex-Wrexham manager, who says his side has come a long way since he took over after defeat at Boston in September 2002 sent them to the bottom of the league.

''We have certainly moved a few rungs up the ladder, that's for sure,'' he said.

''It was pretty dismal that night and I have brought in virtually a whole new squad.

''This is my team and it has been for about 12 months.

''When we set out this season we set ourselves a target of the play-offs and we always said that was achievable.

''The result at Boston was disappointing but we have to say it was a point on the road.

''I have to re-iterate what I said on Wednesday. All we are missing is the goals.

''That was the best performance away from home for some time.

''The play-offs are still achievable and we have to keep positive.

''We cannot put pressure on ourselves until there are 10 games left and we have to win nine.''

This time last season Flynn's side set off on a run which eventually resulted in Third Division survival, and, with games quickly running out, he wants a similar, if not better, hot streak, starting tomorrow.

''Now is the moment,'' he said. ''We had a good run at the end of last season that helped to save us. We need another one and perhaps it has to be better. We can do it.''

Kristian O'Leary is struggling to be fit after suffering a recurrence of a calf strain at Boston.

Flynn is already without the suspended Izzy Iriekpen tomorrow, so Stuart Jones, who replaced O'Leary on Wednesday, is set to step up from the bench.

Former Swansea City favourite John Williams has been keeping a close eye on his old club this season and in one player in particular. And he says he would love some of the magic from the daps of Lee Trundle to rub off on him as he continues his long career at Kidderminster.

Williams, who had three spells at Vetch Field, has been on target once this season, in the FA Cup against Midlands rivals Wolves and would love to add to that tomorrow.

The former postman has admired the way Trundle has delivered the goods this season with 19 goals in league and cup.

''He's a magician and he can't stop scoring,'' said Williams.

''I would love some of that to rub off on me. He's done really well this season and it's been great to see Swansea up where they should be near the top of the division and I hope they can achieve promotion this season.

''The club had a lot of publicity during the Tony Petty era and I am glad they are back in the news for all the right reasons.''

Williams left Swansea after the final-day drama last season which saw the club survive in the Football League and moved on to Kidderminster.

He said he never thought he would not find another club, but did have some regrets about his last stay at the Vetch.

''If I look back I should not have gone back the third time,'' said Williams. ''That was the time of Petty and it was horrible for everyone.

''For me it was an absolute nightmare. I would never say never when it comes to returning to old teams, but on that occasion it was probably the wrong move.''

It has not been a brilliant season for Kidderminster and Ian Britton paid the price for a shocking start to the campaign by losing his job.

Jan Molby took over the manager's hotseat and while the team's form has only slightly improved, Williams has been having better times.

He scored a memorable goal which almost saw the Harriers beat Wolves in the FA Cup before Alex Rae scored a late equaliser and the Premiership side secured a replay win at Molineux.

Kidderminster fans were so impressed by Williams's efforts they voted him the PFA Fans' Player of the Month for January, something the big striker was immensely proud about.

''Whichever club I have gone to, apart from a couple, I have been a bit of a fans' favourite,'' he said.

''That was certainly the case at Swansea. I don't know why that is, perhaps they just saw something in me that other players didn't have.

''I am a confidence player so it is great to have some recognition from the fans and it was fantastic that they voted for me to win that award.

''That goal probably earned the club around £100,000 so it was really important. It would be nice to get another one on Saturday.''

Williams, who scored one of the two goals which helped beat Kidderminster the last time Swansea won at Aggborough in 2002, is likely to be among the substitutes tomorrow, but he promises it will be tough for his former side as they chase crucial points.

''We want to win because we need the points for different reasons,'' he said. ''We have been playing some good football but we need to start finishing sides off. That has been our problem and hopefully that will be put right this weekend.

''Of course, I want Swansea to do well and get results but it has to happen after tomorrow.''

SWANSEA CITY boss Brian Flynn has warned his side their promotion dream could be over if they fail to win at Kidderminster tomorrow.

The Swans' play-off hopes suffered a huge blow on Wednesday when they threw away two crucial points in a 1-1 draw with Boston.

Faltering Swansea now head into another must-win Third Division clash nine points adrift of seventh place with just two games left in hand on most of their promotion rivals.

And Flynn admits Swansea will struggle to bridge the gap if they fail to win against Jan Molby's Harriers.

"There are no two ways about it - we've got to win at Kidderminster if we're going to get back among the top teams," said the Swans boss.

"If we don't get a victory, we're going to struggle to get into the play-offs.

"It wouldn't be irretrievable, but we'd need to put a terrific run together to get there.

"After Kidderminster we'll have only 16 games left. That might seem a lot, but the matches are coming up thick and fast.

"Before you know it, we'll be down to the last 10 and I don't want us to be in a situation where we've got to win eight of them. That would put us under huge pressure."

Flynn admits Swansea need to ideally win their next three matches - a tall order given they have still to record a league victory in 2004 - to get back in the promotion race.

"At the start of the season we set ourselves an achievable target of the play-offs," said Flynn, whose side face Leyton Orient and Rochdale at the Vetch next week.

"I still feel that's achievable and we're capable of putting a run together, but our FA Cup run has taken its toll."

There was some good news for Flynn yesterday when defender Alan Tate escaped a three-match ban for his contentious cup dismissal at Tranmere on Saturday.

A Football Association of Wales disciplinary panel ruled the red card - issued for an alleged elbowing offence in that game - would remain on Tate's record, but that the player would not have to serve a suspension.

''WE must be more ruthless.'' That is the message Brian Flynn will be hammering out to his players after letting three crucial points slip away in last night's 1-1 draw at Boston. Swansea City's director of football looked on at York Street as his side carved out chance after chance.

But they failed to add to Leon Britton's 14th-minute opener and paid the penalty when Adam Boyd struck and equaliser three minutes from time.

Andy Robinson, Lee Trundle, Brad Maylett and Britton all had opportunities to stretch the lead, especially in a first half which Swansea dominated for long periods. But the longer Swansea failed to add to Britton's goal, the more Boston grew in confidence they snatched that crucial late goal which not only dented Swansea's play-off hopes but boosted their own dreams of survival.

Flynn recognised that sharpness in front of goal cost his side dear and said that was something that must be worked on ahead of Saturday's trip to Kidderminster.

''It's as fluent we have been away from home for a long time,'' he said, ''and the amount of chances we created was probably the most we have had in a game.

''But we must be more ruthless in front of goal. If we had taken 50 per cent of our chances we would have won the game comfortably.''

Swansea head for Kidderminster on Saturday desperate to close the gap on seventh-placed Lincoln who occupy the last play-off spot.

That gap is now nine points but despite last night's late disappointment, Flynn is not giving up hope. ''It is a big gap,'' he said, ''but we can retrieve it. We stay positive and feel that a couple of good wins will put us back up there.

In September 2002 Brian Flynn looked on as Boston United condemned Swansea City to bottom of the Football League for the first time in their history. Flynn and No. 2 Kevin Reeves took over the reins at Vetch Field the following day and began what they hoped would be the long climb up the league ladder.

Fifteen months on and he reckons his side have taken more than a few tentative steps upwards, but after the Lincolnshire side poached a point thanks to Adam Boyd's late equaliser, Swansea could still find themselves back in the basement come May.

And although he would not admit it, that would hurt the ex-Wrexham manager after a start to the season which saw his side smash in 15 goals in the first five games to leave them sitting proudly on top of the Third Division.

''If we had taken 50 per cent of our chances we would have won the game comfortably,'' he said.

''We said after Saturday and the FA Cup that our season restarts now and we have gained a point away from home.

''In other circumstances we would have said: 'That's a good point', but not in this situation.

''We have got 17 games left and before you know it, with so many back-to-back games on Saturdays and Tuesdays over the next few weeks, we are down to 10 or 11 matches and to get into the play-offs we don't want to find ourselves in the position where we need to win eight out of 10 because then the pressure is even greater.''

Swansea put pressure on themselves last night after a catalogue of missed chances which would have seen them easily take the three points that would have closed the gap by three on Lincoln, who were 10 points ahead in the last play-off spot after winning 4-1 at York on Tuesday.

But chance after chance went begging both before and after Leon Britton scored his third goal of the season on 14 minutes.

This was Swansea's most fluent performance, outside the cup run, since the turn of the year and the first win of 2004 in the league looked on the cards.

Paul Bastock in the Boston goal was almost handing Flynn's men the win on the plate after a couple of early gaffes, but Andy Robinson, Britton, Lee Trundle and Co. could not capitalise.

Bastock did make up for his earlier errors to deny Robinson a spectacular second and somehow managed to keep out Roberto Martinez's long-range drive in the second half.

But the longer the game went on, with more glorious opportunities going begging, the more Jim Rodwell - the new caretaker-manager at York Street - could sense his side might snatch something.

Peter Duffield - Swansea's nemesis during his York days - came on as a substitute and had two great chances to level before bringing a magnificent fingertip save out of Freestone and the writing was on the wall.

Then with three minutes left came that Boyd blow. Something that Flynn found almost too much to take.

''I thought we defended really well,''' he said.

''They threw four men up front late on but it was an ordinary ball into the box that we didn't really deal with properly and other more dangerous ones earlier in the game we had dealt with really well.''

This is Flynn's team, as he is quick to point out. From the side which lost 1-0 on that dark day in the club's history only Roger Freestone and Kristian O'Leary were in the starting line-up on that dark day back in September 2002.

They have come a long way since that 1-0 defeat but unless they get more clinical in front of goal then another season in the bottom division is more than a distinct possibility and begrudgingly Flynn, realises that.

So too does goalscorer Britton and he summed up the situation more succinctly as he looked forward to the next 17 games.

''We deserved to win but we have to bury teams when we are on top like that,''' he said.

''That is why we are all gutted. We thought we had a good chance to get three points.

''Saturday (against Kidderminster) is a massive game. ''We need a win without a doubt, a draw's not good enough now.

''We need to start picking up three points away from home and winning all our home games.

''There is pressure on us but you could see with the team last year that we could handle the pressure when it is on, but it's a case of us handling it with a different goal to get into the play-offs.

''It's down to us. It's now or never. If we don't start picking it up then we could end up playing for nothing.

''There are no more excuses. ''Everyone was saying the cup was a distraction, but we are out now and we just have to focus on the league.

''The last thing the players want to do is end up running the season out in mid-table with nothing to play for.''

A defeat at Kidderminster could mean exactly that. Is motivation enough for that elusive first win in 2004? Surely.

THERE was no FA Cup hangover this time, but Swansea City still managed to throw away two crucial League points in a match they desperately needed to win.

Leon Britton's third goal of the season after 14 minutes looked to have given Swansea their first League win of 2004 and edged them back into the Third Division promotion race.

But a failure to capitalise on their superior first-half possession and take the numerous chances they created cost Swansea the game in the dying moments.

Adam Boyd's 87th-minute equalising goal leaves Brian Flynn's men a whopping nine points adrift of seventh place with only two games in hand left on most of their promotion rivals.

Fail to win at Kidderminster on Saturday and Swansea might as well kiss goodbye to their play-off hopes.

How the Swans must have rued the chances they missed as they made the long trip home.

It was a devastating blow as the pressure had mounted 24 hours before the trip to a bitterly-cold York Street. Lincoln's 4-1 win at York on Tuesday opened up a 10-point gap between the Swans and seventh place, while Northampton consolidating their grip on ninth place by winning at Darlington hardly helped matters.

In the search for a first League victory since the December 28 triumph over Yeovil, Flynn made three changes to the side that crashed out of the FA Cup at Tranmere at the weekend. In came Kris O'Leary for the injured Izzy Iriekpen, and Leon Hylton for Michael Howard, while Kevin Nugent was restored up front at the expense of Jon Coates as Flynn reverted to a 4-4-2 line-up.

It was Boston who had the first clear-cut effort.

Former Charlton midfielder Neil Redfearn gave Swansea a scare when his venomous 30-yard free-kick flew just wide of Roger Freestone's goal.

Britton then saw a goal-bound shot cleared following some good work down the right from Brad Maylett and Shaun Byrne.

It was the same combination and an almost identical move which produced the breakthrough. Byrne sent Maylett scampering down the flank and in came former West Ham man Britton with a low finish to claim his first goal since the 2-1 defeat at Northampton on November 17.

Swansea were deservedly in front. With lots of slick passing and clever movement, Flynn's men were looking dangerous each time they ventured forward.

And Britton was at the centre of things. The little midfielder - so instrumental at this stage last season - came close again after 27 minutes with a shot that had the beating of a Boston goalkeeper looking decidedly vulnerable.

In fairness to Stuart Bastock, he responded with a magnificent save to keep out a fierce Andy Robinson effort after Britton had teed up his midfield colleague in the 36th minute.

Having dominated the first-half possession, Swansea ought to have at least doubled their advantage and very nearly did so on the stroke of half-time when Robinson's close-range effort was scrambled away by defender Paul Ellender.

Four minutes after the interval Trundle almost claimed goal No 20 when his curling effort was palmed away by Bastock and moments later Maylett fired a fraction wide.

Swansea then had to endure a period of sustained Boston pressure, though the struggling Pilgrims were firing anywhere but straight at goal.

The home side, hovering only one point above the relegation zone ahead of Swansea's visit, managed a decent effort after 71 minutes when Peter Duffield forced Freestone to sink low to gather a fierce drilled shot.

Duffield gave Swans another scare eight minutes from time when his near-post header went inches wide of the target.

The Boston striker was in the thick of it again moments later but Freestone made a magnificent save to tip Duffield's header on to the bar.

But the Swans keeper was beaten with three minutes to go when Lee Thompson sent in a cross from the right, Duffield flicked on and Boyd buried the loose ball.

Swansea City: Freestone, Byrne, Tate, O'Leary (S Jones, 46), Hylton, Maylett, Martinez, Britton, Robinson, Nugent, Trundle.

Subs (not used): Murphy, Howard, Coates, Pritchard.

Attendance: 2,573

ROBERTO MARTINEZ insists Swansea City's promotion dream will not be wrecked by an FA Cup hangover.

Swansea head into a crucial Third Division clash at Boston tonight four days after their hopes of a cup quarter-final place were dashed at Tranmere.

But skipper Martinez says the disappointment of missing out on a place in the last eight has not left the Swans deflated ahead of the crunch York Street encounter.

Brian Flynn's side - currently eight points adrift of the top seven - travel to Lincolnshire knowing victory is essential to revive their flagging play-off ambitions.

And Martinez stressed, "I can assure everyone there's no danger of us going into this match feeling depressed because we're out of the FA Cup.

"We have all reacted really well to what happened at Tranmere last weekend.

"Initially, we were really disappointed with the result and there were a few things about the match, such as the sending-off of Alan Tate, that left us with a bit of a sour taste in the mouth.

"But once that initial disappointment had gone, everyone began to reflect on it as a great cup run and felt proud of what we achieved.

"Now, we just can't wait to be playing in the league again and do something about our position in the table."

While they were busy cutting a path to the fifth-round of the cup, the Swans dropped to 10th in the table and have a fight on their hands to get back into the play-off reckoning.

Flynn's men ideally need to collect maximum points from Saturday's trip to Kidderminster as well as the match tonight.

"I think the next 10 days are going to be very important," said Martinez.

"We've got four games in that space of time - 12 points which could make a massive difference to our position.

"The way I look at it, we've got 18 games left to play and we've got to treat each and every one like a cup final.

"Boston is going to be a hard match.

"They're a tough team to play against - especially at home - but, no two ways about it, we've got to get a win."

Swansea thumped Boston 3-0 at the Vetch back in August - the match in which Pilgrims midfielder Tom Bennett inflicted the knee injury on Martinez, which kept him out of action for the best part of five months.

Flynn is expected to make two changes to his side, Kris O'Leary replacing the injured Izzy Iriekpen and Kevin Nugent coming back in for Jonathan Coates.

James Thomas is ruled out after picking up a leg wound in a reserve team clash against Swindon.

The Swans, whose last trip to Boston, in September 2002, heralded the arrival of Flynn as director of football, face a side still reeling from the shock departure of manager Neil Thompson.

Former United player Jim Rodwell has been placed in temporary charge after Thompson was sacked last week.

SWANSEA yesterday lodged a formal appeal against Tate's sending-off at Tranmere with the FA of Wales.

Football fans ignoring and abusing stewards at Swansea City's ground are being blamed for a cut in capacity of more than 1,000.
Supporters on the North Bank have been taking little notice of pleas to keep gangways and emergency exits clear.

Now Swansea council's safety advisory group has cut the capacity on the terrace from 5,358 to just under 4,300.

Club directors admit it will have financial implications but say they will not invest heavily in the ground as the Swans are to move to a new stadium at the end of next season.

We are disappointed that a few spectators have caused the club to suffer financially

Swansea director David Morgan

Martin Saville, chairman of the safety group, said: "There were incidents at both the Oxford and Preston games where stewards were ignored and in some cases abused.

"This is totally unacceptable. There are very serious dangers involved.

Poor condition

"A small minority of fans continue to ignore the requests and instructions of stewards to only stand behind the barriers and not on the marked gangways."

The rear section of the North Bank has been closed for some time due to the poor condition of the concrete, but the club has been told it would cost £200,000 to repair it fully.

Club director David Morgan said due to the remaining life span of the Vetch the work was not viable.


White Rock stadium will be home to the Swans and the Ospreys

He told BBC Wales News Online the changes, which will leave the Vetch with a capacity of about 11,000, would hit the club financially.

He said: "The changes to the North Bank come in with immediate effect.

"If we had drawn with Tranmere in the FA Cup on Saturday we would have lost more than 1,000 paying customers on the North Bank for the replay, which would have been a sell-out."

He said if the Swans, currently 10th in Division Three, made the promotion play-offs, then a similar situation would be likely to arise.

"We are disappointed that a few spectators have caused the club to suffer financially," he said.

"We again ask the fans to carry out the instructions given to them by the stewards in order that the club does not suffer further in the future."

He said one silver lining was work was now progressing at pace at the new White Rock stadium, which will also be home to the Ospreys regional rugby team.

The steel skeleton of the £24m arena is starting to take shape and builders are confident it will be ready for the 2005/06 football and rugby seasons.

"The move from this antiquated ground (the Vetch) to a modern 21st century stadium cannot come quickly enough," added Mr Morgan.

BUILDERS are winning the race to open Swansea’s £24m White Rock stadium in time for the city’s leading soccer and rugby teams to take up residence next year.

Work to put in place the steel skeleton of the landmark venue is going ahead this month, giving solid shape to the dream of a 20,000-seat home for rugby and football in Swansea.

Over the next four months or so 2,500 tonnes of pre-fabricated steel work will be delivered, assembled and erected on site by the steel-work sub-contractor, the South Wales firm Rowecord Engineering.

The venue – opposite the former Morfa Stadium site - will be one of the most modern in the UK. The pitch will be able to cope with 60 matches a season as well as host major stadium-style concerts.

It’s been designed by TTH Architects who also designed Sunderland's Stadium of Light, and the structural engineering design has been carried out by URS corporation who also worked alongside Interserve at Murrayfield.

White Rock will also provide a base for community projects such as the open access Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme which is currently held at the Vetch Field.

The steel outline of the four different levels of the West Stand are now visible, towering above the flattened area that will eventually form the pitch.

The foundations were completed in January this year, and the stadium is anchored by 1,450 piles hidden in the ground, which would, if laid out end to end, stretch almost 13 miles.

Swansea council leader Lawrence Bailey who visited the site with Cabinet member for development, Byron Owen, said, "It is an amazing experience to stand here and see this project taking shape.

“We have created a partnership with the clubs and joined with the private sector to achieve what no-one has been able to do. White Rock is not just a major step forward in the Swansea sporting agenda, it is up-front physical evidence of this council's ability to deliver."

Swansea Council secured the deal to build White Rock in the middle of last year when, after months of negotiations the Council sold the former Morfa Stadium site to developers, Capital and Regional Plc to build a leisure and retail complex.

The funds from that deal are helping finance the new stadium which is linked to the retail site via a new road and pedestrian bridges. Interserve were appointed as the stadium contractor in September and work began on site a few weeks later.

Swansea boss Brian Flynn believes defender Alan Tate was unlucky to be sent off in the closing stages of his side's FA Cup defeat by Tranmere.
Tate was shown the red card in the 84th minute after he appeared to elbow Ryan Taylor.

"I don't think Alan went anywhere near anybody and you could tell from the reaction of the Tranmere players," said Flynn.

"The referee did say to me immediately afterwards that he would look at it."

"That tells me there was an element of doubt," added Flynn.

Games like this need something special to win them and Hume has done it

Tranmere boss Brian Little
More Tranmere reaction

Despite his grievances with Tate's dismissal, Flynn was determined to stay positive about his side's display in the competition.

Swansea had put in a battling performance at Prenton Park and had come close to reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in 40 years.

"It's taken a classic goal to beat us," said Flynn.

"But this has been a thoroughly rewarding cup run and we did most things right today."

Swansea City will seek an alternative route to Cardiff after the road to the Millennium Stadium in the FA Cup hit an inevitable dead end. The wheels were always going to come off in the cup. The challenge for Brian Flynn's men over the next three months is to stop their Third Division challenge suffering the same fate.

On the evidence of an entertaining and uplifting run in the knockout competition, Swansea should pack all the punching power needed to escape the Nationwide League basement come May.

Even Saturday's exit at Second Division Tranmere added weight to that argument, gallant and competitive as it was.

Tellingly, around 2,500 travelling fans roared Flynn's side off at Prenton Park even as their quarter-final dream lay in tatters.

By the time the players re-appeared on the pitch to warm down around 10 minutes later, hundreds remained in the stands and a second ovation was delivered.

"The fans were absolutely tremendous," said director of football Flynn.

"We just wish we could have sent them home happy with something to sing about all the way back to Wales.

"Hopefully, now we can give them something to shout about in the league."

A miserable streak of one win in nine Third Division outings as the cup took over at Vetch Field does not exactly bode well.

"There's no doubt the cup has affected our league form," added Flynn, "so maybe it's good in one sense that we're now out.

"We know we are capable of getting success in our division having done it at the start of the season, and therefore we know that we can do that again.

"We need to recapture that form and then we can think about getting to the Millennium Stadium through the play-offs."

Certainly, there is no time for Swansea to dwell on the final passage of their cup adventure.

After the bright lights of the fifth round - luxury hotels, big crowds and plenty of cameras - they return to the less glamorous surroundings of league football with a bump this week.

First come Boston at York Street on Wednesday, then Kidderminster at Aggborough next weekend.

"We have slipped down in the league while the cup's been going on and I stressed to the players in the dressing room that our season actually starts now," Flynn continued.

"Yes, the run has been great to be part of, but we have really got to get going in the league in the next two matches.

"Our last away win was in October and that's simply too long ago. If we are going to make an impact this season, it's going to start this week."

Flynn accepts that his first job before Boston is to get Tranmere out of his players' heads.

Their 2-1 defeat was not as painful as it might have been - there was no lucky last-minute winner or hotly contested goal.

Michael Howard, the Birkenhead-born left-back who was rejected by Tranmere, did push Eugene Dadi after Roberto Martinez had dallied and so Ryan Taylor was gifted the chance to score Tranmere's first goal from the penalty spot.

And the unfortunate Howard was beaten fair and square by Iain Hume's nimble footwork when the lively young Canadian made space to lash home a spectacular winning goal.

What did make the Valentine's Day trip to the Wirral heartbreaking was the fact that Swansea had competed so well with opponents from a higher division, so much so that they seized the initiative early on and might have forced a replay at the end despite Alan Tate's disputed sending off.

With Leon Britton their central figure, Swansea took charge in the opening quarter.

It was the former West Ham player's cross which allowed Andy Robinson, the visitors' other Birkenhead boy, to notch the goal he has dreamed of all his life having grown up just down the road from the ground.

There was also a chance for Brad Maylett in the opening stages, giving Swansea cause for real optimism as they chased a first quarter-final spot in four decades.

With home advantage significant, though, Tranmere surged back to seal their third quarter-final spot in half a dozen years.

Only when Rovers went ahead just before the hour did Swansea threaten again, when Kevin Nugent and James Thomas arrived from the bench to support the largely anonymous Lee Trundle.

Robinson, Britton and Izzy Iriekpen all tried their luck before Trundle's first sight of goal arrived three minutes from the end.

Such a star in the competition, Swansea's 19-goal striker was never favourite to score from a tight angle, even though the chance fell on his stronger left side.

His shot rolled harmlessly across the face of goal and Flynn's men were out of the cup.

No mask could hide their disappointment.

"I'm gutted," said a glum-faced Trundle.

"Every round of the cup's been great for me because I've scored in each one, but it's over now and we've just got to concentrate on getting into Division Two.

"We're still in the Premier Cup, but that's all we're bothered about now and I'm convinced we can do it.

"If we can bring our cup form into the league we'll be in the play-offs, and that should mean some happy times for our fans."

Swansea City were set to appeal against Alan Tate's FA Cup red card today with the former Manchester United defender revealing: "The ref wanted me off from the start." Tate walked in the dying minutes of Swansea 2-1 defeat by Tranmere Rovers for alleged use of the elbow on Rovers wing-back Ryan Taylor.

Television replays clearly exonerate Tate of any wrong-doing, though, and the 21-year-old reckons his dismissal was more to do with Northamptonshire referee Richard Beeby's approach.

"He said to Roberto (Martinez, Swansea's captain) that the No. 5, me, was 'p***ing him off'," said Sunderland fan Tate.

"I haven't got a clue what that is all about. Maybe he is a Geordie or a Manchester City supporter.

"Whatever it was, he was looking for an excuse to send me off and sure enough he did it. I've no idea what I'm supposed to have done and it's ridiculous in my view."

Tate saw red six minutes from the end after wing-back Taylor beat him to a loose, bouncing ball.

The young centre-back, who has never been sent off before in senior football, had jumped to challenge for possession but made minimal contact with his opponent.

"We both went for it and I pulled away when I knew I wasn't going to get there.

"I might have brushed him with my hip, but I didn't go in maliciously and I certainly didn't lead with my elbow or with a foot up.

"Their player didn't even go down and the other Tranmere lads were asking the ref why he had sent me off."

Rovers boss Brian Little later described Tate's dismissal as the worst he had ever seen, while Brian Flynn was today expected to launch an appeal against what would be a three-match ban.

"Apparently it was for an intentional elbow, but I don't think there was any contact whatsoever," he said.

"You can tell something from the reaction of the Tranmere players, who just wanted to get on with the game.

"The referee said to me immediately after the game that he would look at the video and that suggests to me that there was an element of doubt in his mind all along."

The one consolation over the Tate incident for Swansea was that it did little to alter the course of the game.

By that stage their organisation and shape had gone to pieces anyway as Flynn's men scrambled for the equaliser which would have forced a replay.

They had led after 16 minutes through Tranmere old boy Andy Robinson, but a Taylor penalty after Michael Howard's foul and then a spectacular Iain Hume strike denied them a first quarter-final place since 1964.

Around 2,500 noisy away fans made their appreciation of Swansea's efforts clear at the end, though, and director of football Flynn has urged his players to translate their cup success to league points.

"I'm pleased with my players because they everything," said Flynn.

"But our season really starts now and I'm sure they'll bounce back."

Ten-man Swansea City were left heartbroken on Valentine's Day as their glorious FA Cup run was ended at Prenton Park this afternoon. Alan Tate was sent off with six minutes to go for a foul on Ryan Taylor with even the Tranmere players pleading on the defender's behalf.

By then Brian Flynn's men had given their all in a pulsating fifth-round clash. They pushed their Second Division opponents all the way and took the lead through local lad Andy Robinson early in the first half.

But Tranmere showed their cup pedigree to fight back superbly and levelled from the spot through England youth international Ryan Taylor before Canadian striker Iain Hume struck a spectacular winner midway through the second half.

Brian Flynn decided that Kristian O'Leary would be the one to make way for Alan Tate, who was making his first start for the Swans since completing his two-and-a-half-year deal.

O'Leary would have felt a touch unlucky to have lost his place, especially after his performance against Preston in round four.

The director of football went with the same formation which served him so well in that win over North End.

A five-man midfield included Jonathan Coates, who replaced the injured Karl Connolly, and Leon Britton, who missed last week's league defeat by Torquay with a niggling groin problem.

That left Lee Trundle, mask and all, up front on his own, looking to continue his record of scoring in every round of the cup this season.

There was no Lenny Johnrose, who missed out with a hamstring injury, while Kevin Nugent overcame a knock to take his place on the bench.

Leon Hylton and Stuart Jones were the unlucky ones left out of the 16.

Tranmere boss Brian Little stuck with his trusted 5-3-2 formation with Gary Jones, Graham Allen and captain Sean Connelly as the three centre-backs.

Ian Sharps (back), Tyrone Loran (knee) and Simon Haworth (broken leg) were all on the sidelines, while Steven Jennings made only his second start of the season - he had been missing for two months after being run over by a car.

Skipper Mickey Mellon was suspended, leaving the home midfield short on experience.

The 2,400 Swansea fans took their seats early - many clad in their Evening Post Trundle masks - to make it a superb atmosphere.

They were making the most noise as kick-off approached, although the home support was also full of voice.

Tranmere started the better of the two sides but when Swansea did string their first meaningful move together, it almost brought the opener.

Brad Maylett and Britton linked superbly along the right but when Maylett swung in the cross, Andy Robinson could not quite get on the end of it at the far post.

The home side almost struck four minutes later. Welsh international Gareth Roberts centred from the left and Eugene Dadi found space before heading goalwards.

The ball cannoned off Izzy Iriekpen behind for what should have been the game's first corner. But to the amazement of the home fans, referee Richard Beeby gave a goal kick.

It was a pulsating contest early on and more good work from Britton almost saw the visitors nick the lead.

The midfielder picked out Maylett with an astute pass inside Roberts, but with Trundle free in the centre, the winger was caught in two minds whether to shoot or pass.

He chose the latter, but over-hit the cross in front of the unmarked Trundle.

Swansea were giving as good as they got and on 16 minutes they got the goal their adventurous start deserved.

Britton picked up the ball on the right and his dangerous cross split the Tranmere back line for Birkenhead-born ROBINSON to slide the ball home.

Swansea were the better of the two sides at this stage and they went in search for the second. But Tranmere are renowned cup fighters and they began to exert pressure.

And on 24 minutes they got the equaliser from the penalty spot.

Canadian international Iain Hume crossed from the left towards Dadi and as he rose Michael Howard needlessly shoved him in the back and Beeby pointed to the spot.

Ryan TAYLOR stepped up and sent Roger Freestone the wrong way for his fifth successful penalty of the season.

Trundle was then shown the yellow card for protesting about the penalty decision.

Swansea almost hit back within two minutes but Trundle's free-kick, after he was brought down on the edge of the box, hit the top of the Tranmere wall and deflected just over the bar.

Britton was causing problems down Tranmere's left and he almost forced Swansea's second goal on 29 minutes. He beat Roberts and his deflected cross flew across John Achterberg's goal but there was no visiting player there to finish off the move.

The large crowd was being treated to top entertainment and Dadi went close on 34 minutes when he headed wide from a cross by Roberts.

Alan Navarro was booked soon after for fouling Roberto Martinez as events began to heat up on the Prenton Park pitch.

The Second Division side were beginning to get the upper hand in midfield as the half wore on and Flynn's men needed someone to take control of that area if they were to get a foothold in the game again.

Trundle was having difficulty getting into the match and Swansea needed to find another route to goal.

But Tranmere were turning the screw as half-time approached and Danny Harrison should have done better when he blasted over the bar when Taylor's corner picked him out 12 yards out two minutes before the break.

Swansea deserved to be level as the half-time whistle blew, but they needed to find the form they showed earlier in the half if they were to continue their cup run.

Half-time: Tranmere 1, Swansea City 1

Paul Linwood replaced Jennings at the start of the second half. This meant a switch with Jones moving to midfield and Linwood slotting in alongside the other two centre-backs.

Three minutes into the second period Swansea had a great chance to take the lead again.

After good work from Maylett, Martinez lifted the ball into the path of Coates, who had ghosted into the box, but the midfielder failed to get a touch with only Achterberg to beat.

That chance sparked Tranmere into life and they were unlucky not to go in front as Jones saw Coates clear off the line from his header following a Taylor corner.

At the other end Connolly was booked for bringing down Coates but from the resulting free-kick, Robinson could not repeat his heroics of the last round as his effort curled inches wide.

The end-to-end pattern continued and Tranmere were only denied a second by a fantastic save from Freestone.

Swansea failed to clear their lines from a throw-in and Jones worked space for a shot only to see the big keeper block it with his body.

The home side were exerting more pressure and that exacted its reward on 59 minutes.

The ball was worked into the space of HUME and the Canadian rifled in a right-footer from 25 yards which flew into the top corner.

Flynn responded to the goal by bringing on Nugent for Coates five minutes later and the striker joined Trundle up front.

Robinson tested Achterberg soon after but the home keeper was easily able to deal with his shot on the turn.

The visiting fans were doing their best to lift their team but it was still Tranmere who were on top as the half wore on and Dadi almost snatched a spectacular third on 67 minutes, only for his curling effort to drift on to the roof of the net from 25 yards.

Swansea did have a glorious chance to get back into the game soon after. A long ball was not dealt with by Allen and his header fell invitingly to Iriekpen who was the furthest player forward.

But with the goal at his mercy, the defender sliced his volley well wide.

The visitors sensed they could snatch something and Robinson saw his shot deflected wide.

Britton went close moments later but his deflected effort was brilliantly turned past the post by Achterberg.

Swansea's fantastic efforts were being cheered all the way by their superb support but with just under a quarter of the game left, Tranmere were holding on.

Robinson was lucky not to receive his marching orders for a shocking challenge on Taylor.

Then with six minutes left Tate was shown red for an off-the-ball challenge on the same player, despite the pleadings of the Tranmere players.

Swansea almost levelled through Trundle, but he could only shoot wide of the far post after breaking down the left.

IF you had to pick a player who symbolised the disappointment of this FA Cup exit, it would have to be Andy Robinson.

Playing just across the road from his childhood home and against the club that rejected him last season, here was a man with special reason to see Swansea through to the quarter-finals.

Robinson would have been forgiven for thinking he was about to live the dream scenario when he nudged the Swans 1-0 up 16 minutes into this absorbing fifth-round clash on Merseyside.

But no. The midfielder's joy at putting his new team in front on home soil gave way to utter dejection as Tranmere turned the tie round to finally bring an end to his and Swansea's thrilling cup adventure.

"I was absolutely gutted coming off the pitch at the end," Robinson said. "It just leaves you with a hollow feeling in your stomach.

"It's the FA Cup isn't it? To come this far in the competition and then lose 2-1 is always going to leave you disappointed.

"I'm gutted because I've never experienced anything like this before, never been anywhere near the fifth round.

"In a way, you have to look at it as an achievement to have got to this stage, rather than a failure that we've been knocked out.

"But I'm still sick not to have got into the quarter-finals. I would have loved that."

Robinson, with a legion of family and friends watching on from the stands, saw his goal cancelled out when Ryan Taylor netted a 24th-minute penalty after Michael Howard had bundled over Eugene Dadi.

Despite producing another stirring cup performance in keeping with all the others, in the end it was a stunning solo effort that did for Swansea, Iain Hume lashing an unstoppable second-half shot into the back of Roger Freestone's net.

Disappointment for the Swans - compounded when Alan Tate was red-carded late on for appearing to catch Taylor with his arm - but at least Robinson could take comfort in a display that ought to have convinced Tranmere letting him go last summer was a mistake.

"I didn't go out thinking I had a point to prove, but it was nice to come back and put on a good show," said Robinson, one of three Swansea Scousers - Lee Trundle and Howard the others - returning home for the weekend.

"To be honest, I felt mixed emotions when I scored. Had it been in front of the Swansea fans I'd have celebrated a bit more than I did.

"A lot of my family and friends are Tranmere fans so I didn't want to celebrate too much at their end.

"The goal came too early for me to think it had put us through to the quarter-finals.

"It was then that we should've taken the game by the scruff of the neck. But Tranmere got back into it and it was a brilliant goal that won it for them."

As well as Swansea played, you had the sense the magnificent 2,400 travelling supporters might, just might, have been celebrating at the end had the visitors' tactics been different.

Choosing to play Lee Trundle as the lone striker in a 4-5-1 system did not work. Isolated for long periods, Swansea's leading scorer was marked out of the game. He didn't get a sniff of goal.

Rovers moved men forward during the second period and the Swans were not equal to it. The introduction of Kevin Nugent and James Thomas liberated Trundle to some extent, but ultimately it was too late.

It would not have been ill-deserved had Brian Flynn's men claimed a second goal, such was the work rate of the excellent Leon Britton and the industrious Brad Maylett.

But in the end it was hard to begrudge the cup specialists of Tranmere another quarter-final appearance on their classy second-half showing.

"It was a cracking cup tie in which we more than played our part, but we were beaten by a classic winner," said Flynn, who will decide today whether to appeal against Tate's 84th minute dismissal.

"We've had a thoroughly enjoyable cup run and this game was no exception. But, though we created a number of chances, it just wasn't to be in front of goal.

"But I think we did Division Three proud. And I'd like to think getting to the fifth round of the cup has raised our profile. Everyone's been talking about Swansea and that's a good thing for the club.

"As far as we're concerned, though, what we must do from here on in is take our cup form into the league. That's what it's all about from now until the end of the season."

Hardly has the old clich about being able to concentrate on the league been more appropriate.

Saturday's Division Three results saw the Swans slip to their lowest league position of the season, 10th, ahead of crucial matches at Boston and Kidderminster this week.

"Our season starts here," said Flynn, whose side remain eight points adrift of the play-off places.

"That's what I told the players right after the Tranmere game. These next two matches are going to be huge.

"There are a lot of games coming up over the next month. It's a period in which we're going to need to make a big impact."

ALAN TATE claimed his FA Cup debut was ruined by a referee who had been "looking for any excuse to send me off."

The 21-year-old Swansea defender was red-carded six minutes from the end after referee Richard Beeby ruled he had elbowed Tranmere's Ryan Taylor.

Tate insisted he had made no contact with the wing-back and Swans boss Brian Flynn said he would look to appeal against a dismissal that would force the player to serve a three-game suspension.

And the former Manchester United defender, making his first Swansea appearance following his permanent move from Old Trafford, slammed the Northamptonshire official's decision.

"The referee had been looking for any excuse to send me off and that's what he did," Tate claimed. "Apparently he said to Roberto (Martinez) during the first half that the No 5 was annoying him, so he'd been looking to send me off all game.

"It's not something you want to happen on your first appearance in the FA Cup. Until then, it was going well but the referee ruined it for me."

Television replays suggested Tate's elbow did brush across Taylor's face as the two players challenged for the ball. But the defender insisted that if contact was made, it was accidental and there was no malice involved.

"I didn't go in with a foot up or have any intention of hurting the player," he said. "I don't think I did anything that warranted a red card.

"If my elbow brushed across him, it wasn't hard enough for the player to go down. He just carried on.

"The Tranmere players didn't know what I'd been sent off for and even (Rovers boss) Brian Little said it was the worst sending off he had ever seen."

Beeby said afterwards he would study a video of the incident before deciding whether to rescind the red card. If he doesn't, Tate would have to sit out the home matches against Rochdale and Doncaster as well as the trip to Cambridge.

"Hopefully we can appeal and the referee will change it to a yellow card," said Tate. "A three-match ban is the last thing I want."

LEE TRUNDLE defended Brian Flynn's decision to play him on his own up front after Swansea's 4-5-1 system backfired on them.

With James Thomas and Kevin Nugent dropped to the substitutes' bench, Swans top-scorer Trundle rarely looked like adding to his 19 goals as the lone striker.

Trundle was double-marked by the Rovers defence and not until Nugent and then Thomas came on in the second half did he get a clear sight at goal.

But Trundle said, "The idea was to stop Tranmere playing through the middle so I don't think you can say we played the wrong system.

"It is hard when you're the only striker.

"I was isolated up front and kept looking for midfielders to make runs off me.

"James and Kevin coming on in the second half gave me licence to roam around a bit more as the defenders had other people to worry about, and we created a few more chances.

"But if you're going to try to stop a team from playing, the way to do it is have five men across the middle and one on his own up front.

"It's easy to say perhaps we should have had two up there but the system worked against Preston in the previous round and we were hoping it would work again. Unfortunately it didn't."

Trundle, who had sported a facemask to protect his fractured cheekbone, was disappointed not to find the net on returning to his native Merseyside.

But the former Wrexham ace believes Swansea produced a performance they could be proud of.

"We didn't go to Tranmere and get rolled over," he said. "We gave it a good go. We attacked and made every effort to win the game.

"It's obviously a big disappointment to go out of the Cup, but we've had a good run and provided a lot of enjoyment for the fans.

"Personally, I've got a lot of fond memories having scored in every previous round of the competition.

"But the league is what it's all about for us now. Getting into the play-offs and getting out of Division Three is the focus for the rest of the season."

SALUTE Swansea City, who gave Welsh football a bit of FA Cup hope this season.

It probably has to rank as the most unglamorous run any lower division team has had in their bid to reach the quarter-finals: Rushden, Stevenage, Macclesfield, Preston and Tranmere.

Not exactly Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, is it?

But Brian Flynn's men quietly worked their way through the rounds, only to fall in gallant fashion at Prenton Park on Saturday.

It would have been great to have had Welsh representation in today's quarter-final draw, but it's not to be.

But there is a plus point because, to use an old clich , the Swans can start concentrating upon what in their case really does matter most - the bread and butter of the League.

Flynn's men topped the Division Three table earlier this season and raised genuine hopes of promotion.

No-one will convince me the Cup run hasn't had an adverse affect on their League form because today they are 10th ... no fewer than 22 points off leaders Hull, 18 points off the last automatic promotion position and even eight points off a play-off place.

Privately, I wonder if Flynn will be pleased the FA Cup distraction has gone.

BRIAN FLYNN saw his FA Cup fighters reach a bridge too far yesterday.

But at least the lowliest side to make the fifth round went down to something spectacular.

For Iain Hume needed to produce a truly stunning 25-yard strike to end the dreams of The Swans.

The Canadian produced his rocket after one hour of this gutsy clash - following up the super strike that helped Tranmere knock out Bolton in the previous round.

Alan Tate was issued with a straight red card near the end, for what seemed an innocuous clash with Ryan Taylor.

Tate's dismissal soured the day for Swansea; yet manager Flynn, in the way he greeted his battlers at the end, showed how proud he was. And he was quite right to be.

The real pity of it all for the Third Division side was that they did not hold their lead for longer than the seven minutes between Andy Robinson's fine strike and the Michael Howard push on Eugene Dadi that allowed Taylor to equalise with a penalty.

Swansea proved, however, that the weight of time did not sit heavily on their shoulders.

It is 40 years since the club last reached the quarter-finals, and 2,300 of their fans travelled to the Wirral.

Within 16 minutes Flynn's side suggested they were in the mood to bridge that long gap, having opened with some bright inventive football.

The instigator was Leon Britton, diminutive in size but big in ambition.

He had already sent in an inviting cross for Lee Trundle to challenge.

The striker in the plastic mask - to safeguard a broken cheekbone picked up in his match-winning fourth-round performance against Preston - failed to read Britton's mind quickly enough.

But Andy Robinson was on the former West Ham junior's wavelength.

Robinson, Birkenhead-born and released by Rovers last summer, never made an impact in the few months he had at Prenton Park.

So it was like a dream come true for him when he saw Britton feint away from his marker and ready himself for another teasing delivery.

Robinson drifted away from the attentions of Graham Allen and got himself into the perfect position to volley home Britton's delivery.

It was so simple it stunned even the Swans fans for a second before they erupted, while the Tranmere defenders conducted an angry investigation.

They were level again within seven minutes - though the equaliser was more down to a rush of blood by left-back Howard than anything Brian Little's team had conjured up.

Enterprising full-back Gareth Roberts sent over a cross aimed at top scorer Dadi.

He had just started to rise for the ball when Howard pushed him in the back, and referee Richard Beeby had no hesitation in awarding a penalty.

He didn't really have any choice, the push was so blatant, and Taylor beat Roger Freestone easily from the spot.

Trundle, a scorer in every round of Swansea's FA Cup adventure, was then booked for dissent.

It was about the most aggressive thing he did in the first half as Rovers began to show their authority.

Little's side, beaten only twice in the 21 previous games since he took over, started knocking the ball around more fluently - and Dadi should have added to his 10 goals for the season in the 33rd minute.

Roberts again got down the left flank and sent over another extremely good cross.

The French striker met the ball with ease - but sent his header over the bar and into the Swansea fans when he should have buried it.

Trundle did manage a 20-yard free kick that deflected off the wall, but Swansea were working hard now to remain on a firm footing.

And they breathed a huge collective sigh of relief in the 51st minute when it seemed Gary Jones had given Rovers the lead.

The tall centre-back rose to meet a cross from Sean Connelly and bulleted his header towards the top corner - only for Jonathan Coates to jump with just as much determination and force the ball off his line.

Moments later Freestone had to act fast to stem the flow as Jones again moved up to join his attackers.

This time he let fly with his left foot following a throw-in from Taylor, and veteran keeper Freestone reacted superbly to block the ball with his body.

But there was nothing he, or perhaps any goalkeeper, could have done about the shot with which Hume finally did put the Second Division side into the lead.

The Canadian - scorer of the extra-time winner in Rovers' fourth-round victory over Premiership side Bolton - gathered the ball in midfield and, rather than look around for team-mates, just went head-first for glory.

He let fly from at least 25 yards, the venom and accuracy of the shot leaving Freestone helpless. And the Swans, for all their guts and hard work, could hardly complain.

Having beaten Rushden, Stevenage and Macclesfield before their comeback victory over Preston, they had come up against a side playing with conviction and confidence as well as excellent organisation.

And Tranmere have been regular competitors in the latter stages of the world's oldest knockout competition. Before yesterday they had reached the quarters three times in five seasons.

Still, however, Swansea might have kept themselves alive.

Britton fired in a shot which John Achterberg managed to touch away and, finally, Trundle managed to fire up some power as he burst into the box. But while his shot was a decent one, the angle of attack meant his effort was always destined to fly wide.

Then, as if to rub salt in the Welsh side's wounds, Tate was sent packing in the 83rd minute.

But the Swansea fans rightly applauded their heroes at the whistle for a performance that had so many of the hallmarks that still make the FA Cup essential entertainment.

Iain Hume served up another FA Cup special to send Second Division Tranmere back into the quarter-finals at Prenton Park today.

The Canadian - who blasted the third-round replay winner against Premiership Bolton - thundered home another memorable left-foot shot to sink brave Swansea.

The Third Division side had grabbed a shock 16th-minute lead through Rovers reject Andy Robinson.

But it lasted just seven minutes before Ryan Taylor's penalty got Rovers on their way towards booking a last-eight place for the second time in four seasons.

And Swansea's late bid for an equaliser suffered six minutes from the end of a breathless game when Alan Tate was sent off, apparently for deliberate handball.

The visitors had started better in front of 2,500 vociferous travelling fans.

Having seen off First Division Preston in the previous round the Swans had every reason to feel confident.

And with striker Lee Trundle looking to bag his sixth goal of the competition so far they had a potent threat with which to test the Rovers defence.

Trundle - wearing a protective face-mask having only recently returned from a fractured jaw - hardly got a look-in until three minutes from time when his shot from a tight angle flashed across the face of goal.

But Trundle's presence had clearly worried the home side and afforded space to his team-mates.

Leon Britton made the best use of it down the right flank with his clever backheel setting up the first chance in the fourth minute.

Brad Maylett flung in a right-wing cross which proved just to strong for Jonathan Coates in front of goal.

Tranmere's first chance fell to Eugene Dadi in the eighth minute when he stretched to get his head to Gareth Roberts' left-wing cross but diverted the ball wide.

Britton's magnificent through-ball set up a great chance for Swansea in the 10th minute but Maylett wasted it with a weak pass across goal as Trundle lurked unmarked in the box.

Britton's fine work down the right paid off in the 16th minute when he crossed to Robinson who got the touch which put the Third Division side ahead.

The goal was doubly sweet for Robinson who ended up at the Vetch Field in the summer after being released by Rovers.

But the home side equalised in the 23rd minute when Michael Howard hauled Dadi over in the box allowing Taylor to shoot firmly home to Roger Freestone's left.

Dadi and Gary Jones both blazed shots over the bar towards the end of the first period while Swans midfielder Coates was forced to head a goal-bound Jones header off the line at the start of the second half.

Coates then raced down the left wing to win a dangerous free-kick 25 yards from the Tranmere goal which Robinson blasted inches wide of John Achterberg's right-hand post.

After Jones and Roberts were both denied by fine Freestone saves Hume grabbed the goal Brian Little's side had been threatening.

And Dadi almost sealed Rovers' place in the last eight in the 67th minute with a lofted shot over Freestone which landed on the roof of the net.

But Swansea would not give in without a fight and pushed forward with another deflected Britton effort forcing Achterberg to palm the ball around his post in the 72nd minute.

And three minutes from time Trundle almost came to the rescue when he burst down the right but flashed a shot across goal from a tight angle.

ANDY Robinson returns home tomorrow intent on showing Tranmere just what they missed out on.

The Birkenhead-born Swansea City player thought his dreams had come true when Rovers plucked him from amateur football last season and gave him a professional contract.

But after just one substitute appearance in the LDV Vans Trophy, Robinson quickly discovered he had no future at Prenton Park.

He was thrown a lifeline by Swans boss Brian Flynn and since his move to South Wales last August he has not looked back.

A hard working midfielder with an eye for goal, he has become a fans' favourite at Vetch Field and has just been handed a two-year contract extension.

Robinson grew up in the shadow of Prenton Park and returns tomorrow as Rovers play host to Swansea.

Flynn's side have already eliminated Second Division Rushden and Diamonds and in the last round a superb Robinson free-kick helped overcome First Division Preston.

The 24-year-old, who has netted seven times this season, believes the Third Division Swans have nothing to fear against Rovers.

"We have quality players and on the day against Tranmere hopefully our match winners will come good," warned Robinson.

"We have great team spirit and we are looking forward to showing what we can do. May be the Tranmere fans will see what they are missing."

Despite being rejected by Rovers, Robinson has no axe to grind and he still has the club's interests at heart.

The player, who was on Everton's books as a schoolboy, said: "Tran-mere are my own team and I'm glad we are playing them because one of us will be in the quarter-finals. If we don't go through then it means Tran-mere go through, so I win both ways.

"At Tranmere I never got my chance, but I have taken it down here in Swansea. I have proved myself. I'm absolutely loving it. It's a new lease of life for me."

The winners of tomorrow's tie could face a lucrative quarter-final against Premiership opposition. Robinson, who also supports Liverpool, knows who he would like next.

"Most players would want someone like Liverpool," he admitted, "but I wouldn't want to knock them out -so it would have to be Man Utd."

The Swans also have ex-Rovers defender Michael Howard in their ranks. He is another Birkenhead player whose Tranmere dream proved short lived.

The 25-year-old joined Tranmere after being released by Liverpool at the age of 16. But after just six months as a professional, he was told he could leave.

Howard, who moved to South Wales in 1998, said: "It's nice to be going back because I did have some good times at Tranmere.

"It's a great draw for me. All my family will be there."

WHILE the media spotlight has singled out showman Lee Trundle, Tranmere forward Iain Hume is quietly gearing up for a repeat of his own cup heroics.

A month ago the young Canadian found himself making the headlines when his stunning solo strike won the FA Cup third round replay at Premiership Bolton.

But the goals have been few and far between. A late scrambled equaliser in the league match with Blackpool last weekend was only his sixth of the season, a tally which is dwarfed by Trundle's haul of 19.

However, it gave Hume a timely confidence boost going into tomorrow's fifth round FA Cup tie with Trundle's Swansea City.

The 20-year-old said: "It has been a bit too long for my liking since I was getting among the goals. Ask any striker and they will say they get their confidence from scoring goals.

"I hope the Blackpool goal is the first of many to come. Since the gaffer has come in we have not won by more than one goal, so we are due a few."

To overcome the Third Division Swans, Hume has called for a repeat of Rovers' resilient cup displays at Bolton and Luton.

"They were great performances from every single person on the pitch," he said. "That they came away from home is a great sign. We go into this game against Swansea believing it's winnable.

"They have Lee Trundle and Andy Robinson. Andy was here last season and all the lads know him. If we can shut down both him and Lee Trundle, we can get a result. They have more need to worry about us than we have about them."

Trundle has scored in every round of the cup so far. The forward is expected to play in a face mask tomorrow to protect a cheekbone he fractured last month.

Tranmere boss Brian Little, well aware of the threat he poses, appears to be something of a fan of the Liverpool-born Swans striker.

The manager said: "You see the goals Trundle has scored and he looks an especially gifted player. On his day he has the ability to win games for his team. It's nice to see someone going out there with the intention of entertaining.

"It's not an easy business to do that in because so many people put effort, dedication and commitment as the three most important ingredients in a team. But a little flair does not go amiss either.

"There are certain things Trundle can do that you can't really stop. If he does something spectacular in a game, you just have tosay well done. We have to be aware of him."

Little will be without centre-half Ian Sharps, who has a back injury, and suspended skipper Mickey Mellon.

IF there is one virtue above all others a football club would hope to establish by choosing Brian Flynn as manager, it is stability.

And goodness knows, Swansea City were sorely in need of a steadying hand when they turned to Flynn, (right), in September 2002 with the team anchored to the floor of the third division.

The South Wales club used up 10 managers and four boardroom regimes during the 13 years Flynn ran the smooth operation of football affairs in the North of the principality at Wrexham.

With a local connection to strengthen his hand - he was born six miles from the Vetch Field - Flynn and his long-time right-hand man Kevin Reeves settled quickly into the job.

Today, 16 months on - long service by recent standards - the club is moving forward on a even keel.

The relegation dogfight that went to the final day of last season is just a memory. Promotion via the play-offs is a plausible target for the current campaign and Swan-sea have reached the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1980.

They quickly sold out their allocation on 2,400 tickets for the away tie at Tranmere Rovers tomorrow.

The Town is enjoying the kind of excitement it has rarely tasted since the heady days when John Toshack led the Swans all the way from the fourth division to the top flight with a team liberally sprinkled with former Liverpool stars such as Tommy Smith and Ian Callaghan and the ex-Everton striker Bob Latchford.

Flynn has good reason to remember those times. He was a member of the Leeds United team thrashed 5-1 at the Vetch on the opening day of the first division campaign in 1981.

TRUNDLE. The name conjures images of slow predictable movement: portly middle-aged cricketers running up to bowl on the village green or bored supermarket workers pushing trains of trolleys around the car park.

But there's nothing remotely predictable or lethargic about the way Lee Trundle plays football.

On Saturday the Swansea City striker, (left), represents the greatest menace to Tranmere Rovers' hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

You won't be able to mistake him. He'll be the player wearing a mask.

Trundle's manager Brian Flynn describes the Liverpudlian as a maverick. As a late-comer to the professional game he was quick to make his mark when Flynn introduced him at Wrexham and he did the same when he moved to Swansea in the summer.

With 19 goals under his belt Trundle is the leading marksman in the third division this season and has scored in every round of Swansea's FA Cup run.

Flynn said: "He's a definite one-off. In terms of originality I have never seen anything quite like him. People talk about him in the same breath as Jay-Jay Okocha and people of my generation think of Rodney Marsh.

"But he's no show-boater. He does his tricks with a purpose, not just for their own sake and our players have developed an understanding of how to work with him."

Flynn believes Trundle's late arrival in the full time game, following years of wandering the non-League scene around Merseyside and North Wales gives him an edge.

"Players who get into the professional game at a delayed stage tend to be hungrier," said Flynn. "They don't want the opportunity to slip out of their hands."

Trundle agrees. "I'm a late starter," the 27-year-old said. "I was 24 when I became a professional and because I have not been in the game for very long that makes me even more hungry. I've been surprised by the attention I have had but not surprised by how well I've done. I believe that whatever level I play, I'll always score goals.

I don't see any reason why I can't play at the top. The gaffer and Kev (Kevin Reeves) just tell me to go out and express myself. That's how you get the best out of me."

Flynn and long-term assistant Reeves had a similar success with another Scouser, Gary Bennett at Wrexham a decade ago.

They checked out Trundle playing League of Wales foot-ball for Rhyl. Flynn said: "We had heard about Lee scoring goals for clubs like Burscough and Southport.

"When we saw him play both Kev and I felt there was something different about him. We brought him in for training and signed him a week later."

Wrexham snatched Trundle from under the noses of Tranmere. When the player's contract at the Racecourse expired at the end of last season he had the option of a new deal or linking up with Flynn once again in South Wales.

Flynn said: "It was a brave decision for Lee to come to us because Wrexham had just gained promotion and he would have been playing in a higher division had he stayed there. He made an instant impact here with goals early in the season. Now the crowd idolise him. They love to have an hero."

As for the mask Trundle will be wearing a surgical protector to guard against further injury to the fractured cheek bone he suffered during Swansea's fourth-round victory over Preston.

Trundle sustained the injury in the first half, colliding with the swinging elbow of Preston's Claude Davis. But he declined to come off and duly delivered the sweetest strike for Swansea's late winner.

Trundle says of the mask: "The most important thing is that it doesn't cover my eyes so I'll can see where I'm shooting!

"Seriously, it's not like the one my team-mate Leon Britton wore last season which he said restricted his vision.

"It's basically just one strip which sticks to my face and moves when my face moves. I don't think I'll be conscious of it when I'm playing so hopefully I'll be able to concentrate on scoring."

Tranmere have been warned: beware that masked man.

Ronnie Radford, Bert Trautmann, Ricky Villa? The Matthews final. . . Wizard of the Dribble. Beasant's penalty save, Houchen's header? The famous old trophy? Mmmmm. Marvellous, isn't it?

A Swansea City win at Tranmere Rovers might not be recalled by the Ron Managers of the future come FA Cup third-round day 2030, but taking the quarter-final place on offer at Prenton Park tomorrow would at least have the pundits of today gushing with cliches about Brian Flynn's side.

Granted there have been no top-ranking scalps along the way, but for any club from the ugly end of the Nationwide League to progress through five rounds of the competition is a feat worth praise.

Already they are the rank outsiders of the competition thanks to their lowly league status - the last 16 features eight Premiership clubs, five from the First Division, two from the Second and only one from the Third, Swansea.

With arguably the man of the competition to date, Lee Trundle, to the fore, the run this far has been full value.

Second Division Rushden & Diamonds were dumped out in round one, Kevin Nugent and Kieron Durkan joining the fun after Trundle's trademark finish had set Swansea on their way.

Next came Stevenage Borough and their loose-tongued manager Graham Westley.

It seemed the former Farnborough boss, who had aimed verbal volleys at Flynn throughout the build-up to the tie, may have the last laugh when Anthony Elding cancelled Nugent's opener.

But only for a minute or two. Another cool Trundle finish sent Swansea to round three.

In with the big boys, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool. The stuff of dreams, isn't it? Mmmmm.

Macclesfield at home.

A brace for Trundle, the second a spectacular curling free-kick, and Swansea were crossing fingers again for the plum draw.

First Division Preston was another anti-climax, although the game itself proved just the opposite.

Trailing to Dickson Etuhu's header with 10 minutes left, Swansea were on their way out.

Up stepped Andy Robinson, whose only knockout experience before this season had come in the Cheshire Cup, to spark the revival with a perfect free-kick.

With 10,000-plus still celebrating in the stands, you know who plundered the winner.

And so to Tranmere, Swansea's first away tie in this year's competition.

Can Flynn's men send the club into last eight for the first time since England won football's World Cup?

This is the FA Cup, isn't it? League form out of the window. It's all about the 90 minutes.

The 2,500 Welsh fans who will head for the Wirral tomorrow morning must think Ron is right.

Because according to the stats from the Nationwide, there should only be one winner.

Tranmere last lost on their own patch back in September, all of 13 home games ago, while Swansea have not succeeded on their travels since October.

More worrying for Flynn, perhaps, is the fact that tomorrow's hosts have only lost three in 22 anywhere since Brian Little replaced Ray Mathias at the helm within 24 hours of a 6-0 thumping by Plymouth in October.

The last English manager to lift a knockout trophy - the 1996 Coca Cola Cup with Aston Villa - Little is credited with bringing organisation and steel to a side which had appeared lost in the opening weeks of the season.

They were 21st in the Second Division and fearing relegation when he arrived, now they are 15th and enjoying the relative comfort of mid-table.

Swansea's league campaign has followed the opposite pattern, with a flying start which suggested great things were to come giving way to mediocrity.

Trundle, mask and all, returns to inspire them tomorrow, with his presence alone guaranteed to lift a team whose morale has dipped just a little in 2004.

And with midfielder Robinson, their other most influential player this season, keen to impress on his return to the club who sent him packing last summer, some Welsh optimism will be entirely justified on the long trip north.

It is the cup, after all, and anything can happen on the day. Quarter-finals next. . . Trundle's mask. It's all a far cry from jumpers for goalposts, isn't it?

Brad Maylett bids for a second FA Cup quarter-final place in 12 months tomorrow admitting: "We can go down in history this weekend." Swansea City's flying winger was part of the Burnley squad which made it to the last eight last season before bowing out to First Division rivals Watford.

With a repeat performance beckoning at Tranmere Rovers tomorrow, Maylett reckons Swansea can write their name in modern-day cup folklore.

"People remember Wycombe (2001) and Chesterfield (1997) getting to the semi-finals when they were Second Division clubs," the 23-year-old said.

"And for us, a Third Division club, to get to the quarter-finals is almost as impressive.

"It's something that doesn't happen very often - Cambridge were the last side from the bottom division to do it in 1990 - and it would be a great achievement for the management and players."

Despite their miserable league form - just one win has come in nine matches - Maylett reckons Swansea can upset the odds against a Tranmere side who have improved markedly since Brian Little succeeded Ray Mathias at the helm in October.

"It's unreal to have got this far really," added the former Manchester United schoolboy.

"I never expected anything like this when I came back to Swansea last summer. Now we're here, we've got to make the most of it.

"I played for Burnley last year when we beat Fulham 3-0 on the way to the quarters and it was a great experience.

"I wasn't involved at Watford, but I was there at the ground and nerves got to the lads who were playing.

"We cannot fall into the same trap tomorrow. We have got to realise that we have a great opportunity to get through and we can do it. Chesterfield and Wycombe showed that."

Brian Flynn's players could not mask their disappointment at the fifth-round draw after their memorable fourth-round success over Preston.

But with the dust settled, Maylett reveals, there is a more upbeat view in the Swansea camp. "Let's be honest, if we had drawn one of the big teams it would have meant a good day out but more than likely the end of our cup run," he adds.

"With Tranmere, we know we have got a realistic chance if we can reproduce the form of the earlier rounds.

"Preston is fresh in the memory for everyone, and there was the win against Rushden & Diamonds in round one. They are from the same league as Tranmere and really we played them off the park.

"This run might be as good as it gets for some of us players - even when I was at Burnley we usually fell in the second or third round - and hopefully now we can keep it going because it's created a huge buzz around the club.

"If we can win again this weekend, we'll sit down for the draw on Monday and, surely this time, we'll get one of the big clubs that everybody would like to play in the next round."


p>

Andy Robinson is tipping Swansea City to win the FA Cup talent contest at old club Tranmere tomorrow and seal a first quarter-final place in 40 years. Despite Tranmere sitting a division above Swansea in the Nationwide League, spy-in-the-camp Robinson reckons there is much more quality at Vetch Field than Prenton Park.

And the 24-year-old midfield star has total confidence in his new team-mates helping him to a sweet cup success against the club that left him out in the cold last summer.

''In terms of individual talent, there is loads more at Swansea,'' Robinson declared.

''Our league form might not be showing it right now, but we're a Second Division squad in all but name in my view.

''And, I would say, we have got five or six players who are well capable of playing at a higher level than that, whereas at Tranmere there are only two or three who you could say that about.

''We have the most match-winners and I really feel that we're the ones who will be in the draw for the quarters come Monday lunchtime.''

Boss Brian Flynn could spring a couple of surprise selections in his attempt to steer Swansea to the last eight for the first time since 1964.

Alan Tate is set for his first start as a full-time Swansea player in central defence, probably alongside Izzy Iriekpen despite Kris O'Leary's man-of-the-match performance in the previous round.

Jonathan Coates could also begin the game on the left flank of a five-man midfield with Karl Connolly struggling to shake off a thigh strain collected in training this week.

Michael Howard should see off the challenge of Leon Hylton at left-back, while Leon Britton returns in midfield.

With just Lee Trundle - cheek protector and all - up front, Kevin Nugent (ankle) and James Thomas (thigh) will both start on the bench should they recover from knocks collected last weekend. Lenny Johnrose could also be among the substitutes despite a recurrence of the hamstring injury which has kept him out for almost a month.

''Tranmere have got some good players - Iain Hume up front is one we've got to look out for in particular,'' said Robinson.

''But the home crowd is not the best at Prenton Park and if we can get on top early they will turn against them.

''I know having been part of both squads that we have got the quality to do that.''

With more than 100 family and friends coming to support Swansea tomorrow, Birkenhead-born Robinson added: ''They went to get tickets and were told that if they were seen cheering for Swansea in the home end, they could be ejected.

''I shouldn't think they'll take any notice, though, and with 2,500 coming up from Wales, we'll have plenty of backing.''

Swansea were aiming for the cup literally yesterday as they prepared for tomorrow's tie with a round of pitch and putt at their luxury Cheshire hotel. And after knockout wins over Rushden & Diamonds and Preston already this term, Flynn's men fancy their chances of upsetting the odds once again - despite a worrying slump in league form.

''We've had a good week and we're all looking forward to it,'' said the Vetch Field director of football.

''The lads want to perform as they did against Preston in the last round and there is the same feeling running through the squad as there was before that game.''

TRANMERE ROVERS boss Brian Little revealed last night that his side fear Brian Flynn's FA Cup legacy.

And the former Aston Villa manager admitted he would be devastated if Flynn's cup magic worked again when Rovers face Swansea City in tomorrow's fifth-round clash at Prenton Park.

In his 12-year spell at Wrexham the Swans boss built a reputation for cup giant-killing acts on the back of famous victories over the likes of Arsenal, Ipswich, West Ham and Middlesbrough.

Flynn took the Dragons all the way to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in 1997 and is only 90 minutes away from repeating the feat at Swansea.

Having caused minor upsets over Rushden & Diamonds and Preston this season, it is Second Division Tranmere who stand between the Swans and a place in the last eight.

And, in an interview with The Western Mail, Little admitted, "We're wary of the fact Brian has such a good reputation in the FA Cup.

"You can't ignore what he achieved in all those years at Wrexham. He seems to have this knack of upsetting the odds in this competition, and he's managed to do it again this season.

"I know Swansea haven't had the best of times in the league of late, but it's been a different story in the cup.

"Brian knows exactly how to prepare his team for these games and seems to get them fired up all the time.

"In my view, that is one of the things which evens this tie out. And it's vital, therefore, that we're ready for what is certain to be a well-prepared Swansea side."

Tranmere, in fifth-round action for the fourth time in five seasons, know a thing or two about cup giant-killing themselves.

The Birkenhead club have claimed numerous Premiership scalps in recent seasons, including a 3-2 win over Leeds in 2000-01 and a memorable 4-3 success against Southampton in the same season.

That was the year Rovers swept to the quarter-finals, only to lose 4-2 in a fairytale meeting with their Merseyside neighbours Liverpool.

Little, who succeeded Ray Mathias as manager in October last year, admits missing out on another glamour tie would be a huge disappointment to both him and the club as a whole.

"I have to admit I'd be devastated if we lost against Swansea this weekend," said Little, who also numbers Leicester and Hull among his former clubs.

"Not because I'd be upset to go out to a club a division below us, but because we'd have missed out on the chance of a golden tie.

"You get this far in the competition and you look forward to the prospect of playing a Manchester United or a Liverpool.

"Both ourselves and Swansea will be thinking exactly the same thing: play well in this match and we could be in the last eight.

"If we missed out on that, I honestly think it would take more than the rest of the weekend for me to get over it."

Little, of course, has had some good adventures. He guided Villa into the FA Cup semi-finals in 1995, the same season the Midlands club lifted the League Cup with a 3-0 win against Leeds.

He also steered Villa into the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup before his three-and-a-half year spell in charge ended in February 1998.

Little's next managerial appointment, at Stoke, included a second-round FA Cup exit against Swansea, the Potters losing 1-0 at the Vetch in December 1998.

That game Swansea deserved to win," said Little, who has also managed at Darlington and West Brom.

"It was a disappointment, but it wasn't the most upsetting cup game of my career, I can assure you!

"But, on reflection, it's a result that shows it's never easy playing against a team from a lower division."

Little insists Tranmere should not be seen as favourites tomorrow. "I don't subscribe to the view we should be clapping our hands to have drawn a Third Division side," he says.

"Being over-confident is the worst thing we can do as Swansea will come here firmly believing they can win if they play well.

"The good thing is we've got home advantage (Rovers are unbeaten in 12 matches at Prenton). But I don't think the fact we're a division above Swansea will count for much."

On squaring up to Flynn, Little added, "I've got the greatest respect for Brian - I've known him for years and count him as a friend.

"And, if we were to lose this match, he's the one I'd love to see make further progress in the competition."

Flynn's men are expected to have the backing of around 2,400 fans on Merseyside as they bid to reach the last eight for the first time in 40 years.

Swansea must first address fitness concerns over midfielders Lenny Johnrose and Karl Connolly, as well as strikers James Thomas and Kevin Nugent.

Swansea City skipper Roberto Martinez is determined to do the city proud in Saturday's fifth-round FA Cup clash with Tranmere. The Spanish midfielder is confident of success at Prenton Park, but reckons whatever happens on the Wirral, Swansea will have achieved something.

Martinez was one of a posse of players from Brian Flynn's squad to get their hands on the trophy when sponsors Nationwide brought it to the city yesterday.

And he said just to touch the cup was inspiration alone for the side.

''It was a special feeling,'' he said. ''It shows that we have gone really far in this competition and we are just 90 minutes away from a special piece of history for the football club.

''We are really looking forward to it,'' he added. ''We know what this means to everyone in the city.

''As players we know we have a great opportunity to achieve something and things like this don't come around very often. You have to seize them and that's what we intend to do. The 90 minutes on Saturday are going to be very hard but also very enjoyable.

''We know how proud we are to wear this football shirt and we want to make everyone related to Swansea City very proud.''

Swansea go into the last-16 clash as underdogs with Tranmere 17 places ahead of them in the league plus a cup record which has seen them reach the fifth round for the fourth time in five seasons.

But despite that, Martinez is confident of getting a win which would see Swansea into the quarter-finals for the first time in 40 years. ''It's going to be hard because Tranmere, just like us, have nothing to lose,'' he said.

''I spoke to a couple of their players and they know this FA Cup run could save their season.

''But if we are realistic about it, we beat Preston who are a better side than Tranmere. Over 90 minutes we can beat anyone.

''We have had a little bit of disappointment in the league lately so we want to take our frustrations out on the cup and that will help us to get success in the league again.''

Martinez accepts there will be a lot resting on the players' shoulders, but after last season, he knows they can handle it.

''We had a great experience then,'' he said. ''The games we played were really important because we had a lot to lose. We were playing catch-up which was very hard and we were under a massive amount of pressure. This is a different kind of pressure.''

Swansea headed off for their Cheshire base yesterday nursing a few slight injury doubts.

''We are still monitoring Kevin Nugent's injury while James Thomas, Karl Connolly and Lennie Johnrose have all got little niggles at the moment, but we are hoping that come Saturday they will be okay.''

Flynn believes the change in surroundings will help inspire more success.

''The variety and novelty aspect is what we are looking for,'' he said.

''That's what we try to do in cup week. People say why can't you do it every week? But then the novelty would wear off.

''We are going up early, which is good and we will be doing things slightly differently.''

Lee Trundle is in line for a record score when Swansea City bid for FA Cup glory this weekend - literally. The sharpshooting Scouser knows a goal against Tranmere will make him the first Swansea player to go through the 20-strike barrier in 13 years.

The last man to achieve the feat in one season was Jimmy Gilligan, who notched 24 goals in all competitions in 1990-1.

To find a 20-goal league campaign you have to look even further back through the history books, to 1982-3, when Bob Latchford managed exactly that figure in Swansea First Division relegation campaign.

''Twenty is a good landmark to hit,'' Trundle said, ''and if I'm honest, that was the first point I was aiming for at the start of the season.

''Hopefully I can get there this weekend and then we will see how many more come along after that.

''It's nice to be the first one to do it for Swansea in a few years, but I'm not about to ease off when I get to 20.

''In fact,'' he adds with a grin, ''what's the club record?''

Cyril Pearce, who scored 35 times way back in the 1930s, still leads the way on that front.

''We'll just count them up at the end of the season and see where we are,'' reckons today's star man.

He is not about to tell the world about it, but such is his confidence, Trundle will fancy his chances of setting a new mark.

The ebullient 27-year-old is already enjoying his most profitable campaign as a professional footballer, with five goals in the four rounds of the cup to date pushing him into the national limelight.

''It's been unbelievable ever since we beat Preston really.

''I've had The Independent and Daily Express on the phone just in the last couple of days, but I don't mind all that. I guess if people want to talk to you, you must be doing something right.''

The fact that Trundle had broken his cheekbone in the first half prior to his memorable winner aginst Preston has only added to the column inches to be devoted to his story.

On Saturday the man with the Magic Daps will also be sporting a strip of plastic stretching from nose to ear to ensure no further damage is done.

''The most important thing is that it doesn't cover my eyes, so I'll be able to see where I'm shooting,'' says the former Wrexham forward.

''Seriously, it's not like the one Leon Britton wore last season, which he said restricted his vision.

''It's basically just one strip which sticks to my face and moves when my face moves, so it's not too bad.

''I don't think I'll be conscious of it when I'm playing, so hopefully I'll be able to concentrate on getting that 20th goal.''

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins says it is unlikely that Oxford's top scorer Steve Basham will come to the Vetch.
Swans manager Brian Flynn needs another front man and had targeted the 26-year-old, but Jenkins says that the club will need to look elsewhere.

"He (Basham) is on contract until May so it looks a long shot, but you never know in football," said Jenkins.

"There's the possibility of us paying a small fee, but he's their top scorer. We need to look at other options."

Basham has fired in 13 goals this season for Oxford, who lie third in Division Three.

He played five games for Wrexham on loan from Southampton in 1998 while Flynn was manager at The Racecourse.

Jenkins hinted that success in the FA Cup fifth-round tie at Tranmere on Saturday could make a difference to the Swans' chances of securing Basham.


Britton back for Swans

A period of rest has cured Britton's groin problem
Leon Britton has declared himself fit for Swansea's FA Cup fifth-round match at Tranmere on Saturday.
The influential midfielder has recovered from a groin injury which kept him out of Saturday's Third Division defeat to Torquay.

Izzy Iriekpen is also expected to be fit after a hamstring strain, but Kevin Nugent (ankle) is struggling.

"The gaffer (Brian Flynn) gave me a little time off to rest and it seems to have done the trick," said Britton.

"My groin has been bugging me for seven or eight weeks. I've been playing games but not training during the week."

WHEN his childhood heroes Wimbledon paraded the FA Cup around the streets of south London in 1988 Leon Britton didn't quite manage to get his hands on the trophy.

Britton, then a starry-eyed boy of five, was perched on his dad's shoulders but still he couldn't reach the cup being raised aloft by the victorious Dons team on their open-top bus.

Yesterday, some 16 years later, the Swansea City midfield star finally got the chance when the FA Cup arrived in the city as part of a UK tour by sponsors Nationwide.

Britton and his Swans teammates got to grips with the famous old trophy at the city's St Helen's Primary School just before heading north to prepare for Saturday's fifth round clash against Tranmere Rovers.

And, as he dreams of a place in the quarter-finals of the competition, no wonder getting a first-hand glimpse of the cup brought back fond memories for the former West Ham man.

"I've waited a long time to get this close to the FA Cup again!" said Britton, set to return from injury to feature in the Swans midfield at Prenton Park.

"It would have been nice to have touched it in south London 16 years ago but I never stood much chance of reaching it!

"Standing on the street corner as a boy watching Wimbledon parade the Cup is something I'll never forget. I didn't get to go to Wembley to watch them beat Liverpool in the final so seeing the winning team come round on the bus was the next best thing.

"I only lived 10 minutes from Wimbledon's old Plough Lane ground and it was an emotional day when the victory parade was held. The occasion and the cup win united the whole community. Wimbledon's not a big place so the football team winning the cup meant so much to everyone.

"I've still got a football signed by the cup-winning team. It's a special memory - especially as the cup upset came after Wimbledon completed their famous rise up through the leagues."

Britton could scarcely have expected back then that 16 years later he would be 90 minutes away from playing in an FA Cup quarter-final. But that will be the prize if Britton and his Swansea colleagues can engineer a victory against Second Division Tranmere at Prenton Park on Saturday.

"It's scary that we're one game from a place in the last eight," said the 21-year-old midfielder, who missed the 2-1 league defeat against Torquay through injury.

"Because I had never played in the FA Cup before this season, just getting to the first round was a dream. So getting as far as the quarter-finals - part of the dream you have as a kid - would be amazing."

Having twice dispensed with higher-league opposition - Second Division Rushden & Diamonds and First Division Preston - to get this far, Britton sees no reason Swansea can't make it to round six.

He said, "Let's face it - had we been drawn away against Manchester United or Liverpool it would have been little more than a great occasion for the club.

"We'd have enjoyed it, but the chances of pulling off a shock and going through would not have been high. But Tranmere gives us a realistic chance of getting through to the quarter-finals.

"Obviously it would have been better had the game been at the Vetch, but we're still going there confident of getting a result.

"We'd fancy our chances of beating Tranmere in a replay, but we'd rather win on Saturday."

Karl Connolly could be the man who makes way for Britton at Prenton Park. Swans boss Brian Flynn should also have Lenny Johnrose available again.

Roger Freestone plays his 35th FA Cup tie for Swansea City at Prenton Park on Saturday - and he doesn't want it to end there. The big goalkeeper overtook Herbie Williams (33 appearances) to move to third in the clubs's all-time list in the competition when he produced a top performance in the fourth round against Preston.

Now he is targeting Wilf Milne's 43 games and Ivor Allchurch, who played 44 times in the cup during his time at Vetch Field.

And even if Swansea do not get the right result against Tranmere this weekend, Freestone is keen to add to his tally and he sees no reason why he can't.

''I just want to keep playing,'' he said. ''I am really fit now and if I continue in goal and doing well then I will be soon going into the boss and hopefully get to extend my stay.

''Performances dictate and although I was disappointed in my own last week, I believe I have been putting in some good performances this season.

''It would be great to get a few more games in the FA Cup. It's a special competition because it starts way back in August for the non-league clubs and then sides like us come in at the first-round stage.

''It's a challenge against the lower league teams and the non-league sides and if you can get to the third round and beyond you can test yourselves against opposition from a higher division.''

Freestone began his career in the FA Cup in 1991 when he made his debut in a 2-1 win over deadly rivals Cardiff in the first round.

There have been plenty of ups and downs in the competition since then, including defeat at non-league Nuneaton after a replay, the win over West Ham in 1999 and a 7-0 hammering at Craven Cottage by Fulham.

''That was a dark day for the club,'' Freestone recalled. ''Frank Burrows had not long left and Bobby Smith and Jimmy Rimmer were in charge. There were quite a few younger players in the side but we were very disappointing, it was really embarrassing.

''Then there was West Ham. Whenever you get a win in the FA Cup it's a great day,'' he added. ''but after what happened at Upton Park when Julian Dicks's late goal was down to me, it was even more special.

''That night at the Vetch was magnificent and that's what it's all about.''

Another high point was the 2-1 win over Preston in the last round when Freestone played his part as Swansea came from behind to stun the First Division side and take their place in the last 16.

Freestone, like many in Swansea, had hoped for a dream draw but the former Welsh international says a result at Prenton Park is not beyond the realms of possibility.

''Preston was another big scalp for us and we performed well on that day,'' he said.

''Of course it would have been nice to draw a Premiership club like Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea and bring them to the Vetch.

''The chairman might say an away draw would have been better against one of the big three for financial reasons and I can understand that. But a home draw would have been brilliant.

''No disrespect to Tranmere, but when the draw was made we were disappointed. I am sure they were disappointed as well.

''Then when reality set in we thought we had a real chance of getting a result.''

Although Swansea's league form has been poor since the turn of the year, Freestone reckons the players will up their game come Saturday afternoon.

''We know it's going to be tough but we have already done well against sides from higher divisions like Rushden and Diamonds and Preston. In fact, no disrespect to Rushden, we found it easier against them than we did against Stevenage and Macclesfield.

''I have spoken to Blackpool goalkeeper Lee Jones who played against Tranmere last week and he has told me a few things.

''We go up there with an air of confidence and hopefully we can get a result.''

Tranmere's Welsh international defender Gareth Roberts reckons Rovers are favourites to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for the third time in four seasons on Saturday. The four-cap 26-year-old, from Wrexham, tasted defeat in the last eight in 2000 when Newcastle conquered Tranmere and then again 12 months later when local rivals Liverpool beat the Wirral club 4-2.

Now Roberts is keen for another shot at the big time, and he believes home advantage will be key when Swansea go to Prenton Park.

''There is not much between ourselves and Swansea,'' the left-back said, ''but we have shown in the last few years in the cup that we will take on anyone at home and I think that can play a big part.

''Home advantage is what matters, and Saturday will be the first time Swansea have played away in the cup this season.

''We are playing some good football at the moment and we're not getting beaten at home.''

Roberts's optimism is understandable - Second Division Tranmere are unbeaten in 12 matches on their own patch.

And the ex-Liverpool trainee, who had a spell in Greece at Panionios before arriving at Prenton Park in 1999, reckons Brian Little's defence can deal with the threat posed by Brian Flynn's attack.

''Andy Robinson was with us last year so we know what he can do,'' he added.

''I know Lee Trundle, too, and he is one of those players who on the day can be brilliant or really quiet.

''We work on our defence a lot in training and we're hopeful we can keep them out. We play five at the back and are suited to that.''

SWANSEA CITY hot-shot Lee Trundle has always tried to mould his game on boyhood hero Paul Gascoigne - and now he's got the facemask to prove it!

Whenever he takes to the pitch it is the crowd-pleasing antics of the former England superstar that Trundle sets out to imitate.

And on Saturday the Swans striker is guaranteed to bear more than a passing resemblance to his childhood idol.

That's because, just like Gazza did 11 years ago, Trundle will don a facial mask to protect a broken cheekbone when he returns to action in Swansea's fifth round FA Cup clash at Tranmere.

"If it's good enough for Gazza, then it's good enough for me!" smiled the 19-goal top scorer yesterday.

"He was my hero when I was growing up and I remember clearly him wearing that Phantom of the Opera-style mask playing for England.

"I was chuffed to bits earlier this season because he actually rang me after I said in an interview that he was someone I looked up to.

"He said I thought I was doing well and reckoned I could play at a higher level one day. Perhaps, seeing as I'm going to be wearing a mask like he did, he'll give me another call before the Tranmere game!"

Gazza, then at Italian club Lazio, famously pulled on the plastic shield for England after his cheekbone was broken in a World Cup qualifying match against Holland in April 1993.

Trundle picked up his injury during Swansea's 2-1 fourth round FA Cup win over Preston last month.

"The mask I've had made for me is actually a lot different to the one Gazza wore," said the 27-year-old former Wrexham ace. "Whereas Gazza's covered a large portion of his face, what I've got doesn't cover the eyes or restrict my vision in any way.

"It's basically a slip of plastic that goes underneath the eye, onto the nose and round the cheekbone and sticks onto the face with a kind of gel.

"It feels fine. I'm guaranteed to look a bit daft but I don't care about that. Anything that gave me the chance of playing, I was going to take!"

Trundle, who says he has had no negative reaction to the injury in training, sat out Saturday's 2-1 league defeat against Torquay, but he could not bear to miss out on a trip home to Merseyside.

A Goodison Park tie against boyhood favourites Everton might have gone following the Toffees' fourth-round exit against Fulham. But the mouth-watering prospect of a trip to Anfield in the quarter-finals will spur Trundle on when he returns to the Swans' attack at Prenton Park.

"That would be amazing," he says. "I've already got about 35 family and friends coming to Tranmere on Saturday, so imagine the support I'd get at Liverpool.

"To be honest, though, I'm trying not to let my mind wander any further ahead than Tranmere.

"A place in the quarter-finals is a massive incentive for us. What an achievement that would be for Swansea as a Third Division club.

"But I feel it's important we just concentrate on Tranmere for now and not get carried away.

"If we do manage to win, then we can start dreaming about getting a big Premiership club in the next round.

"And if that happened I think I and the other lads from Liverpool (Andy Robinson, Michael Howard and Karl Connolly) will be treated to a bit of a party on Saturday night."

Trundle has been in Liverpool all week but meets up with the rest of the Swansea squad today when they arrive at their Chester hotel for a special three-day preparation.

"The gaffer let me come up early so I could spend some time with my three-year-old daughter Brooke," said the Scouser.

"It's going to be a real family affair for me on Saturday. They'll be making their way across Liverpool to see what all the fuss is about!"

Trundle's striking partner Kevin Nugent remains the only fitness worry after taking a knock to his ankle in the Torquay defeat.

Kevin Nugent is Swansea City's only fitness concern ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round clash with Tranmere Rovers. The 34-year-old targetman is a doubt for the trip to Prenton Park after taking a kick on the ankle in last weekend's miserable home defeat by Torquay.

If Nugent pulls through, boss Brian Flynn will have the luxury of a fully-fit squad to choose from for the first time this season.

Leon Britton (groin) is due to return to training tomorrow after 10 days' rest, while midfield colleague Lenny Johnrose (hamstring) was back in action today.

Centre-back Izzy Iriekpen should be available after limping off with hamstring trouble against Torquay and long-term casualty Kieron Durkan is also in contention after coming through a practice match yesterday.

"Kevin's ankle is tender and he is a worry," explained Flynn, "but other than that we look to have a clean bill of health.

"That's not something we've been able to say too often since I came to Swansea and it is very good news.

"I know the team that will play on Saturday already, but it's great to have a few more options available to us."

Flynn, who will take his players to a luxury hotel in Cheshire tomorrow to prepare for Tranmere, is in upbeat mood despite Swansea's latest Third Division setback.

He added: "The cup run has distracted us from the league and we had an off-day against Torquay, but our league form will not affect the cup and we're looking forward to it."

Tranmere have no fresh injury concerns after their 1-1 draw with Blackpool last Saturday.

The Second Division club are hoping to be boosted by the return to action of centre-backs Ian Sharps and Paul Linwood.

Tranmere, who are expecting a crowd of around 10,000 to watch Swansea's visit, will need to replace skipper Mickey Mellon in central midfield because he serves a one-match ban.

Swansea, meanwhile, are running the rule over recently-released Dundee United winger Danny Ogunmade.

A pacy, direct runner who is predominantly left-sided, Ogunmade scored on his first appearance in a Swans shirt as a young reserve side beat an RAF team 7-3 yesterday.

The 20-year-old Glasgow-born flyer, who qualifies for Nigeria as well as Scotland, has six Scottish Premier League appearances - five of which came from the bench - and one goal to his name.

A change of manager put paid to his first-team chances at Tannadice, though, and he spent time on loan this season at Second Division Forfar before being released from his United contract last week.

Also on the scoresheet for Swansea's second string were Mark Pritchard (3), Chad Bond (2) and Richard Jones.

Michael Howard will reach for the hands-free kit when Swansea City get to grips with the FA Cup tomorrow. Brian Flynn's players will get a first-hand glimpse of the trophy ahead of Saturday's fifth-round tie at Tranmere Rovers when sponsors Nationwide stop off just a Roger Freestone punt away from Vetch Field at St Helen's Primary School.

At least Howard was around last time the cup came to Swansea, in 1999, when victory over West Ham was one of the shocks of the competition.

Because tomorrow he might be too busy on the hotline home to get a look.

"My phone hasn't stopped ringing since the draw," said Howard, born and raised within a couple of miles of Prenton Park and a Tranmere player before his move to Swansea in 1998.

"My home is only five minutes up the road from the ground and it's a great draw for me. All my family and all the lads will be there."

Howard, of course, is not the only Swansea player going back to his roots this weekend.

Andy Robinson grew up under the shadow of Tranmere's floodlights, while Lee Trundle hails from just the other side of the Mersey.

Then there is Karl Connolly, from Prescot, plus Chester-born winger Kieron Durkan, who hopes to return to the fold this weekend after hamstring trouble.

Cup rules say 50 tickets should be allocated to each set of players in any tie.

As has been the case with Swansea fans, there has been something of a rush ahead of this last-16 clash.

For Howard, who faces a battle for the left-back starting berth with Leon Hylton, the game will bring back memories of some unhappy times in his career.

Having been released after seven years by his beloved Liverpool aged 16, he joined the then First Division Tranmere.

By Christmas 1997, after two years as a trainee and six months as a professional, he was told he could leave having failed to make a first-team appearance.

Next came a phonecall from Alan Cork, and Howard's senior career finally got underway at the Vetch.

"It's nice to be going back because I did have some good times at Tranmere," he added.

"There were a lot of talented lads who came through with me who have got good moves since. Jason Koumas went to West Brom, Steve Simonsen to Everton and Clint Hill to Stoke City.

"There aren't many people still on the books who were there in my time, although I do know (midfielder) Gary Jones and the youth-team coach Warwick Rimmer. He's a really nice bloke and it will be good to see him again."

Still Howard will be looking to ruin his old mates' cup hopes, and he reckons Swansea are capable of pulling off another shock against the improving Second Division outfit.

"There's nothing for us to fear.

"They are only one division above us and we've already shown on this run that we can beat teams from higher up the league.

"It's going to be more difficult because we're away from home, but we'll go there believing we can get to the quarter-finals.

"That's something I never dreamed of when I came to Swansea, but we've got a chance now and the club is buzzing."

Swansea fans will have the chance to get their hands on the cup between 2.30pm and 3pm tomorrow at the Nationwide Building Society's Kingsway branch.

OXFORD United have rejected a cheeky inquiry from third division rivals Swansea for their leading scorer Steve Basham.

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins contacted United owner Firoz Kassam to ask about the 13-goal striker's availability.

But he was told Basham is not for sale.

Like most of his United teammates, the former Southampton and Preston striker's contract is up at the end of this season.

Vetch Field boss Brian Flynn knows Basham's qualities . . . he signed him on loan for Wrexham in 1998.

Flynn said: "We inquired about two weeks ago. He's a quick and athletic striker.

"Oxford don't want to lose him, but the chairmen have spoken."

Kassam confirmed: "Swansea did make an inquiry, but he's not for sale and I told them that. He is under contract to us until the end of the season."

KARL CONNOLLY has revealed the family heartbreak behind his decision to quit Swansea City's fifth round FA Cup opponents as a teenager.

Connolly was on the books at Tranmere Rovers, the team standing between the Swans and a place in the quarter-finals, when his mother passed away when he was just 16.

The harrowing experience led the Liverpool-born midfielder - 34 yesterday - to not only abandon the prospect of winning a professional contract at Prenton Park, but turn his back on football altogether.

"I was playing quite a few reserve matches at Tranmere and it was going well, but when my mum died I decided to pack in football," said Connolly, ahead of his return to Birkenhead with the Swans.

"It was a difficult time for the family. I was only a kid. I had to stop playing football because my head just wasn't right.

"Besides that, I had to look after my younger sister. Football had to take a back seat, so I left Tranmere and that was that.

"I actually stopped playing football for two years. When I did start up again, it was a case of playing in the local leagues.

"And it was not until I was 21, when Brian Flynn snapped me up for Wrexham, that I found myself at a professional club again."

It could have all been so different for Connolly, who hails from the Prescot area of Liverpool, had events not taken such a tragic turn when he was starting out in the game.

Despite his boyhood allegiances to Liverpool, he explained how Tranmere were the team that opened the door to a career in football.

He said, "Liverpool were my team as a kid - even though my dad and my brother supported Everton - and I idolised players like Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness. I used to go along to Anfield whenever I could. It was the late 1970s, early '80s when Liverpool seemed to be winning everything.

"I dreamt of having a career in the game myself and when I was at school Barry Jones (the former Wrexham defender) and I wrote off to clubs asking for a chance. Tranmere were the ones who wrote back and invited us down so they could have a look at us. Barry wasn't successful but they kept me on and I was playing reserve matches when Frank Worthington was the manager.

"I had left school by then and, though not many players were handed YTS terms in those days, I was hopeful of making some sort of breakthrough.

"But my mum dying altered everything. I couldn't go on then. It's difficult to say how things might have turned out. I always believed in my abilities and at the time I was confident I would have made something of myself at Tranmere."

Connolly had the chance to return to Prenton Park four years ago when Rovers tried to sign him from Wrexham.

But the Scouser, who was re-united with former Racecourse boss Flynn at the Vetch last summer, chose to head south and join QPR instead.

"I had talks at Tranmere, but QPR seemed the better move as I felt they had more chance of getting into the Premiership," he said.

"That didn't happen, of course, but there were other reasons why I wanted to go to London.

"The main one was I wanted a change of scenery. To experience something different and get away from the Liverpool area."

Connolly will happily return to his native city with the Swans on Saturday as part of a team bidding to reach the quarter-finals of the cup for the first time in 40 years.

But he accepts that, just like the family and friends who will make the short trip across the Mersey, he could be a spectator.

"I have to admit I haven't been as sharp as I should be in recent matches and have felt off the pace a bit," admitted Connolly, whose Scouse team-mates Lee Trundle, Michael Howard and Andy Robinson will also be well supported. And with Leon Britton and Trunds expected to be back, I don't know if I'll be in the team. But I'm looking forward to the match."

OXFORD UNITED top scorer Steve Basham has emerged as the striker Swansea City boss Brian Flynn is trying to lure to the Vetch.

Flynn has identified 13-goal Basham as the man he wants to help bring an end to Swansea's goal-scoring problems.

The 26-year-old, who had a brief loan spell with Flynn at Wrexham, would form a potentially lethal striking partnership with 19-goal hot-shot Lee Trundle.

Last night Flynn confirmed, "I have spoken to (Oxford boss) Ian Atkins about the possibility of Steve coming to Swansea.

"I haven't discussed anything with Steve and it hasn't gone as far as an offer being made for him.

"But the chairmen of the two clubs made contact at the end of last week and the matter was discussed."

Convincing Basham to join Swansea could prove difficult as he is under contract at the Kassam Stadium until the end of the season and United are one of the favourites for automatic promotion.

But Oxford could be willing to let their leading scorer go for a nominal fee now rather than see him leave for nothing in the summer.

And Flynn believes he could tempt Southampton-born Basham to South Wales.

"Why shouldn't we be able to persuade Steve to join us?" he said. "If you don't ask, you don't get.

"Obviously Oxford are a good bet for promotion, but it would be a case of persuading Steve of the long-term potential of Swansea.

"He's someone I believe could excite the fans. He could form a good partnership with any of the strikers we've got here."

Flynn is on the look-out for another striker as the Swans have so far registered just one league goal in 2004.

TO celebrate Swansea City winning through to a fifth round FA Cup clash against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday, The Western Mail has teamed up with Mitre, the official suppliers of the FA Cup ball, to offer two fans the chance of winning a ball each.

The silver ISO final ball has more than 14,000 miniature FA Cup icons all over its surface and retails at £74.99.

The ISO Final ball is the world's fastest football - timed at 114mph! It is precision engineered to within three grams of its ideal weight and three millimetres of its optimum size.

For a chance to win this fantastic prize please answer the following question and send your answer on a postcard to: FA Cup ball competition, Western Mail Sportsdesk, Thomson House, Cardiff, CF10 1XR.

Q:Who scored Swansea City's winner in the 2-1 FA Cup fourth round victory over Preston North End last month?

Answers should reach us no later than Saturday, February 14 when two winners will be picked at random. Normal competition rules apply.

SWANSEA City fans have been warned not to turn up if they do not have a ticket for the FA Cup match with Tranmere Rovers.

The Swans face Tranmere at Prenton Park in the fifth round of the competition on Saturday.

Police said that Swansea's ticket allocation has sold out and fans without tickets will not be allowed in to the ground.

THE joke that did the rounds in the Premiership was that you never knew which Chelsea team was going to turn up from one week to the next.

One minute the Blues would play like all-conquering championship contenders and the next like a team whose ambitions stretched no further than finishing in a comfortable mid-table position.

Swansea are fast resembling the Third Division equivalent.

Irresistible in the FA Cup, Brian Flynn's side appear to have lost their appetite for the bread and butter of league.

After a result that leaves Swansea an alarming eight points adrift of a play-off place, it was no surprise to hear one disgruntled fan quip somewhat ironically that at least Flynn's men can now concentrate on the cup.

Claims the Swans had allowed their minds to wander ahead to Saturday's fifth-round trip to Tranmere were strongly refuted by both Flynn and his players.

But it was hard not to draw that conclusion after a lifeless and lacklustre performance that, much to Flynn's bewilderment, never came close to rivalling the cup heroics against Preston a fortnight earlier.

And, conceding hopes of automatic promotion had now all but disappeared, the Swans boss was left pondering whether at this rate, his team are destined to miss out altogether.

"Are we in danger of becoming a 'nearly' team? That is the question we're going to have to answer over the next few weeks," mused Flynn after the Swans made it four league games without a win in 2004.

"Automatic promotion looks some way off now.

"We're suffering at the moment and the trend would have to be reversed in a big way for us to finish in the top three.

"As for the play-offs, eight points adrift of the top seven is not too big a gap to bridge, but we've got to find a way to improve our league form. The sooner we do so the better.

"I have to admit that, knowing the capabilities of the squad, I'd consider this season to be a failure if we didn't make the play-offs."

Flynn dropped a big hint that signing another striker is on the agenda since Kevin Nugent's 81st-minute strike against Torquay was the only league goal since Christmas.

Once again at the weekend, Swansea demonstrated their inability to win a match - or at least look as if they might do - without Lee Trundle.

But how does Flynn account for the contrast between his team's recent league performances and those in the cup?

"I wish I had the answer to that," he sighed. "The lads worked hard in training and knew that this match was a bigger game than Tranmere.

"Who knows what individually was at the back of their minds? I wouldn't like to think they were thinking about the cup because collectively it has not been discussed.

"But you have to say the cup run has damaged our league form because we've lost a match after each cup tie.

"And the biggest problem at the moment is we're not scoring enough goals. We've got to strengthen in that area.

"We've missed Lee Trundle again and need someone who will take the burden off him."

Of most concern in this match was the way Torquay were so much sharper, so much quicker to the ball, than Swansea were.

From the first whistle, Leroy Rosenior's side demonstrated a far greater hunger to win tackles, break forward and cause problems for their opponents.

When David Graham seized upon a weak Michael Howard header on 18 minutes and fired past Roger Freestone it was no less than the visitors deserved.

Despite having had an enforced two-week break, Swansea had a laboured look about them as too many passes went astray and confusion reigned at the back.

Flynn's side made the better start to the second half but, even when Nugent equalised with an 81st-minute strike that keeper Kevin Dearden diverted into the net, you sensed things were not going to turn out in their favour.

So it proved four minutes later when Torquay substitute Jo Kuffour, who had been in bed with the flu on Friday, sped past Howard and drove a fierce shot past the stranded Freestone.

The return of Alan Tate, who came off the bench when Izzy Iriekpen suffered hamstring trouble, was the only encouraging aspect of another league game Swansea will swiftly wish to erase from the memory.

"There can't be any excuses," admitted Flynn, also hoping Nugent shakes off a knock to his ankle in time for the trip to Prenton Park.

"We're in a poor run of form and were beaten by a side in top form. That's what confidence does for you - look at us at the start of the season.

"I still believe that, on our day, we're a top-three team, as good as anyone in the league. But we're going to need a lot of those days between now and the end of the season!"

And so to the next FA Cup instalment. Wonder which team will turn up this time?

Swansea City director of football Brian Flynn has targeted Steve Basham as the man to fire his team back into play-off contention.
Flynn hopes to bring Basham, who is Oxford United's top scorer this season, to the Vetch.

The 26-year-old striker has fired in 13 goals this season for Oxford, who lie third in Division Three.

Basham played five games for Wrexham on loan from Southampton in 1998 while Flynn was manager at The Racecourse.

ANDY ROBINSON dismissed claims that Swansea's defeat against Torquay was down to the players having FA Cup glory on their minds.

Gulls boss Leroy Rosenior said it was a good time to play Swansea as he felt their focus was on the fifth-round clash at Tranmere next weekend rather than the promotion battle with his team.

But Robinson, in no mood to celebrate his new Vetch Field contract after a result that leaves the Swans eight points off the play-off places, insisted that Rosenior was wide of the mark.

"Obviously the cup was at the back of our minds, but I wouldn't say we were focused on the Tranmere match," said the midfielder.

"The gaffer had installed in our minds the fact that this was a real six-pointer and we all knew that anyway.

"The league is our bread and butter and, with the Mansfield game being called off, we were aware of how important this one was.

"People might say we were thinking ahead to the cup, but if you ask any of the lads I think they'd say they'd rather have another league match next weekend to make up some ground on the play-off places.

"Skipper Roberto Martinez echoed Robinson's sentiments, insisting that the mouth-watering prospect of a place in the quarter-finals of the cup had not served as a distraction.

"No, not at all," he said.

"All our thoughts were focused on getting three points so that we could relax a bit and enjoy the cup match.

"The cup is all about having a good day out and perhaps creating a bit of history, but no one has forgotten the league is our top priority.

"Promotion is what we set out to achieve at the start of the season and that is still the No 1 aim.

"As far as the gap between Swansea and the play-off places is concerned, Martinez insisted it was too soon to reach for the panic button.

"Our league position is not a realistic reflection of our potential.

"If we can start playing to our potential again, then we will be up where we should be," he said.

"Another thing I would say is that if the likes of Oxford, Hull and Doncaster think they are promoted, that would be a big mistake because there are still a lot of points to be fought over.

"It's important that we remain optimistic.

"We're still in a good position and we've got to believe we can do it."

THE joke that did the rounds in the Premiership was that you never knew which Chelsea team was going to turn up from one week to the next.

One minute the Blues would play like all-conquering championship contenders and the next like a team whose ambitions stretched no further than finishing in a comfortable mid-table position.

Swansea are fast resembling the Third Division equivalent.

Irresistible in the FA Cup, Brian Flynn's side appear to have lost their appetite for the bread and butter of league.

After a result that leaves Swansea an alarming eight points adrift of a play-off place, it was no surprise to hear one disgruntled fan quip somewhat ironically that at least Flynn's men can now concentrate on the cup.

Claims the Swans had allowed their minds to wander ahead to Saturday's fifth-round trip to Tranmere were strongly refuted by both Flynn and his players.

But it was hard not to draw that conclusion after a lifeless and lacklustre performance that, much to Flynn's bewilderment, never came close to rivalling the cup heroics against Preston a fortnight earlier.

And, conceding hopes of automatic promotion had now all but disappeared, the Swans boss was left pondering whether at this rate, his team are destined to miss out altogether.

"Are we in danger of becoming a 'nearly' team? That is the question we're going to have to answer over the next few weeks," mused Flynn after the Swans made it four league games without a win in 2004.

"Automatic promotion looks some way off now.

"We're suffering at the moment and the trend would have to be reversed in a big way for us to finish in the top three.

"As for the play-offs, eight points adrift of the top seven is not too big a gap to bridge, but we've got to find a way to improve our league form. The sooner we do so the better.

"I have to admit that, knowing the capabilities of the squad, I'd consider this season to be a failure if we didn't make the play-offs."

Flynn dropped a big hint that signing another striker is on the agenda since Kevin Nugent's 81st-minute strike against Torquay was the only league goal since Christmas.

Once again at the weekend, Swansea demonstrated their inability to win a match - or at least look as if they might do - without Lee Trundle.

But how does Flynn account for the contrast between his team's recent league performances and those in the cup?

"I wish I had the answer to that," he sighed. "The lads worked hard in training and knew that this match was a bigger game than Tranmere.

"Who knows what individually was at the back of their minds? I wouldn't like to think they were thinking about the cup because collectively it has not been discussed.

"But you have to say the cup run has damaged our league form because we've lost a match after each cup tie.

"And the biggest problem at the moment is we're not scoring enough goals. We've got to strengthen in that area.

"We've missed Lee Trundle again and need someone who will take the burden off him."

Of most concern in this match was the way Torquay were so much sharper, so much quicker to the ball, than Swansea were.

From the first whistle, Leroy Rosenior's side demonstrated a far greater hunger to win tackles, break forward and cause problems for their opponents.

When David Graham seized upon a weak Michael Howard header on 18 minutes and fired past Roger Freestone it was no less than the visitors deserved.

Despite having had an enforced two-week break, Swansea had a laboured look about them as too many passes went astray and confusion reigned at the back.

Flynn's side made the better start to the second half but, even when Nugent equalised with an 81st-minute strike that keeper Kevin Dearden diverted into the net, you sensed things were not going to turn out in their favour.

So it proved four minutes later when Torquay substitute Jo Kuffour, who had been in bed with the flu on Friday, sped past Howard and drove a fierce shot past the stranded Freestone.

The return of Alan Tate, who came off the bench when Izzy Iriekpen suffered hamstring trouble, was the only encouraging aspect of another league game Swansea will swiftly wish to erase from the memory.

"There can't be any excuses," admitted Flynn, also hoping Nugent shakes off a knock to his ankle in time for the trip to Prenton Park.

"We're in a poor run of form and were beaten by a side in top form. That's what confidence does for you - look at us at the start of the season.

"I still believe that, on our day, we're a top-three team, as good as anyone in the league. But we're going to need a lot of those days between now and the end of the season!"

And so to the next FA Cup instalment. Wonder which team will turn up this time?

BRIAN Flynn should get on the phone to Jo Kuffour's doctor - and quick.

The Torquay striker was nursing a chesty cough and a runny nose for most of the week before he came off the bench to sink the Swans.

Now it is Swansea's promotion hopes that are in desperate need of a remedy as nothing short of a miraculous recovery will secure an automatic spot now.

And if cup form isn't transferred to the bread and butter league fixtures any time soon, even the play-offs may be beyond reach.

Eight points adrift of their victors and still without a league win in 2004, alarm bells are ringing at the Vetch.

The statistics go on: Kevin Nugent's 81st minute equaliser to David Graham's first half opener was first league goal since the clock chimed on the New Year.

And before you think it, Lee Trundle wouldn't have made a difference - the performance was that bad.

Cup distractions or not, Torquay wanted the points more than their hosts as they battled for every ball, chased every shadow and closed down every attack.

It made Flynn's pre-match insistence that the players knew this was more important than next week's eagerly anticipated trip to the Wirral just a tad silly.

Top six is the real goal in the grand scheme of things and the Swans' boss had signalled his desire to push for a play-off spot through the signings of former West Ham man Shaun Byrne and Alan Tate's permanent addition to the squad since the Preston win.

Tate, another victim of the flu, was on the bench while Byrne was slotted in for Stuart Jones at right-back. It was left to James Thomas took the place of the suspended Lee Trundle next to Kevin Nugent, Flynn perhaps hoping he had the same effect on referee Scott Mathieson as he did the last time he officiated at the Vetch in that vital 4-2 win over Hull last May.

But there wasn't that breathless start from Thomas or the Swans as there was against the Tigers in the survival special, the Torquay backline making the local lad and strike-partner Nugent work for their money through some very close attention.

Full-back Lee Canoville was another of Rosenior's men who was on his toes from the off, his homework on the livewire threat of Brad Maylett down the right paying off to keep the winger frustrated at his lack of success at the by-line.

The intensity from the visitors' defence was matched in other areas of the park, in particular ex-Bluebird Jason Fowler, who was no doubt reminiscing of derby days at the Vetch as he involved himself in some tasty challenges on several Swans.

The front-pairing of David Graham and Martin Gritton were also in the thick of it, giving Izzy Iriekpen and Kris O'Leary little time or space to compose themselves on the game.

And it was through that avenue Torquay found their opening, Iriekpen making a complete hash of a overhead clearance to gift Graham with a clear run on Freestone's goal, which he finished off gratefully. If the blue-booted Iriekpen had been left red-faced with his contribution to the 19th minute strike, he didn't do a good job of making amends as just two minutes later it was his misplaced pass which gave Gritton a carbon-copy chance to double his side's advantage.

Luckily for the centre-back his insistence to play with fire on the edge of his own area went unpunished as Gritton blazed over, but the proverbial kick up the backside had been duly delivered.

Andy Robinson's running eventually began to make inroads into the Gulls' defences, his cross just inches too high for a back-post header from Nugent. However Martinez, still nowhere near the influential figure he was pre-injury, was less effective than his midfield colleague, though his constant checks and double checks perhaps had more to do with the lack of channel running and understanding from Thomas and Nugent.

So the Spanish midfielder took it upon himself to try to force a save from Kevin Dearden after 36 minutes and Nugent followed suit with a smart hook shot minutes later.

But aside from a booking apiece for Torquay defensive pair Craig Taylor and Brian McGlinchey the visitors saw out the relatively tame Swansea storm to take their slender lead into the interval.

In fairness, Swansea rallied after the restart to try to alter the scoreline, showing more awareness of each other in the first few minutes than they did in the previous 45.

Nugent's clever flick from Connolly's cross caused the initial panic, before Dearden saved well from a thunderous Robinson drive and Taylor performed heroics on the goal line to stop a Maylett effort.

Rosenior, all too aware of Swansea's increasing impact up front, cleverly brought flu-victim Kuffour into the fray - his ability on the ball and natural pace the perfect outlet for the tiring legs of the rest of the Torquay pack.

And it worked as the Gulls began testing Iriekpen and O'Leary once more, in between pot shots from Robinson and Thomas.

But still the visitors looked the more comfortable, mopping up Swansea's predictability with worrying ease and it could have been all over after 73 minutes, Kuffour linking well with fellow replacement Tony Bedeau only for him to waste the gilt-edged opportunity.

But things change quickly in football and it seemed as if Swansea had punished their opponents for such a wasted chance with nine minutes to go.

The goal resembled the way the Swans had performed - a real mess, as Nugent reacted well to a awful punch clearance from Dearden and scrambled the ball past a flurry of legs.

But the celebrations lasted all too short for the home support as Kuffour, who didn't train until Thursday, delightfully slotted home four minutes later and handed Torquay what was rightfully theirs.

SWANS boss Brian Flynn has hinted that he could well be bringing yet another new face to the Vetch in the wake of the Swans' stuttering form.

Flynn, whose side hasn't recorded a league win since the end of last year, admitted his side are not scoring enough goals and he is plotting to change that quickly.

"We have dipped and knowing the capability of this squad it would be hugely disappointing not to reach the play-offs," said Flynn. "But we do not score enough goals even with Lee Trundle playing and I am working on improving that situation."

Flynn has already moved to bring in Shaun Byrne and Alan Tate but has admitted to be working on a signing to boost the flagging Swans' promotion hopes.

And after Swansea fans had to wait 81 minutes before Kevin Nugent's strike marked the first league goal of the New Year it seems likely the new face will be a goalscorer.

The signing won't come in time for next week's trip to Tranmere for the club's FA Cup fifth round clash but that shouldn't bother Flynn after this latest setback to his Second Division dream put the romance of the cup in perspective.

"The cup is definitely affecting our league form," he said. "The trend must be reversed very quickly because we know on our day we can beat anyone in this division.

"Cup football is different to league football and unfortunately we are suffering in the league at the moment. The sooner we get out of this rut the better but I wouldn't want to believe that the players were thinking about next week's cup game.

"We needed a bright start to the second half because at half time I told them we were a nearly team. We did pressure them to begin with but it didn't last.

"We have to get on with the job in hand without our best players like Lee Trundle and Leon Britton, although we did miss Lee's ability up front."

EVERY time Andy Robinson steps out onto a football field, the Swansea City midfielder feels he is being watched over by his guardian angel.

He busts a gut to be the best he can be on the pitch because he promised his mum Mary, on her deathbed, that he'd make the most of his talent.

And so ever since, the all-action midfield man has done his level best for her.

He's had to make up for lost time. Robbo landed his first professional contract this season at the ripe old age of 24.

But it's that pledge made before arriving at the Vetch last summer that will be ringing in his ears as he aims to fire the Swans into the quarter finals of the FA Cup on Saturday.

"My mum Mary died of a heart attack some time ago but before she passed away I made a promise to her that I would do my best to make a success of my football career," said Robinson.

"Now I hope I'm keeping my promise.

"So far the season has been like a fairytale for me and I'm loving every second of it.

"I've got a new contract with Swansea, we're pushing for promotion and we've got a great chance of reaching the quarter finals of the cup.

"It's like someone is looking down on me and having a say in everything being alright.

"Things are going so well I don't think anything could ruin it for me, although if we don't make it to the second division this year after the season we've had so far I will be disappointed."

Robinson feels like a lottery winner after Swans' boss Brian Flynn plucked him off the footballing scrap-heap.

He had just been released by Saturday's FA Cup opponents Tranmere following a brief but unsuccessful stay when Flynn swooped.

Since being given his big break, Robinson has been good to his promise, grasping his chance with both hands. Who will forget that equaliser in the previous round of the cup against Preston?

As a reward, Robinson signed a new two-year deal this week and admits he can't wait for next week.

"It will be nice to go back to Tranmere and show them what they're missing," he said.

BACK in 2002 Leroy Rosenior was a managerial rookie fighting in vain to prevent one of the Welsh sides dropping down to the third tier of non-league football.

The former West Ham striker's first taste of management quickly turned sour when his Merthyr team were relegated to the depths of the Dr Martens League Western Division.

Less than two years on and it would be understandable if Rosenior's ill-fated four-month stint at Penydarren Park was already something of a distant memory.

A remarkable upturn in fortune has seen him go from the Dr Martens League with Merthyr to the brink of Nationwide League Division Two with Torquay, the club he joined just weeks after his Welsh sabbatical ended in heartache.

But, as he heads for Swansea City today as part of his mission to secure the Gulls a play-off place at only the second time of asking, Rosenior insisted his brief tenure at the helm of the Martyrs was anything but a waste of time.

"Not for one minute do I regret the time I spent in Wales with Merthyr," said Rosenior ahead of eighth-placed Torquay's Vetch Field clash against promotion rivals Swansea.

"Obviously, I wish it hadn't ended in relegation. It felt like I was banging my head against a wall most of the time because we just couldn't get out of the situation we were in.

"When I took charge at Merthyr, people said 'What are you going there for?' and I said 'Because it's a football job and I want a job in football.'

"And, despite the disappointment, it was - as I expected it to be - a great experience which held me in good stead for what I'm doing now.

"Before joining Merthyr, I'd had an interview at Torquay.

"But I'm glad I went to Merthyr first and that Torquay then came back in for me.

"It was a difficult few months, but it left me better prepared for the job I'm doing now."

Such has been Rosenior's success at Plainmoor, transforming United from traditional relegation fodder to genuine promotion candidates, he is being linked with jobs higher up the footballing hierarchy.

But Rosenior insists life on the English Riviera is grand enough for now. "It's flattering to be linked with bigger jobs but, at the moment, my only focus is on Torquay United and getting them into the play-offs," he says.

"Obviously, I'm delighted with how well it is going here. And if we could finish in the top seven it would be a great achievement for this club.

"You have to say that, in terms of our revenue and the number of people we get through the gates, we're massively over-achieving.

"But it's nice to be up there competing with the likes of Oxford, Hull, Mansfield and Swansea."

Rosenior's side arrive at the Vetch today handily placed to secure the play-off place that eluded them last season.

While the Swans have a five-point gap to bridge not seeing league action for three weeks, the Gulls are level on points with Lincoln in seventh after taking maximum points from their last three games.

"I'd be surprised if Swansea didn't finish in a play-off position come the end of the season," said Rosenior, who boasts having a full squad for the first time this season.

"They've got a number of very good players and a great management team in Brian Flynn and Kevin Reeves.

"This match is an important one for both sides. I know Swansea are keen for a win and we want to keep our momentum going.

"And I'm not one of these managers who'll say 'Let's go and get a draw.' We'll be going to the Vetch to win. We don't know any other way!"

A repeat of the draw the two sides fought out in atrocious weather conditions on Boxing Day would be of little use to Swansea.

With Flynn's side in FA Cup action again next weekend, a win is a must if they are to avoid slipping further behind in the race for the play-offs.

The Swans boss will leave it late to decide whether flu-victim Alan Tate is well enough to go straight into the side following his permanent move from Manchester United.

On-loan West Ham defender Shaun Byrne will try again to make his Swans debut following the postponement of last week's trip to Mansfield, but Leon Britton and Lenny Johnrose are ruled out through injury.

With Lee Trundle serving a one-match suspension as well nursing a broken cheekbone, James Thomas and Kevin Nugent are expected to form the front two.

Brian Flynn has promised another signing to excite all at Swansea City just 24 hours after clinching a deal for Alan Tate. The ink was still drying on Tate's two-and-a-half-year contract when Flynn revealed plans to add more weight to his side's promotion challenge with another fresh face.

''I can't give you any clues at the moment,'' said the Vetch Field director of football. ''But I am working quietly behind the scenes on something which I think will be a boost to everybody.

''I've said previously that we're looking for one or two more after Alan, and I'm not one who likes to give false hope. It will happen.''

Flynn is thought to want a more attack-minded player to ease the burden on top marksman Lee Trundle.

Against Torquay tomorrow, Swansea aim to win only their second league game in eight attempts without the 19-goal striker since he arrived at the club last summer.

''The question of whether we can win without Lee has been asked a lot this season,'' added Flynn, ''and so far the players haven't done a very good job of answering it.

''But we've got four good attacking options available in Kevin Nugent, James Thomas, Brad Maylett and Karl Connolly and the challenge is there for them.

''We might just slightly tinker with our formation to help combat Torquay, and it may be that there are different roles for one or two of our players. But we're not looking to go defensive and I believe we have the goals within us to get a win.''

Flynn has decisions to make in defence, too, where both Kris O'Leary and Izzy Iriekpen would both feel unlucky to lose out to Tate, who has been suffering with flu this week.

On-loan West Ham utility man Shaun Byrne is set for his debut at right-back, while Michael Howard should see off Leon Hylton in the fight for a place on the opposite flank.

Andy Robinson aims to celebrate his two-year contract extension in midfield, where Flynn must replace Leon Britton (groin).

''Andy has earned his new deal through his enthusiasm, his commitment and his performances this season,'' added Flynn.

''He has burst onto the scene and proved that he is capable of playing at a higher level than the Third Division.

''The same can be said of Alan, who is a major capture for us, and a number of the other players we've signed in the last 12 to 14 months.

''I'm looking to build a team here for the long term, one which can compete above this division.

''If we want to get to Division Two this season, we must win games against sides like Torquay.

''They are above us and there is a gap developing, so I would say this is actually more important to us than Tranmere in the cup next weekend.''

Swansea had no concerns today over the state of their pitch despite this week's heavy rain.

Around 500 tickets for next weekend's FA Cup trip to Tranmere were available in Swansea's club shop today. Vetch Field season-ticket holders are entitled to one ticket each until close of play tomorrow night, with any remaining then due to go on general sale on Monday.

The club shop will be open for around 30 minutes after tomorrow's Third Division clash with Torquay, with an update on sales to be announced during the game.

Mark Hughes is still hoping to persuade Manchester United youngster Danny Nardiello to play for Wales. The 21-year-old striker, a good pal of Swansea City new boy Alan Tate, endured a disappointing loan spell at Vetch Field earlier in the season.

But Coventry-born Nardiello, whose father Donato played for Wales, gave a glimpse of his capabilities by scoring twice in the first game of a loan spell at Second Division Barnsley last week.

And Hughes revealed: "I've spoken to Danny's father and I've been watching him very closely.

"I've made it clear that the door's always going to be open for him."

A freescoring member of the United reserve side this season, Nardiello has indicated that he does not want to commit his international future right now.

"I just want to get settled in my club career and start scoring some goals regularly before I worry about any of that," he said.

"But I have been supporting Wales and I've been impressed by what they've achieved in the last couple of years."

Added Hughes: "At the moment Danny just wants to concentrate on his club football, but hopefully he will be persuaded to play for Wales at some time in the future."

Hughes, meanwhile, has agreed to take his side to Budapest's Nep Stadium on March 31 for a friendly clash with Hungary.

The Hungarians will in turn visit Cardiff for another game in February 2005.

And the Football Association of Wales are still hoping to arrange a friendly meeting with European champions France in May or August.

Former Swansea striker John Williams, 35, has won the Professional Footballers' Association player of the month award for Division Three.

Alan Tate insisted today he has not let his heart rule his head after quitting Manchester United for Swansea City. The 21-year-old defender has turned down the chance to try his luck at the top end of the Nationwide League in favour of a return to the club where he has enjoyed two successful loan spells under Brian Flynn.

A host of First Division clubs plus a number from the Second had come calling after Sir Alex Ferguson gave him permission to leave Old Trafford last month.

But Tate, who has penned a two-and-a-half-year Vetch Field deal, was Swansea-bound almost from the start having spent a total of nine months at the club since arriving in the thick of the Third Division survival fight in November 2002.

"I have gone with my heart and my head," he declared.

"Yes I was tempted by the opportunities to join clubs who are in higher divisions, but everywhere I went I just ended up thinking 'Is this what I really want?'

"There were something like 15 clubs watching my last reserve game at United, but my heart was always set on Swansea.

"The fact that this is a club that is obviously going places was also a key thing."

Tate's Swansea contract, thought to be longer than what was on offer elsewhere, is a mark of Flynn's faith in the 6ft 1in centre-back.

"These things can take time, as has happened with Alan, but we're delighted to have got him back," the director of football said.

"To get a young player from Manchester United who has already proved what he can do with us is a major capture."

Tate's impact at the Vetch earlier this season and last was overwhelmingly positive.

There were a couple of shaky showings towards the end of his second temporary stay, but closing performances against Torquay and then Yeovil left all concerned with good memories.

"I'm delighted to be back and I just want to get playing again," added Tate, whose participation against in the return meeting with Torquay tomorrow is in some doubt because of a bout of flu.

"The fans, the management team and everyone else at the club have been great to me all along, and hopefully now I can be a part of a successful side.

"I know I'll have a battle just to play - Kris (O'Leary) and Izzy (Iriekpen) are both good players - but having competition is vital if we are going to do well."

He continued: "To me that means seeing how far we can get this season - hopefully we'll get into the play-offs - and trying to keep the cup run the lads have put together going.

"Then, if we're still in Division Three, next season will be the big one. Then we should really be going for the top three."

Andy Robinson has vowed to scale new heights after his zero to hero transformation won him a fresh Swansea City contract. Last summer's unknown trialist has been the revelation of the season at Vetch Field, vying with 19-goal Lee Trundle in the race for player of the year.

Signed initially on a month-to-month deal as a striker, it has been Robinson's dynamic form in central midfield that persuaded Brian Flynn to dish out a fresh two-and-a-half year deal this week.

It caps a remarkable rise for the 24-year-old, who not so long ago was playing his football roughly 13 leagues under Division Three.

Robinson, a former Everton schoolboy who, in his own words, felt he had let his family down by drifting out of professional football as a teenager, would be entitled to think he had finally made it as the ink dried on his new agreement.

But having started life in Swansea last July earning nothing at all, the Birkenhead boy insists there is no chance of that.

"The gaffer asked me if I was going to take things easy now I've got the new contract," Robinson said.

"I told him 'No chance'.

"I've seen the other side of football, and there's no way I'm going to start resting on my laurels.

"Everything has gone so well for me since I came down here and I'm not going to let that change. I'm not that type of player."

After winning a one-month contract in the summer, Robinson was switched - thanks as much to luck as judgement - from the attacking role he played last season for Tranmere Rovers' reserves to central midfield.

The 5ft 8in bustler produced a man-of-the-match performance on his full debut at Oxford in August and has not looked back.

A one-month deal became a three-month deal and then a one-year deal; now the seven-goal star is looking forward to playing for Swansea at the Morfa Stadium.

"It's just been unbelievable," he adds. "Since the start of the season everything's gone for me.

"I wasn't being paid when arrived so to get my first contract was a big thing.

''Then came the next and the next and I was scoring a few goals.

"The one in the FA Cup against Preston was a fantastic moment for me.

"Even the draw for the next round has gone for me because I've got the chance to go back there and show Tranmere what they missed out on.

"I think I've done that already to an extent since coming to Wales, but now I've got a longer deal and can really settle down I think I'll produce more.

"You know what you're capable of, and I'm certain that there is better to come from me. I've still got this game inside me."

To produce his best at Tranmere one week tomorrow would be timely given what is at stake, although Robinson will get his first chance against Torquay tomorrow in a game he insists is of equal importance.

"As players we've heard a lot about the cup run putting us off our league form, but that's nonsense.

"The cup is a real boost to us and hopefully we'll be able to prove that against Torquay in what is a six-pointer.

"It's vital that we get the promotion charge going again because the quality we have here is certainly good enough for a Second Division outfit."

A group of Swansea City fans are travelling in style to watch the club's big FA cup fifth round clash against Tranmere on February 14th.

Click here for complete story.

Torquay United's opponents this weekend, Play-Off rivals Swansea City, are desperate to get the game on, but not just to improve their promotion prospects.

The Swans' 20-goal leading scorer Lee Trundle is trying to serve a one-match suspension - he is banned for Saturday's game against the Gulls - before City travel to Tranmere Rovers for an FA Cup Fifth Round tie at Prenton Park in nine days' time.

If City beat Second Division Tranmere, they will reach the Cup quarter-finals for the first time for 40 years.

West Wales has fallen victim to the same wet and windy weather which has affected the Westcountry and caused United's league game against Scunthorpe to be postponed last Saturday.

The Swans' own match at Mansfield was also called off.

Trundle was due to be suspended at Field Mill, but his ban now moves to the game against Torquay this Saturday.

United currently lie eighth in the table, five points ahead of Swansea (9th), who have a game in hand.

Former Rhyl and Wrexham striker Trundle, 27, has hit 20 goals in 26 league and cup games this season, after his move from North to West Wales during the summer.

His old Wrexham boss Brian Flynn snapped him up for Swansea when his Racecourse Ground contract expired last season.

Coincidentally, Trundle was also suspended when United met Swansea in a 0-0 draw at Plainmoor on Boxing Day.

United are still waiting on the fitness of just two players - defender Lee Canoville (calf strain) and striker Jo Kuffour ('flu).


Exeter City scored three times in the final 21 minutes to win 3-0 at King's Lynn in the FA Trophy fourth round tie.

Gareth Sheldon scored the first with Sean Devine adding a second a minute later. Steve Flack wrapped up victory in the 85th minute.

SWANSEA CITY are pulling out all the stops to maximise support in their FA Cup fifth round trip to Tranmere Rovers a week on Saturday.

The third division club have cut coach travel prices to just £10 for the trip to Prenton Park.

Swansea director David Morgan said: "It's meant as a show of thanks for the fantastic support we receive home and away.

"We look forward to seeing a convoy of coaches heading north to Birkenhead."

Swansea expect to sell out their 2,400 allocation of tickets for the Cowshed Stand at Prenton Park as they attempt to reach the quarter-finals of the Cup for the first time in 40 years.

Meanwhile manager Brian Flynn insists Swansea's FA Cup adventures will not hamper the players in their bid to win promotion from Division Three this season.

Flynn said: "I'm not worried about the number of fixtures coming up over the next month or two.

"Some managers might express concern at the effect a busy schedule has on their players but I'm different in that respect.

"I don't regard having two games a week as a problem.

"And as much as winning promotion remains our number one priority this season you won't hear me describing Cup matches as a distraction."

SIR Alex Ferguson last night told Swansea City newcomer Alan Tate, "You can make it back to the Premier League."

Defender Tate will today see his switch from Premiership champions Manchester United to the Third Division play-off contenders rubber-stamped.

When the deal is finally concluded the 21-year-old will wave goodbye to 11 years at Old Trafford.

Tate said he had a final chat with United supremo Ferguson after shaking hands with Swans boss Brian Flynn.

"Sir Alex told me that I had the attitude, temperament and ability to eventually make it to the Premier League," said Tate.

"He is the biggest man in British football at this moment so for him to say that to me is a real boost.

"He also said I was unfortunate to be at United during this time. There wasn't really a chance of me breaking into the first team because the average age of the squad is so young.

"But he said there was no reason why I couldn't make it back into the Premiership in the future."

Tate went on, "I am not bitter about what happened at United.

"It's the best place for any youngster to start out in football. I was involved in Champions League and Premiership squads. It was a great experience."

Tate joins the Swans after two loans spells and he is expected to sign in time to play against Torquay at the Vetch tomorrow - but a cold might force him to watch from the stand.

"I really enjoy playing for Swansea and I know I've got the chance of playing regular first-team football," said Tate.

Swansea City are hoping to beat the elements ahead of Saturday's league clash with Torquay and boost their FA Cup hopes at the same time. Another postponement would hit Swansea on three fronts - including the loss of star man Lee Trundle for next week's fifth-round tie at Tranmere.

Trundle's impending one-match ban would be carried forward if Saturday's match is postponed.

Incessant rain in the city this week has put the match under threat, but club chairman Huw Jenkins is confident that groundstaff will beat the weather.

If the game does not go ahead it will be the second postponement running after last weekend's washout at Mansfield.

Groundsman Eddie Donne got to work on the pitch yesterday during a break in the rain and the chairman says that the hard work will continue for the rest of this week before Saturday's match.

''We have got to do everything in our power to get this game to go ahead,'' he said.

''The weather forecast says the rain will stop today and then it will be all hands to the pumps.

''We cannot control the weather but we will be praying the rain holds off after we do all the work on it.

''We need the match to go ahead for three reasons.

''If it doesn't happen then Lee (Trundle) will be suspended for the cup tie and that's like Manchester United being without Ruud van Nistelrooy.

''Secondly the cup voucher system is in force this weekend and that is vital for fans, and thirdly the players need a run-out after last week's cancellation and the postponement of the reserve fixture yesterday.

''The last thing we need is further fixture backlogs as the season goes forward.

''We all realise the importance of this game going ahead and that is why we will be working hard on all fronts to make sure it takes place.''

Meanwhile Alan Tate was due to complete his switch to Vetch Field today.

The defender was expected to sign on the dotted line to seal a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Andy Robinson was also set to give Flynn a boost by wrapping up a two-year extension to his existing contract today.

Robinson has been a revelation this season and has already picked up 11 Evening Post star choice awards.

''That says it all,'' said Flynn. ''Andy has come in this season and has been brilliant. He's been refreshing and has shown great enthusiasm since he has arrived.

''Of course, he's one for the future too. He's only 23 and there is plenty to come.

''He has got six league goals and is a good footballer too.''

While one new player is set to join, another has left.

Central defender Earl Davis has had his non-contract registration cancelled by mutual consent.

SWANSEA CITY chief Brian Flynn was last night waiting for defender Alan Tate to travel down from Manchester and sign a deal with the Third Division club.

The Swans' director of football wants the 21-year-old Manchester United product available for Saturday's home match against Torquay.

The club and player have agreed terms and Flynn is waiting for Tate to sign the two-and-a-half year contract.

"Everything has been agreed. It's now just a case of when Alan can travel down to Swansea and finish it all off," said Flynn.

"All I can say is that the deal will be concluded in the very near future."

The 6ft 1in central defender has impressed Flynn following two loan spells at the Vetch Field.

He has attracted the interest of Rushden & Diamonds, Crystal Palace and Cardiff City but believes his career will blossom with the Swans.

"I'm delighted to have Alan at Swansea. He's a good player who, at Manchester United, has had a great football upbringing," added Flynn.

"Football clubs need three central defenders these days, for cover and competition.

"Alan's arrival has handed the likes of Kris O'Leary, who was outstanding in our FA Cup win against Preston, a real challenge.

"The other thing about Alan is that he's only 21. I'm building a squad here for now and the future."

Earl Davis has been released by Swansea after less than a month at the club.

The 20-year-old defender recently joined the Swans on a non-contract basis but he has left The Vetch by mutual consent.

Davis came through the ranks at Burnley, where he failed to establish himself in the first-team.

Burnley loaned the Manchester-born player to non-League sides Stalybridge Celtic and Southport before releasing him last year.

Manchester United defender Alan Tate is poised to tie up a free transfer move to Swansea City within the next 24 hours. The 21-year-old centre-back is due in Swansea tonight and should put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year Vetch Field contract tomorrow.

Tate had been expected in South Wales yesterday, but a hitch in contract negotiations meant he trained at Old Trafford instead.

But it is understood further talks over the telephone involving the player, his agents, Swansea boss Brian Flynn and chairman Huw Jenkins have seen the parties reach agreement over terms.

There was some discrepancy between Tate's demands and the club's offer, but both sides' desire to clinch a deal meant a settlement was always likely.

Having enjoyed two successful loan spells at the Vetch, the 6ft 1in Teessider has shown little interest in a move elsewhere after being told he could leave United.

Cardiff, Burnley, Watford and Gillingham all enquired, but Swansea look to have won the race for his signature.

''Alan didn't make it down to us yesterday because he had one or two things to tie up in the North West,'' said Flynn, ''but I'm confident he'll join us before we playTorquay on Saturday.

''Negotiations work both ways and these things can often take time, but I'm happy with the way things are going.''

Having captured West Ham utility man Shaun Byrne on loan last week, Flynn has been encouraged to add more fresh faces to his squad prior to the FA Cup registration deadline.

Players signed before midnight this Friday will be eligible to turn out in the fifth-round tie at Tranmere in 10 days' time.

''We have got two short-term aims, one to make sure we have cover for the cup and two to give us the strength needed to push on in the last 19 games of the season,'' said Jenkins.

''Our aim is to win as many league games as possible from now on in and then see where we end up, and a couple of new players could be key.''

Flynn, though, insists he will not be rushed into any rash signings.

''Things are on-going at the moment and something may happen before the weekend,'' he added, ''but I'm not going to sign players just to make up the numbers. They'll only be coming in if they'll improve our squad.''

Swansea's desire for midfield cover - Flynn also wants a striker - has been accentuated by Leon Britton's nagging groin injury.

The former West Ham player has been given 10 days' rest in the hope that he will be fit in time for Tranmere.

''If we could give him a month off that would be perfect,'' said Flynn. ''We thought about doing this three or four weeks ago, but Leon, typically, wanted to play on. He's suffering again now though, and he wouldn't have played at Mansfield last Saturday had that game gone ahead.''

In Britton's absence this weekend, Swansea may be boosted by the return to fitness of Lenny Johnrose, who has begun light training following hamstring trouble. Kieron Durkan (also hamstring) remains on the sidelines.

Swansea's reserve-team meeting with Oxford today was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

The first 6,000 fans to pay at the Vetch Field turnstiles when Swansea City face Torquay on Saturday will be guaranteed tickets should the club's FA Cup adventure continue beyond next week's trip to Tranmere. Brian Flynn's side will be followed by just 2,400 supporters - most of whom are likely to be season-ticket holders - when they travel to the Wirral for round five in 10 days' time.

But if the tie goes to a replay, or Swansea progress to the quarter-final stage, fans who are at this weekend's league clash with Torquay will have priority for tickets.

''The voucher system does not apply to season-ticket holders, who are entitled to tickets home and away anyway,'' explained Vetch director David Morgan.

''But that leaves around 6,000 tickets which will be available should we end up playing a replay against Tranmere or getting through to the next round and playing the likes of Manchester United or Arsenal at the Vetch.

''Therefore we have decided to give one voucher to the first 6,000 non-season-ticket holders through the gate this Saturday.

''That way those who support us in the smaller games will be rewarded should we get through and get a plum draw in the next round of the cup."

Tickets for the trip to Prenton Park went on sale to season-ticket holders at the club shop this morning. An announcement about general sales will be made at the weekend should there be any remaining by then.

Fans who bought tickets for last weekend's postponed game at Mansfield, meanwhile, are entitled to a full refund up until February 12.

Alternatively, tickets can be retained for the rearranged fixture. A date should be announced in the next few days.

The club have so far had just 12 applications after relaunching the Passport to Leisure and full-time student scheme. ''We're surprised there has been so little interest,'' added Morgan.

ALAN TATE hopes to complete a move to Swansea City tomorrow - after he agreed to lower his wage demands.

Tate failed to show up at the Vetch yesterday after a mix-up over when he was supposed to be meeting Swans boss Brian Flynn and club chairman Huw Jenkins for talks.

But the Manchester United defender said his agent was close to agreeing a deal with the Third Division club which could see him sign a two-and-a-half-year contract within the next 24 hours.

And Tate, who dismissed last-minute interest from Cardiff City, admitted he has had to lower his financial demands in order to secure the move to the Vetch.

"I've had to reduce my expectations, money-wise, but that's not a problem because I want to play for Swansea," said the 21-year-old.

"My agent has been negotiating with the club and I think we've reached an agreement now. All being well, I'm going to sign on Thursday and, with a bit of luck, could be involved in the game against Torquay at the weekend."

As well as being courted by clubs such as Rushden & Diamonds, Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace, Tate claimed Cardiff had expressed an interest in signing him.

But, despite the carrot of Division One football at Ninian Park, Tate said the prospect of joining Swansea's bitter rivals did not appeal to him.

"I had an enquiry from Cardiff but there was no chance of me going there," insisted the Teesside-born defender.

Richard Duffy is destined for international honours in the near future according to Mark Hughes. The Wales boss has omitted the former Swansea City player from his squad to take on Scotland in a friendly at the Millennium Stadium next month.

But Hughes, who did include ex-England Under-21 international Ben Thatcher for the first time, revealed that he had considered the 18-year-old Vetch Field youth product and expects to see him in his squad soon following the completion of his £150,000 move to Premiership Portsmouth last week.

"I did look at Richard Duffy," Hughes said, "and certainly he is a young man with a bright future ahead of him.

"But I think given that he has just changed clubs, the most important thing for him to do now is settle down and get used to his new surroundings at Portsmouth.

"That will be the best thing for him, although had we been playing an under-21 fixture this month I would have liked him to be involved."

Hughes has named Leicester City defender Thatcher after the player's agent revealed his desire to play for the country of his Barry-born grandmother.

The 28-year-old, who cost Spurs £5million when he signed from Wimbledon in 2000, hails from Swindon but has taken advantage of the same Fifa rule chance that saw Fredi Kanoute switch his allegiances from France to Mali.

A left-back who can also operate at the heart of defence, he will be the answer to the left-sided problem which has forced Gary Speed to play out of position for his country in recent times should Fifa, as expected, confirm his eligibility in the next few days.

"Ben's positive about playing for Wales -it was his agent that made me aware of his qualification - and that's good news for us," Hughes added.

"We're always looking to add quality to the squad and to get a regular Premiership player who is versatile is clearly a plus."

And Hughes insisted there should be no question about Thatcher's commitment to the Welsh cause, adding: "I'd just point to John Robinson.

"He qualified for Wales through the backdoor if that's how you want to put it, and there has been no prouder player in the red shirt than him in recent times. Eric Young is another example.

"Ben is a good friend of John Hartson's so he will have no problems settling in."

Hughes left Paul Trollope, Rhys Weston, Kit Symons and Neil Roberts out of the 26-man squad named yesterday but revealed no player had retired in the wake of last autumn's Euro 2004 qualification disappointment.

"I had a chat with Gary Speed, who wanted assurances about the future of myself and my coaching team, but other than that nobody has spoken to me about calling it a day," Hughes revealed.

Craig Bellamy and Simon Davies were named having missed the play-off games with Russia, leaving Hughes to lament the fact that he has better options available to him for what is a relatively meaningless friendly clash with the Scots.

Alan Tate was due at Vetch Field today for further talks on a permanent Swansea City contract. The Manchester United defender travelled down from the North West last night with director of football Brian Flynn more than hopeful of getting his man.

''I am always confident,'' said Flynn when asked about the chances of Tate signing this week.

''Alan is here today and talks will continue. We will meet up with him and discuss things further.

''Ideally we would want things to be concluded as quickly as possible.''

Flynn had been hoping to sign Tate before Saturday's postponed clash at Mansfield.

Nothing was concluded, however, but it seems increasingly likely Tate will complete a deal before this weekend's home clash with Torquay.

''We obviously rate Alan highly,'' Flynn said. ''He was an important player for us when he was here before and we want him to be so again.''

Meanwhile, there will be space for an extra 1,167 home fans at Vetch Field after the club decided to split the West Terrace into two.

The terrace, which usually houses away supporters, will now have a double fence built down the middle to allow the new area to come into operation.

Half the terrace (1,022 fans) will be for away support, with the other half - nearest the North Bank - set aside for home supporters.

Director David Morgan says the new scheme will be used at the club's and police discretion, depending on which side are the visitors, but added: ''It is very unusual for visiting clubs to bring more than 1,000 fans with them so the club has decided to have a designated terrace for Swans fans.

''We have had many complaints about children not being able to watch the game in comfort from the North Bank, so it has been decided to offer families this facility.

''It will be strictly run as a family area and only adults with children will be allowed on to the terrace - just as in the family stand. The club is grateful to the safety committee for allowing this scheme to operate.

''We all know we need to encourage family support to the Vetch as children are the future fans and it is important to build the fan base in readiness for the move to the White Rock Stadium.''

For Saturday's match with Torquay adults with children who have North Bank or East Terrace season tickets are being encouraged to use the Swansea side of the West Terrace.

There will be no cash admission to this area on Saturday. The Family Stand will be open to Swansea supporters as normal.

A new catering facility for the will also be in operation.

The club shop will be open between 9am and 6pm tomorrow, 9am-5pm Thursday, 9am-5pm Friday and 9am-5.30pm on Saturday for season-ticket holders to buy tickets for the cup clash with Tranmere .

Those fans who bought tickets for the Mansfield game last weekend who require a full refund should return their tickets to the club by February 12.

ALAN TATE will be told today he must reduce his wage demands if he wants to be handed a contract at Swansea City.

The Manchester United defender is to meet Swans boss Brian Flynn and club chairman Huw Jenkins at the Vetch in a fresh bid to thrash out a permanent move to the Third Division club.

Tate insists he is prepared to resist overtures from clubs such as Crystal Palace, Rushden & Diamonds and Sheffield Wednesday in favour of joining Swansea for a third spell.

The Western Mail understands the Swans are top of Tate's list as they are the only club prepared to offer him an extended contract - believed to be a two-and-a-half-year deal.

But the 21-year-old centre-half, who spent two months on loan at the Vetch earlier in the season, will be told he'll have to reduce his financial demands in order for his wish to be granted.

After Tate made his initial demands last week, Jenkins remarked, "The sticking point is the terms and conditions. They've got to be right for us and, as things stand, they are not right."

It is believed Tate issued a general wage request to all the clubs who were interested in him.

And whereas it would have been in line with most First Division budgets, it was out of Swansea's price range.

Flynn last night declined to go into detail about the issues that needed to be ironed out with Tate but the Vetch Field director of football said he was confident some sort of agreement could be reached with the man from Teesside.

"Negotiations are always a two-way thing," he said. "That's why Alan's coming down to the Vetch to talk to us.

"Initial discussions took place over the telephone last week, but it's always better to do these things face to face.

"Definitely, I'm hopeful something can be sorted. I'm confident Alan will be signed in time to play against Torquay at the weekend."

Though the transfer window has now closed, Swansea can still sign Tate from United as the restrictions do not prevent Football League clubs signing Premiership players.

As well as aiming to complete the Tate deal, Flynn is also expected to offer on-trial Earl Davis a contract until the end of the season.

The Burnley defender made his full Swansea debut in last week's FAW Premier Cup match at Caersws and was also in Flynn's squad for the FA Cup game against Preston and Saturday's postponed league match at Mansfield.

There could be other arrivals this week as Flynn aims to beat the seven-day deadline for player-registration for the fifth round FA Cup match at Tranmere.

Only players signed by midnight on Friday will be able to feature in the February 14 clash at Prenton Park.

"There's an urgent need to bring players," admitted Jenkins. "We need to strengthen for the league as well as make sure we have extra bodies for the Tranmere game."

Meanwhile, despite recent speculation Swans hotshot Lee Trundle could be lured away from the Vetch, it is one of Swansea's promotion rivals who yesterday lost a striker to the Premiership.

Huddersfield's 18-goal forward Jonathan Stead completed a £1m-plus move to Blackburn Rovers - a deal agreed just before the transfer window closed.

PORTSMOUTH could be about to snatch another of Swansea City's promising young defenders away from the Vetch.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp is keeping a close eye on youth team star Jamie Rewbury - even though he is yet to make his senior debut.

Redknapp's interest in the 17-year-old centre-half comes just two weeks after right-back Richard Duffy was lured away to Fratton Park in a deal worth up to £400,000.

"Portsmouth did speak to us about Jamie some months back," said Swansea first-team coach Kevin Reeves.

"Most Premiership clubs know about the talented youngsters coming through in the lower leagues.

"Even though there's not the big money flying around that there once was, some clubs are prepared to invest in talent.

"And there's no doubt that Jamie has got a lot of promise. He's got two great feet and a decent physique for his age."

But Swansea would repel any attempt by Portsmouth to lure Rewbury away to the Premiership before he has even kicked a first-team ball.

Having seen Duffy depart with little more than 20 senior outings to his name, boss Brian Flynn would be loathe to let another of his most promising youngsters slip away.

"It's a bit of Catch 22 situation - you don't want to deny players good opportunities - but we're desperate to hang onto our best kids," said Reeves. "Unlike Duffy, Jamie is a second-year scholar, he won't be a first-year pro until next season. We wouldn't want to see him leave."

It is understood Portsmouth paid Swansea £150,000 up front for Duffy - widely tipped to receive full Welsh honours in the near future - with the remaining cash dependent on first-team appearances.

The reason the south coast club are so well-informed about the young talent emerging at the Vetch is the fact their chief scout, Stuart Morgan, was raised in Swansea.

Duffy, meanwhile, was included in Redknapp's squad for Portsmouth's scoreless draw against Wolves at the weekend, but did not make it onto the substitutes' bench.

SWANSEA CITY'S hopes of securing a Third Division play-off place could be wrecked by a fixture pile-up.

The Swans' bid to reclaim their place among the leading promotion contenders was dealt a blow at the weekend following the postponement of yet another crucial league match.

Saturday's trip to Mansfield falling foul of the wet weather means Swansea must squeeze another rearranged game into an already congested league and cup programme.

The visit to Field Mill, which represented a chance for Brian Flynn's side to reduce a five-point gap between them and the play-off places, is the third league match in a month that Swansea have had to reschedule.

The Swans' progression into the fifth round of the FA Cup has already seen the rearrangement of the trip to Boston and a Vetch Field clash against Leyton Orient.

Postponement of the Mansfield match means Swansea could be faced with two games a week throughout February and the first week of March.

This month's hectic schedule sees Swansea go to Tranmere in the cup on February 14, travel to Boston four days later and visit Kidderminster on February 21 before hosting Leyton Orient and Rochdale the following week.

A possible cup replay - which would lead to a second postponement of the Orient game, to March 9 - would place an even greater strain on Brian Flynn's side, who must also find time for an FAW Premier Cup semi-final against Rhyl.

Flynn, though, insists he is not daunted by the prospect of his team playing so many matches in such a short space of time.

And the Vetch Field director of football was adamant that an intensive period of fixtures would not hamper Swansea's promotion drive.

"I'm not worried about the number of fixtures coming up over the next month or two," Flynn said.

"Some managers might express concern at the effect a busy schedule has on their players, but I'm different in that respect.

"I don't regard having two games a week as a problem.

"Obviously it's frustrating when games get called off because of the weather - Mansfield was an important match for us and everyone was ready for it.

"But you can't beat the weather can you? Virtually the whole division was decimated and it would've been a lottery for our game to have gone ahead as the pitch was so waterlogged."

Swansea, with two games in hand on some of their promotion rivals, will now aim to resume their play-off push when Torquay visit the Vetch on Saturday.

The Swans' surge into the last 16 of the FA Cup has coincided with a dip in their league form, Flynn's men having picked up just one win from their last eight Division Three outings and yet to record a league maximum 2004.

Their continued involvement in the cup has seen Swansea slip to ninth in the table with their promotion rivals stealing a march on them.

But Flynn bristles at suggestions his side are in danger of falling out of the race for the play-offs altogether.

"Five points adrift of the play-off places? That's just two victories!" he stresses.

"Ask any manager and, yes, they'll say it's better to have points in the bag than games in hand.

"But, as much as winning promotion remains our No 1 priority this season, you won't hear me describing cup matches as a distraction.

"Yes, league matches are going to get postponed if we continue to make progress in the FA Cup - as I hope we do.

"But the key to it is making sure we win our games in hand."

Brian Flynn looked ahead to next weekend's home clash with Torquay after Swansea City's match against Mansfield at Field Mill today fell foul of the weather. ''It's all eyes on that game now,'' insisted the Swansea boss.

''We're frustrated because we wanted to try to close the gap on the teams above us today, but now we'll look to do that against Torquay.''

Flynn's men were already in Mansfield - they travelled up yesterday - when Premiership referee Peter Walton called today's game off at around 11.10am because of a waterlogged pitch.

''After a blanket of snow had covered Field Mill earlier this week, heavy rain last night meant puddles formed on an already saturated pitch.

''It's disappointing because we had travelled up and prepared properly and the lads were looking ready,'' added Flynn, who was nevertheless determined to keep a positive slant on things.

''We were looking forward to the challenge of playing a good Mansfield side, but I was at the ground this morning and the referee had no option. The pitch was very heavy with water lying on it and the forecast was for more rain this afternoon.''

There was some consolation for Swansea as they turned for home - the realisation that injured star man Lee Trundle should be fit for the rearranged trip to third-placed Mansfield.

The 19-goal striker, currently out with a broken cheekbone, misses the Torquay match because of a one-match ban.

The postponment was one of several as heavy rain and, in some places, snow hit today's football programme hard.

Portsmouth flyer Courtney Pitt has emerged as a possible Swansea City transfer target. And boss Brian Flynn is certain to get the 22-year-old left-winger if he wishes as Pompey boss Harry Redknapp promised Swansea a couple of favours during negotiations over Richard Duffy's move in the opposite direction.

Pitt, a former Chelsea trainee, has just returned to Fratton Park following a loan spell at Coventry City.

The Paddington-born speedster, who spent two months at Luton earlier in the season, has fallen out of favour on the South Coast under Redknapp having been a first-team regular during Graham Rix's reign.

"We are looking to strengthen and Courtney Pitt is a player I like," said Swansea boss Flynn.

"Harry said when we sold Richard Duffy to Portsmouth that he would help us out with the players they have and I know Courtney would be available.

"It's a possibility that he could be joining us because we are keen to add a couple more new faces."

Pitt, who has more than 50 senior appearances to his name, would probably join on loan, while fellow target Alan Tate seems set to tie up a permanent switch next week.

Flynn had been hoping to clinch the young centre-back's signature before today's game at Mansfield, but said: "We will now be looking to conclude things early next week."

The Vetch Field director of football is chasing three more additions to his squad for the business end of the season after taking West Ham's Shaun Byrne on a month's loan.

Swansea's home clash with Leyton Orient, meanwhile, has been rearranged for February 24 because of the club's involvement in round five of the FA Cup. Should their tie with Tranmere end in a draw, the replay will take place on the night and the Orient game will be switched to March 9.

Vetch fans still believe that Swansea will finish in the top three this season.

In an exclusive poll on our website thisissouthwales.co.uk 52 per cent thought Brian Flynn's side would gain automatic promotion, 48 per cent thought they wouldn't.

Meanwhile, Swansea goalkeeper Roger Freestone finished second in the race to become the FA Cup player of the fourth round.

He finished with 35 per cent of the votes behind winner Liverpool midfielder Bruno Cheyrou (55) in the fans' poll on the FA's website www.thefa.com

MENTION the famous West Ham youth academy and it is the likes of England stars Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole who instantly spring to mind.

There are countless others - from Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard to current Hammers hotshot Jermain Defoe - who will also be remembered for rolling off the legendary youth production line at Upton Park.

But while Cole and co have sped off in the pursuit of Premiership riches and others follow in their slipstream, a long line of lesser-known players who grew up alongside them in east London found their careers stuck firmly in first gear.

Two such men are Swansea City's Leon Britton and Izzy Iriekpen who have headed in the opposite direction to some of their big-name contemporaries in order to give their careers a kick-start.

The West Ham connection was extended this week when a third player to emerge from the renowned Upton Park academy - Republic of Ireland youth international Shaun Byrne - arrived at the Vetch on a one-month loan.

And boss Brian Flynn revealed it is the fact Byrne received his footballing education in such good company that he turned to the Hammers again in a bid to get Swansea's promotion push back on course.

"The reason I keep going back to West Ham for players is the fact they've had such good schooling there," said Flynn, who will hand Byrne his Swans debut at Mansfield today.

"Look at the two we've already got. Izzy Iriekpen and Leon Britton have been a big success at Swansea and I'm confident Shaun will be too.

"All three of them have come through the ranks at Upton Park and, as such, they're all good footballers.

"That's the kind of player I want in my side - those who are comfortable on the ball and also have an eye for goal.

"And when players have been brought up alongside people like Joe Cole and Michael Carrick, it's no coincidence that they've learned how to play the game in the right manner."

Byrne, who will play at right-back at Field Mill but can also operate in midfield, has made just a handful of first-team appearances for the Hammers.

And even when he went on loan to Bristol Rovers in 2000 the 23-year-old, whose solitary senior West Ham outing this season came in a Carling Cup clash against Rushden & Diamonds back in August, mustered just two league appearances.

But Flynn sees similar potential in Byrne to what he saw in Britton and Iriekpen, who were also Football League novices when they first arrived at the Vetch.

"Things haven't worked out for Shaun at West Ham, but that doesn't mean he's a bad player," said Flynn. "He played in the same youth team as Cole and Carrick and others who have gone on to become regulars at West Ham.

"That's a good way to learn your trade. In fact, I'd say Shaun has had as good a football education as any.

"Just look at the wealth of players who have come through over the past few years.

"Ferdinand is obviously the biggest name, but then you've got the likes of Lampard, Defoe, Cole...

"All those players were encouraged to play football the right way and Shaun is no exception.

"I think the Swansea fans will see what a good footballer he is. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing him play for us."

And just as loan spells became permanent moves for Britton and Iriekpen, there is the prospect of Byrne spending more than just a month at the Vetch.

"We've obviously got to see how it goes over the next month, but I see Shaun as a possible long-term option," said Flynn.

"People have asked me why I've not brought in someone with more league experience. Rest assured I am aiming to do that. But what I'm also trying to do is build for the future and Shaun falls into that category."

Byrne comes in for the injured Stuart Jones today as Swansea aim to secure their first league win of 2004.

The omens are not good. Promotion rivals Mansfield boast one of the best home records in the division while the Swans have not won on their travels since October.

But, with Flynn's men five points adrift of the play-off places, victory is essential against a team that lost 4-1 and had two men sent off in an ill-tempered reverse fixture at the Vetch in August.

And, seven days on from the sensational 2-1 win over Preston, Flynn is adamant there must be no FA Cup hangover as there has been after each previous round of the competition.

"We've got to start winning our league games," said Flynn. "We can't afford any more slip-ups."

With top scorer Lee Trundle out with a broken cheekbone, Flynn is expected to partner James Thomas with either Kevin Nugent or Karl Connolly in attack.