| BBC Online Swansea manager Kenny Jackett praised 18-year-old hat-trick star Mark Pritchard after his side's 1-4 friendly win over FC Noordwijk.
"He can do something in the first team next season," said Jackett.
Noordwijk took the lead on 20 minutes, a poor clearance reaching Bram Meurs who fed Niels Schoonen to strike home.
Pritchard levelled with a penalty, but Brad Maylett put the Swans ahead, before Pritchard sealed it with strikes in the 43rd and 65th minutes.
Jackett has a strong striking roster to choose from, but feels that Tredegar-youngster Pritchard can make an impact at the club.
"There might be a few people in front of him in the queue, but you can never have enough good strikers," Jackett told the Wales on Sunday.
"Mark's an out-and-out goalscorer, whatever he does in and around the box he's able to get a shot in."
Sunday, August 01 2004
Bomb-proof Jackett will lift the Swans |
| Wales on Sunday IAN HOLLOWAY admits he may need to pick up the blower to Swansea boss Kenny Jackett this season - to ask his former sidekick for advice.
That may seem a curious admission for a manager of Holloway's calibre and experience, a man recognised as the inspirational driving force behind QPR's promotion to the Championship last season.
But Holloway insists former assistant Jackett is a walking, talking encyclopedia of footballing nous and know-how.
And while he's still smarting over Jackett's surprise South Wales defection at the business-end of last season with his own side's promotion still in the balance, Holloway believes Swansea have found themselves a diamond.
"Who knows if he learnt anything from me, you will have to ask Ken about that," said Holloway.
"But I certainly picked up plenty from him while we were working together.
"He's been involved with plenty of promotions in his time and although it was us who went up last season, I can see myself ringing him for a few words of advice in the future.
"He knows the game inside out and has had nearly every role going at a football club from the bottom to the top.
"He's been involved in matches and matches and promotions and promotions and has been on every course ever invented.
"Ken is organised and knows what he wants. I think he has a very good chance of getting it at Swansea.
"In my book it is only a matter of time before he becomes a success as a manager."
The Holloway-Jackett double act first linked up three years ago after the latter left his coaching role at Watford following the arrival of Gianluca Vialli.
Holloway, below, had earlier tried to lure him to Bristol Rovers only for Jackett to land the manager's job at Vicarage Road in what became a bittersweet experience for the former Hornets defender.
Holloway admits that the odd couple were as different as chalk and cheese.
But for some reason the partnership flourished culminating in QPR's promotion success last term.
Holloway even dedicated the triumph to his departed assistant.
"He was a massive part of our promotion," said Holloway. "I like to get my money's worth out of my staff. I didn't want to lose him when he joined Swansea and I think the board could have done more to keep hold of him.
"The timing was bad for us with six games left. It could have cost us but thankfully it didn't.
"As people we both had our strengths and weaknesses but between us we had a decent partnership. His organisation was what I needed.
"I'm a little bit lacking in that department. I'm long on personality and short on organisation but Ken taught me a lot in that respect. He organises things with almost military precision.
"We always played off each other on the training ground. When the players were fed up with hearing Ken talk I would take over and vice-versa.
"In the past I always surrounded myself with mates but Ken was the first guy I worked closely with who I didn't really know at the time.
"I would certainly call him a friend now though, big time.
"There aren't many straight people in life that you can trust. He is a real rarity in football, 200 per cent bombproof.
"At the beginning though, when you don't know someone really well, the egos start to rear up. I wanted to show Ken how good I was and he was doing the same. It worked well for us."
After surprising his mate by leaving Loftus Road in April former Welsh international Jackett has set about remoulding the Swans squad in his own footballing image.
And after bringing in summer signings Kevin Austin, Gary Fisken, Adrian Forbes, Gary Monk and Sam Ricketts the team is now unmistakably his.
But QPR boss Holloway has issued a reality check to Swans fans hoping to see their side simply entertain their way to promotion in the final year at the Vetch.
Like Rangers, Swansea fans go misty eyed when they recall yesteryears' Vetch heroes like Toshack and Curtis.
But even with current showman Lee Trundle preparing to light up the league with his box of tricks, Holloway insists winning promotion is the only thing that counts.
"Fans often demand that you play proper football, but what's that?" he said.
"I'm at a club where the fans are purists when it comes to the style of football we play.
"But you tell me if it's great football to watch when you lose your top-flight status and fall down the league.
"There is only one type of football and that is winning football.
"As a manager you evolve in your thinking and it is important not to say you will only go at it in one way.
"Hopefully, when I am long gone from QPR I will still have left my mark on the club and I am sure Ken will do the same at Swansea.
"Swansea fans will see a well-organised, disciplined team under Ken. It will be incredibly efficient and hard to break down but I will be very surprised if they don't start winning.
"You need some luck in this game but he sees Swansea as his big chance to establish himself as a manager.
"They have a new stadium and a chairman hoping to take them forward, and if I know Ken as I think I do he will make it work."
Sunday, August 01 2004
TRUNDLE LOSING FITNESS BATTLE |
| Evening Post Swansea City striker Lee Trundle looks certain to miss the start of the new Coca-Cola League Two season as he continues to struggle with a knee ligament injury. Boss Kenny Jackett is still refusing to rule out last year's 21-goal top-scorer publicly, but it is understood Swansea have resigned themselves to being without Trundle when Northampton visit Vetch Field next weekend.
And there are serious fears that the fans' favourite will also sit out the first away trip of the new campaign, at Rochdale on August 10.
That means the game at Macclesfield on August 14 may now be a realistic target for Trundle, who has hardly kicked a ball in anger since May.
The 27-year-old broke down in the first few days of pre-season training and Swansea could now look to arrange a friendly, possibly against Bath City, especially for him to gain some match fitness before the Macclesfield trip.
Trundle's slow recovery is one of a host of problems for Jackett, who has seen his pre-season plans go up in smoke thanks to fitness concerns.
Brad Maylett (thigh) hopes to come off the injured list by playing his first game on the club's Dutch tour against FC Noordwijk this evening.
Three members of the youth team who were flown in last night could also figure - centre-back Lee Surman, winger Matthew Roberts and midfielder Steve Evans.
Swansea called for reinforcements after Kevin Austin, Dennis Oli, Paul Connor and Garry Monk joined Trundle, Maylett and Kris O'Leary in the treatment room.
With Leon Hylton and Izzy Iriekpen at home recuperating from ankle and groin problems respectively, Jackett had also hoped to bring out young striker Chad Bond, but even he was injured.
In what now looks a gruelling fixture schedule, Swansea take on Dutch first division - one below the top flight - side Haarlem tomorrow afternoon before flying home on Monday.
Meanwhile, Jackett has handed contracts to goalkeeper Willy Gueret and Dennis Oli.
Gueret has signed a one-year deal, while Oli is on a month-to-month contract.
Both have impressed during their trial period at Vetch Field.
Gueret has performed solidly, particularly in last Saturday's 0-0 draw at Edgar Street against last season's Conference play-off semi-finalists Hereford.
Oli has scored three times for Swansea in pre-season, including a spectaular 30-yard volley in the first friendly at Worcester City.
Sunday, August 01 2004
GOING UP? KEEP IT DOWN FOR NOW |
| Evening Post Maybe it is understandable given that he spent most of May forecasting Spanish success at Euro 2004, but Roberto Martinez has not been keen to talk promotion this summer. Swansea City's Catalonian captain is, as ever, not without optimism as the new season approaches.
His tendency to take the most hopeful view is an admirable trait almost always on show since his arrival at Vetch Field in the dark days of January 2003.
But right now Martinez is wary about speculating on a league as predictably unpredictable as Nationwide Division Three as was, Coca-Cola League Two as is.
"It's our aim," he says, "but we have all said it would be silly and foolish to talk about promotion in August."
Swansea's in-house football pundit - he will continue to be part of Sky Sports' La Liga coverage this season - is not sitting on the fence.
He is just not making too much noise about the fact that he believes the forthcoming season could be remembered for more than being the club's last at the Vetch.
"At the moment we need to talk about Northampton, after that we need to talk about the next game and after that we have to talk about the game after that.
"It's a very long season, and what we must do is try to make sure we are the best team on the pitch in as many games as possible.
"We want to go on long runs in all the cup competitions and we want to try to make every Swansea City fan proud to support this club.
"If we can do that then hopefully in February and March we will be able to start talking about promotion."
If Martinez's plan is to come to fruition, Kenny Jackett's Swansea must avoid the extremes of form which eventually caused Brian Flynn's downfall.
Ten league games into last season, Flynn's men topped the table with 22 points.
By the time Flynn had departed almost six months later, his team had added only 29 more from their next 26 matches.
Many blamed the spectacular start for lifting expectations to unmanageable heights.
Some observers even suggest that collecting so many points so early once again this season could have a negative effect on Kenny Jackett's men.
Martinez does not agree.
"We want another flying start," he insists.
"Obviously, you have to be strong in February, March and April - the last third of the season is when you achieve things.
"But there's no doubt that the way we started last season helped us and a good start always will.
"What we are striving for is to combine that sort of start with a finish like the one two seasons ago when we stayed up.
"Last year we failed to carry on as everyone had hoped we would, but we must learn from that this year and try to keep the momentum going right through the campaign."
Swansea 2003-4 were accused of lacking the physical edge required to succeed in the bottom division.
Those inside the camp blamed a treatment room so busy at times it resembled a Portuguese sports bar in June, plus the thrilling FA Cup run which surely shifted players' focus.
Many of the squad Flynn built felt that given another chance they could bring the success craved by Swansea's board, but once Jackett arrived in April another busy summer of change was inevitable.
According to the captain, the new boys have eased smoothly into the remoulded squad.
"I can tell our fans that the dressing room is great.
"The new signings are all bubbly characters and I think we are very lucky with the bunch of players we have got.
"There is a great mix of youth and experience here now and the desire and the hunger is shared.
"Together we are looking forward to bringing this club success and we can't wait for the ball to start rolling so we can see exactly what the new players will bring."
The likes of Adrian Forbes and Garry Monk may only have been in South Wales for a matter of weeks, but it does not a take a Vetch veteran to recognise the significance of the campaign ahead with the club's new stadium looming increasingly large on the horizon.
"This is a special year," Martinez concedes, "and there is a buzz in the dressing room which reflects the mood across the city.
"More than 3,000 season tickets have gone for the last year at the Vetch and we want to achieve some success to mark the end of an era."
Here, at last, Martinez lets a prediction slip.
"To get promotion in time for the new stadium would be fantastic, but I can guarantee that in the next three or four years this club will be residing in the league where it belongs," declares the 31-year-old, who in fairness was not the only expert to call Euro 2004 all wrong.
His claim before the tournament was, in fact, that Spain would win in Portugal or at the World Cup of 2006.
By then he reckons Swansea will have had something to celebrate too.
Sunday, August 01 2004
CONNOR'S ELITE AIM |
| Evening Post Paul Connor aims to join Lee Trundle in an elite Swansea City club next season. As Kenny Jackett's men set their sights on promotion to League One in time for the move to their new stadium, Connor has drawn up a personal target - 20 goals.
No one could accuse the 6ft 2in centre-forward of making life easy for himself as he prepares for his first full season as a Swansea player.
The history books tell you that.
Lee Trundle (pictured below right), scorer of 21 goals last term, was the first Swan through the 20 barrier since Jimmy Gilligan in 1990-1.
Before that it was Bob Latchford in 1982-3.
In the halcyon days of the late 1970s - when Alan Curtis (twice), Alan Waddle and Robbie James all achieved the feat - Swansea fans came to expect multiple goals from multiple sources.
But those were strange times.
Trundle, in fact, was only the 18th Swansea player since the Second World War to reach the ever impressive 20 tally.
If Connor is to follow suit, 2004-5 will need to be the finest campaign of his career.
"My best total so far is 18 in the season (2000-1) when I left Stoke for Rochdale," Connor says in his gentle North-East accent.
"You always want to beat your best total and hopefully I will do that this year.
"I scored five goals in 12 games when I came to Swansea last season and that sort of form over a whole year would mean 20 goals."
At 25, the former Middlesbrough youngster reckons the time is right for an assault on the Swansea scoring charts.
"It's a big season for me coming up," he concedes, "because I'm getting to an age now where I really need to stamp my authority on this league.
"I have been in this division for a while and I want to get out of it.
"I have played Second Division (League One) football before. I enjoyed that and I know I can do it at that level, so I want to get back there."
Connor's experience on the next rung of the Football League ladder came at Stoke, a club he left for £150,000 having failed to dislodge the likes of Peter Thorne and Kyle Lightbourne from the first team.
With 32 goals in 87 starts for Rochdale, Connor was a hit at Spotland before injury struck last season and things turned a little sour.
Even when Swansea came knocking back in March, Dale wanted to keep their man - indicating the club's record buy had been a success.
But Connor was ready to move on, and the only decision to be made was whether Swansea or fellow suitors Yeovil would be his next stop. He has no regrets about his choice.
"Coming down here has been great for me," adds the £35,000 forward, Brian Flynn's final capture as Swansea boss.
"I was struggling at Rochdale and, no disrespect to them, Swansea is a bigger club with better players.
"It's given my career the kick it needed.
"When a new manager comes in to a club you are always a bit worried about what the future might hold for you, and it wasn't ideal that the man who signed me, Brian Flynn, was gone a few days after I got here.
"But I think Kenny Jackett wants football played the way I like it to be played.
"He wants a high tempo game with some balls into the channels and others into feet. That's what I like and, hopefully, if I keep my head down and work hard he will pick me."
Connor's Swansea record to date should give him a fair claim to a starting spot against Northampton, but he accepts there are no guarantees.
"I always set targets stage by stage, and my first is just to get into the team.
"That's going to be hard work when you look at the competition we've got.
"I've played with Trunds, Kev and Thommo and I know they are all good lads.
"And I've played against Adrian Forbes and thought as soon as we signed him that he would be a great acquisition.
"He's a quality player, and then there's Dennis Oli who has come in and looked really good. There's a bit of everything there - players who are good in the air, tricky players and pacy players - and there are only going to be two forward places going next week.
"I just want to make sure I've got one of them, and then the goals should come."
Saturday, July 31 2004
A SEASON OF BIG EXPECTATIONS |
| Evening Post One tourist suggested this week that Kenny Jackett would have an easier time making money from a mountaineering shop in the Dutch lowlands than managing Swansea City next season. It is not quite that bad, but the demands on the new man at the top in the 10 months ahead could prove almost as vast as the panoramic views across Holland on offer at the team's tour hotel.
For Jackett, with just one year's managerial experience under his belt, is leading Swansea into the season all those in the boardroom are calling the biggest in the club's history.
As the bulldozers prepare to leave Morfa and head for Vetch Field, interest and expectation surrounding his team is only going to build.
The suits over the road in County Hall have at last delivered the spectacular new stadium, now those in boots are expected to produce football to match.
When he left Queens Park Rangers to succeed Brian Flynn back in March, Jackett walked into one of the most exciting jobs in lower-league football.
But with an impressive pool of players on a plate, more cash than most in the division to spend on improvements and a 20,000-seater stadium to fill, he accepted a host of pressures too.
The chairman, Huw Jenkins, moved to ease the burden on the new manager a couple of weeks ago by setting the play-offs as an acceptable target for Swansea's final season at the Vetch.
What happens, then, if the team lie in mid-table come Christmas?
Swansea's owners have hardly built a reputation for patience since toppling Tony Petty two and a half years ago.
One of their first moves was to jettison Colin Addison and his replacement, Nick Cusack, lasted just nine games of the 2002-3 campaign.
Brian Flynn was the third boss to go last spring when it became obvious that he was not going to deliver promotion in his first full season at the helm.
And none of those was working in the shadow of the club's spanking new home.
Picture the alternatives come the grand opening of the some-company's-name stadium in 12 months' time.
Swansea play their first game in the Conference against Forest Green Rovers. A couple of thousand turn up to watch. Unthinkable.
Or Swansea play their first game in League Two all over again, with Leyton Orient or Southend in town and a handful of middle-of-the-road summer signings on show. The decent crowd in would have expected nothing less.
Or Swansea play their first game in League One, with one of the big clubs from the Championship in attendance following relegation in May.
The hosts include a couple of newly-recruited Welsh internationals and there is not a spare seat in the house.
Hence it is not difficult to appreciate why 2004-5 is being hyped as a hugely significant season, and Jackett cannot fail to recognise the scale of the job he has been entrusted to do.
He will not lack for enthusiasm. His desire to score a hit in management following success as a No. 2 is continually in evidence.
Neither he nor his players will be outworked by opponents, and it is apparent that no stone will be left unturned in preparation for games.
Fitness is the foundation of Jackett's masterplan, an area where he feels there is no excuse for losing out.
Things are not going exactly according to plan - far too many players, including Lee Trundle, Adrian Forbes and Paul Connor, have endured spells on the sidelines already thanks to pre-season injuries.
Jackett must somehow ensure his physio, Richie Evans, is doing less work this season than last because the queue for the treatment room is shorter, not because he now has an assistant in Damian Lacey.
Injuries are of course inevitable, but more of last season's extraordinary bad fortune will leave Swansea hamstrung once more.
Jackett believes luck is not the most important factor, and that his greater emphasis on fitness on the training ground will cure many of the squad's problems.
With a string of injury problems to contend with in the last few days before Coca-Cola League Two kicks off, his theory is yet to be proved.
The former Welsh international left-back will need more than just fitness fortune if he is to succeed.
He requires a squad which has, as the manager might say himself, been absolutely average over the last six weeks.
Pre-season has not seen jaws dropping in awe or nails chewed with angst.
Jackett's new-look team are a more intimidating physical unit than the side which finished last season, better equipped perhaps for the hard slog of what not so long ago was called Division Four.
Garry Monk, Kevin Austin and Sam Ricketts are three big men who should not be shunted around by any of the league's forwards.
Fitness permitting, they will start next Saturday, probably alongside Alan Tate and in front of either Brian Murphy or Willy Gueret.
Stuart Jones plus, when fit, Izzy Iriekpen and the enigmatic Leon Hylton will provide defensive back-up.
Gary Fisken is a 6ft, hard-running worker who seems likely to compete with Kristian O'Leary for a defensive role in central midfield.
As club captain, Roberto Martinez will expect to feature in the centre with the real competition for places on the flanks.
Andy Robinson and Leon Britton have been identified as wide players under the new regime, meaning a four-way scrap for starts with Brad Maylett and Forbes, the summer signing who has done most so far to impress.
Forbes, a bundle of energy and pace, may start the season as a central striker having scored 14 goals for Luton last term.
Connor, if available, seems a certain starter in attack, with Trundle to come in when his knee problems are cleared.
James Thomas has a point to prove after last season's injury misery, while Kevin Nugent looks set for his share of games despite his new assistant manager's role.
And then there is Dennis Oli, the youngster from Queens Park Rangers who has won a few admirers in his short stint in South Wales, looking a threat when all around were failing to do so.
A lack of goals must be Swansea's chief concern as they count down to the Cobblers, yet the board seem unflustered.
''We are confident that our manager has under his control a squad of players who are capable of gaining promotion,'' director David Morgan said confidently in the Dutch tour programme.
Jackett was less bold in his notes, pinpointing an improvement on last year's 10th-placed finish as his aim.
Even with a squad which looks a little thin in places, that goal should be achievable.
As the Vetch Field gates swing shut for the last time next May, the question may be whether that is deemed good enough.
Saturday, July 31 2004
Gueret ponders Swans offer |
| BBCOnline Last Updated: Friday, 30 July, 2004, 14:35 GMT 15:35 UK
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Gueret ponders Swans offer
Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett has offered former Millwall goalkeeper Willy Gueret a year's contract. The Frenchman, 30, has been on trail at Swansea for the past three weeks and has done enough to persuade Jackett he would be a valuable addition. Gueret will probably start the season as an understudy to Brian Murphy, who replaced Roger Freestone as the number one choice at the Vetch last season. Swansea play Dutch side Noordwijk on Saturday. The Welsh club have also offered a month-to-month contract to trialist striker Dennis Oli, and the former QPR man is expected to sign on Monday.
Friday, July 30 2004
DENNIS A REAL MENACE BEFORE INJURY STRIKES |
| Evening Post Picking up an injury is a trialist's worst nightmare, but the good news for Dennis Oli is that he has probably done enough already to earn a Swansea City contract. Short odds would now be offered on the 20-year-old striker's chances of landing a Vetch Field deal despite the fact that an ankle injury forced him off half way through the 1-1 draw with Stormvogels/Telstar here last night.
Because by then Oli had given another display of the promise which persuaded Kenny Jackett to bring him to South Wales in the first place.
He initially came for a week. A month or so on and the former Queens Park Rangers player who has yet to register in competitive senior football can almost certainly look forward to a far longer stay.
Jackett, as usual, was keeping his cards close to his chest, but said: ''Dennis is a decent player, there's no doubt about that.
''It was frustrating that he had to come off because I would have liked to have seen him in the second half as well after he had caused them plenty of problems in the first.
''He is big, strong and quick, and I have been impressed with both him and (fellow trialist) Willy Gueret.
''They have done well since joining up with us and I haven't been disappointed by either of them.
''It wouldn't be right for me to say what the future might hold for them before I've given them my decision, but it's a situation I will be looking sort out in the next day or so.''
Goalkeeper Gueret, who played in the 1-1 draw with Den Haag on Tuesday, was on bench duty last night as Brian Murphy was given his chance, but Oli took full advantage of his opportunity to impress in attack.
The young Londoner caused all sorts of problems for the Telstar defence and was Swansea's biggest threat.
Some excellent work on the right flank just 12 minutes in was followed by a measured cross to strike partner James Thomas, who would have had the opening goal but for a smart save from home stopper Marc Hogervorst.
In fact, it was the hosts who took the lead against the run of play when Regilio O'Niel, once on the books of Ajax, raced in behind the Swansea defence following Misha Salden's through ball to lob the helpless Murphy.Roberto Martinez and Andy Robinson had both gone close before the equaliser deservedly arrived seven minutes before the interval.
Oli's persistence won a free-kick on the right which Martinez rolled to Leon Britton on the edge of the penalty area.
His 20-yard shot might have been dealt with by Hogervorst, but Oli's outstretched leg diverted the ball home with the goalkeeper stranded.
It was the third goal of his brief Vetch career, and Jackett's men missed him as the contest petered out after the break.
''We haven't created a great deal in the two games,'' the Swansea boss conceded, ''but I think we are improving.
''We are definitely harder to break down than we were at the end of last season.
''You can see that even if these games aren't quite like what you'd get in the English League and we needed that improvement.
''We've got some way to go yet as a group and as a team, but we are stepping in the right direction.
''We are becoming more competitive and more solid. Now it's about finding the balance between that and the attacking flair this team showed last season.''
With just two goals - both from set-pieces - in the last three matches, a repeat of last August's Vetch goal blitz looks out of the question.
But with Oli set to join a striking stable already featuring Lee Trundle, Kevin Nugent, Paul Connor, Adrian Forbes and Thomas, Jackett remains confident his team packs the firepower to succeed.
Even so, a couple more moments to cheer ahead of Northampton next week would not go amiss.
Friday, July 30 2004
INJURIES WRECK JACKETT'S PLANS |
| Evening Post Kenny Jackett admits he could do without Swansea City's two Dutch tour games this weekend as he faces up to a spectacular injury crisis. Paul Connor (knee), Kevin Austin (foot), Dennis Oli (ankle), Gary Fisken (ankle) and Garry Monk (calf) are the latest additions to what was already a bumper casualty list.
With Lee Trundle (knee), Kris O'Leary (ankle), Brad Maylett (groin) and Adrian Forbes (ankle) on the sidelines, Jackett is contemplating cancelling either the meeting with FC Noordwijk on Saturday or Sunday's clash with Haarlem.
An alternative option for the Swansea boss would be to fly out a handful of youth-teamers to Holland for the weekend to bolster his squad.
''The injuries are piling up as they did last season and the games this weekend are a concern and a frustration,'' he said. ''In an ideal world I would have liked to have had two teams out here and with a touring party of 23 players we thought that would be the case.
''But I will probably be down to 11 or 12 now and that will include people who have played two games already.
''I need to try to find some way out of it. Whether we bring some more players out or speak to the clubs concerned I'm not sure at the moment, but after two hard games in three days the last thing my players need is two more at the weekend.
''I don't want to let down anybody who we have committed to play against, but I definitely need to take some pressure off the squad because we've got a very important game in eight days' time.''
Trialist Oli collected his injury last night after scoring the goal - his third in a Swansea shirt - which earned Jackett's men a 1-1 draw with Dutch first division outfit Stormvogels/Telstar.
The visitors lacked a little creativity in attack, but Jackett's greater concern at present is getting a team together to face Northampton in the Coca-Cola League Two opener one week tomorrow.
Izzy Iriekpen and Leon Hylton, neither of whom made it to the Continent because of fitness problems, will definitely miss out when the Cobblers visit.
''Hopefully most of the injuries we have picked up this week will have cleared up by then,'' he added. ''We had to bring Dennis off at half-time because he had taken a kick on the ankle in a tackle and Kevin Austin came off near the end complaining of a sore ankle.''
Jackett is set to tell Oli and fellow trialist Willy Gueret whether they have done enough to earn Swansea contracts in the next 24 hours.
Season tickets are now available from collection at the club shop. Fans collecting tickets must show receipt of purchase.
Thursday, July 29 2004
FORGET ATHENS -SAM'S HAPPY TO BE ONE JUMP AHEAD AT VETCH
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| Evening Post Sam Ricketts is relishing the prospect of his first season as a Swansea City player - although he could have been gearing up for the Olympics rather than League Two this summer. The 22-year-old right-back, one of Kenny Jackett's five new recruits, might have been preparing for Athens not Northampton had he followed in the footsteps trotted out elsewhere in the family.
Dad Derek was world showjumping champion in 1978, sister Clare has represented Great Britain in the same sport and uncle John Francome was a famous jockey who now works for Channel 4 racing.
Sam did not miss out on the horse riding genes - he was clearing fences for Oxfordshire as a youngster and believes he could have gone further in showjumping than in football.
''I'm not sure if I could have been world champion like my dad,'' he says, ''but I probably would have been performing at a higher level than I am doing.
''I'm still young and hopefully I've still got plenty to achieve in football, but people have told me I was better at the showjumping.
''My dad's in charge of the British team now - he's a bit like the Sven-Goran Eriksson of showjumping - and will be going to the Olympics, but I've never enjoyed it as much as I do my football.
''My sister and I were riding almost from the day we were born, but I joined Oxford United when I was 11 and when I got to 14 I decided football was what I wanted to concentrate on.
''I only liked showjumping because of the prize money you could win,'' he adds with a grin.
So while dad is heading for Greece, Ricketts junior is here in Holland building towards his Football League return.
The former England semi-professional international quit Oxford 12 months ago after falling out of favour with then boss Ian Atkins and is brimming with confidence having impressed in the Conference at Telford last term.
''I think I could have gone almost anywhere in the Conference this summer, while there was interest from about seven League Two clubs and a couple in League One.
''I picked Swansea because it's a big club and because of Kenny Jackett - he is probably the best manager I've worked for.
''His coaching is excellent and he wants me to play in one position, right-back, which I'm pleased about because I've played all over the place in the past.''
Ricketts's versatility means he could be called on tonight when Swansea play their second game of the trip against Dutch second division outfit Stormvogels/Telstar.
Jackett, whose first picks drew 1-1 with Den Haag on Tuesday, is keen to give everyone in his 23-man party a game, but could see his hand forced by injuries.
Brad Maylett is struggling to recover from a thigh strain, while Lee Trundle, Adrian Forbes and Kris O'Leary are certain non-starters.
''I think the new boys have settled into the squad really well and we are all looking forward to the season now,'' Ricketts added.
And what chance promotion, according to a man whose uncle knows a bit about betting?
''I don't think he's planning on putting any money us because he's a Swindon fan, but that's probably a good thing given the number of times he's let me down with his racing tips in the past.''
Thursday, July 29 2004
Trundle in fitness race |
| BBC Online Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett has admitted that striker Lee Trundle faces a race against time to be fit for the first game of the new season.
Trundle is in Holland for the four-game tour, but will not play in any of the matches because of a knee injury.
"We had to send him to a specialist halfway through his rehabilitation. Things weren't progressing too well.
"But he's working very hard and he'll be close to fitness come the game against Northampton," said Jackett.
Trundle missed Tuesday's opening game of the Dutch tour against Den Haag, along with Kris O'Leary, Brad Maylett and Garry Monk.
Stuart Jones' header gave the Swans a fifth minute lead, but the Dutch premier division side equalised when a mix-up in defence allowed former Celtic midfielder Jamie Smith to score.
Wednessday, July 28 2004
FORBES TOUR K.O |
| Evening Post Adrian Forbes looks set to miss the rest of Swansea City's tour of Holland after limping out of the 1-1 draw with Den Haag here last night. The striker-cum-winger, signed from Luton this summer, hobbled off nursing a damaged ankle after Stuart Jones's header was cancelled out by a tap in from the hosts' Scottish international wideman Jamie Smith.
Lee Trundle has already been all but ruled out of the Dutch trip, while Kris O'Leary could also struggle to feature on the Continent after twisting his ankle at Hereford last weekend.
There is better news of Brad Maylett (thigh), who could figure against Stormvogels/Telstar tomorrow night, but boss Kenny Jackett's options are limited as the countdown to the new Coca-Cola League Two season gathers speed.
''Adrian's picked up a contact injury which shouldn't last any time really,'' the Swansea boss said, ''but it might well keep him out for the remainder of this trip.
''I don't see him being a problem for Northampton on the first day of the season, though, which is the important thing.
''I very much doubt if Lee will play out here, but he hasn't half worked hard fitness-wise.
''Looking at him now and looking at some old pictures of him around the place, I don't know whether its the haircut but you can see he has recognised the responsibility he has to work hard.
''When he does come back it wouldn't surprise me if he goes and does very well.''
A spot of Trundle magic would not have gone amiss last night as Swansea battled to keep Den Haag at bay.
Nick Cusack's class of 2002 beat the same opponents 2-1, but there was little sign of a repeat success once the Dutch top-flight outfit had drawn level thanks to a mix-up in the visiting defence involving Kevin Austin and trialist goalkeeper Willy Gueret.
''They are obviously a quality side and I thought there were some very encouraging things to come out of the game for us,'' Jackett added.
''I thought Willy was solid and I'll be interested to hear what he says about their goal. He was backing off trying to collect a cross and fell into one of his colleagues and the ball spilled out as he landed.
''I wouldn't say he's damaged his chances of getting a contract. It's a bit early to say what we'll be doing, but I need to speak to him this week to sort the situation out.''
Centre-back Garry Monk is due to join the tour party tomorrow having remained at home following a family bereavement.
A Swansea XI visits Garden Village tonight (6.45pm). Admission is £2.00 for adults, while children get in free.
Wednessday, July 28 2004
Trundle in fitness race
|
| BBC Online Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett has admitted that striker Lee Trundle faces a race against time to be fit for the first game of the new season.
Trundle is in Holland for the four-game tour, but will not play in any of the matches because of a knee injury.
"We had to send him to a specialist halfway through his rehabilitation. Things weren't progressing too well.
"But he's working very hard and he'll be close to fitness come the game against Northampton," said Jackett.
Trundle missed Tuesday's opening game of the Dutch tour against Den Haag, along with Kris O'Leary, Brad Maylett and Garry Monk.
Stuart Jones' header gave the Swans a fifth minute lead, but the Dutch premier division side equalised when a mix-up in defence allowed former Celtic midfielder Jamie Smith to score.
But considering the level of opposition, Jackett said he was encouraged by his side's performance.
"I learned a lot from the game," he told BBC Sport. "It was a very good work-out for us in terms of our preparation.
"Den Haag were very skilful at moving the ball and we closed them down very well.
"After going ahead we were obviously looking to hold on for the win. That didn't happen and probably on the balance of play a draw was a fair result.
"Against a side of that magnitude that was a good result for us."
The only negative for Jackett was an ankle injury to new signing Adrian Forbes.
The recently signed centre forward is unlikely to feature in any of the remaining games on tour, but Jackett is hopeful Forbes will be fit for the season's curtain raiser at home to Northampton on 7 August.
And the manager revealed he will decide by the end of the week whether to offer contracts to trialists Willy Gueret and Dennis Oli.
Wednessday, July 28 2004
Morecambe snap up Howard
|
| BBC Online Morecambe have signed defender Michael Howard following his release by Swansea City during the summer.
The left-back started in the 2-1 pre-season friendly victory over Manchester City and has the experience of more 250 appearances at Swansea behind him.
The Birkenhead-born 25-year-old started his career as a schoolboy at Liverpool before joining Tranmere as a trainee in August 1997.
In February 1998 he signed on a free transfer for Swansea.
Tuesday, July 27 2004
ALL TO PLAY FOR |
| Evening Post James Thomas kicks off his third Dutch tour tonight believing next season could be the biggest of his Swansea City career. The 25-year-old striker, one of only two survivors of Swansea's two previous Holland trips, admits he must hit form in 2004-5 if he wants to return again next summer.
Thomas, who hopes to be involved in the tour opener against Den Haag tonight, is out of contract in 12 months' time and knows another campaign like the last may signal the end of his Swansea career.
''It's a big season for me after what happened last season,'' conceded Thomas, who is yet to start a competitive game under Kenny Jackett. ''My contract's up at the end of it and I realise another year like last year will not put me in a great position.
''I've got to try to stay as fit as possible and as sharp as possible. I want to play as many games as I can and I know that if I do that, the goals will come.''
Thomas managed only seven league starts - scoring three times - last term thanks to some scarcely believable misfortune with injuries.
He is now keen to rediscover the form of two seasons ago, when in a struggling side he clocked up 15 strikes - including the unforgettable hat-trick against Hull which preserved Swansea's league status.
''That seems a long time ago now,'' the former Blackburn Rovers man admits. ''It's forgotten about really and I have to concentrate on what's ahead.
''Last season was so frustrating that I'm determined to make sure I make the most of this one. Hopefully the injuries are behind me now and I can focus on getting into the side.
''That won't be easy. The squad looks strong all over to me and the competition for a place up front is going to be pretty intense.
''All I know is that I've got to stay fit and if I do that I think I've got half a chance.''
Thomas has fond memories of Swansea's game with Den Haag in 2002 - he struck both goals in an impressive 2-1 victory.
Tonight's rematch, expected to attract a crowd of around 2,500, is likely to be the toughest encounter of this year's trip as the hosts gear up for the new Dutch top flight season. Den Haag could include Scottish international winger Jamie Smith, signed from Celtic last week, and Belgium's Gil Swerts, who has arrived from Feyenoord.
Monday, July 26 2004
TRUNDLE'S FEAR
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| Evening Post Lee Trundle flew out to Holland with the rest of the Swansea City squad today amid fears he could miss the start of the season. Last term's 21-goal top-scorer faces a race to be fit to face Northampton on August 7 because of a niggling knee problem picked up in the first week of pre-season training.
Swansea originally expected Trundle to be sidelined for just a few days, but boss Kenny Jackett now accepts he may not play until the new League Two campaign is underway.
''Lee's injury hasn't settled down as well as we first thought it would,'' he said, ''and I'm not sure if he will be able to play a game for us on tour.
''He went to see a knee specialist on Friday to see if there was any cartilage damage or anything like that and was given a clean bill of health.
''The specialist has recommended a week's hard running and says that after that he should be okay to play.
''Apparently Lee had something similar last season and the same specialist sorted him out, so we'll hope for the same again.
''It would be great if he could play over the weekend, but we'll have to wait and see. If he doesn't then we'll have to see how he is in the build-up to Northampton.''
Trundle reported back for training last month almost half a stone lighter than when Swansea packed up for the summer in May and looked primed for a profitable pre-season.
But if the 27-year-old cannot manage any game-time before the big kick-off, he is unlikely to make Jackett's starting line-up for the Cobblers' visit.
Paul Connor and Adrian Forbes - the first-half front two in Saturday's sleepy goalless draw at Hereford - are the early favourites to link up in attack in 12 days' time and could also feature against Den Haag tomorrow night.
With games against Stormvogels/Telstar (Thursday), FC Noordwijk (Saturday) and Haarlem (Sunday) to come, Jackett is expecting the tour opener against the Dutch top-flight outfit to be the toughest of the week.
''They are obviously a quality side and I think it will be our most difficult test,'' he said. ''Being away together this week will be very constructive for us. We're going to have to balance protecting our key players from injuries and looking to give our first team 90 minutes of action together.''
Jackett chopped and changed his players over the weekend during an uninspiring meeting with last season's unlucky losers in the Conference.
''I would have liked to have more of an attacking threat and the game petered out really,'' he admitted, ''but we're looking forward to the season.''
Monday, July 26 2004
BYRNE HAS DRIVE TO PLAY FOR THE SWANS ONCE MORE
|
| Evening Post Shaun Byrne is waiting for the green light to restart his Swansea City career after battling through the traffic to play at Hereford United on Saturday. The former West Ham youngster, who Brian Flynn brought to Vetch Field on loan last season, feared any chance of a return to South Wales could be dashed by a motorway log jam.
But having scrambled down the M4 in time for the second half of a miserable goalless draw, Byrne is hoping Kenny Jackett will ask him to get in the car once more.
''The rest of the boys are all off to Holland now and it's not going to be easy for me,'' said the 23-year-old utility man.
''But hopefully, when they get back, Kenny might let me come down to Swansea and train and play in a few more games.
''Games are the time when you get to prove yourself so I'll just keep my fingers crossed and see what he says.''
Byrne, invited to turn out on Saturday only at the last minute, continued: ''I think I was supposed to start the game but it took ages to get here so I had to play the second half.
''I've come from London and there's not really much you can do in 45 minutes. It's not a lot of time to try to impress.''
Following Neil Sharp and Garath Ormshaw, Byrne would appear to be the latest recommendation from the Vetch boardroom.
The one-time Irish Under-21 player was offered the chance to stay at Swansea on a permanent basis last season but could not agree on the length of contract with chairman Huw Jenkins.
Released by the Hammers in May, he almost joined Boston earlier in the summer but is now a free agent on the hunt for a club.
''The deal was almost done at Boston but my heart was never in it,'' he added.
''I was offered two years there but felt like I was going to be unhappy, so I decided I was better off trying to go somewhere else where I knew I would be happy.
''I've had trials at a couple of clubs but they've been a waste of time really and at the moment I'm still training with West Ham, who've been good to me.
''If there was a chance to come back to Swansea, I would jump at it. There were talks about staying last season but it was a bit in and out and things got a bit lost when Brian Flynn left.
''Things never really developed then, but I enjoyed it while I was here and was sad to go.''
Byrne had no chance of earning an invite to Holland because travel arrangements for the tour party were finalised weeks ago.
But Jackett indicated after Byrne's steady if unspectacular showing that he could be called on again.
''For the moment he remains in my plans,'' said the Swansea boss.
''He's a tough little full-back who was quite popular when he was down here, so we'll see.''
Whatever happens, Byrne has more chance of landing a deal than Swansea's other surprise substitute over the weekend.
Sheldon Lawrence, billed as a Trinidad & Tobago international left-back, arrived at the break and departed barely 20 minutes later.
''Unfortunately I could tell very quickly that he wasn't what I'm looking for,'' Jackett said diplomatically.
Lawrence's cameo was one of the talking points of a pre-season contest which offered little to savour for the 506 travelling fans in attendance.
Without match-winners like Lee Trundle, Andy Robinson and Leon Britton, Swansea created almost nothing - a wayward Paul Connor header from Roberto Martinez's free-kick and Adrian Forbes's half-volley which went too close to the goalkeeper were their best efforts.
Trialist Willy Gueret was the busier of the two glovemen, though all his good work was when gathering crosses.
Because while Hereford were on top throughout the second period, their best two opportunities were both sent wide of the target by David Brown.
There was a clue that Swansea under Jackett will not be bullied out of matches like Swansea under Flynn sometimes were - home defender Tom Smith's blood-splattered face.
Amid suggestions of a butt, he left the field pointing an accusing finger. Fortunately, perhaps, for the visitors, boss Graham Turner did not raise the matter after the game.
Monday, July 26 2004
Forbes set to make Swans impact |
| Western Mail ADRIAN FORBES has no intention of spending any time on Kenny Jackett's bench after dropping down a division to sign for Swansea City during the summer.
The striker left League One club Luton to join Jackett's Vetch Field revolution. Since the Swans chief has a clutch of strikers to choose from, Forbes knows a starting role is not guaranteed.
The ex-Norwich and Luton player will compete with Lee Trundle, Paul Connor, James Thomas, Kevin Nugent and - if he Jackett decides to sign him - Dennis Oli for a place in the Swansea attack.
With 'Magic Daps' Trundle sidelined with a knee injury and doubtful for any of the Swans' four matches in Holland this week, Forbes will feature in the pre-season friendlies, perhaps more than Jackett would have originally intended.
However, the 25-year-old intends to take full advantage of Trundle's absence and cement his place in the new-look Swansea side.
"Lee is sadly out injured, but - and I know it sounds harsh - but I've got to use this period to establish myself as the No 1 striker," said Forbes, who played in the goalless stalemate against Hereford at Edgar Street on Saturday.
"While Lee is out injured, I've got to work hard and make sure I'm one of the manager's first-choice players.
"Sooner or later Lee will be fit again and, if I'm not pulling my weight, then he will be back in the team and I'll be out.
"The manager knows what I'm capable of, but it's down to me to work my socks off and keep a place in the team."
When Trundle has recovered from his knee injury, it will be interesting to see which pair Jackett picks as his forward line. Forbes himself reckons he could strike up a potent partnership with Trundle.
"I wouldn't mind doing the donkey work for Lee, the running about and closing down," continued Forbes.
"That would allow him to open up his bag of tricks. I would be more than happy to do that."
No disrespect to the other fresh faces at the Vetch, but Greenford-born Forbes is the most exciting of Jackett's summer signings.
After netting 14 goals for League One club Luton last term - nine of them league matches - he is proven at a higher level.
Also, he knows what it takes to get out of the league basement after helping the Hatters climb out of it in 2002.
His arrival, then, was quite a coup for Jackett whose brief is to lead the Swans into League One - preferably by next May.
"I've come to Swansea because I feel it's a club pushing in the right direction," he explained.
"People were sceptical about my decision because I was dropping down a division.
"But I believe Swansea will be up there challenging for promotion this season.
"I wouldn't have dropped down a division if I didn't feel the club was going in the right direction.
"I genuinely feel we'll be there or therabouts this season. I'm confident about that."
Forbes, though, said football's dungeon is tougher than ever.
"In my opinion, this league has got harder. The teams in our division today are much better than those who were in it a few years ago.
"Some clubs have got players who were playing in the old First and Second Divisions not so long ago and they've dropped into our division so they can play regular football.
"I've won promotion in this league with Luton and I know what's needed to get out of it. You need 11 players who are consistent week in, week out.
"You have to that ability to grind out wins and draws. You also need to make your home ground a fortress."
Against Hereford, Forbes was unable to shine and this was mainly due to the fact his side struggled to create any decent chances.
Jackett's men had the better of the first half, although Hereford could have won this pre-season friendly after the break, but Bulls striker David Brown failing to convert three decent chances.
Connor came close to opening the scoring for the visitors on 22 minutes, his header following Roberto Martinez's curling free-kick bounced just wide of the target.
Forbes then sneaked behind Hereford defender Tamika Mkandawire, but goalkeeper Ben Scott raced off his line to block the striker's shot.
With 10 minutes left, Brown missed the best chance of the afternoon. Andy Williams crossed from the left, but Brown fired wide from just five yards out.
The Swans - clearly missing the creative talents of Trundle, Andy Robinson and Leon Britton - hardly tested Scott after the interval.
Jackett said afterwards, "It was a typical pre-season game. There weren't many goal attempts by either side.
"We didn't create enough chances. There was a time in the first half that we looked like we were going to do something but, in the end, it didn't happen.
"We created a little bit on the right but not much on the left. I need to find someone who can fill that role for us on the left side of midfield."
Monday, July 26 2004
Trundle fit for Dutch tour |
| BBC Online Swansea City striker Lee Trundle has been given the all-clear to go on the club's pre-season tour of Holland.
Trundle has been troubled by a knee injury, but any fears of ligament damage have been dispelled after he saw a knee specialist.
Swansea's first of four games against Dutch opposition comes on Tuesday against Den Haag.
They play Telstar two days later, and end with games against Noordwijk (31 July) and Haarlem (1 August).
Friday, July 23 2004
BUILDING PLANS |
| Evening Post Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins has told manger Kenny Jackett that a play-off place will be an acceptable return from the final season at Vetch Field. Fans' expectation ahead of the new campaign is growing as every bolt is tightened at the club's future home in Landore, with many banking on promotion to mark the big move.
But after players, management and directors toured the half-built, 20,000-seater stadium yesterday, Swansea's chairman has moved to ease the pressure on Jackett's men.
''The very least we hope for is to keep on moving forward, and that means improving on the 10th-placed finish we had last year," Jenkins said.
''If we can reproduce anything near the quality of football we saw at the start of last season and keep it going, then hopefully we will get into the play-offs.
''After that, we would take whatever comes and I think we would certainly have achieved something.
''If we were offered a play-off place now we would certainly accept that.''
He went on: ''We would like to be in League One when we go to the new stadium, but I think we should all remember where we were two or three years ago and realise it will not be the end of the world if we're still in League Two.
''Having started in virtual administration, we've got our finances on an even keel with sound backing behind the scenes, we've brought some talented new players in and, having worked together with Swansea Council, we're on our way to a new stadium.
''Whatever division we're in next year, I think they're the things that count.''
Jenkins conceded Swansea must be producing on the field in 18 months' time when, he feels, crowds at the club's new home could dip without playing success as the novelty of the £29million project starts to fade.
But he was keen to remain optimistic as staff got a first glimpse of the future yesterday.
''Swansea City have been waiting for this stadium for 20 or 30 years, and hopefully bringing the players here will help inspire them to success next season,'' he added.
''We've all got fond memories of great players and great games at the Vetch, but you could say we're moving from a corner shop to Tesco. Turnover will treble overnight.
''It's going to be a fantastic opportunity for the board, the management, the players and the fans and I hope we can all take advantage of it, but the pressure will not be on Kenny and the players from us this year.
''I suppose the move will create some pressure of its own and if that helps us push on and be successful then great.''
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Swans unveil shirt sponsor |
| BBC Online
Swansea City have agreed a one-year shirt sponsorship contract with RE/MAX estate agents.
The deal will run until the end of the 2004/5 season, with the option of another 12 months.
"This is an exciting partnership and shows that Swansea City FC has the capabilities and growing reputation to attract major brands," said a statement on the club's website.
"We hope the supporters will embrace the company that has put faith in us."
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Thursday, July 22, 2004
JONES BREAKS NOSE TO ADD TO WORRIES |
Kenny Jackett is hoping that Stuart Jones will be back in action soon after picking up a fractured nose in the friendly at Barry on Tuesday. The Swansea City defender got the injury in the dying minutes at Jenner Park after an accidental clash of heads and spent yesterday morning having x-rays.
They showed a clean break and the youngster could even play some part in Saturday's match at Hereford.
''Stuart got a bad bang on his nose and we sent him to hospital for examination,'' said Jackett. ''Hopefully it's not too bad.''
There was better news, too, on the other injuries picked up in the first two pre-season games at Worcester on Saturday and at Barry.
Kevin Austin twisted an ankle at St George's Lane, while Brad Maylett suffered a slight groin strain which forced him to miss out against Barry.
Andy Robinson also sat out Tuesday night's match but Jackett is hopeful all three will soon be back in action.
''Kevin has been out a few days but he is more or less there now,'' said the Swansea manager.
''Brad is pretty much back to fitness now as is Andy.
''You always hope you don't get too many injuries at this time of pre-season.
''You want to work hard and prepare for the new season but we want to go into the Northampton game with a fully fit squad.''
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Thursday, July 22, 2004
NEW BACKERS SLOGAN SUMS UP JACKETT'S FUTURE HOPES |
'OUTSTANDING agents, outstanding results' is an advertising slogan used by new Swansea City sponsors RE/MAX. Swansea fans will be hoping that the second element applies to Kenny Jackett's side this season.
The estate agency completed a deal yesterday which sees them become the main sponsor for the club until 2005 with the option of another year.
RE/MAX take over shirt sponsorship from The Travel House and club vice-chairman Leigh Dineen is hoping that catchy slogan could well be used in the Swansea dressing room over the coming months - with a slight tweak or two.
''It wasn't something we were going to use but we might try to now,'' he said.
''Let's hope we get the second part of that slogan right this season.''
RE/MAX is Wales's third largest estate agency with franchisees in Morriston, Gorseinon and Neath committed to sponsoring Swansea.
But it is the global catchment area of the company - RE/MAX has offices in 51 countries - which appealed to the club, said Dineen.
''I think it really does show how far we are progressing as a club,'' he added.
''RE/MAX is not just an estate agency in South Wales, it's worldwide. They cover 51 countries, with, I believe, a turnover of £80 billion last year.
''We were looking for a company with local roots who wanted to be part of the community, but at the same time it was something we could not turn down when you look at the global brand as well.''
Dineen did not go into detail about how much the sponsorship deal would net the club, but said that Swansea were now standing tall alongside a lot of clubs in Coca-Cola League Two.
''I can't give any figures, but they certainly have parity with anything else that's coming into this division,'' said Dineen.
''I think the deal will continue when the initial year comes to an end.
''With the new stadium coming along it's difficult to plan further ahead because we don't know what the stadium management company deals are going to be to do with the naming rights.
''We have got to be a little bit careful of that, but we do believe that as long as RE/MAX are happy and we are happy then we will continue. It's virtually like a 12-month rolling contract.''
RE/MAX Wales's regional director Jonathan Thomas put pen to paper to finalise the deal yesterday and he was happy to be involved both on a professional and private basis.
''What it means to RE/MAX is that we are going to bring our brand, our company, our organisation to people who might not have heard of us and that's an important thing.
''We are obviously associated with the local football team, but they also carry our brand throughout many different areas.
''We hope that with our association with Swansea City we can take our business forward to become the best estate agency in Wales and we hope that we can help Swansea become a more successful side with regard to our sponsorship and affiliation and lead on to great things in the coming year.''
Mr Thomas said the company was very keen to keep the association going and saw no reason why RE/MAX would not be still sponsoring the club when it enters the next part of its history.
''We fully anticipate at this stage renewing the agreement in 2005-06, especially with the advent of the White Rock Stadium,'' he said.
''Having a first class stadium is an exciting time for the club and the whole city and we want to be a part of that. We want to support that as much as we can.
''I am a Swansea boy and I have been to many games,'' he added.
''I have to say I don't go every week due to work commitments, but there are other franchisees who are very dedicated Swansea football supporters.
''I have to say that football is a big part of the community and that's why we are getting involved.''
No doubt Dineen and the rest of the Swansea board will be hoping that foundations for a successful partnership have already been planted as the club looks to build for the future.
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Wednesday, July 21, 2004
SWANS PUT HOUSE IN ORDER WITH ESTATE AGENTS |
Swansea City today unveiled RE/MAX estate agents as their new main sponsors. The deal, which sees RE/MAX take over shirt sponsorship from The Travel House, runs initially until the summer of 2005 with the option of another year.
Swansea's new-look home strip was due to be revealed at Vetch Field this afternoon with the away kit to follow soon - although neither is yet available for supporters to buy.
It is understood Swansea had also spoken to Walkers Crisps about possible sponsorship before the RE/MAX deal was clinched last week.
''We are absolutely delighted to have secured the backing of such a major name,'' Vetch vice-chairman Leigh Dineen said today.
''This is an exciting partnership and shows that Swansea City Football Club has the capabilities and growing reputation to continue to attract major brands as its sponsor.
''As in previous years we hope our supporters will embrace the company that has put faith in us to carry its name.''
RE/MAX, which boasts offices in 51 countries, is Wales's third largest estate agency.
The company's franchisees in Morriston, Gorseinon and Neath have committed to sponsoring Swansea.
Regional director Rob Lock said: ''The football club is a focal point of the community and is something we hold dear.
''We all believe that the new stadium will see the advent of a new dawn for Swansea and we at RE/MAX want to be part of that.''
Swansea manager Kenny Jackett, meanwhile, has issued a provisional list of squad numbers for the coming season.
As the search for a goalkeeper following Roger Freestone's departure drags on, Brian Murphy has been handed the No. 1 shirt.
Lee Trundle retains the No. 10 shirt with almost all others who were at the club last season keeping the same number also.
New boys Sam Ricketts and Kevin Austin take the 2 and 3 shirts, with fellow summer recruits Adrian Forbes, Gary Fisken and Garry Monk assigned 11, 15 and 16 respectively.
There are spaces to be filled on the list - by a keeper and perhaps trialist striker Denis Oli.
And Jackett may yet move for another defender as a result of pre-season injuries to Austin, Leon Hylton and Izzy Iriekpen.
Sunderland striker Michael Reddy, a transfer target for Swansea earlier in the summer, has signed a two-year deal with League Two rivals Grimsby.
Jackett called off his interest in the pacy Irishman after Forbes's arrival from Luton.
Swansea, fielding a mixture of youth and first-team players, won 2-0 at Barry last night with goals by Matthew Roberts and James Thomas, both goals coming in the first half.
Swansea's official Travel Club are running a bus to Hereford for Saturday's final pre-season friendly on British soil - before next week's tour of Holland -, leaving Morriston Cross at 10.45am and the Quadrant at 11am. Seats are priced £10.
For more information contact Ugo Vallario on 07876 133428 or the club shop.
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Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Youth brigade impress Jackett |
SWANSEA CITY boss Kenny Jackett hailed the contribution his youth-team stars made to this pre-season victory - then pledged to get the club's legendary conveyor belt of young talent moving at full speed again.
Jackett could have no real complaints last night as goals from James Thomas and rookie Matthew Roberts gave the Swans a second successive warm-up win against the former Welsh champions.
And, after using the friendly to assess several members of the Vetch Field youth brigade, Jackett insisted, "The youth system at the club has got to be speeded up. I used this match to throw a lot of the youngsters into a first-team situation to see how they would cope and I was impressed with how they performed.
"A lot of them might not necessarily be ready for next season, but what I don't want to do is go out and sign a player if I've got a perfectly good one right under my nose.
"And rather than them playing youth-team football for too long, I want to keep involving the youngsters in the first-team set-up or send them out on loan somewhere to toughen them up.
"The point is we want to speed up the development of some of these players so that we have as many options available to us as possible."
Roberts, the brother of former Vetch winger Stuart, was one youngster who particularly impressed as Swansea followed up their 3-0 weekend win at Worcester with another comfortable run-out against Colin Addison's team.
For the Jenner Park club these days it is a case of how the mighty have fallen.
Twelve months ago the Dragons were playing in the Champions League after their glorious treble success of the previous season. Now they are preparing for encounters with the likes of Skewen, Grange Quins and Ely Rangers after their ignominious fall from the Welsh Premier last season and into the unchartered territory of Welsh League Division One.
Such was the crisis that enveloped Jenner Park last season that this Barry team did not contain one player who featured in that brief European adventure. In fact, with former Swansea manager Addison still in the process of rebuilding for life outside the top tier, you were hard pushed to pick even one man in yellow who played for the club last season.
As well as containing a mixture of youth team rookies and those on the fringes of the first team, Swansea's first-half line-up also included the hat-trick hero of two seasons ago Thomas, who seems likely to find himself lower down the striking pecking order next term following the arrival of Adrian Forbes.
Stuart Roberts might have left the Vetch this summer but Matthew hopes to secure a future at the League Two club and made his mark eight minutes into the match when he buried a cross whipped in by striker Mark Pritchard with a clinical far-post header.
Thomas made it 2-0 after 32 minutes when he mopped up an attempted Kevin Davies strike by lashing a left-foot shot past Barry keeper Marty Ellacott.
Having seen his side dominate the opening 45 minutes, Jackett sent on some of his big guns for the second half and Swansea were soon peppering the Barry goal with one shot after another.
The best efforts included a close-range volley from Paul Connor which was pushed round a post on 71 minutes and a 79th-minute Leon Britton shot deflected onto the woodwork.
And Connor might have made it 3-0 five minutes from time when he had an angled left-foot drive well saved by Ellacott.
Swansea now travel to Hereford for their next warm-up match on Saturday.
Swansea City: Murphy, Courtney (Fisken, 46), Davies (Ricketts, 46), McDonald (Tate, 46), Jones, Roberts (Forbes, 46), Evans (Martinez, 46), Corbisiero (Evans, 68) Oli (Connor, 46), Thomas (Pritchard 68), Pritchard (Britton, 46)
Barry Town: Players used - Ellacott, Picknall, Berridge, Philpotts, Elliott, Needs, Sherbon, Evans, Baah, Mathews, Cant, Davies, Otten
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Tuesday, July 20, 2004
JACKETT GIVES TRIALIST PAIR TOUR CHANCE |
Trialists Willy Gueret and Dennis Oli are edging closer to Swansea City contracts after being named in the club's Dutch tour party. Boss Kenny Jackett has revealed goalkeeper Gueret and striker Oli will travel to Holland with the rest of the squad next week.
But there is not such good news for left-back Leon Hylton, who will remain at home in a bid to shake off a nagging groin injury.
Former Crystal Palace reserve team and South African youth keeper Garath Ormshaw is another who will not feature in Holland having arrived at Vetch Field for a one-week trial yesterday following a recommendation from Swansea director Brian Katzen.
"I haven't seen much of Garath as yet and the plan is to see how he does in the next few days," Jackett explained.
"He has been playing for the last three years in the South African league and before that was at Palace, so we'll see how he does.
"Willy is a capable goalkeeper with a good attitude and I want to see him in more matches. He will be coming to Holland and we will assess him over that period, although it is difficult to say who is favourite to sign at the moment.
"As with Dennis Oli, I won't be making any decisions until after the tour."
Ex-Birmingham City right-back Duane Courtney, 20, also checked in at the Vetch for a trial yesterday and could figure in tonight's pre-season friendly at Barry Town (7.30).
Every fit senior player in Jackett's squad could play some part against Colin Addison's Welsh League outfit, including Hylton despite his on-going fitness concerns.
"Leon's had an MRI scan and x-rays and is having problems with some inflammation in his groin," explained physio Richie Evans.
"What is needed is some flexibility work and rather than come to Holland he is going to Lilleshall (National Sports Centre) to concentrate on that."
Centre-back Izzy Iriekpen will join Hylton in Lilleshall as he battles to recover from successful ankle surgery.
Lee Trundle and Kevin Austin will not play before the Holland tour because of ligament injuries.
"Lee's improving all the time but at the moment he's in the gym and the swimming pool and won't play tonight or at Hereford on Saturday," Evans added.
"Kevin sprained an ankle ligament at Worcester and could be out for one or two weeks."
Brad Maylett will sit out this evening after straining a groin in last Saturday's 3-1 success but may feature at Hereford.
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Monday, July 19, 2004
HERE'S HOPING |
Dennis Oli hopes his first goals for Swansea City have put him on the road to securing a contract with the club. The former QPR striker, on trial at Vetch Field, struck twice - one a spectacular 30-yard volley - in the 3-1 friendly win at Worcester City on Saturday.
Oli now has six more pre-season matches including four on the tour of Holland to persuade Swansea boss Kenny Jackett to hand him a deal.
''It's important for my career I stay in league football,'' said the 20-year-old Newham-born frontman.
''I know I am quite young but I think I am good enough and hopefully this performance helped me in that respect.
''I feel I have something to prove. I know I have the ability but I just have to show that to everyone else.
''Swansea is a great club and I am glad to be here. There is a lot of competition for the strikers' places so I just have to be on top of my game every time I play.
''I am on trial here until Kenny Jackett says different. He's happy with what I have done so far so if I keep it up then hopefully I can get a contract.''
Jackett watched Oli's career during his time as Ian Holloway's No. 2 at Loftus Road after the striker made his first-team debut at 17, but says Oli's chances of a contract at Swansea is not just down to performances.
''Dennis scored a fantastic goal and he caused them problems with his power and pace,'' said the Swansea manager.
''I saw him come through at QPR and he was a little unfortunate there because he was unable to dislodge the four other strikers Paul Furlong, Kevin Gallen, Jamie Cureton and Tony Thorpe after they got the striking places last season.
''I know what he can do but I do need to see him in this trial period because I have got to work him in and think about others like Mark Pritchard, for example, to see that if Dennis does come in, he will actually get the opportunity to play.
''Also our division is set by a 60 per cent wage cap. I have only got so much of the budget left and if I use that it might hold me back from bringing in other players.
''Take the back four. Izzy Iriekpen is recovering from a successful ankle operation and Kevin Austin will miss the first game through suspension.
''I have got to put that into the mix and sum up whether I need an extra defender for a short period at the start of the season.
''Obviously if I take an extra striker and have him kicking his heels then that will not be ideal. I feel I have room for two more players and that includes a goalkeeper, so I will just have to weigh it up.''
Swansea came from behind against the Conference North side at St George's Lane.
Substitute Adam Webster gave the home side the lead after the break before Oli's wonder strike brought Jackett's men level. Assistant manager Kevin Nugent gave Swansea the lead with a well-worked second before Oli rounded off the scoring with a tap-in.
Jackett, who used 20 players, was happy with the first warm-up game.
''We looked quite a big, powerful and fit unit at times,'' he said.
''It was a very useful exercise and I was pleased I could look at the whole squad with the exception of Lee Trundle, Leon Hylton and Iriekpen.''
Swansea have taken ex-Crystal Palace reserve-team goalkeeper Garath Ormshaw on trial.
The 25-year-old South African arrived at the Vetch today as he looks to relaunch his career in the English league.
A former youth international, Ormshaw sat on the Palace bench in a clutch of Premiership games but never appeared for the Eagles.
He left Selhurst Park after two years in 1999 and, after a spell with non-league Maidenhead, returned to his homeland.
Ormshaw will battle with Willy Gueret for the chance to land Swansea's spare goalkeeping contract following the departure of Roger Freestone.
Swansea youngster Chad Bond scored for Wales Under-19s in their 2-1 defeat by Turkey in the Northern Ireland Milk Cup Tournament in Belfast.
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Monday, July 19, 2004
JOLLY OLI STAKES HIS CLAIM |
Dennis Oli carries the unfortunate tag of being a striker who has never scored a competitive goal. But having netted twice on his Swansea City debut - one with a spectacular 30-yard volley - the 20-year-old showed his Football League potential to help Kenny Jackett's side get off to a winning start in their build-up to the new season.
Oli was one of two men who had everything to prove as the search for possible contracts at Vetch Field continues.
The other, Willy Gueret, had little to do other than watch a goal go by him.
Oli, on the other hand, gave Jackett a reminder of what he had seen during their time together at QPR and did his hopes of clinching a deal in South Wales no harm at all with a performance of both pace and power.
Oli couldn't have wished for more as he looked to put a disappointing time at Loftus Road last season behind him. Lying fifth in the pecking order of strikers behind Paul Furlong, Kevin Gallen, Jamie Cureton and Tony Thorpe, Oli was farmed out on loan to Farnborough and Gravesend.
He knew he had to perform in his first Swansea appearance and in 45 minutes he showed exactly what he could do.
Oli was one of nine substitutes used by Jackett at half-time against Conference North outfit Worcester City and before his stunning 66th minute volley, it looked as if Swansea were on the way to an embarrassing defeat against the Midlanders.
Substitute Adam Webster had given John Barton's men the lead after 58 minutes - three minutes after entering the fray - although the Worcester boss was not there to see it as he was on holiday in Spain.
Webster slid the ball past Gueret after Jackett's men had failed to clear a corner.
Nick Colley, one of three new signings making his debut for the home team, worked the ball to the byline before slipping the ball between Kristian O'Leary and Garry Monk for Webster to tuck the ball away to Gueret's right.
The goal had come against the run of play after Swansea's new-look squad had dominated against the part-timers.
Jackett gave all five of his summer signings - Sam Ricketts, Adrian Forbes, Gary Fisken, Kevin Austin and Monk - the chance to shine on a hot summer's day in the first half and most took that chance.
Monk looked cool and calm in defence, first alongside Alan Tate and then with O'Leary, who showed his versatility by slipping into the back four after starting the game in the centre of midfield.
Ricketts looked solid in defence and made some marauding runs down the right flank, where he linked up well with the lively Leon Britton.
Those two combined before Ricketts delivered a teasing cross which was met by Forbes. His header looped over teenaged keeper Lewis Skyers but was cleared off the line by Carl Heeley.
Forbes went close again when he met an Andy Robinson corner with a powerful header only to see his second effort drift just over.
Swansea were creating chances and the new boys, especially Forbes and Ricketts, were settling in well.
But it was Swansea fans' favourite Britton who had the best chances, shooting into the side netting following a one-two with Forbes and then firing wide of the target after Paul Connor's chest down had set him up.
Swansea's profligacy in front of goal may have cost them before Oli's strike and boss Jackett admitted to being concerned about some wayward finishing.
''We dominated the game and created a number of chances,'' he said.
''I felt if we kept going things would turn out right for us. At one stage I was starting to question our finishing a little bit.''
But Jackett could not have questioned the finishing of Oli midway through the second half.
The ex-QPR striker's pace - he was a 100m runner as a junior - was causing problems in the home defence, but he didn't need any of that when he struck a fantastic equaliser.
Picking up a quick-throw in from James Thomas - playing in an unfamiliar left-side midfield role - Oli let the ball run across him and let fly from fully 30 yards.
It was a sweet strike and left Skyers stranded before flying into the top corner.
''It sat up well for me and I knew I would get the right connection,'' said Oli afterwards.
''It dipped at the right time and luckily it paid off for me.''
Oli's strike gave Swansea impetus and an incisive pass from captain Roberto Martinez led to the second goal from Kevin Nugent, whose diving header from Antonio Corbisiero's cross gave Jackett's men the lead.
Oli doubled his tally with a tap in after Nugent had headed back Brad Maylett's deep cross and the 20-year-old's dream debut was complete.
Jackett was left satisfied with the overall performance but knows there will be harder tests to come as the season progresses.
Six games in 13 days, starting with a trip to Jenner Park to face Barry Town tomorrow, will give him a greater idea of how his new-look squad are fitting together.
He could be without left-back Kevin Austin tomorrow after the new man turned an ankle in the first half.
But despite that news he was more than satisfied with this performance.
''It was a useful exercise,'' added Jackett.''I wasn't concerned when they went 1-0 in front because we dominated the game. It was a good chance to see all the players and overall it was a good work out.''
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Monday, July 19, 2004
Dennis makes double case for contract |
THERE were so many new faces in the Swansea line-up on Saturday you felt the short burst of Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart at half time was intended just so the travelling fans would be able to recognise someone.
By the end of the match, however, there certainly wasn't any need to check the identity of one of the eight players making their first appearances in a Swansea shirt.
Trialist Dennis Oli might not be among the five men to have secured a contract at the Vetch this summer, but he was the one busily signing autographs and posing for photographs after a two-goal show that spared the Swans an uncomfortable start to their pre-season programme.
Released by Queens Park Rangers at the end of last season, Oli is hoping the reunion with his former Loftus Road coach, Kenny Jackett, will prove fruitful enough to earn him a permanent move.
He could not have done much more in this game. On for the second 45 minutes, Oli opened his account with a spectacular 30-yard volley, bundled in a second 10 minutes later, and might even have had a hat-trick had an earlier shot not produced a good save from the Worcester goalkeeper.
"Hopefully I won't have done my chances of getting a contract any harm," smiled the 20-year-old forward, whose second-half partner Kevin Nugent, doubling up as assistant manager these days, got Swansea's other goal.
"I was obviously anxious to make an impact so to score the volley - definitely one of the best I've ever scored - and then get another was great."
The 6ft Londoner, strong and pacy, started his career at QPR in 2001 but has been limited to a handful of first-team appearances.
"The fact there were a lot of top strikers there - Paul Furlong, Kevin Gallen, Jamie Cureton and Tony Thorpe - made it difficult for me to make the breakthrough," he said.
"I didn't really get much of a chance at QPR and when they were promoted at the end of last season I didn't think there would be anything for me, so it was better that I moved on.
"Kenny obviously knew everything about me. When he was at QPR he made me improve my game a lot.
"Coming to Swansea I feel I've got something to prove. I believe I'm good enough to play League football, but I've obviously got to show that to everyone else.
"It's important for me to stay in the League, so hopefully this performance will have helped me.
"Swansea is a great club and I'm glad to be here."
But Jackett, who gave all his new recruits a run out against their Conference North opponents, doing a Sven-Goran Eriksson at half-time by making nine substitutions, admitted he wasn't sure whether his budget would stretch to signing Oli.
"He's shown that he's got the power and pace to cause people problems but, as you know, the Third Division is set by a 60 per cent wage cap and I've only got so much of a budget left," he said.
"As it stands, there's possibly room in the budget for two more players - a goalkeeper plus one more - and if I use that now it could hold me back throughout the season.
"If I bring in another forward, I've got to consider whether he's actually going to be playing. I've got to balance him (Oli) up with my needs for the rest of the squad.
"The other thing is, he's a young man living out of London for the first time. I need this trial period to see whether he's capable of adjusting to living down in Swansea."
As well as Oli's virtuoso performance, Jackett had other reasons to be encouraged by Swansea's opening pre-season salvo.
Of the debutants, Adrian Forbes looked a real handful up front alongside Paul Connor, while in midfield Gary Fisken showed some neat touches, spraying the ball about well.
Right-back Sam Ricketts impressed going forward, Kevin Austin less so, but the powerfully-built former Bristol Rovers man gives Swansea some much-needed bite in defence.
Gary Monk, otherwise solid on his debut, and Kris O'Leary were caught out in the 58th minute when Worcester substitute Adam Webster got in between them to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
But Oli levelled matters nine minutes later with his wonderful looping volley straight from a throw-in.
Nugent made it 2-1 with a close-range header before teeing up Oli for his second by knocking on Brad Maylett's inswinging cross.
"It was a useful workout for us," said Jackett, who will use another full complement of players when Swansea go to Barry Town tomorrow night.
"One thing that pleased me was we looked quite a big, powerful and fit unit at times, and I can only reiterate that I want that to improve.
"At one stage I started to question some of our finishing, but I felt things would turn out right for us because we dominated the game and created lots of chances."
Swansea City: Murphy (Gueret 46), Ricketts (Jones 46), Tate (Corbisiero 46), Monk, Austin (Davies, 46), Britton (Maylett, 46), Fisken (Martinez, 46), O'Leary, Robinson (Thomas 46), Forbes (Nugent 46), Connor (Oli 46).
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Sunday, July 18, 2004
Den strikes gold in Swans' scare |
| Wales on Sunday
Worcester City 1-3 Swansea City
SILVER-BOOTED QPR discard Dennis Oli launched a golden second-half double to edge nearer his Vetch dream on the fringe of the Black Country.
This was the first of seven sapping Swansea friendlies over the next 14 days and Kenny Jackett's men appeared to be sailing towards an embarrassing defeat until Oli pounced.
The 20-year-old Londoner, one of nine substitutes introduced by the Swans after half-time, cancelled out Adam Wembster's opener with a superb 30-yard leveller on 65 minutes.
He followed that up with another 12 minutes later, old battler and Swansea assistant manager Kevin Nugent on target in between.
The Vetch side meet Barry Town on Tuesday and have a trip to Hereford on Saturday, the aperitif to a four-date schedule in Holland before their Coca-Cola Division Two campaign kicks off at home to Northampton on August 7.
And Oli, on trial at the Vetch, admitted: "The next 13 days could decide whether or not I do get a contract at Swansea.
"I'd love to stay on at the club because the lads have made me feel so welcome.
"I felt hard done by because I didn't get a fair chance at QPR last season. I'm determined to prove people like [QPR manager] Ian Holloway wrong."
Swansea chief Jackett was remaining tight-lipped on Oli's future, saying only: "I only have a limited budget - maybe I have room for only another two players and one of those will have to be a goalkeeper.
"I've got to ask myself, can Dennis settle outside London - it can be difficult for a lad to do that sometimes. But Oli possesses power and pace and will worry a lot of defenders."
Jackett will also make a decision on released Millwall keeper Willy Gueret over the next three weeks.
He said: "I'm looking at Gueret's performances in terms of the block fixtures that we now have. I don't think it's fair to judge a player over one game."
Swansea included five of their new summer signings at Worcester - Sam Ricketts and Kevin Austin playing at right and left back. Former Southampton destroyer Garry Monk went into central defence, while former Watford schemer Gary Fiskem was in midfield.
Former Norwich wide man Adrian Forbes - snapped up on a free from Luton - partnered Paul Connor in attack because top gun Lee Trundle was ruled out with a sore knee.
Monk, 25, was skippering the reshaped Swans - Spaniard Roberto Martinez surprisingly marooned on the bench.
But Jackett's strategy was almost reaping immediate dividends, Fiskem rifling wide before Forbes had a flicked header cleared off the line by Carl Heeley.
Leaping Forbes powered another effort over the bar and the Swans promised a cricket score at an arena only a short distance from where leather strikes willow at New Road.
Pocket-sized Leon Britton and Andy Robinson were proving potent forces on the flanks. And Worcester continued to wobble as Britton flashed a right-footer into the side netting.
The home side were being muscled out of this contest, but the visitors were failing to find a killer punch. Jackett looked to rectify this with vast changes at the interval - Chris O'Leary and Monk the only survivors from the starting 11.
Sub Antonio Corbisiero (twice) thought he'd smashed the deadlock and then Oli and Brad Maylett forced young Worcester keeper Lewis Skyers into desperate saves.
Amazingly, though, the Swans crumbled on 57 minutes. Nick Colley's cross split Monk and O'Leary and Adam Webster swept the ball past Gueret.
The strike was a bolt from the blue. But the Swans had turned this match on its head within 11 minutes after the hour. They were level on 65 minutes as Oli lashed a 30-yard special into the top of Skyer's net.
The striker had notched Swansea's third by 77 minutes after Nugent and Maylett had combined.
In between that - on 71 minutes - Nugent, now 35, had also hit the target after Martinez and Corbisiero had linked sweetly.
A flurry of alterations didn't help Worcester's cause, although Colley crashed a shot wide late on.
Swansea: B Murphy (W Gueret 46), S Ricketts (S Jones 46), K Austin (A Corbisiero 46), K O'Leary, A Tate (K Davies 46), G Monk, L Britton (B Maylett 46), G Fisken (R Martinez 46), A Robinson (J Thomas 56), P Connor (K Nugent 46), A Forbes (D Oli 46).
Attendance: 745. (St George's Lane).
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Sunday, July 18, 2004
Swans ace Britton aims to improve the Lampard way |
| Western Mail
AS a former West Ham player, you would expect Swansea City midfielder Leon Britton to have watched Frank Lampard's Euro 2004 exploits with more than just a passing interest.
But the fact both players are products of the legendary Upton Park production line is not the only reason Britton paid close attention to the England star's performances in Portugal.
Britton admits he has been studying Lampard's efforts, for Chelsea as well as England, in a bid to model his own game on the former West Ham playmaker.
No one could accuse Britton of choosing a bad example. Lampard crowned an outstanding season in the Premiership by playing a commanding role and scoring three goals in England's four Euro 2004 games.
The Swansea star admits feeling a little envious that, while his former Hammers colleague's career has gone off into the stratosphere, he is plying his trade three rungs lower down the Football League ladder at the Vetch.
But, for the moment at least, Britton is happy to have made a name for himself in South Wales over the past two seasons.
He will set out to do the same again when Swansea's preparations for the upcoming 2004-5 campaign begin in earnest at Worcester City today.
And will he use Lampard's glowing displays in Portugal as a form of inspiration? You bet he will.
"As a central midfielder, you can't help but be inspired by someone like Frank Lampard," said Britton.
"I've always looked up to Frank and he's definitely one of my favourite players.
"When I was at West Ham as a youngster and Frank was in the first team, he wasn't quite the player that he is now.
"But, since he's been at Chelsea, he's come on so strongly. He showed that at Euro 2004. He was one of England's best players.
"I was watching his performances out in Portugal quite closely on the television because he's a player I try to model my game on.
"He's the sort of player that any midfielder like me is going to try to copy.
"He seems to have it all. He scores goals, bombs forward all the time and has improved the defensive part of his game.
"You try to take bits from him and other midfielders like Paul Scholes and build them into your own game."
When Britton, 21, was at West Ham he dreamt of treading the same kind of path to the top that Lampard has.
But, unlike the star of Stamford Bridge, the first-team door was never opened to Britton and in December 2002 he was dispatched to Swansea for a loan spell that would give him his first taste of league football.
And, when the Londoner's stay at Swansea was made permanent in the summer of 2003, reality hit home that he was going to have to learn his trade at the bottom and work his way back to the top.
"When I look at where Frank's career has gone, I don't begrudge him that for one second, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't also a bit envious," said Britton.
"Frank started in the West Ham youth academy, like I did, and sometimes I wish I was playing Premiership football week in week out just like he does.
"But then I'm happy where I am. I'm only 21 and I know I've got a long way to go in my career.
"It's a case of working my way back up to the top. And hopefully I can make progress with Swansea."
It looked as if Britton and company were going to make progress last season when Swansea topped the table early in the campaign.
A post-Christmas collapse put paid to that and, with Kenny Jackett having replaced the sacked Brian Flynn in the Vetch hot-seat, the Swans registered a mediocre 10th-place finish.
But hope, as they say, springs eternal and the arrival of five new faces has helped create a new wave of optimism at the Vetch.
"There is a good feeling about the place," said Britton. "It was disappointing how last season turned out, but hopefully we can learn the lessons from that and be successful this time.
"We've got some good new signings - midfield is going to be a particularly competitive area this season - and now it's just a case of getting everyone to gel together."
Jackett is likely to give most of his revamped squad a run-out against Conference North outfit Worcester, with trialist goalkeeper Willy Gueret getting at least 45 minutes to impress.
But Lee Trundle, Izzy Iriekpen and Leon Hylton miss the trip to St George's Lane through injury.
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Saturday, July 17, 2004
JACKETT CALLS FOR A POSITIVE START AT WORCESTER |
| Evening Post
The season starts now. That is the message Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett will be hammering out to his players ahead of tomorrow's first pre-season friendly at Worcester City. Jackett will take his full squad with the exception of the injured Lee Trundle, Izzy Iriekpen and Leon Hylton to face the Conference North side and says this is a crucial part of the preparation for the new Coca-Cola League Two season.
The Swansea boss will be looking for a win against John Barton's men, but says he will also give a chance to the majority of his squad tomorrow and in the following pre-season fixtures.
"This is where it starts," said Jackett.
"It's a good period we are going into now, the games period. It starts with Worcester tomorrow, Barry, Hereford and the four matches in Holland.
"I will certainly use the earlier games to give everybody some part and within that I would like to take a look at the young players as well.
"I will take a full squad to Worcester.
"Tomorrow the goalkeepers Brian Murphy and Willy Gueret will have half a game each and there is a strong possibility that will happen with the rest of the players.
"Over the past few weeks the emphasis has been about physical fitness but now it's all about gaining match fitness," he said.
"Secondly it's about seeing if the equation you put up on the board looks the same out on the pitch when you are trying to put a side together.
"Winning is a very good habit to get into.
"After that it's about settling the new players in and see who can play comfortably with who and see if we have got that balance right.
"We need to see if the side are powerful enough, creative enough and solid enough - all the things which I am looking for in my team."
Gueret will get his chance for the first time to show what he can do between the posts tomorrow as he looks for a spot in Jackett's squad.
The Swansea chief has been impressed with what he has seen from the former Millwall keeper so far, but now wants the chance to see him in match action.
"Willy looks a good goalkeeper in training but obviously you need to judge in games," added Jackett.
"He's looking now to prove himself. I had Mark (Ovendale) and Willy down here on trial and obviously going into this next period I can't have too many people around because I have got to be able to do them justice, if you like. I have got a situation now where I can actually play them now over the next two weeks."
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Friday, July 16, 2004
Swans goalkeeping coach is backing Gueret |
THE man hoping to fill Roger Freestone's gloves at Swansea City next season has been given a ringing endorsement from the club's goalkeeping coach.
Former Millwall keeper Willy Gueret is in pole position to replace Freestone at the Vetch after boss Kenny Jackett decided not to offer a contract to his other trialist Mark Ovendale.
Ex-Barry Town and Port Talbot shot-stopper Simon Rayner has also started a trial with the Swans as Jackett's search for a second senior keeper to compete with Brian Murphy goes on.
As for Gueret, though, Swansea's goalkeeper coach Tony Pennock believes the Frenchman would be a good addition to Jackett's new-look squad.
"Willy looks a decent keeper," said the former Rushden & Diamonds No 1.
"Technically, he's looked very good in training. He's agile and, though he isn't huge, he's a decent size.
"Having worked with him in a few training sessions, I haven't spotted any weaknesses in terms of shot-stopping or coming for crosses or anything like that.
"You can tell he's played at a higher level and though he hasn't played hundreds of games for Millwall, at 30 he's by no means inexperienced.
"He looks a sound keeper.
"I don't think that he'd have any problems in Division Three.
"But the decision rests with Kenny. Simon's come in for a trial, so he'll be looking to impress the manager as well now."
Gueret and possibly Rayner will be tested between the posts when Swansea face Worcester, Barry and Hereford in warm-up matches over the next eight days.
Jackett takes Swansea to Conference North outfit Worcester tomorrow for the first pre-season clash.
Pennock, meanwhile, is likely to remain in his part-time role at the Vetch throughout the coming season after initially performing it on a trial basis.
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Thursday, July 15, 2004
Swansea trial custodian |
| Sky Sports
Swansea City boss Kenny Jackett has taken former Port Talbot goalkeeper Simon Raynor on trial.
The Canadian-born shot-stopper has been handed a week to prove his worth - with Jackett keen to sign a goalkeeper before the start of the new campaign.
The Swans boss had taken Mark Ovendale on trial but the former York City player failed to impress and will not be offered a deal.
However, Raynor will not play in this weekend's friendly clash, with Jackett choosing to rather look at fellow trialist Willy Gueret.
''I'll be taking a look at Simon Raynor in training this week but he won't feature on Saturday,'' confirmed Jackett.
''I am still looking for a goalkeeper at the moment, and I am very happy with the rest of my squad.''
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Thursday, July 15, 2004
RAYNER THE LATEST TO BID FOR NO.1 JERSEY |
| Evening Post
Former Port Talbot goalkeeper Simon Rayner is the latest to try to fill the gloves of Roger Freestone. Canadian Rayner, who stands at 6ft 8in tall began a trial with Swansea City yesterday.
Rayner, who was also on trial at the Vetch Field club before last season, played against Swansea for Neath in pre-season this time last year.
He also had a spell on trial at Newcastle United towards the end of last season.
Rayner was given his chance to impress manager Kewnny Jackett after former Luton and Barry stopper Mark Ovendale's trial period ended.
It now appears that ex-Millwall keeper Willy Gueret is the favourite to be the replacement for Freestone released by Jackett at the end of last season.
One whose places in the squad is secure is midfielder Andy Robinson who will not be resting on his laurels when the new season kicks off on August 7.
Robinson was unanimously voted player of the year by Swansea fans for his tireless performances in the last campaign.
But the 24-year-old is determined to move on and is eager to help Kenny Jackett's new-look squad push for promotion.
Robinson was disappointed with how the last term ended under the new manager - only one win came in the last six games under Jackett - and is determined the players will respond the new challenge in Coca-Cola League Two.
The former Tranmere man is eager for a promotion push and says preparations are going well.
"It's been a good start to pre-season for the lads.
"But we are not resting on our laurels," said Robinson.
"Preparation is going well with a lot of running and physical training."
The midfielder was a sensation in his first full season of league football after being plucked from non-league obscurity by former boss Brian Flynn.
Ten goals in league and cup brought Robinson to the attention of the Swansea faithful and beyond.
Flynn's men made it to the fifth round of the FA Cup where they eventually lost 2-1 to Tranmere Rovers.
Robinson was one of the heroes of that cup run and hopes that this season that form can be carried into the league.
"The highlight of last season would have to be the FA Cup run and the win over Preston," said the Birkenhead-born schemer.
"It was such an exciting time for everyone at the club.
"We now want to try to translate that cup form into the league points. That is more important to us.''
Saturday's friendly against Worcester City is the first chance for the players to impress Jackett before the serious action gets under way.
Robinson says the squad has been made aware of the expectations of the manager and he fully understands the importance of pre-season ahead of the new campaign.
"For some of the players it has been a period when we've had to adjust to the new manager's style of play and in view of the new season it is important that we gel quickly, which appears to be happening," he said.
"The new lads are settling in well, and the other players are helping them feel at home with a bit of banter.
"Hopefully what happened at the end of last season will have given us the experience not to fall away if in the same position this time around."
Three Swansea youngsters have joined up with the Welsh under-19 squad in Northern Ireland for the Northern Ireland Milk Cup tournament.
Chad Bond, Lee Surman and Jamie Rewbury are in the squad chosen by manager Neville Southall.
The trio will hope to be picked to face Turkey, Denmark and USA in the group matches on July 17, 19, 21.
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Wednesday, July 14, 2004
JACKETT PLAYS IT COOL ON 'KEEPER |
Kenny Jackett has set himself no time scale for finding a goalkeeper to battle for the No. 1 slot with Brian Murphy. The Swansea City manager has been taking a close look at former Millwall stopper Willy Gueret and ex-Luton man Mark Ovendale - currently on trial with the Vetch Field club.
Jackett has suffered a couple of set-backs as he looks for a replacement for Roger Freestone, having missed out on Neil Cutler and Martyn Margetson.
But while he realises it will not be ideal to start the new Coca-Cola League season with only Brian Murphy, he says he will not rush into making a decision.
''I haven't made my mind up yet,'' said Jackett.
''Both Mark Ovendale and Willy Gueret have been working very hard and are both very capable goalkeepers.
''Our goalkeeping coach Tony Pennock has been working hard with both of them and our young keepers Ryan Harrison and Kyle Letheren.
''I will continue to assess the situation.''
Both Gueret and Ovendale seem set to play some part in Swansea's three friendlies with Worcester, Barry and Hereford as Jackett looks to give the pair a chance to stake a claim for a place in his squad.
''What we have said to them individually is that we will speak to them week by week and assess how things are going,'' he added.
''If things don't work out I have got Brian, who is a very talented young man who has a terrific attitude and works very hard.
''Obviously to go into a season with only one senior 'keeper is not necessarily ideal.
''Hopefully, these lads will do very well but if I have to wait until October or November for the right person who can give me the competition I am looking for, then so be it.''
Jackett has been hit by a few injury problems as the pre-season starts in earnest on Saturday at Worcester City.
Izzy Iriekpen is due for an operation on an ankle injury tomorrow, while Lee Trundle looks set to miss the trip to St George's Lane with knee trouble.
And with Leon Hylton suffering from a long-term groin problem, the boss is keeping his fingers crossed that no more of his squad are struck down.
''We are now into the games period of pre-season and we have seven fixtures in three weeks with the matches at Worcester, Barry, Hereford and four on the Holland tour.
''I am looking forward to it but it's crucial that we don't pick up too many injuries.
''That does happen and every club will be hoping their players come through unscathed at this time.
''We will be trying to establish some basics of what we want from our football and what we are looking to achieve for the season.
''We are trying to bed in the new players and also work at how I see people playing and what I think there strengths and weaknesses are and what they can bring to the team.''
Next Tuesday's fixture at Jenner Park against Barry Town will be a 7.30pm kick-off.
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Wednesday, July 14, 2004
WHITE ROCK STORES BOOST |
Developers of the Morfa Retail Park have confirmed five more big names are joining them. Boots, Next, TK Maxx, Sports World and Klausner Carpets have all signed up to the out-of-town project in the shadow of the White Rock sports stadium at Landore.
Fast-food chains Pizza Hut and KFC have also agreed terms. Morrisons and B &Q are opening nearby.
The move is a big boost for the eastside although there are also worries it could drive shoppers out of the city centre.
Peter Birch, Chairman of the Oxford Street Traders Association, said: "There is massive investment going around it but nothing in the city centre itself.
The lifeblood is being drained away.
"We have to stop looking outward and start looking inward.
"The new authority has the opportunity to do something about it. If they don't, they won't be in power long, they will be out."
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Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Trundle: I'll be fully fit |
SWANSEA CITY star striker Lee Trundle has promised he will be fit for the start of the new season after picking up a knee injury in training, writes Ian Hunt.
Trundle, last season's top scorer at the Vetch with 21 goals, will miss Swansea's opening pre-season clash at Worcester City on Saturday.
But he said, barring any other setbacks, he should be fully fit in time for the big kick-off against Northampton on August 7.
"We did a bit of ball work (in training) and as I flicked out at a ball I tweaked my ligament," said the former Wrexham striker. "It's a bit of a setback because I've done really well in pre-season up until now, but the physio said it should be around a week.
"Having a bit of a week off is a bit of a blow, but I will get that (fitness) back before the start of the season."
Swansea are already likely to lose defender Izzy Iriekpen for their opening 2004-05 clashes as he faces ankle surgery that will keep him out for up to six weeks.
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Tuesday, July 13, 2004
TRUNDLE BLOW |
Lee Trundle is set to miss Swansea City's first pre-season clash at Worcester City after injuring his knee in training. Last season's top scorer picked up the knock on Friday and missed yesterday's training session.
But while Trundle says the injury is a blow, he is confident it will not affect him too much and that he will ready for the start of the season.
''We did a bit of ball work on Friday and as I flicked out at a ball I tweaked my ligament,'' said Trundle.
''I spoke to the physio (Richard Evans) and he said it should be around a week, so it's not too bad really.
''It is a bit of a set-back because I have done really well in pre-season up until now.
''Having a week off now is a bit of a blow, but I will get that back before the start of the season.
''If it means missing Saturday's game then so be it, as long as it means I am ready for the week after.
''Whatever happens I will definitely be fit for the start of the season.''
Swansea face a trip to Barry Town next Tuesday as their preparation for the Coca-Cola League Two season continues and Trundle is now targeting that game.
He sees that match, the game at Hereford and the four games on the Dutch tour as an important part of the preparations for the new campaign.
''I am looking forward to the games because I want to play with the lads the gaffer has brought in,'' said Trundle.
''I have watched them when we have done some ball work and they look good players.
''No-one likes all the running you have to do in pre-season but it has to be done.
''We all want to start playing again and these games are important preparation.
''All the hard work is in the bag now and we just want to get playing.
''Hopefully I will be ready for next week and we can go from there.''
Manager Kenny Jackett said there was slight concern with Trundle's injury and says there will be no risk taken with the star striker.
''There was a bit of swelling there yesterday,'' said Jackett.
''We will see by Wednesday or Thursday whether he might play some part at the weekend although it looks doubtful.
''It's not going to be a situation where we will risk him.
''We will just see how the treatment goes but we could see him back in training later in the week.
''He will probably be looking at playing next week,'' Jackett added.
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