Scott Fitzgerald takes his League Two bow for Swansea City at Chester tomorrow intent on stepping out of Danny Webber's shadow. The on-loan Watford frontman is set to form a mouthwatering partnership with fit-again Lee Trundle as Kenny Jackett's men bid for a seventh win in eight matches.

And Fitzgerald, left in the shade by ex-Manchester United man Webber's blistering start to the season at Vicarage Road, is determined to recapture the form which made him the Hornets' top marksman last term during his time at Vetch Field.

''Danny's been absolutely flying,'' Fitzgerald says of the Coca-Cola League's most talked-about striker, ''and that's obviously not helped me.

''Fair play to him. I did the same thing to him last season so I've been getting a taste of my own medicine.

''It's been disappointing for me losing my place, but hopefully I can starting scoring a few goals again for Swansea.''

Trundle, who has recovered from a slight calf problem, should replace Brad Maylett - with Adrian Forbes reverting to the wing - in the only change to the Swansea side who saw off Luton in midweek.

Kevin Nugent (ankle) and Paul Connor (dead leg) are both slight doubts but could figure on the bench.

''Scott's a goalscorer who gives us good cover and competition,'' Jackett said.

''I have been pleased with him this week and this month is a great opportunity for us to have a look at him.

''And of course it's good to have Lee back as we look to keep our good run going.

''We played well from start to finish against Luton and I've been pleased with the progress we've made. Our results have been good and so have our performances and we must try to keep that going.''

Jackett, who has narrowly missed out on League Two's manager of the month award, comes up against another contender tomorrow.

Ian Rush, Jackett's former Welsh international team-mate, has had a dramatic impact since succeeding Mark Wright at Chester, notching three wins and two draws in his five games at the helm.

''Ian Rush was possibly the best player of my generation,'' the Swansea boss added, ''and after coaching at Liverpool and Barnsley and doing some very good things with Welsh Under-17s, he is having a positive impact in his first managerial role.

''Chester have been rejuvenated since he took over. They had an excellent win at Sheffield Wednesday in the LDV in midweek and will provide us with a very stiff test.''

Rush has some serious selection headaches after the Hillsborough win, which was achieved despite the fact that six regular first-teamers were left out.

Andy Robinson heads home to the North-West tomorrow relishing the chance to challenge one of his Anfield heroes. Swansea City's Liverpool fan comes face to face with Ian Rush, Chester City manager and one of the Reds' all-time greats.

And Robinson, who celebrated his first birthday a month or so after Rush's Liverpool debut in 1980, admits the prospect is one he could not have dreamed of when plying his trade in the West Cheshire League less than two years ago.

''It'll be nice just to get the chance to shake Ian Rush's hand,'' the freescoring midfielder says.

''The man is a legend and was one of my heroes when I was growing up - I think the same went for a lot of people.

''He was a great player, a great finisher and a great professional who I never dreamed of coming up against when I was watching him as a kid.

''I still didn't think of it when I got older because I came into the professional game late and thought I had missed the boat.

''Just getting the chance to go and compete with someone like Rushy is a great achievement for me really, now I'm hoping I can put one over on him with Swansea.''

Kenny Jackett's men head to Chester full of confidence having chalked up six wins in their last seven matches.

But their task at the Deva Stadium looks considerably more difficult than it might have done a few weeks ago, when last season's Conference champions were reeling following the departure of boss Mark Wright on the eve of this campaign.

With ex-Tranmere Ray Mathias in temporary control, Chester took only two points from the 18 on offer on their return to the Football League.

But Rush and assistant Mark Aizlewood have changed all that, picking up three wins and two draws in their first five games at the helm.

''Just as he was a great player, it looks like Ian Rush is becoming a good manager as well,'' adds Robinson.

''Chester didn't have the best of starts but they seemed to have turned the corner now and we expect them to be very difficult opponents tomorrow.

''They're confidence will be up and we have to make sure our attitude is right if we are going to get another win.''

As well as the Rush factor, last season's player of the year at Vetch Field will have an extra incentive to do well this weekend.

Around 30 of the Robinson clan will be there to see him.

''They'll all be cheering me on which is nice,'' the 24-year-old adds, ''but you know you've got to perform every week in our team at the moment, otherwise you're going to lose the shirt.''

A goalscorer in the away wins at Rochdale and Wycombe, Robinson is enjoying life under Jackett.

The one-time Everton schoolboy would probably accept that he is not having quite the influence he exerted so often last season, but he has nevertheless done enough to be ever present in Swansea's surge towards the top end of League Two.

''We've got a few good wins under our belts,'' Robinson went on, ''and we go to Chester looking for another three points.

''That's the mentality of this team now.

''We're working hard to keep this run of clean sheets going and we know that if we do keep it tight at the back we've certainly got the players to get us goals at the other end.

''All the new lads are settling in now it's coming together now.

''What we've got to do is keep the bit between our teeth from now, because we all know what happened last year.''

KENNY JACKETT insists he's not worried about anyone other than his own side as he tries to keep Swansea firmly in the winning habit.

The flying Swans are the side everyone wants to shoot down thanks to five league wins from their last six and a defence not breached in open play in more than a month.

And Chester, not in bad shape themselves since the arrival of Ian Rush as manager, will be rubbing their hands at the prospect of being the first to knock the lofty Swans off their third-place perch tomorrow.

But such is the confidence in the Swansea camp, Jackett is adamant he is not bothered who his team come up against.

"It's nice to be flavour of the month and I'm sure teams are looking at us now we've hit a bit of form," he said.

"But I'm just as aware this month how quickly things can change as I was last month. The fact we're on a run makes no difference.

"I don't approach games any different from one week to the next because of that. The team or players' preparation is consistent throughout.

"Of course we're aware of the opposition - they are there to be respected - and we make sure our players know what they're coming up against.

"But what we really concentrate on is our own game, how we're playing, where we're going right and what to capitalise on, where we're playing poorly and where we can improve on.

"A lot of those things have absolutely nothing to do with the opposition. The results will look after themselves if we keep it focused on us."

While no one can knock Swansea's recent mean streak at the back, Jackett has admitted a lack of goals at the other end of the field needs addressing if they are to continue up the table.

And it looks likely another tinker up top could be on the cards for the trip to Chester with fit-again Lee Trundle lining up alongside loan striker Scott Fitzgerald.

Trundle missed the midweek LDV Vans Trophy win over Luton with a calf strain but was back in training yesterday ready to start at the Deva Stadium. And with Paul Connor (dead leg) and Kevin Nugent (hip) both doubtful, the door is open for a first league start for Fitzgerald.

"It's certainly a possibility," said Jackett, who also has Izzy Iriekpen back in training, although not yet fit enough to return.

"The Chester game might come a bit too soon for Paul, and Kevin has his coaching top on because he's had a knock.

"Obviously you want all your players fit and ready because you're going to need competition for places over a long season.

"If you are going to do anything of note in the league you're going to need more than 11 players.

"But we've got a good goal-scorer in Scott and it's good competition again where we've had some knocks.

"He did well on Tuesday and we're pleased with him so far but now we've got a chance to have a proper look at him.

"It was a good performance all round on Tuesday from start to finish and we're looking bright and improving in the constructive side of things."

But Jackett is fully aware he will be taking his team to face another side buoyed by recent results, only suffering the one loss since Rush came to the helm a month ago.

"They've done very well so far and had a great result the other night (2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday in the LDV Trophy)," said Jackett, who will meet up with former Wales team-mate Rush at pitchside.

"They managed to get 95 points last year and - even though it's a level down - that's a fantastic achievement.

"They were one of the bookies' favourites to go for the title at the start of the season and they've been rejuvenated under Ian.

"They are hard-working and physical and they'll want to compete just as we will.

"They are there to be respected but we are still looking to build and improve on what we've done so far."

Link tickets for Swansea City's matches with Leyton Orient, Chester and Shrewsbury Town will go on sale from the club shop from 9am Monday. Those supporters who do not hold season tickets need to buy these tickets to guarantee they are at the last league game at Vetch Field against Shrewsbury on April 30.

The club would like to point out that the link tickets will be available for all areas of the ground.

However, they anticipate that around 400 tickets will be released for seated areas only.

A maximum of four groups of link tickets will be allowed per applicant.

Kenny Jackett will find out today whether he will have strikers Lee Trundle and Paul Connor fit for Saturday's trip to Chester. Both missed Tuesday's impressive 2-0 LDV Vans Trophy win over League One leaders Luton and the Swansea City manager says there are still doubts over the duo.

Connor also missed last Saturday's victory over Rushden with his thigh problem and he seems the least likely of the two to travel north.

Trundle has a calf injury, but Jackett said he could train with the rest of the squad today.

''I can't really double-guess it at the moment,'' he said. ''Both are 50-50. Paul has been up and moving about and maybe Saturday could come too soon for him.

''I am more hopeful on Lee making it, but we will have to see how they both progress.

''Kevin Nugent also reported in with a slight ankle knock and hip problem, but he should be okay.''

If Trundle and Nugent are fit there could be a nice selection headache for Jackett with new loan signing Scott Fitzgerald also coming into the reckoning.

Defender Andy Gurney has a niggling back problem which has caused him concern and bothered him again after the Luton game.

Jackett says, however, he expects him to be fit for Saturday.

''Andy has a bad back,'' he said. ''We are monitoring it but I can't see it being a problem.''

Meanwhile, former Swansea captain John Cornforth is champing at the bit after taking over as Newport County manager from the sacked Peter Nicholas.

The ex-Vetch Field favourite was unveiled as the new boss of the Conference South side on Tuesday night and is looking forward to his new challenge.

''I am a very ambitious manager,'' said the 36-year-old who won two Wales caps in his playing career.

''I am delighted especially to have got the job when you look at some of the experienced applicants but I am a confident person and confident in my abilities.

SWANSEA CITY defender Sam Ricketts last night opened up on the financial hell he escaped by quitting stricken Conference club Telford United for the Vetch Field in July.

Ricketts hit the headlines on Tuesday night when he claimed a stunning first goal in Swansea colours to help dump League One leaders Luton Town out of the LDV Vans Trophy.

Aylesbury-born Ricketts sealed an impressive 2-0 win against Mike Newell's side when he followed up Kevin Nugent's 90th-minute strike by cutting in from the left and lashing a shot into the roof of the net.

Having quietly got on with his defensive duties since making his summer switch to the Vetch, the superb late goal gave Ricketts a rare moment in the Swansea spotlight.

And it is no wonder Ricketts, one of six new faces to arrive in South Wales as Vetch boss Kenny Jackett performed major surgery to a team that had slithered from the promotion spots to mid-table obscurity with a bafflingly poor league run under former manager Brian Flynn, is enjoying life with the Swans right now.

Because the frustration of the Swansea faithful from early winter to spring was nothing compared to the anxiety that racked 22-year-old Ricketts as wage agreements were butchered at cash-hit Telford.

He recalled, "The whole thing wasn't a pleasant experience. We had a good side at United. I'd joined them in 2003 after being with Oxford since I was 12.

"I wanted to play on a regular basis. I had about 50 first-team matches in four years at Oxford and I felt that I needed regular games to progress my career.

"I didn't have to leave Oxford. I had another year on my deal and, when it was known I was available, there was no shortage of interest in me. But Telford appeared the best option and I made my choice."

But Ricketts, a specialist full-back in the same mould as ex-Wales and Watford destroyer Jackett in his heyday, was to regret his switch to the Midlands. As Miras Construction's finances - a holding company that propped up Telford - collapsed the club moved to the edge of oblivion.

Said Ricketts, "The chairman had major problems and his firm went into administration. The players had to agree deals with the club that saw our contractual remuneration slashed in half.

"From April 1 we were all on 50 per cent of our wages. It was very tough on the lads with much bigger financial commitments than me. Some had families and mortgages - it wasn't an easy time.

"I managed to negotiate my release from the situation - the move was forced on me in many ways. Most of the other players eventually got clubs too - eight of them are now playing in the Football League."

But Ricketts, who seeks to take Swansea's sequence to seven wins in eight Coca-Cola League Two and cup encounters at Chester this Saturday, is so pleased he's joined the Swans.

He said, "Kenny Jackett was a massive attraction in me coming to Swansea. I knew he was a good coach and that he had been a similar type of defender to me.

"There were quite a few other clubs after me when I left Telford, but I've never regretted signing a two-year contract with the Swans.

"And it was nice to get my first Swansea goal against Luton on Tuesday. I got seven last year, but that was certainly one of the best of my career."

THEY left it late, very late. But two goals in the dying moments made up for 90 frustrating minutes at the Vetch Field last night to send Swansea through to the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy at the expense of runaway League One leaders Luton Town.

The Swans were heading for extra-time after struggling to break down a Hatters side depleted by the 12th-minute dismissal of defender Leon Barnett for a clumsy late tackle on his former Kenilworth Road colleague Adrian Forbes.

But, with just 15 seconds of normal time remaining, substitute Kevin Nugent claimed his second goal in the space of three days when Andy Robinson laid the ball off after the outstanding Forbes had a close-range shot blocked.

And, in stoppage time, defender Sam Ricketts opened his Swansea account in spectacular style when he cut in from the left and edged past two defenders before blasting an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.

It was a huge relief to a Swansea side who had worked hard throughout this first-round clash without finding a way past a Luton team that bore no resemblance to the one that has established an incredible nine-point lead at the top of their division after winning nine of their opening 10 matches.

A lot of managers treat this much-derided competition seriously, but Hatters chief Mike Newell clearly isn't one of them.

The former Blackburn striker showed his contempt for the tournament by making 11 changes to the side that started Saturday's 2-1 win over Peterborough.

Jackett, by contrast, stuck to his word and fielded his strongest possible team. But there were two enforced changes to the team that swept to third in the League Two table with the weekend win over Rushden and Diamonds.

Nugent, carrying an ankle injury, dropped to the bench and calf-victim Lee Trundle missed out altogether.

That meant on-loan Watford striker Scott Fitzgerald, playing alongside Luton old-boy Forbes, went straight into the side hours after completing his move to the Vetch.

And the lively 24-year-old almost opened his Swans account just 10 seconds into the tie when he raced on to a slide-rule pass from Andy Gurney and produced a ferocious shot from the edge of the area that Luton's Slovenian goalkeeper Dino Seremet tipped over the bar.

From the resulting corner, Kris O'Leary forced another fine save from Seremet with an 18-yard volley before Forbes sent an angled shot just wide after twisting past Luton's former Cardiff defender Russell Perrett.

Sandwiched in between those two chances was Barnett's dismissal, an incident which wound Seremet up so much he earned a caution for picking a fight with Kevin Austin.

But the drama of the opening 15 minutes soon subsided as the match developed the more mundane feel you might expect from this competition.

As forcefully as Swansea probed, they could not fashion a first-half goal and, frankly, Luton looked nothing like a side aspiring towards Coca-Cola Championship football.

An argument illustrated by Hatters striker Galvin Andrew in the 37th minute when he squandered a decent cross-field pass from Keith Keane by blazing over the bar from 18 yards when he had time and space to at least test the reflexes of Swans keeper Willy Gueret.

Five minutes into the second half and Forbes was cursing himself after missing a great chance to score against his own club when a loose ball fell to him 20 yards out.

With the goal at his mercy, Forbes tried to curl the ball in with the outside of his right boot but it sailed just over the bar.

Swansea then stepped up the pressure on Luton as Gurney saw a header cleared off the line by Lee Mansell and Seremet had to scramble across his area to repel a speculative 35-yard drive from Robinson.

With half an hour to go Forbes, frequently on the wrong end of some crunching tackles, won a free-kick on the edge of the box, but Gurney added to Swansea's frustration by drilling it into the keeper's clutches.

Extra-time seemed a certainty, but few could have predicted the end to this match.

After finding the net against Rushden and Diamonds at the weekend, Nugent came off the bench to score his third of the season from close range before Ricketts claimed his first Swansea goal with a stunning strike.

KENNY JACKETT hailed the "fantastic spirit" in his Swansea City side last night after they scored two late goals to dump League One leaders Luton Town out of the LDV Vans Trophy.

Assistant manager Kevin Nugent's second goal in three days and a wonder goal from defender Sam Ricketts gave Swansea an impressive win over 10-man Luton - just as the match seemed poised to go into extra-time.

And afterwards a delighted Jackett said, "It was an excellent game and, though both the goals came late, I thought it was just reward.

"I thought we deserved to win the match after working hard, playing very well and showing fantastic spirit throughout.

"Although the Luton side was completely changed from the league, they still have a good, strong squad, so it was a pleasing victory for us."

On the two 90th-minute goals that gave Swansea City their fourth successive victory - against a Hatters side reduced to 10 men when defender Leon Barnett was sent off as early as the 12th minute - Jackett said, "We've come up with two good goals.

"Kevin Nugent did a great great job after coming off the bench and Sam Ricketts, someone we are really pleased with at this club, scored a fantastic goal.

"You could tell he knew what he was doing after cutting in from the left.

"And the other pleasing thing, of course, is we've kept another clean sheet.

"It's important to keep the momentum going and, though it took a while for the goals to come, we've managed to keep things moving along.

"I'm very pleased with the performance. Winning is a fantastic habit."

Contractors working on Swansea's latest sporting complex are not sitting down on the job. But they have been installing thousands of seats for sports fans to rest their bums on at the city's new football and rugby stadium at Morfa.

A total of 20,000 black and white seats have been placed at the new ground.

It is the latest step forward in the project to create a new home for sport in Swansea.

The stadium will be the base for Swansea City and the Ospreys and it will be sited next to a new retail park.

The seating at the new football and rugby stadium in Swansea has been give a black and white wave effect. The word Swansea will be picked out in white on the black seating, with Abertawe in black on the white section.

The seating plan for the ground was first revealed on the Swansea City fans' website Jack Army.

Some supporters also said they would like to see a Swan logo picked out on the seats when the ground opens next season.

Work on the new £27 million ground is continuing to progress in preparation for the kick-off of the 2005/06 football and rugby season.

The main structure is now up with fitting out already under way.

Kenny Jackett has signed Scott Fitzgerald on loan from old club Watford to solve a Vetch Field striker crisis ahead of tonight's LDV Vans Trophy clash with Luton Town. Fitzgerald, the Hornets' top scorer in Division One last season, has arrived for a one-month stay at Swansea City after dropping out of the first-team picture at Vicarage Road this term.

And the 24-year-old frontman could well go straight into Jackett's starting line-up for this evening's first-round tie after Swansea's latest injury pile-up.

Neither Lee Trundle (calf) nor Kevin Nugent (ankle) has trained since Saturday's 1-0 win over Rushden & Diamonds and both face late fitness tests to determine whether they will be able to play any part.

Paul Connor continues to struggle with a dead leg which could yet rule him out of next weekend's trip to Chester, while James Thomas is recovering from a knee operation.

Potentially without his four front-line strikers, Jackett cannot even call on youth-team hotshot Mark Pritchard as he is still dealing with the after effects of a broken cheekbone suffered earlier this month.

Fitzgerald, a mobile 5ft 11in forward, should prove a more than capable stand-in having shot to prominence at Watford last term.

He was one of the few bright spots in a forgettable campaign for the Hertfordshire club, netting 11 times in 28 starts after joining from non-league outfit Northwood just over 18 months ago.

''His goalscoring record in the games he played is very good,'' Jackett said.

''He has been left out of the Watford side this season because (manager) Ray Lewington feels he needs a bit more experience and the likes of Danny Webber (nine goals in 10 games) have done very well ahead of him.

''But before Christmas last season he was one of the leading scorers in the First Division and I think he will certainly add something to our squad. He's a big strong lad who has got some pace and we're looking forward to having him here.

''It's only a temporary thing which we need because we've got a glut of injuries to centre-forwards.

''The games are coming thick and fast and hopefully Scott will help us keep our momentum going.''

Hillingdon-born Fitzgerald should feature in a strong Swansea side against Luton, League One's runaway leaders with 28 points from their first 10 games.

The Hatters, whose one defeat to date came in the Carling Cup at Boston, are expected to rest a number of first-teamers ahead of their top-of-the-table clash with Tranmere at the weekend, but could still field on-loan Coventry man Gary McSheffrey and powerhouse Enoch Showunmi up front.

''Whatever team they put out they'll be confident after the start they've made,'' added Jackett, ''but we're at home so we have a chance.

''I'm a fan of the LDV vans Trophy and I don't believe in the idea that cup runs can damage your league form.

''A cup run is good for the players and good for the club and the latter stages of this competition are terrific.''

Swansea City: from Gueret, Gurney, Ricketts, Austin, Monk, Martinez, O'Leary, Robinson, Forbes, Trundle, Fitzgerald, Nugent, Maylett, Britton, Fisken, Tate, Murphy, Corbisiero, Jones.

Luton Town: from Seremet, Neilsen, Bayliss, Perrett, Hillier, Barnett, Holmes, O'Leary, Leary, Hughes, Blinkhorn, McSheffrey, Showunmi, Brill, Mansell, Ridgeway.

Forty-eight hours ago Adrian Forbes was back in Luton sharing birthday cake with his former team-mates from Kenilworth Road. Tonight he aims to blow out the candles on their LDV Vans Trophy campaign.

"I was with all the lads on Sunday," revealed Forbes, snapped up by Swansea City in the summer after failing to agree terms on a new Luton contract.

"My little boy has grown up with the other players' kids at Luton for the last three years, and it was one of their birthdays so we went across.

"There was plenty of banter flying about - and I was on the receiving end of most of it because I was the only Swansea boy.

"I think some of them can't understand why I left what they feel is a bigger club for Swansea, so I've got a bit of a point to prove tonight."

Former Norwich man Forbes, signed by Luton for £60,000 in 2001, enjoyed his best season with the Hatters last term - despite starting it on the bench.

The 25-year-old eventually got a chance because of injuries and, playing up front rather than wide on the right, he helped himself to 14 goals to become the club's joint top marksman.

When his contract expired in the summer, though, Forbes was offered a new deal on vastly reduced terms.

"The manager (Mike Newell) wanted me to stay but I didn't really have any choice but to go," he added.

"The club put me in that position and, even though they are top of the league, I think I made the right decision by coming to Swansea."

Under the stewardship of former Everton and Blackburn striker Newell, Forbes's old mates have made an astonishing start to the season, winning nine of their 10 League One matches to go nine points clear at the top.

Nevertheless Forbes believes his new colleagues can cause his old ones plenty of problems.

"They've been superb so far but they're wondering if they can sustain it," he said.

"I'm not sure what sort of team they're going to put out tonight either, but whoever it is I genuinely believe that we can give them a good game.

"The manager's been stressing that it's an opportunity for us to prove we're good enough against the side who are top of the league we want to be in, and I think we'll be able to cope.

"It was great to catch up with them all on Sunday, but tonight they'll be my enemies and I'll be taking no prisoners."

SWANSEA CITY winger Adrian Forbes is out to prove a point to Luton Town boss Mike Newell tonight.

The Swans start their LDV Vans Trophy campaign at home to Newell's unbeaten League One leaders (7.45pm) and it is a contest Forbes has been relishing since the draw was made last month.

"I couldn't believe it when the tie came out," said Forbes, who scored 14 goals for The Hatters last season before his surprise summer switch to Swansea.

"We were in our hotel before the game up at Cambridge when the draw was made on Sky's Soccer AM programme.

"Tim Lovejoy pulled out Swansea at home and I couldn't believe it when Helen Chamberlain drew out Luton next.

"I was jumping up and down on the bed and Willie Gueret, my room-mate, must have thought I had gone mad.

"Straightaway my phone started buzzing with the Luton boys trying to get hold of me, and it didn't stop all weekend.

"It's great to be playing them so soon after leaving the club. I hoped when I came to Swansea that we would be in the same division as them as soon as possible, but I never expected to be playing them so quickly."

Despite Swansea emerging as genuine League Two promotion contenders with five wins in six games - a record bolstered by the meanest defence in the Coca-Cola League - Forbes might have to wait some time for a league reunion with his old club.

The Hatters are an incredible nine points clear of the League One pack after winning nine and drawing one of their opening 10 games.

"They've done really well, you can't argue with that," said Forbes.

"But I was disappointed with the way it ended for me there.

"Mike Newell will look at the table and say they've done well after I've left the club, but I think I've got a point to prove to him, definitely.

"I scored 14 goals there last season and did well for them."

London-born Forbes - who made over 100 appearances for his first club Norwich City - was hailed as a prize capture when he joined Swansea on a free transfer.

But, having reverted back from his Luton front-running role to a right-sided berth, he has made a slow start to his Swansea career.

But the signs were promising in Saturday's 1-0 win over Rushden and Diamonds which lifted the Swans to third, the pacy Forbes keen to take on his marker and showing aggression and good crossing ability to supply Kevin Nugent's winner.

"Going back on to the right wing has taken a bit of getting used to again," admitted Forbes. "I played all last season up front and it is a very different role. But I played my first 100 games out there on the right and I feel that I'm improving with each game."

The 25-year-old Forbes has been an ever-present for Swansea and said he has been delighted how well the summer signings have gelled at the Vetch.

"The boss (Kenny Jackett) brought in five or six new players and usually that takes time to gel," he said.

"But the players have gelled quickly and that shows in our performances.

"We need to make the Vetch a difficult place to come to for teams and we've done that since the Cheltenham game.

"Luton will be our biggest test yet but it's a game everyone at the club is looking forward to."

Underlining that statement, Jackett plans to name his strongest possible team and that may mean a debut for loan signing Scott Fitzgerald.

Doubts over Nugent and Lee Trundle have provoked a Vetch striker-crisis with front men Paul Connor and James Thomas already ruled out by injury.

Fitzgerald, 24, was Watford's leading scorer last season with 11 goals after joining from non-league Northwood, but has struggled to win a place this term.

"I will look to play my strongest team," said Jackett.

"It's a cup competition that maybe starts quite slowly in terms of interest, but if you can get to the latter stages it's fantastic to be part of.

"We'll be treating it very seriously to try and win the game."

Swansea boss Kenny Jackett hopes to complete the loan signing of Watford striker Scott Fitzgerald on Tuesday.

Strikers Kevin Nugent and Lee Trundle are both doubtful for Tuesday night's LDV Vans first-round clash with Luton.

With frontmen Paul Connor and James Thomas both definitely out, Fitzgerald could go straight into the starting XI.

Fitzgerald, 24, was Watford's leading scorer last season after joining from non-League Northwood, but has struggled to win a place this term.

"We hope to bring in Scott Fitzgerald on loan from Watford and hopefully he will sign tomorrow (Tuesday) and would be available to play against Luton," Jackett said.

"He scored quite a number of goals for Watford last season, but due to the form of Danny Webber and Heidar Helguson he hasn't been in the side yet this year.

"I think he'll be a very good addition and, while we have a bit of a striker crisis with injuries, I'm sure he'll help us out and do very well.

"At the moment it's just a loan, just somebody who can help us out.

"But I think he's a good player and you can never have enough good players - so you never know what could happen in the future."

Never mind parking a bus in front of their goal, Swansea City have built a depot. And you are not about to hear Kenny Jackett moaning about clean sheets, for they are providing the foundations for what looks a more promising campaign with each week that passes.

Thanks to goals going in at Burnley and Watford over the weekend, Swansea are now the outright leaders in the Coca-Cola misers' league.

Only five goals have been conceded in League Two all season, three of them in the first week and only one dubious penalty at Yeovil in the last six matches.

Jackett take a bow.

On Saturday the hosts' back line was made up entirely of his signings and, despite a second-half rally from Rushden & Diamonds, it was Swansea's rearguard who once more came up shining.

They almost succumbed, but when Rushden's Graham Allen found space to send a bullet header goalwards, the increasingly impressive Willy Gueret was on hand with a spectacular save.

''Everyone's playing their part,'' said Kevin Austin, one of the pillars recruited by Jackett over the summer.

''We've worked really hard in training on defending and at the moment it's paying dividends.

''It definitely gives you some pride to look in the paper and see you've only conceded five times all season.

''People like me are never going to score 15 or 20 goals in a season and I get a buzz from keeping clean sheets.

''The same thing goes for the goalkeeper and the rest of the lads at the back.''

Former Bristol Rovers man Austin admits a little surprise that things have gone so well so soon for a newly-assembled defence which has been tinkered with every other week thanks to suspensions and injuries.

But he adds: ''We've got some good players here and because of the hard work and dedication the gaffer has instilled in us we're doing all right.

''Look at Sam Ricketts. He was outstanding again at left-back even though he prefers playing right-back; then you've got Alan Tate and Izzy Iriekpen, who have more than played their part in other games.

''The gaffer has added some good players to the ones who were already here and it's going well for us at the moment.

''We didn't play particularly well in the second half against Rushden but we were resilient and got the result we wanted.

''Chances are there will be a spell during the season where things don't go like that for us, but we will do our best to keep it going.

''If we can do that we should be there or thereabouts in the league.''

There are similarities between the mean team Jackett has constructed and the John Hollins-led squad who lifted the Third Division championship four years ago.

Right now this Swansea are nicely poised in joint second, courtesy of a scoreline that became so familiar back in 1999-2000: 1-0.

It is the beauty of clean sheets that only one goal is required for victory - hence Swansea could afford to be wasteful this weekend.

For this contest should have been settled long before Gueret's second-half leap.

Jackett's men might have been in front right at the start but for Billy Turley's reactions when Lee Trundle arrowed in a shot, then Kevin Nugent could easily have had an eight-minute hat-trick.

Trundle's good footwork teed up the player-assistant manager but a half-hit strike followed, then a defensive header sent Nugent clean through only for Turley to smother.

In between, the goalkeeper Swansea enquired about in the close season was beaten, though, when more good work from Trundle and Adrian Forbes presented Nugent with the sort of close-range header he has been nodding in for almost two decades.

''I could have had a couple more goals and killed the game off,'' the veteran targetman admitted, ''but thankfully we defended well and came through in the second half even when we were under the cosh.''

Nugent was not the only one who could have eased Swansea's nerves - Trundle went close three more times, once from 50 yards when Turley had advanced for a corner.

The Diamonds stopper was needed to be on his line when Andy Gurney tried an outrageous 40-yarder, and showed his class again to beat out Roberto Martinez's classy half-volley.

''We could have put the game to bed in the first half and at the start of the second,'' Jackett said, ''and because we didn't things got a little bit nervous for us.

''Our next step now is to make sure we're able to come on strong and do very well in the second half, because this result could have been a lot more comprehensive.

''Maybe I'm being a bit over-critical after we've won the game, because we have worked very hard as a unit to make ourselves hard to break down.

''To be the meanest defence in the league is fantastic for us, and if it's still like that at the end of the season I'll be delighted.''

As will the rest of Swansea, for that should mean League One football in time for the move to Morfa.

They will have to shift the bus depot as well.

Kevin Nugent insists there will be no back-slapping in Swansea City's dressing room as they try not to blow another flying start to the season. Kenny Jackett's men are up to joint second in the League Two table after Saturday's 1-0 win over Rushden, just three points short of the 22 banked by Brian Flynn's Swansea in the first 10 games of the last campaign.

And Nugent, who these days double up as Jackett's No. 2 and a matchwinner, is determined the class of 2004 will not emulate their predecessors by wasting a fine opening and washing up in mid-table.

''We got to the top of the league at this stage last year and I think there was a lot of patting of backs going on,'' the veteran striker said. ''But we won't be doing that now. Yes we'll say 'well done' after a win, but we all realise that you don't get anything after 10 games.

''We need to repeat this sort of form in the next 10 games, the 10 games after that and the 10 games after that, then maybe we'll be able to talk about the top three.''

Nugent, signed by Flynn amid Swansea's 2003 relegation fight, went on: ''We stayed up on the last day of that season, then we made a good start last season and fell away.

''We had a lot of young players who had never played full seasons before and we just got too high when we won games. The players need to stay consistent, and keeping on an even keel whether we win or lose will play a big part in that.''

Boss Jackett was also keen to stay cool after Nugent's header and a sixth clean sheet of the campaign saw Swansea through in front of more than 7,000 at Vetch Field.

He said: ''Right from the start we recognised that we had some good players going forward and that we needed more competition along the backline.

''We've made ourselves harder to break down and now we have to keep on trying to improve as a group.

''I do believe you can get a decent idea of how you're going to do in a league from the first 10 games.

''You can see what chances you have got, but having said that look what happened here last season.

''To make sure that doesn't happen again we have to keep on trying to get better and never say we've made it.''

Swansea's attention now switches to tomorrow night's LDV Vans Trophy first-round tie against League One pacesetters Luton at the Vetch.

Jackett, who has pledged to play his full strength side, could have Paul Connor back after a dead leg, meaning Nugent may have to make way.

MATCH-WINNERS normally expect their names to be the first on the team sheet the next time around.

But don't expect Kevin Nugent to be banging down the door of Swans chief Kenny Jackett if he is missing from tomorrow's LDV Vans Trophy line-up against League One leaders Luton Town.

Nugent, of course, has got the ear of the boss more than any other Swans player after being installed as Jackett's No 2 at the Vetch this summer.

Yet the veteran striker will not be abusing that position when the two men meet today to discuss the next Swansea team.

Called in to deputise for dead-leg victim Paul Connor, Nugent was very much the reluctant hero after his 36th-minute header sent the Swans into the top three at Rushden and Diamonds' expense.

"I love football and like playing all the time," said the 35-year-old Londoner. "But it's also my job now to help us win games - whatever that takes.

"I wouldn't know if I was playing on Tuesday. If Paul comes back in then that's the manager's decision.

"But I won't be knocking on Kenny's door. Paul's been outstanding recently, he's got a nice partnership going with Trunds (Lee Trundle) and we'll have to wait and see."

Nugent was literally ahead of the rest when he fended off Diamonds defender Graham Allen in the six-yard box to convert Adrian Forbes' inviting near-post cross.

Though his campaign has been restricted to five starts - this was his first since the Carling Cup defeat at Queens Park Rangers a month ago - Nugent has still found the net twice while filling the role of target man.

And it is only now, Nugent says, he is learning to separate the two distinct roles of player and coach.

"A couple of times early on in the season I got caught between the two a little bit," he said.

"But Colin Pascoe coming in has helped me and he can take finishing (in training) while I can concentrate on being a player.

"I've been sub for most of the season so far and it is different when you know you're starting.

"But I knew Paul was struggling this week and I had my playing head on from Thursday onwards.

"If it wasn't to be, then so be it. But I expected to play and I had to get my head right as if I was playing.

"I just concentrated on doing my job - which I've done for the last 20 years - and we've managed to keep our good run going.

"The players know my position is slightly different now but, to be honest, I've not found it a problem.

"I still have a laugh with the lads in the dressing room and they're a fantastic bunch."

Nugent's only cause for concern on Saturday was the way a potential hat-trick slipped away from him.

Diamonds goalkeeper Billy Turley, a Swans' summer target, denied him either side of his goal as Jackett's men carved open the visitors almost at will.

Roberto Martinez and Kris O'Leary bossed the midfield and Forbes, who showed aggression to win a touchline tackle before delivering the necessary accuracy for Nugent's winner, relished stretching Rushden out wide.

With these Diamonds resembling more the Ratners' variety than De Beers' in the first period, more Swansea goals seemed inevitable.

But Swansea suddenly lost their way in the final half-hour after the excellent Turley had thwarted Martinez, Trundle and Andy Gurney in the space of seven second-half minutes.

Jackett tried to lead by example on the touchline by holding on to the ball ahead of one throw-in, but his players were not so careful in possession.

Rushden probed ever-eagerly and might have fashioned an equaliser had their confidence not been so low in front of goal.

Only seven league goals in 10 league matches tells a sorry tale and Alex Hay headed over from right under the crossbar before Allen's header 15 minutes from time forced Willy Gueret into an excellent one-handed stop.

"Maybe we shouldn't have sat back so much and it shows that we've got things to work on and improve," said a rather relieved Jackett later.

"I would like it to have been more comprehensive but, fair play to Rushden, they came back at us strongly in the second half.

"We had chances to put the game away at the start of the second half and we got a little nervous.

"I don't want to take anything away from Rushden but we invited them on to us.

"Our ball retention needs to be better and sometimes we need to take the heat out of games."

Frustrated by the flagging of assistant referees who might have had a claim for industrial compensation so sore must their arms have been, Swansea suffered and the direction of attacking moves was in complete reverse to the first period.

But Swansea are made of sterner stuff these days. Only five goals conceded - the best record in the Coca-Cola League - stands testament to Jackett's diligent approach on the training field.

Each member of the back four on Saturday, as well as goalkeeper Gueret, were Jackett signings and it is to his credit that they have been shaped into such an effective unit so rapidly.

Andy Gurney and Garry Monk have excelled in recent weeks. But this time it was Kevin Austin who caught the eye.

Built like the proverbial nightclub doorman, Austin has also adopted the "thou shalt not pass" mentality of that particular brethren. So dominant was Austin that even the reborn Diamonds had lost their sparkle by the end.

"Our defending has been terrific and if our record is like that at the end of the season I'll be delighted," added Jackett.

"But it's not just the defence, we're hard to break down as a unit.

"We've got some creative players and good players going forward, but I felt we needed more competition along the back line and those players have improved us.

"We've played 10 games and that's always a good time to assess the strength of your club and the chances you've got.

"We've done well to get 19 points but we can't sit back and think how well we've done.

"Swansea were top last season after 10 games and finished 10th, so we will look forward and not back."

KEVIN AUSTIN spoke about his sense of pride as Swansea City became the most miserly defence in the Coca-Cola League.

Swansea's fifth clean sheet in six games ensured their place at the top of the defensive 'pops' as Watford and Burnley - who also started the afternoon with just five in the goals against column - both conceded in the Championship.

The Swans have now only conceded a solitary penalty in their last six outings, the solid platform from which Kenny Jackett's side have based their climb to third spot in League Two.

"Our record definitely makes us defenders proud," said Austin, who was immense as Rushden and Diamonds' second-half rally ensured there was plenty of Swansea defending to be done at the Vetch.

"I'm never going to score 15 or 20 goals a season, so that's where I get my buzz from - keeping clean sheets.

"It's the same for the goalkeepers and the rest of the lads at the back as well.

"I think we can build on it because we've all done well at other clubs and we can use that experience.

"It's great to be in this position but we know it only takes one false move and you can be back to square one."

Although injuries and suspensions - Austin himself has played at full-back and centre-back this season - have forced Jackett to juggle his back four, the former Bristol Rovers defender insists diligence on the training ground is already telling.

"We've worked really hard in training and it's paying dividends at the moment," said Austin. "No doubt we'll get a spell in the season when it might not be like that.

"But we've got some good players and defenders here and with the hard work and dedication that the gaffer's instilled in us we're doing well.

"Perhaps we didn't expect it to work so quickly but when you add good players to the work the manager's put in on the training ground it's gelled maybe better than we thought.

"But we're not surprised by where we are because there's definitely the talent in this squad to do well."

Swansea's defensive resolution has been a real team effort and Austin said of his fellow defenders, "Sam (Ricketts) has been outstanding on the right and the left. Tatey (Alan Tate) and Izzy (Iriekpen) have also played their part as well as Garry Monk and Andy Gurney.

"If we keep that going we should be there or thereabouts, but it's a long season and we're not getting carried away.

"It's a great feeling to be where we are but I don't believe the league sorts itself out until February."

On the tight 1-0 win over Rushden, Austin said, "We had to be resilient in the second half. You've got to be on your toes all the time because there are good players and teams in this league.

"You can't take it for granted. Hard work has got us there (into the promotion places) and you can't let it slip with sloppy mistakes."

Rushden boss Ernie Tippett reckoned his goal-shy Diamonds deserved something from the game after Swansea were pushed back after the break.

"With our second-half performance I felt we were worth at least a point," he said.

"We didn't quite reach the standards we have of late in that first 20-25 minutes and we got punished for it.

"But we put the pressure on Swansea and I felt a goal was coming. I felt in open play, especially in the second half, we were better around the box.

"Our left-winger, Andy Burgess, got in the game more and with the amount of pressure and the amount of corners we won we were unfortunate not to get that equaliser."

Rushden's defeat dropped them into the bottom half, but Tippett insisted there was little to choose between his 15th-placed Diamonds and the top-three Swans.

"There's very little in the division," he said. "I feel we've got an excellent back four and an excellent strategy to how we're going to defend.

"Having said that, you've got to score goals to win games and we could have done more in the attacking third of the pitch by holding the ball and bringing others into play."

REPLACING a legend has never been the most enviable of tasks for any footballer.

But Frenchman Willy Gueret insists it has been pas de problem filling the Swansea City gloves of Roger Freestone.

Freestone became an immovable object in 12 years between the posts at the Vetch.

But his love affair with the Swans came to a abrupt end in the summer with his ruthless axing at the hands of manager Kenny Jackett.

Now City's new French import hopes to say 'au revoir' to the spirit of his illustrious predecessor after giving the Swans' new look defence some added va-va-voom.

Swansea went into the weekend with the best defensive record in the division - just five goals conceded in their first ten games - with Gueret picking the ball out of his net just once in six matches.

His mean displays have quickly made the 31-year-old a firm favourite with the fans.

But he admits: "I didn't really feel the pressure of replacing him [Freestone] before I signed but I did during my first few games.

"I got through it by saying to myself that I just had to do my best and the performances would hopefully follow.

"I just had to be confident in myself and I feel I have done well so far.

"Strikers live on goals and I try very hard to keep clean sheets which for a goalkeeper is always a pleasure.

"I get a good feeling when I come off the pitch having kept the opposition out.

"But that is exactly how we need to be in this division, mean.

"It's important that we are hard to beat especially away from home and if we can continue in this form it looks good for the future.

"If we win every game 1-0 I would be happy but I would just as soon take 2-1s as well.

"Although I want to keep a clean sheet it doesn't matter too much as long as we are winning."

Gueret spent four years at Millwall as understudy to current Cardiff keeper Tony Warner where he made just 20 appearances.

But he has already amassed half that number with the Swans and admits he loves the feeling of being number one at long last.

"I haven't been too surprised with my form because I have always been confident in my own capabilities.

"I know what I can do so for me there was never any worry that I wouldn't be able to make the step up from being a substitute to being a first choice.

"But now I feel more of a part of things because when you are number two you feel a little bit of an outsider.

"I just love being a part of the first team and I will do my very best to stay in it."

So far, so good.

But Gueret is not getting carried away with Swansea's promising start to the season.

"It was hard at first because we had brought in lot of new players as a club but we are now beginning to click.

"We have a very good team spirit but it is too early to think we have done anything yet even though we beat the leaders last weekend.

"If we get to Christmas and are still up there in the top six then maybe we can start to think in terms of promotion.

"But at the moment it's just nice to look at the table and see we have the best defence.

"Now we want to find the right balance and get the best attack as well."

Someone who knows all about going on the offensive is Gueret's former Le Mans teammate Didier Drogba.

Chelsea's £24m striker is now on a different footballing planet to his friend but Gueret insists he doesn't feel jealous.

"I played four years with Didier when he played for Le Mans and I'm not surprised he has done so well," said Gueret.

"But I'm surprised how much money has been spent on him.

"He's a good player but the amount of money that has been spent on him is unbelievable.

"He has worked hard for what he has got but even Zidane doesn't cost that much any more.

"He has made plenty of big steps in his career and he deserves it."

JOHN Hollins' Swansea side won promotion on the back of a mean defence while Brian Flynn's team won fans with their flair.

Kenny Jackett's outfit, though, seems to have combined the best of both as they took another stride to the top of the table with this latest win.

A third game without conceding leaves the Swans with the best defensive record in the Football League.

And a fifth win from six games shows the firepower is there to do the damage the other end, Kevin Nugent securing the points this time around with the goal that dashed the Diamonds.

Plus with the creative likes of Roberto Martinez slowly creeping back to his best, Jackett knows he is on to a good thing after ten games of the new campaign shows his side in third spot, one point behind leaders Yeovil.

But the Swans boss has vowed not to let things slip and insisted he will never tire of trying to improve his class of 2004.

"I'm delighted because it's a good win against a good side," said Jackett after Nugent's 36th minute header won it for the Swans. "The effort and application from my players was tremendous.

"It's nice to be third and it's nice to be in a position where we're winning games but we have lots of things to improve on and we will be working hard to take things to the next stage.

"Sure the fact we've got the best defence in the league is a fantastic achievement but I'll only be happy if we can keep that record until the end of the season."

Jackett was publicly - and rightly - disappointed in his side's inability to kill off Rushden as chances went begging.

But the solid foundation of the back five - all brought in by Jackett - meant the wasted opportunities didn't matter this time.

And there were signs early on that suggest the attacking aspect of the side's game is there if not in full flow just yet.

The form of late has obviously boosted the confidence of the players, flying out of the traps with Rushden unable to do much about the quick passing and good movement of the Swansea attack.

But while the neat triangles and high tempo pressing showed all the right intentions, the lacklustre final ball gave Trundle and Nugent little to play with against the nervy Diamonds defence.

And they both became increasingly frustrated by their own ability to beat a ordinary offside trap from the visitors, even though the closeness of some of the linesman's calls showed just how close to the edge Rushden were living.

They almost paid for it after 34 minutes when Trundle took advantage of their deep-lying position to feed Nugent, his shot forcing Turley into action again.

Two minutes later and after being undone by some traditional Trundle trickery, Ernie Tippet's backline were stung again. This time it was a clever backheel to Adrian Forbes that did the damage, giving the winger the space to beat his man and aim for Nugent.

Unfortunately for Swans supporters, the same couldn't be said eight minutes later when the veteran talisman wasted a great chance to kill the game off before the break.

Nugent at last had timed his run to get the better of the flag when Trundle threaded the ball through but he took too much time in lining up his shot, allowing Turley to deflect to safety.

The onslaught continued despite the miss and it was almost visiting skipper Graham Allen that put the Swans two up as he desperately tried to clear a teasing Forbes cross and looping the ball over his own goal from three yards. It carried on after the interval. Seven minutes in and a sweetly-struck Roberto Martinez effort had Turley scrambling to save again before he was called into action once more when a sweeping Swansea move put Trundle in on the hour mark.

Turley must have been cursing his defenders for allowing the Swans to have such a free range on his goal and again they had their keeper on his toes a minute later, brilliantly denying Andy Gurney a wonder goal when the right back tried his luck from just inside the centre circle.

But then the chances dried up, the hosts almost accepting it would be too much to try and beat a goalkeeper in such fine form twice on the same day.

Rushden, to their credit, forced their way back into the game and at last began using the ball in the Swansea half.

Although Rushden have had problems finding the net this term and despite their desperate attempts to break their duck this time around, the Swans defence looked impressive, holding their nerve under pressure and oozing confidence.

And so it proved as they held out for another blank sheet, keeping their record for the best defence in the football league.

But trust Trundle to have the last word as he audaciously shot from the half-way line when Turley went up for a late corner, the Scouse striker narrowly missing out on another TV clip gem of a goal.

TELLING Garry Monk that Swansea City share the title of the meanest defence in the Coca-Cola League provides a rare moment of him being caught off-guard.

Eight games into the league campaign and Kenny Jackett's influence on the training ground at Swansea is already apparent.

Goals may not have rained down like an autumn squall, but no one would ask Swansea's defenders to consider future careers in charity work.

Only five goals conceded in nine games - and a solitary contentious penalty in the last five - marks out Swansea's rearguard as among the most miserly in British football.

Darlington boast the next best defence in League Two, having shipped six goals, but only Championship pair Watford and Burnley have been breached as few times as Swansea this season.

"I didn't know that," says a shocked Monk, when told he is part of the joint meanest defensive unit in the Coca-Cola League.

"But the gaffer (Jackett) has worked on a lot of things with us as far as our defensive play is concerned and it is paying dividends.

"The defenders have obviously taken a lot of the credit for our record so far but, as I've said in the past, defending starts from the front.

"Trunds (Lee Trundle) and Paul Connor start the defending and that goes right through the midfield and back four to Willie (Gueret) in goal.

"It's a team thing and that's what the gaffer has been working on with us."

You would expect nothing else from the methodical Jackett. The former Queens Park Rangers coach is always keen to praise the team ethic, yet Monk - who wore the captain's armband when club skipper Roberto Martinez was surprisingly dropped during the opening weeks of the campaign - has emerged the leader of the defensive line.

"The lads tend to have a go at me as I'm always moaning at them," said Monk, who arrived as a free agent in the summer having been released by Barnsley following a frustrating time at Premiership Southampton where he made only 11 first-team appearances in seven years.

"But I don't mind as long as we manage to keep clean sheets and win games.

"That's the most important thing and I think everyone at the club is delighted with the way it's gone over the last few weeks.

"We've been tight at the back and we've managed to adjust even when we've had to make changes to the defence through injury or suspension.

"People have come in and slotted in straightaway. You've got to do that during the course of a season and we've done that well."

Monk was one of those forced to miss out when he was sent off in the closing stages - some considered harshly - in Swansea's last setback, the 1-0 defeat at Yeovil on September 4.

The Bedford-born 25-year-old sat out the 3-0 victory over Kidderminster Harriers the following week, but returned for last weekend's impressive 1-0 win at table-topping Wycombe, which catapulted the Swans into the top five.

"The gaffer told me at the start of the season that he wanted me to put a good run of games together," said Monk, referring to his stop-start career that has also taken in short spells at Torquay, Oxford, Stockport and Sheffield Wednesday.

"But then I'm sent off against Yeovil and get suspended. That's behind me now though and hopefully I get that run of games.

"I've seen the move to Swansea as a fresh start to my career and I want to make the most of it."

Andy Gurney (back) and Connor (dead leg) remain fitness doubts as Swansea seek to extend their promising form against mid-table Rushden and Diamonds.

"They are one of a number of clubs who have made a decent start and will be looking to make the play-offs at least," said Jackett.

"They've got 12 points from nine games and they've got good experience in the division above. So that will stand them in good.

"They play very good football and move the ball very well, so it will be a tough game for us.

"But we need to build on our very good start and be as positive as we have in recent weeks."

Being resolute at the back goes without saying.

KENNY JACKETT believes Swansea City have learned the painful lesson of wasting last season's flying start.

Jackett, of course, was on the Queens Park Rangers coaching staff this time last year as Brian Flynn's Swans racked up an impressive 22 points from their opening 10 games.

Beating Rushden & Diamonds at the Vetch tomorrow would take fifth-placed Swansea's total from their opening 10 games to 19 points - and boss Jackett insists the club will not fall away again.

He said, "The club had a fantastic start last season - 22 points was a fantastic return, but it's where you finish at the end that counts.

"What happened last year is mainly none of my concern, but I have some idea at what went wrong last season.

"We've got to learn from that and we've got to remain consistent, fit and focused. Our spirit is there.

"But we'll have to work for success as nobody's going to hand it to us on a plate.

"We're in a decent position and we're pleased that we're not playing catch-up."

Jackett has injury doubts ahead of Rushden's visit with both striker Paul Connor (dead leg) and defender Andy Gurney (back) missing training yesterday.

The Swans boss is hopeful the pair will put themselves in contention by training today, but at least Andy Robinson and Lee Trundle - who could form the front two if Connor misses out - had a full work-out yesterday after injury.

"We've got good options and we will use them if we have to," said Jackett, poised to cover the loss of the impressive Gurney by switching Kevin Austin to full-back and re-establishing the Garry Monk and Alan Tate partnership in the centre of defence.

"We've had a start that's not to be sniffed at. We are pleased with the way things are going and we think we're improving as a team.

"But it's important we stay level, always keep trying to improve and never think that we've really arrived.

"I'm excited by the chances we've got here, excited by the prospect of the season.

"The whole thing about Swansea over the next couple of years excites me. Everyone is focusing on the club being successful and we've got a great opportunity this year.

"It's a fantastic club, a massive club with great potential."

Buoyed by four clean sheets in five games and a 1-0 win last weekend away to then-leaders Wycombe, Swansea are in good shape for their Vetch return.

But Jackett said, "What happened last week counts for nothing.

"I haven't noticed any difference in the players this week. They have trained as well as ever since the Wycombe game and applied themselves thoroughly."

Kenny Jackett has revealed he is on the lookout for new faces even as Swansea City make strides up the League Two table. Jackett's men have won four of their last five matches, conceding just one goal in what has been comfortably the best spell of his Vetch field reign.

But the Swansea boss has admitted he is still keen to strengthen his squad as he bids to deliver League One football in time for the move to a new stadium next summer.

"I am always looking for new players because my job is always to try to improve the squad," he said.

"Obviously I have got to do that within a budget, but I'm constantly looking for new faces.

"You can never say you're happy with what you've got because you've always got to be looking to get better.

"That means looking within the club at improving the players you've got and at youngsters who may be able to come into the first-team squad, and also looking outside.

"It's an on-going thing and you have to keep moving forward. If you ever sit back and think you've cracked it, football tends to put you on your backside."

Meanwhile, Chester City have confirmed that next Saturday's clash with Swansea at Deva Stadium will not be all ticket for away supporters. Swansea have been allocated 1,300 terrace places and 300 seats for the League Two clash with Ian Rush's side. No tickets will be available to buy in advance for away fans - it will be all pay on the day.

All stands for Tuesday's LDV Vans clash with League One leaders Luton Town will be open.

Prices are £10 and £5 concessions for all seats, with terrace prices £5 and £3 concessions.

Kenny Jackett has demanded more from a Swansea City defence which is already the meanest in the Coca-Cola League. Jackett's new-look rearguard has been breached only five times in the league this season - a record bettered by no club in all three divisions and matched only by Watford and Burnley.

But the Swansea boss, whose side are up to fifth in League Two after grinding out a 1-0 win at Wycombe last weekend, is refusing to get too carried away by his side's new-found miserliness.

''We are only nine league games into the season,'' he said, ''so there's no value in getting too up or too down at this stage.

''I will be very happy if we have still got the best defensive record come the end of the season, but for now I'm just working hard to make sure we keep on improving defensively and offensively.''

Jackett must take a good deal of credit for turning a Swansea side who were often porous at the back last season into the division's Scrooges.

New signings Sam Ricketts, Kevin Austin, Garry Monk and Andy Gurney have all played their part alongside Alan Tate and Izzy Iriekpen, while Willy Gueret has passed the difficult test of succeeding Roger Freestone with flying colours.

''We are bigger, stronger, more organised, harder to break down and therefore harder to beat,'' Jackett added.

''It was apparent when I first came here that we needed to sign some defensive players. We didn't have enough solid defenders in the club and we didn't have enough competition.

''We tried to address that by bringing in some new players and so far the signs are that the signings we have made have been good ones.

''But we'll only really be able to judge that at the end of the season.

''For now our focus is Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday.

''They're one of a number of sides in this division who have had some good results and some poor ones. But 13 points from nine games isn't a bad total and they'll be very competitive again.''

Swansea have announced that their new red away shirt should be on sale in the club shop by the weekend.

SWANSEA CITY star Lee Trundle has spoken of his relief after being given the all-clear to face Rushden & Diamonds.

Trundle admitted he feared the worst when a suspected recurrence of a knee ligament injury forced him to miss last weekend's 1-0 win at Wycombe.

But a visit to an Oswestry specialist yesterday has allayed the darkest nightmares of Trundle and Swans' fans when the striker was given the green light to resume full training.

Trundle pulled up in training at the end of last week, with early diagnosis pointing to a return of the same knee injury which hampered him last year and also delayed the 27-year-old's start to the new season.

But the charismatic front-man was all smiles as he revealed he could be back in action as early as this Saturday.

"I've been told there's nothing to worry about which is a huge relief," said Trundle (pictured below).

"I was really worried I was going to be told I would be out again. It would have been the last thing I would have wanted, especially after getting back on the scoresheet last week.

"I had a lot of problems last year and I started the season late because of the same thing, so to get knocked back after just getting in the swing of things would have been a real blow.

"To be told everything's OK is a real bonus. It's such a relief to know I can concentrate on playing again."

Trundle first damaged the knee back in October last year before a knock in pre-season aggravated the problem. But the specialist's report suggests this latest setback is nothing more than tiredness in the joint.

"The specialist told me the specific type of injury means tiredness around the knee can creep in," he said. "It was basically the amount of games over a short space of time. It was more a case of aches and pains than anything serious."

The news will also be a boost to Swans boss Kenny Jackett despite seeing his side grind out a more than credible win against Tony Adams' Wycombe without Trundle, who topped the Swans' goal-scoring charts with 22 last year.

"It wasn't a case of a specific point on the knee more of a general pain in the surrounding area," said Trundle. "I was hopeful there wouldn't be any complications but you do start to have doubts.

"We both agreed there would be no point in risking it for one game and ending up making it worse. I'd rather rest it for one game and know I'd be back."

Trundle is now hoping to be fast tracked back into the starting XI on Saturday as the Swans seek to make it five wins from their last six outings.

"They had a great result without me and I know the boys are buzzing after getting a win at the league leaders," he said.

"Hopefully we can carry the run on against Rushden. We're not conceding goals which is really important because the players we have in our squad means we're always going to score a few. We've taken our time to gel but it's paying dividends now."

Swansea City star Lee Trundle was due to see a specialist this morning over his troublesome knee injury. The striker missed the 1-0 win at Wycombe on Saturday and manager Kenny Jackett is seeking advice over the problem.

''We are hopeful Lee will be fit for Saturday,''' he said. ''He has a little bit of a niggle in his knee. We don't think it's too severe but we are going to take the precaution of sending him to see a specialist in North Wales, someone who he has seen throughout his career.''

Jackett is hoping that after a visit to the specialist Trundle will be ready for the Rushden & Diamons' visit to Vetch Field on Saturday.

''Hopefully it will settle Lee's mind when that man says: 'Yes, get on with it, you're okay.' That will be a big thing for him I am sure.

''Everything everybody is telling me is that they can't find anything severe and I am certainly hoping that is the case.''

Meanwhile Andy Robinson is urging caution despite the third away win of the season.

Robinson's goal, which came after a mistake from home keeper Frank Talia, was enough to topple the leaders and moved Swansea up to fifth, but despite taking on and beating Tony Adams's men in their own backyard, he says it is too soon to start thinking about end-of-season success.

''We said before the game: 'Let's go there and make a statement,'' Robinson explained.

'''They were top and form-wise they are the best in the league at the moment. To go there and get a result is pleasing, but we don't want to get carried away.

''It's early days and there is still a lot of hard work to be done. The gaffer has said keep a level head and that is what we've got to do this season, but for all the lads on the pitch and on the bench it was a good team result.'''

Robinson believes Saturday's performance will send out a message to the rest of the Coca Cola League Two teams.

''It showed we can handle ourselves against a good Wycombe team,'' he added. ''We have set our stall out in the league and stay up there, but it's an open league, everyone is taking points off each other.

''We just have to keep in there and I am sure we will be there or thereabouts. Sometimes you have to scrap and battle and rely on guts to get results and today we have done that.

''Last week we won with a bit of creativity and flair and the fans enjoyed it. I think they enjoyed it at Wycombe although it was a different style of play.'''

With Trundle missing, Robinson made the most of a more-advanced role alongside Paul Connor by grabbing the 14th-minute winner, although debates are still raging over who had the final touch between the two after Talia dropped Andy Gurney's powerful long-range free-kick.

Jackett praised Robinson's performance. ''We tried to play Andy in a slightly different role,'' he said.

''It is one which I think he can play and is very dangerous from.

''Last week we had Connor and Trundle up front and we finished this game with Kevin Nugent and Brad Maylett in attack.

''I was pleased with the way the players dug in for each other. It's not just about one to 11, what we have got to develop is a club spirit, not just a team spirit.

''We need everybody and they have all got to be tuned in and put the club first, which at the moment everyone is doing.

''Our attention to detail, strength and fitness will see us through.'''

Robinson and Connor are early fitness doubts, along with Trundle and Izzy Iriekpen for the Rushden match.

Both were substituted against Wycombe. Robinson has an ankle knock, while Connor picked up a dead leg.

A 1-0 win at the home of the side top of League Two, a climb up to fifth place and his team just two points off the top. Something you would think that would give Swansea City boss Kenny Jackett plenty to crow about.

But the former Wales international is nothing if not phlegmatic and he is refusing to get carried away despite a performance at the Causeway Stadium which saw Swansea's stock, as far as promotion candidates goes, rise.

This was the third away success of the season for Jackett's men and in all of those victories his side have not conceded a goal.

This latest win on their travels was once more built around a solid defensive display reminiscent of those heady days under John Hollins when 1-0 to Swansea was a result seen more often than not as they marched to the old Third Division title.

Wycombe boss Tony Adams was used to securing solitary goal wins as a player in his Arsenal days and paid credit to Swansea's strong performance.

''They were organised, worked hard and got everyone behind the ball,'' said the 66-times capped former England defender.

''I think they will be up among them come the end of the season.''

Privately Jackett must now be thinking the same after seeing his side standing up to this tough examination from a Wycombe side who had not been beaten in their previous four matches.

But publicly he would not nail his flag to the mast as far as his side's promotion prospects are concerned.

''It was a very good performance,'' said Jackett.

''I was very pleased with the team spirit and commitment.

''The players really did work hard for each other, they dug in well and we are going to need that right throughout the season.

''Yes, it sends out a message, but it's all about consistency. The club was in a reasonable position last year too. It's important we stay up there.

''Three or four weeks ago people were telling me we were going to get relegated.

''That was one thing we didn't take any notice of, and similarly when people say we have got a good chance of promotion then I am not going to take notice of that either.

''I would not say I was ignoring our chances,'' he added. ''But I take it in the context it's put in.

''We are in a reasonable position and I have been pleased with what we have done so far. But we have the vast majority of the campaign ahead of us.

''We are only nine games into the league season and we have got to be very professional and keep that attitude right.''

Swansea certainly had their attitude right on Saturday.

Kevin Austin and Garry Monk kept potential match-winner Nathan Tyson on a tight rein, while Andy Gurney continued to show just what a shrewd signing he is.

He looks to have made the right-back spot his own after back-to-back man-of-the-match performances, and he also played a massive part in Swansea's winner, although the arguments will probably still be going on as to who will take the credit for scoring it.

When Gurney stepped up 35 yards out to take a free-kick there looked nothing on for the visitors.

But the full-back built up a reputation as a dead-ball expert in his Swindon days and surprised home keeper Frank Talia with his fierce low drive.

It's not often you will find an Australian spilling an easy catch, but the Wycombe stopper did just that and Andy Robinson claimed he got the final touch ahead of Paul Connor.

Adams bemoaned the error but also said his players could have reacted better.

''It's tough to break down teams anyway,'' he said, ''but if you give them a leg up then it's even harder to get back into the game.

''Frank held his hands up. Keepers do make mistakes, but I was disappointed we didn't follow it in. He could have got a bit of help from his defenders.''

Swansea just about deserved the goal at that stage and were certainly not going to throw things at Wycombe in search of a second, especially with Lee Trundle, who spent the morning of the game on Sky TV's Soccer AM programme, absent with a niggly knee injury.

''The game suited us,'' Jackett said. ''It never really built up any tempo.

''We got an early goal and after that there was no real flow to the match.

''It was a little bit stop-start, particularly in the second half. As the away team and the one with the lead we were happy with that.''

Wycombe had the lions' share of possession, but apart from substitute Ian Stonebridge volleying wide and Gurney heading a Clint Easton free-kick against his own crossbar, they barely threatened to beat Willy Gueret in the Swansea goal.

A game for the purists it might not have been, but Jackett will not mind that.

A victory over Rushden and Diamonds next weekend could see his side go to the top should other results go in their favour.

Perhaps then the Swansea boss might just start looking towards the end of the season and possible success. Then again, perhaps not.

TONY ADAMS was in no mood to offer Swansea City any big compliments.

The Arsenal and England legend claimed the Swans were no better than any other League Two side he has encountered this season - despite watching them knock his Wycombe team off top spot on their own patch.

Well-organised, difficult to break down ... that was about as far as Adams went in complimenting Kenny Jackett's side in the wake of this result.

But you wouldn't have blamed Jackett had he chosen to lavish a great deal more praise on his players than his illustrious counterpart as he reflected on a win that left the Swans only two points shy of restored leaders Scunthorpe.

Because, as satisfying as the 3-0 trouncing of Kidderminster had been seven days earlier, this was probably the most professional, team-orientated performance Swansea have produced in Jackett's six months at the Vetch Field helm.

It wasn't the prettiest of matches and there was very little of the slick, free-flowing football the Swans had used to steamroller Jan Molby's mob. But no matter, because this was an afternoon for substance rather than style. And Swansea stuck to their task magnificently, outmanoevering and outbattling their Buckinghamshire opponents to hang on to a lead Andy Robinson had established after 14 minutes.

Swansea's fourth win in five matches lifted them to fifth in the table and, significantly for Jackett, it was perhaps the first time this campaign that they really looked the genuine promotion article.

But Jackett, as ever keeping a tight lid on his emotions, insists he won't take much notice of anyone using the "p" word at this stage of the season.

"It's an excellent result to come to the league leaders and get a win," said the Swans boss.

"It sends out a good message to the rest of the division about Swansea. It shows that we're building something, that we're getting competitive and we're hard to beat.

"But it's important we don't get too carried away. We shouldn't over-estimate ourselves because this is a very tight division.

"Three or four weeks ago some people were telling me that we were going to get relegated. That's one thing we didn't take any notice of and, similarly, if people are saying after this result that we've got a good chance of promotion I'm not going to take any notice of that either.

"Nine games into the season and we're in a reasonable position. But we've got the vast majority of the season ahead of us and if we feel we've arrived or that it's going to be plain sailing from now on, we'll end up flat on our backsides.

"We've got to be professional and keep our attitude right.

"But certainly Jackett and the 700 Swans fans who out-sang their Wycombe counterparts from first whistle to last will have left the Causeway Stadium on Saturday highly encouraged by such a tenacious performance.

With the wet conditions making it difficult for either side to play a passing game, Swansea showed tremendous resilience in defence and no shortage of spirit going forward.

Wycombe's former Swans loan striker Nathan Tyson had gone into the match with five goals to his name, but he rarely looked like adding to his tally as Swansea snuffed out all the danger that came their way.

After Kris O'Leary had come close with a header, Swansea took the lead following a peach of a free-kick from the outstanding Andy Gurney.

The former Swindon Town defender decided to test 'keeper Frank Talia's handling skills with a 35-yard bullet of a shot that skimmed viciously across the slippery surface.

Talia could only parry the ball, and in rushed Robinson and Paul Connor to crash home the rebound.

It was difficult to determine who got the decisive touch - the two strikers wheeled off in opposite directions to celebrate, each thinking they had scored - but Robinson was later credited with his second goal of the season.

"Andy and Paul were still arguing in the dressing room after the game about who scored the goal," said Jackett, who revealed absent striker Lee Trundle is to see a specialist today in a bid to clear up his niggling knee injury.

"I told them we've got some fitness work on Monday and whoever wins the race can have it!

"But, to be fair, the goal came from a great free-kick from Andy Gurney. He's got a very good strike on him - he can really lace the ball. I've seen him score from that sort of his distance throughout his career."

Thereafter, it was not a game for the purists as Wycombe fumbled about for an equaliser and Swansea defended vigorously. But, apart from a rare lapse in concentration from Garry Monk, the former Southampton defender's poor back-header handing substitute Ian Stonebridge a great chance to level after the break, this was as solid a defensive showing as the Swans have produced in a long while.

"There was no real flow or tempo to the game, especially in the second-half, but, as the away side and the one with the lead, that suited us," said Jackett.

"I was very pleased with the team spirit and the commitment. They really worked hard for each other and we're going to need that throughout the season."

Adams, in his first full season as a manager after his ending his distinguished Arsenal career two years ago, said, "Swansea were well-organised. They worked very hard and got a lot of men back behind the ball.

"It took us 15 minutes to get organised and, unfortunately, in that time Swansea got the goal. From then on we just couldn't break them down."

So how did Swansea compare to the other League Two sides he has seen this term? "Samey, samey," was Adams' somewhat indifferent response.

But Jackett won't mind that one bit. Neither talking his side's chances up, nor talking them down. Just the way he wants it right now.

HIS methods and tactics may have been questioned when he first arrived at Swansea City, but you can't argue with Kenny Jackett's results at present.

Four wins from their last five games have catapulted Swansea towards the top of the table.

And this latest gritty performance showed the qualities that Jackett has been trying desperately to instil in his players since taking the job at the end of last season.

The team spirit is there for all to see on the pitch, from the group hug before kick-off to the way they celebrated their disputed goal. The dispute concerned who'd scored it, Paul Connor and Andy Robinson both staking a claim. Connor and Robinson peeled away in opposite directions after City capitalised on a spill by goalkeeper Frank Talia.

'Robbo' won the vote, with his team-mates flocking to him while Connor was left on his own.

Debate raged in the dressing room afterwards but Robinson said: "I thought it was my goal.

"Paul claimed it but I thought I took him out and took the ball into the net - so it's mine."

So there! Jackett said the issue will be settled in training this week with whoever wins Monday's fitness test being given the nod. Robinson, however, might not be feeling too confident of winning a sprint after picking up an ankle injury.

The football was rarely entertaining yet Swansea once again demonstrated a defensive mean-streak which, if maintained throughout the season, should see them well.

All four of the Swans recent wins have come without conceding a goal but don't mention the "P" word to Jackett just yet. The former Wales international met a question concerning promotion with a stoney silence.

If he is thinking about it at this early stage he is certainly not airing his opinions.

But he did admit: "It was an excellent result to come to the league leaders and win and I'm delighted.

"The game suited us because it didn't really build up into any kind of tempo. We get an early goal and it was a little bit stop, start which as the away side suited us.

"We're improving and are very competitive at the moment and we are making strides in the right direction.

"It's a very tight division and I don't think we should get carried away or over estimate ourselves with not a lot to pick between the teams in quite a number of our games. But our attention to detail, our strength and our fitness will see us through.

"What we have to develop is a club spirit not just a team spirit. We need everybody tuned in and put the club first which at the moment everyone is doing."

Aside from the goal and a chance late in the first half, it wasn't pretty for Swansea but it was effective.

Jackett went into the match without injured duo Izzy Iriekpen and Lee Trundle.

Robinson was the man pushed up just behind Connor although he was often forced even deeper to help out his midfield.

Kristian O'Leary forced the first real shooting opportunity for the home side, but his 25 yard effort flew nearly the same distance over the bar.

Full-back Andy Gurney started in enterprising fashion but his curling cross from the right was headed behind for a corner when Stuart Nethercott beat Connor to the ball.

From the resulting corner O'Leary met the out-swinging ball with a thundering header that Talia did well to push around the post.

He wasn't so sure with his handling moments later though as City took a 13th minute lead that Talia offered to them on a plate.

Clint Easton clattered into Adrian Forbes for the second time in two minutes but Andy Gurney's low drive from the 25 yard free-kick clearly caught Talia napping as it skidded off the wet surface and out of his grasp.

Anticipating the mistake, Robinson and Connor slid to turn the ball in with both claiming the decisive touch.

But rather than use the goal as a platform from which to take control the visitors than sat back as Wycombe had them on the back foot for the remainder of the half and most of the match.

Despite pinning the Swans in their own half for large periods, the home side struggled to create any clear-cut chances with Easton, Roger Johnson, Keith Ryan and former Swansea loanee Nathan Tyson all allowing their frustration to get the better of them.

The sole home shot on target in a poor first half was easily saved when Danny Senda's curling free-kick fell into the arms of Swans stopper Willy Gueret.

Connor went close to scoring for sure late on in the first half. Thereafter, City's rearguard action proved key. Swansea had weathered the storm, or at least the occasional attacking gusts, and nearly created a second of their own three minutes from time with the best move of the match.

Robinson collected a short free-kick before twisting past his man and picking out Gurney's run into the box.

But the former Swindon defender's drive across the face of a gaping goal proved agonisingly just out of reach for Connor.

The second half was a virtual non-event in terms of attacking prowess, with Wycombe wasting the few chances they had to salvage a point.

The closest they came was when Gurney headed onto his own crossbar with substitute Ian Stonebridge earlier fluffing his chance to become an instant hero just seconds after joining the action as he scuffed his shot past the post.

Swansea were relatively happy to soak up the pressure and clear their lines as best they could.

But the determined manner of this victory bodes well for the future.

Swansea City provided the perfect smash-and-grab raid to earn a well deserved three points at a rain-lashed Causeway Stadium this afternoon. Andy Robinson proved to be the match winner, capitalising on a mistake by Australian keeper Frank Talia in the 14th minute when the Wycombe stopper fumbled a 35-yard free kick from outstanding defender Andy Gurney.

Tony Adams' men piled on the pressure in the second half but they were no match for a Swansea side full of desire and commitment.

Kenny Jackett left Buckinghamshire a happy man after ending Wycombe's four game unbeaten run.

There was bad news for Jackett before kick-off with Lee Trundle unable to shake off a knee injury.

Izzy Iriekpen was also missing with the thigh muscle strain he picked up against Kidderminster last week.

Those two enforced changes meant a return for Garry Monk at the heart of back four, who returned to the side following his one-match suspension, while Leon Britton made his first start in five matches.

Britton took his place on the left-hand side of midfield, with Andy Robinson pushed into a more advanced role alongside Paul Connor.

Alan Tate, who replaced the injured Iriekpen last week, had to settle for a place on the bench, where there was also a spot for Antonio Corbisiero.

Wycombe, who went top of a Football League table for the first time in their history last week, handed a debut to defender Charlie Comyn-Platt, signed on a month's loan from Bolton Wanderers.

Southampton loan player Mike Williamson missed out with an ankle injury, meaning Platt went in at left-back. Gary Silk returned from suspension on the right side of defence, with Roger Johnson moving into the centre.

Up front, ex-Swansea loan striker Nathan Tyson was looking to add to his five league goals and he was partnered by Wales Under-21 forward Adam Birchall, whose last appearance this was before ending his loan spell from Arsenal.

Swansea were given an early warning of Tyson's pace when the former Reading striker left Monk in his wake to break away.

But Kevin Austin, again playing centre-back, produced a perfectly-timed tackle on the edge of the visitors' penalty area.

It was a lively start by both sides on a pitch livened up by a heavy shower just before kick-off.

But the leaders had the slight edge in the early exchanges.

Swansea were beginning to find their feet and on 11 minutes they were only denied an opener by a good save from Frank Talia.

Kristian O'Leary rose well to meet Roberto Martinez's corner but the Wycombe keeper got down low to save.

Talia had done well to keep out O'Leary's effort but he was at fault on 14 minutes when Swansea took a deserved lead.

Adrian Forbes was fouled by Clint Easton some 35 yards out and there looked no danger to the home goal.

But Talia could not deal with Andy Gurney's rifling shot, spilling it into the path of ROBINSON following up, who gleefully beat Paul Connor to the ball and slid it home from close range.

Swansea were good value for their lead and could have had a second but Connor was unable to control a charged-down Comyn-Platt clearance when in the clear.

Jackett's men then had to endure a period of sustained pressure but they seemed to handle most things that Tony Adams's side could throw at them.

Cheered on by a visiting support of around 800, Swansea were not frightened to get stuck in and that was epitomised by the work rate of O'Leary, Martinez, Forbes and Britton in midfield.

Wycombe were looking devoid of ideas at this stage as Swansea stifled any attacks.

Danny Senda's curling free-kick was on target but it failed to extend Willy Gueret, who had been largely untroubled in the opening half hour.

Tyson shot over with a volley on 33 minutes, but that was the closest the home side had come despite having the majority of possession.

Swansea had defended manfully for the first half and Jackett must have been delighted with his side's display.

And he would have been even more pleased if Connor had been able to get on the end of Gurney's cross after the full-back had combined well with Robinson down the right.

The ex-Swindon man's low delivery looked perfect for the Swansea striker to run on to as Talia struggled, but the ball picked up too much pace on the greasy surface and slid to safety.

Half-time: Wycombe 0, Swansea 1

Swansea carried on from where they left off at the start of the second half - solid in defence and dangerous on the counter.

Robinson had a shot blocked soon after the break and should have been found by his strike partner Connor moments later.

But the ex-Rochdale man slipped at the vital moment with Robinson in space inside him.

It had been a dour struggle up to this point with very little goalmouth action to talk about but that would not have bothered Jackett at this stage.

Both sides made a change on 57 minutes. Kevin Nugent replaced Connor, while Adams made a double change by bringing on Dutchman Gus Uhlenbeek for Comyn-Platt and Ian Stonebridge coming on for Bas Savage.

A minute after coming on Stonebridge wasted a good chance for the home side when he volleyed wide after connecting with a ball played over the top.

And as the home side pressed, Swansea got lucky when Gurney saw his header slam against his own crossbar following an Easton free kick.

Swansea continued to hold their own and once more Wycombe were finding it difficult to break down a strong visiting defence.

Gurney had been outstanding on the right flank and produced a superb tackle to deny the pacy Tyson a scoring opportunity.

Sam Ricketts became the first player to enter referee Peter Walton's notebook for a foul on Easton on 66 minutes, but nothing else was going wrong for the Swansea side as they continued to keep Wycombe at arm's length.

The game had now settled in to a midfield battle and the visiting quartet remained firmly on top.

Neither keeper had been stretched in the second half but that didn't bother the Swansea fans behind Gueret's goal.

They were cheering their side home and gave a rousing reception to Robinson who went off to be replaced by Brad Maylett with nine minutes remaining.

Soaraway Swansea City look as if they are going places after turning over leaders Wycombe Wanderers in their own back yard this afternoon. The win means Swansea have picked up 12 points out of a possible 15 in their last five games. The only blip was a 1-0 defeat at Yeovil back on September 4.

That aside, Swansea have won at Cambridge (1-0), beaten Lincoln at home (1-0) and Kidderminster (3-0) at the Vetch last Saturday.

But this performance at a rainswept Causeway Stadium must rank as their finest success so far, with Andy Robinson the match-winner.

The Swans took the lead after 14 minutes thanks to howler by Wycombe goalkeeper Frank Talia.

Moments earlier, Talia had done well to thwart Kristian O'Leary, but he had to hold his hands up after spilling Andy Gurney's drive from 35 yards.

The ball fell between Andy Robinson and Paul Connor, but it was midfielder Robinson who got there first to slide it into the net much to the delight of the 800 or so fans who had made the journey from South Wales to Buckinghamshire.

Tony Adams's men turned up the heat in the second half but the Swans fully deserved their victory.

Kevin Nugent is going nowhere despite being the fans' choice to take over from the sacked Peter Nicholas as Newport County manager. Rob Santwris, chairman of the Conference South club's supporters group Amber Army, says Swansea City's assistant manager has the ideal credentials to follow in the footsteps of the former Wales international, given the boot at Spytty Park this week.

Weston manager Frank Gregan has been touted as Nicholas's successor, but Santwris has his own ideas about who should be the next boss.

''I personally think Kevin Nugent at Swansea would be an ideal person for us,'' he said.

''He has knowledge of the Welsh scene and as he is from London, he would have a knowledge of the London clubs, especially as these are the teams we have struggled against this season so far.''

While Nugent is flattered to be linked to the County hot seat, he reckons he has a job to do at Swansea.

''I am more than happy doing my job here,'' said the 35-year-old Edmonton-born striker.

''It's nice to be linked with something like this. To be honest, it's a good job.

''Newport have got some decent players and they are a good club, bBut I am still learning things now.

''Although I have got a nice job as assistant manager I still want to take the slow route through.''

Nugent was released by Kenny Jackett at the end of last season before earning a surprise recall.

He is reserve-team manager as well as Jackett's No. 2 and he is determined to carry on with the hard work at Vetch Field.

''I am working with some great players here,'' he said. ''It's a fantastic club and I am learning off a well-respected coach and manager.

''It is a shock to me that I have been linked with Newport.

''I am sure they will have some decent candidates, but I am enjoying every moment of what I am doing at Swansea at the moment.''

TWELVE months ago Leon Britton was being tipped to make it all the way to the Premiership after a stunning start to the season at Swansea City.

One of the first names on former boss Brian Flynn's team-sheet, Britton was in such fine form that the pundits were falling over themselves to predict Swansea would struggle to hold onto him.

Fast forward to the start of the current campaign and Britton, speaking ahead of today's trip to League Two leaders Wycombe, is the first to admit that things haven't quite gone so swimmingly for him.

No longer a first-choice inclusion in a Swans midfield that is now as much about size as skill, the pint-sized former West Ham midfielder has been confined to the subs bench for the last four matches.

And, having been sacrificed for players with more physical stature, Britton admits he has spent a little time agonising over what kind of future he has at the club.

"A few weeks ago I was a bit concerned about my future at Swansea because I wasn't sure whether I fitted in with the manager's style of play," said Britton, who celebrated his 22nd birthday on Thursday.

"If I was going to be part of a team that played long ball football, I know I wouldn't suit that style and that would certainly worry me.

"Don't get me wrong, the manager has never told us to go out and play long ball - I think the fans have maybe got him a bit mixed up in that respect - but there has been a change of style from Brian Flynn.

"And perhaps to some extent I've been a victim of the managerial change and the different way he wants us to play."

Though Britton started the first four league matches of the campaign, his abilities on the ball were mostly overlooked as Jackett's redesigned team adopted a more direct approach to the one Flynn built.

But there has been something of a rethink in recent matches and the fact Swansea are starting to get the ball down and play it once more has helped restore Britton's faith that he can prosper at the Vetch.

"I feel a bit more secure now because in the last few games we've started to play some good football - that showed against Kidderminster last week," he said.

"And, though I haven't spoken in depth with the manager about my position, I'd like to think I've still got a future at Swansea with Kenny in charge.

"With the club pushing for promotion and moving to a new stadium next season, there are some exciting times ahead and I want to be a part of that.

"At the moment, yes it is difficult being out of the team. Especially as last season I played virtually every game.

"And it's difficult to make a huge impression when you're coming off the bench for the last 15 or 20 minutes.

"But that's part and parcel of football. When you've got the kind of competition for places we now have at the club, you can't expect to start every single game.

"It's going to be difficult to get back in because the team is doing well at the moment. We've won three of the last four games.

"But all I can do is continue to work hard during the week and try to make the most of the opportunities that come along."

Having impressed during a 15-minute cameo appearance in last week's 3-0 win over Kidderminster, there have been suggestions Britton could come in for Adrian Forbes on the right of midfield today.

If so, Britton will face a Wycombe side in excellent form having won five of their first eight League Two matches.

Having been unable to stop Wanderers' sliding out of the old Division Two last season, Arsenal legend Tony Adams has lifted spirits considerably at the Buckinghamshire club by guiding them to the league summit for the first time in their history.

"I was a schoolboy at Arsenal when Tony Adams was at the club and I remember going down to watch him and the rest of the first team train," said Britton.

"That's as far as it went - I never had any contact with him - but I never thought back then he would go on to manage a lower league club.

"You'd have thought he'd probably go straight to a top manager's job in the Premiership after he finished playing.

"But then he said he wanted to start lower down the scale and you'd have to say he's doing a very good job at Wycombe right now.

"They might've been relegated last season, but they're the form team at the moment. And they brought in a number of good players who are bound to cause us problems."

Not least former Swansea loan striker Nathan Tyson, the joint top scorer in League Two having hit five goals since his summer move from Reading.

Adams also went back to his old club to enlist the services of Wales Under-21 striker Adam Birchall, whose one-month loan spell from Arsenal comes to an end after today's match.

With former Tottenham and Milwall defender Stuart Nethercott and Plymouth striker Ian Stonebridge having also been signed up, Adams' men appear to be the team to beat this season.

Not that Adams is taking anything for granted this afternoon.

"Kenny Jackett has got Swansea well-organised and I'm sure they will be pumped up for this one," said the former England captain.

Kenny Jackett has told his Swansea City side not to rest on their laurels when they take on League Two leaders Wycombe tomorrow. Jackett's men travel to Causeway Stadium on the back of a confidence-boosting 3-0 win over Kidderminster and a good performance to boot.

But the Swansea boss says he will kick out any complacency that may have come into the squad following last week's win.

''Whenever you rest on your laurels in this game, that's the time you usually fall on your backside,'' said Jackett.

''In the next game you have to prove you can do it all over again. We have to do that both in possession and without the ball.

''It will be a very tough game at Wycombe,'' he added. ''Whatever we did last week counts for nothing now.

''That's the beauty of football whether you are a manager, player or a coach, the next game comes up and it's the next challenge and really what's gone in weeks gone by you almost have to put to one side.

''That is the same whether you have won or lost, because if you think you're doing well and just stroll in and think you will get a result you do end up looking stupid.''

Jackett has been pleased with performances over the past few weeks.

Only one goal in four games has gone past Willy Gueret, but the Swansea manager reckons there is still room for improvement.

''We have made strides off the ball and we have looked more aggressive in our defending and that's as a team,'' he said.

''Defending is a key part to the game. There are two parts to football. It's about when you've got the ball and when you haven't.

''I have been saying for quite a number of weeks that I feel that when we have had the ball our players have the constructive ability, but when we haven't got it they have lacked shape and perhaps organisation.

''We have worked very hard to address that.It has borne fruit over the last few weeks, but we will not stop that work.''

Izzy Iriekpen is Swansea's major doubt tomorrow. The defender has been struggling to get fit after limping off with a thigh muscle injury last week.

Lee Trundle has missed a couple of training sessions with a knee problem, but Jackett is more optimistic of his chances to face Wycombe, where he says he can't wait to do battle with Adams.

''Lee's knee has been a bit sore,'' he said, ''but I would expect him to be fit.

''I would not rule Izzy out either. He has still got a chance and it may be the case that he has a late fitness test.''

Stuart Roberts has decided to leave Kidderminster and has moved on to Conference outfit Forest Green Rovers. Roberts, who was on a pay-as-you-play deal at Aggborough, has signed a contract at the Midlands club until the end of the season

Swansea City Supporters Trust are backing the club's linked ticket scheme for the final league game against Shrewsbury on April 30. A limited number of tickets will go on sale early next month on a date yet to be confirmed.

Fans can ensure they do not miss the historic match by buying tickets for the Leyton Orient clash on October 19, Chester City on January 29 and the final game against Shrewsbury.

In a statement the Trust board said: ''We believe the scheme is a considered attempt at solving, in advance, a difficult ticketing issue.

''The club has catered for 12-book season ticket holders who are Trust members. The opportunity will be there for such persons to have priority when buying tickets for the last game.

''As always the club and the Trust have worked together to ensure that Trust members have a level of priority before tickets go on general sale.

''It has also been agreed that Trust membership arranged after today will not entitle the member the advantage of priority ticket purchase for the last league game.

''While the board will continue to actively encourage Trust membership it was our view that membership for the purpose of priority ticketing in this case was not correct, hence the cut-off date agreed.

''There are clear opportunities for fans to avoid disappointment by buying a 12-book season ticket before November 6. People joining the trust after today will still be entitled to priority tickets for cup games and so on as has always been the case.''

The second Trust Megabowl bowling event will now take place on September 29. The change of date is due to the home LDV Cup-tie with Luton on the night before.

Garry Monk will be using some insider information as he aims to help Swansea City beat leaders Wycombe tomorrow. The former Southampton defender should force his way back into Kenny Jackett's side following his one-match suspension last week.

If he does play then he could come up against one of his former Southampton clubmates, Mike Williamson, currently on a season-long loan from the Saints at the Causeway Stadium.

Williamson hopes to shake off an ankle injury to play and Monk has already told strikers Lee Trundle and Paul Connor just what to expect from the centre-half.

''Mike's a big, powerful lad and he was one of the younger boys who came through at Southampton when I was there,'' he said.

''He came from Torquay where I started my career, so I know a fair bit about him. I have told our boys just what to expect.

''I probably should have said he's no good, but I think they are good enough to handle whatever is in front of them.''

Monk missed last week's 3-0 win over Kidderminster following his sending-off at Yeovil.

His challenge that day cost Swansea their only goal against in four league games when Gavin Williams scored from the penalty spot.

The 25-year-old reckons that meanness has come about from hard work on the training ground.

''The gaffer does a lot of work with the attackers separately and he does the same with the defence,'' said Monk. ''We are hopefully now taking that out onto the pitch.

''In the last few games we have not conceded many goals and if we can keep as many clean sheets as possible then we should keep getting the right results and keep the boss happy at the same time.''

Izzy Iriekpen is a major doubt tomorrow after picking up a thigh injury last week, but Monk reckons the side should be able to cope even if his fellow central defender does not come through a late fitness test.

''Losing Izzy would be a big blow because he is one of the best defenders at the club,'' he added.

''But the gaffer has brought in Andy Gurney and there are enough defenders here with the experience between them to adapt to different situations.

''Players have been picked in positions where they may not be first choice.

''Sam Ricketts, for example, has gone from right-back to left-back and he's not a left-sided defender, but I think he has done really well there.

''That just proves our defenders are flexible and we have enough quality players here to do any job.''

Swansea go into tomorrow's game full of confidence after beating Jan Molby's team.

Wycombe, too, are in good form, but Monk says Swansea are looking forward to the clash against Tony Adams's team.

''The players have been talking about it all week and as it's got closer the more we are looking forward to it,'' he said.

''I think it bodes well for us that they are top of the table because there is more pressure on them from their own fans to get a result.

''They are flying at the moment and we have to be on the top of our game to win it.

''You have got to test yourselves against the best and Wycombe are obviously that at the moment as it shows in their league form.

''It will be good to go there and give a good account of ourselves and come away with all the points.

''If we do that then I think we would have done very well.''

SWANSEA CITY boss Kenny Jackett has warned his team that last week's impressive victory against Kidderminster will count for nothing if they slip up at Wycombe tomorrow.

Swansea produced arguably their best performance of the season, if not since Jackett took charge of the club five months ago, when they thumped Jan Molby's side 3-0 at the Vetch.

The confidence-lifting result left the Swans just four points adrift of League Two leaders Wycombe Wanderers, who they meet at the Causeway Stadium tomorrow.

But Jackett, who hopes three-goal striker Lee Trundle will overcome a knee complaint to take his place in the Swans attack, has spent the week trying to diffuse any signs of over-excitement in his camp.

"I've told the players they've got to forget about the Kidderminster game and go out and prove themselves all over again," said the Swans boss.

"Last week's result was very pleasing, it showed we're making steps in the right direction, but it will count for nothing if we don't produce something positive at Wycombe.

"In fact, you could say that it doesn't matter whether we win, lose or draw - the Kidderminster game has gone and all that matters is how we perform from now on.

"You have to keep proving yourself in this league. You can't just sit on your backside and say, 'We're doing OK, everything's fine'."

"Wycombe should be a fantastic game. They're doing very well under Tony Adams and it'll be a tough one for us, but we're very much looking forward to it."

While Trundle hopes to be fit to face Adams' table-toppers, defender Izzy Iriekpen is rated as 50-50 and faces a fitness test today on an injured thigh muscle.

But Jackett is not without options in defence as Garry Monk is available again after serving a one-match suspension last weekend.

Swans fans, meanwhile, will get a chance to ensure they are at the club's last-ever match at the Vetch Field when a limited number of tickets go on sale next month.

Around 400 seated tickets for the April 30 clash against Shrewsbury Town will go on sale in early October as part of a three-game linked ticket scheme.

Fans will have to buy tickets for the home matches against Leyton Orient on October 19 and Chester City on January 29 as well as the Shrewsbury game at the same time.

Swansea are expecting a definite sell-out when they say goodbye to the Vetch before making the move to a brand new 20,000-seater stadium at Morfa next summer.

Leon Britton has vowed to ''fight tooth and nail'' to win back his place in Swansea City's midfield. Britton was a virtual ever-present under previous boss Brian Flynn, but has been confined to the substitutes' bench for the last four games.

Now he is hoping that a 15-minute cameo appearance in the 3-0 win over Kidderminster last Saturday has given manager Kenny Jackett something to chew on before selecting his side to face leaders Wycombe this weekend.

But even if he doesn't force his way back into the starting line-up this time, he will keep on battling to earn a first-team spot.

''I suppose I had a point to prove last week,'' said Britton, who had an immediate impact against Jan Molby's side and played a big part in Swansea's third goal.

''I have been a substitute for the past four games and it is difficult to show anything in 15 or 20 minutes. But you have to do what you can and try to show the gaffer you are worth a place in the team.

''I willing to fight tooth an nail to get back in the side and also show that I can stay there. It is difficult as a substitute but hopefully I have done enough to impress.''

Britton kicked off this season on the right of Swansea's midfield. It now appears he could do battle with Adrian Forbes on the wing.

''I am not looking to play on the right particularly,'' he added, ''but at the moment I am not in the team. If it means playing there, on the left or anywhere, I will do it.

''My favourite position is centre midfield but if playing on the right gets me in the team then I am more than happy to do that.''

Having been one of the first names on Flynn's team sheet, the former West Ham midfielder finds it strange on the bench, but he says he will not let it affect the work he puts in both on and off the pitch.

Britton added: ''It's the first time it has happened in my short professional career, but it's about how I react to it. I can't sit there and start sulking and not train properly.

''I have got to go out and in the time I have on the pitch show the gaffer what I am capable of.''

Britton accepts that after an upsurge in form he will find it hard to break back into the team.

''I don't want to be just sitting on the bench for too long,'' Britton added.

''It's going to be difficult - the team's playing well and in the four games I have been substitute we have won three and lost one.''

Wycombe have now decided that Saturday's game will not be all-ticket for Swansea fans.

There are still spaces available to travel with official travel club. For further details contact the club shop.

A Limited number of tickets for Swansea City's final game at Vetch Field will go on sale next month, the club have confirmed. With the match on April 30 against Shrewsbury expected to be a sell-out, a limited number of tickets will go on sale in early October on a date yet to be confirmed.

Tickets for the final fixture will be sold as part of a three-game linked ticket, the matches being against Leyton Orient on Tuesday, October 19, Chester City on Saturday, January 29 - subject to either side still being involved in the FA Cup - and the final league game with Shrewsbury.

All three tickets have to be purchased at the same time and in advance of the game with Leyton Orient.

The club's vice-chairman Leigh Dineen said: ''It must be stressed that these are very limited with only approximately 400 seated tickets available.

''With the final few games likely to be sell-outs this is one way of ensuring you are there for the main one.

''The club also felt that this scheme would be advantageous to those fans who are not regular visitors to the Vetch and that tickets are less likely to fall into the hands of those that profiteer from such important fixtures.''

The scheme is for all parts of the ground including the family west terrace where special family discounts are available.

Those fans who hold 12-book season tickets and non-season ticket supporters' trust members will be able to buy their ticket for the Shrewsbury game at a later date.

However, any 12-book season tickets purchased after November 6 will not contain a voucher guaranteeing tickets for the last three league games.

The offer is not open to anybody joining the supporters' trust after tomorrow as the club has already determined the amount of tickets that need to be put aside.

The linked tickets will be available on a first-come-first-served basis from the club shop.

Swansea City boss Kenny Jackett is sweating over the fitness of Izzy Iriekpen, while Lee Trundle has emerged as another concern ahead of Saturday's clash with League Two pacesetters Wycombe Wanderers. Iriekpen limped off after only 32 minutes of the 3-0 win over Kidderminster, while Trundle missed training yesterday because of a slight knee problem.

''Izzy has a pulled muscle at the top of his thigh,'' confirmed Jackett. ''He may be fit for the weekend, he may not - it's a difficult one.''

Garry Monk is free to return this weekend following his one-match suspension and he is likely to battle for a place with Alan Tate in the centre of the back four should Iriekpen be unfit.

While losing Iriekpen - who has only recently returned to full fitness following an ankle problem - would be a blow to Jackett, he says his squad can cope.

''It's a squad game these days,'' he said. ''You would have to be very fortunate to achieve anything throughout a season with just 11 players. For most teams that is not going to be the case - you need 17 or 18 players.

''We have got competition for places and versatility and where I am pleased is the players are willing at times to play out of position for the cause. You need that competition.

''On Saturday we had Garry Monk suspended and Izzy injured after half-an-hour or so. Those two had formed a pretty good partnership in the games before. But against Kidderminster Alan Tate and Kevin Austin handled it well and deserved their clean sheet.''

Swansea have now only conceded one goal in four games.

Jackett added: ''You need to operate in nils and ones to give yourselves a chance. We are improving not just in terms of the back four, but as a unit.

''We are bigger, stronger, more aggressive and harder to break down. Those are encouraging signs for the season.''

Wycombe have had a change of mind and Saturday's match is not now all tickets for Swansea fans. Payment at the turnstiles will be allowed

Swansea reserves take on their Yeovil counterparts tonight at Vetch Field (7pm).

Reserve team boss Kevin Nugent is expected to lead the line and should be joined in the side by Brad Maylett, Gary Fisken and Brian Murphy. Shaun McDonald, meanwhile, has been put on stand-by for Wales Under-17s' friendly with Ukraine next week.

Paul Connor reckons Swansea City should fear no-one as they prepare to face league leaders Wycombe on Saturday. The striker is full of confidence after bagging his first two goals of the season in Saturday's 3-0 win over Kidderminster.

And he insists that confidence is spreading throughout the side.

''We're playing some good stuff,'' said Connor.

''The second half on Saturday was one of the best performances we have put in this season and that is encouraging.

''We don't fear anyone. We have to respect teams but we have to go into games with the confidence that in this league on our day we can be up there with the best teams.

''There are no easy games in this division and we know that.

''We have got to go out there, believe in ourselves and take what comes from that.''

Connor got off the mark for the season with 'that' controversial goal against Jan Molby's side.

And the striker hopes it will be something of a turning point for him.

''It sometimes takes a silly goal to get you off the mark,'' he added.

''Once you do that then you are really flying.

''It took longer than I hoped but hopefully I can crack on from here.''

Kidderminster goalkeeper John Danby was lying in the box when Connor opened the scoring. But the striker said he would do the same again if put in similar circumstances.

''It was a weird goal,'' he added.

''I didn't really see the keeper down to be honest.

''I just put it in and worried about it afterwards and luckily for me it counted.

''It's all about playing to the whistle. If they had broken away would they have complained?

''It's down to the referee to stop it and he didn't.''

Connor said there had been no thoughts of allowing Kidderminster to score a 'free goal' as Yeovil did against Plymouth last month.

''That was totally different,'' he added.

''We have had refereeing decisions go against us this season.

''I should have had a penalty against Northampton in the first game and it wasn't given - so I am not complaining about the goal on Saturday.

He added: ''Someone mentioned last week that the forwards need to start scoring, so it was nice to do that on Saturday. We know we have a good partnership up front, we just have to prove it.''

Meanwhile, former Swansea assistant manager Peter Nicholas has been sacked by Conference South outfit Newport County.

Nicholas was bombed out by chairman Chris Blight after three wins, a draw and four defeats this season.

HE might be hungry for a game, but Swansea City No 2 Kevin Nugent is happy striker Paul Connor is keeping him on the bench for the time being.

The veteran Vetch Field target-man insists he was as pleased as anyone to see Connor end his four-month goal drought with a double in Swansea's 3-0 weekend win over Kidderminster Harriers.

And Nugent has backed former Rochdale striker Connor to set off on a goal-scoring spree - even if it means him having to wait a little longer before getting another first-team start.

"I'm pleased that Paul is keeping me on the bench at the moment," said Nugent, currently doubling up as Kenny Jackett's assistant as well as Swansea's third-choice striker.

"We all know there's strong competition for places, but Paul thoroughly deserves to hold on to his spot in the team.

"Although he had gone a little while without scoring, Paul had been so unlucky not to get a goal before the Kidderminster game.

"He's worked hard all season and kept getting chances, it's just that every time he got near goal the opposition keeper seemed to turn into 'Super Goalie'!

"As a fellow striker, all I'd needed to say to him in training was, 'Just keep doing what you're doing and the goals will come.'

"It was great to see him score twice on Saturday and, if he keeps on training and playing the way he has done, I can see him going on a bit of a roll now."

Connor claimed his 16th-minute opener in controversial circumstances, turning in an Andy Gurney cross while Harriers keeper John Danby lay injured in the goalmouth.

And, after striker partner Lee Trundle took his season's total to three with a terrific 53rd-minute strike, Connor completed a fine afternoon for the Swans with a second from close range.

"Kenny and I had kept saying Paul would score goals and, having worked hard and put in some extra hours on the training pitch, he's proved us correct," said Nugent, who has scored once from three league starts this term.

"Generally, it was good to see the goals going in. But I wasn't at all concerned about the number of goals we were scoring because, as I said, we've been creating plenty of chances."

Victory over Kidderminster left the Swans just four points adrift of league leaders Wycombe, who they meet at Adams Park on Saturday.

"There's a good mood about the place at the moment, but it's important we keep everyone on an even keel," said Nugent.

"We can't repeat the mistake we often made last season, which was to think we were the best team in the world when we won and the worst when we lost."

SWANSEA CITY new boy Andy Gurney denied he was the villain of the Vetch piece.

Gurney sparked chaotic scenes when, with Kidderminster Harriers goalkeeper John Danby laying motionless in the penalty area following a 16th-minute corner, he crossed for Paul Connor to score into an unguarded net.

As Connor wheeled away to celebrate in front of the North Bank, furious Harriers players remonstrated with referee Frederick Graham.

And Harriers boss Jan Molby was furious on the touchline, exchanging harsh words with the fourth official, as well as Swansea counterpart Kenny Jackett and his No 2 Kevin Nugent.

But Gurney said, "I didn't realise the goalkeeper was on the floor to be honest.

"If I'd known he was on the deck, I would have shot rather than crossed it! It was going wide so it was a good job Paul flicked it in.

"Seriously though, the goal's gone in and the referee's allowed it. You've got to play to the whistle and I just played it back into the box.

"Paul's got a head on it and it's a goal as far as I'm concerned. I don't see what else I'm supposed to do really."

Rather than viewing the incident as ungentlemanly conduct - a point Molby made in no uncertain terms to Jackett and the referee at the final whistle - Gurney insisted it was a spot of good fortune.

He said, "As soon as it went it there was a bit of, 'Is it a goal, isn't it a goal?'

"But the ref's given it and sometimes you need that little bit of luck in games. Fortunately, it's gone with us this time."

Gurney, making his first start since joining Swansea from Swindon 12 days ago, stood out as the Swans produced arguably their best performance under Jackett.

The 30-year-old was resolute at the back and also had a hand in Lee Trundle's second-half goal that effectively decided the contest.

"I was reasonably pleased with my performance, it being my first full game," said the versatile Gurney, who had slotted into a midfield role when making his debut as a substitute at Yeovil the previous week.

"I played right-back for Swindon, so it was nothing unusual. I've played in different positions all through my career, so it's not something I'm unused to really.

"Wherever I'm asked to play, I'll play as well as I possibly can. Hopefully that will be good enough."

On Swansea's impressive win, Gurney added, "It was a good win. The first half was difficult as they closed us down all over the pitch.

"We were pleased to be 1-0 up at half time, but we played well after that and controlled the second half.

"It was important that we got the three points as we must stay in touch with the leading pack.

"We don't want to go too far away from that top seven. It's important we stay in and around there before Christmas and kick on from there.

"I'll be happy if we keep on picking up results and stay around those positions.

"We had great support out there and, if we're in those positions around Christmas, we'll be getting full houses.

"The support shows that it's a massive club and that's why I've come here."

While Swans' fans were counting their blessings, Harriers No 1 Danby was adding up his bruises not to mention stitches sustained following a later incident with Trundle.

And Danby, who broke his nose in the incident that led to Swansea's first goal, said he was surprised that the referee had allowed Connor's strike to stand.

"I was on the ground and didn't know how he scored or what had happened," said Danby.

"I can confirm that I broke my nose then and needed four stitches after the second incident when I was caught on the top of the head.

"I'm not exactly sure what happened when Trundle caught me, but I'd like to think it wasn't intentional.

"I'll have to see it myself on video as I don't know what it looked like. But I definitely took a bit of a battering."

HURRICANE Jan blew into Swansea with a tongue-lashing rarely rivalled at the Vetch.

Well, not since that Great Dane Jan Molby was in residence at Swansea City in the late 1990s.

Hapless officials have often found themselves the subject of Molby's wrath in the past, but on Saturday rival manager Kenny Jackett was also at the eye of the storm as far as the Kidderminster boss was concerned.

As much as Jackett wanted to shower praise on his players for Swansea's slick second-half performance - it was, after all, the first time they had scored three times under his command - there was only one talking point.

And it was one that Molby was keen to discuss whether people were prepared to listen or not, with referee Frederick Graham, Jackett and his No 2 Kevin Nugent and waiting reporters high on his must-talk-to list.

From the 16th minute when John Danby was clattered in the box and Paul Connor turned in Andy Gurney's cross with the Harriers goalkeeper laying spreadeagled on the floor, Molby was incandescent with rage.

As Swansea players celebrated Connor's first goal of the season, Molby had a frank touch-line exchange with the fourth official as well as the Swans' management team.

Molby believed Swansea should have followed Yeovil's recent example in a Carling Cup tie against Plymouth and allowed bottom club Kidderminster an equaliser in the spirit of fair play.

It was a point that Molby forcefully made again at the final whistle. Having gone off to confront the referee, there were more angry words and finger-pointing in the centre circle between the two managers and Molby - clearly believing his Swansea counterpart was in the wrong - rejected tradition and Jackett's outstretched hand.

"I said to Kenny that letting us score would probably have been the best way of trying to deal with it," said Molby.

"I've got to be honest. The goal didn't sit easy with me and I don't think it sat easy with the Swansea fans either.

"It clearly states in the laws of the game that any head injury should stop the game. In that incident the keeper broke his nose, so I don't know what more you want.

"The referee told me he didn't think it was a head injury, but I said to him, 'It's not your decision to gamble whether it's a head injury or not.'

"When somebody goes down, especially a goalkeeper from a corner, you have to assume he's injured.

"You don't take a chance and, as it happened, it was pretty serious because my goalkeeper's broken his nose."

In Molby-speak, though, this was the calm before the storm. Messrs Graham and Jackett were about to feel the full force of a blast that would have had those anti-free speech merchants at League HQ twitching behind their rule books.

"They don't cast any light on it, unfortunately," said the straight-talking Molby, fresh from a four-game touchline ban and referring to his lengthy post-match visit to the referee's room.

"There's nothing more I can do. I'll send my report in but because we've been beaten 3-0 I'm sure it will be thrown in the bin.

"People will assume it's sour grapes and this referee will get another game somewhere next week."

On Jackett's response to the goal, Molby was just as candid and left no one to guess what he really thought of his opposite number.

"I think I would have reacted differently because it was so blatant," he said.

"I'd like to be in that position because people like Arsene Wenger and Gary Johnson (Yeovil manager) have been in similar positions and come out with great credit.

"It happens all the time, you give possession back if there's an injury. It's the first thing people do and it happens all over the world.

"But, as soon as they don't kick the ball out, the referee's got to put the whistle in his mouth."

Having been heavily criticised for Swansea's goal output, it was no surprise that Jackett accepted this gift horse from the Essex official without a worry.

Even if his attempt to console Molby - "I told Jan we had a controversial goal against us at Yeovil last week" - was plain daft, Jackett had no reason to instruct his team to concede an instant equaliser.

The buck stopped with Mr Graham and he simply botched the decision. He should have resisted the opportunity to play doctor and stopped the game when Danby was pole-axed, irrespective of whether a Harriers player, as Jackett quickly pointed out, had tried to carry on.

"As I seem to remember, the ball bounced down to a Kidderminster player," recalled Jackett.

"He tried to take it round Kris O'Leary on the edge of the area but he toe-poked it (to Gurney) and Paul Connor's put the ball in the back of the net.

"If they'd broke on us and got away would they have pulled it back for their keeper being on the floor? It's up to the referee to make those decisions, not me."

If Molby, given a generous ovation by Swans' fans at kick-off, was having a bad day then spare a thought for the luckless Danby.

Apart from the broken nose and bruised cheekbone he suffered in the controversial collision with Izzy Irikpen and one of his defenders, he picked up four stitches in a head wound from an incident that earned Lee Trundle a caution.

It was to get worse for Danby after a first half of little note aside from Connor's opener, though thankfully only his pride was hurt this time as Swansea ran riot with some inventive football.

Trundle turned beautifully to fire Swansea further ahead after 53 minutes and, after Andy Robinson struck a post and Connor spurned what should have been a comfortable hat-trick, the former Rochdale striker netted his second from close range courtesy of neat interplay between Roberto Martinez and substitute Leon Britton.

"It was very important that we showed patience in the second half," said Jackett.

"We stepped it up and created chances and we must get the shot total high as that builds confidence."

KENNY Jackett was described as possessing the managerial ruthlessness to get Swansea promoted when he was brought to the Vetch last season.

And boy, did he show it yesterday as he shrugged off the controversy surrounding Paul Connor's 17th-minute opener to concentrate on the commanding way his men put lowly Kidderminster to the sword.

He had every right, too, as the Swans gave one of their best performances under the former Watford boss to grab a comprehensive win.

And little did he care how Jan Molby was left feeling when Connor wheeled away to celebrate his strike as visiting goalkeeper John Danby lay poleaxed.

Danby had been left with a broken nose after a clash with his own player and Swans defender Izzy Iriekpen at a Swansea corner.

But as the Harriers waited for the referee's whistle for a clash of heads, Andy Gurney's chip back into the box found Connor, who had no sympathy for the motionless Danby.

Former Swans boss Molby was fuming, refusing to shake hands with Jackett at the end and levelling accusations of unsportsmanlike behaviour at the hosts.

But perhaps he should be more upset at his own men as they chased shadows for the second period while the Swans ran riot courtesy of Lee Trundle's 53rd-minute strike and another from Connor with three minutes to go.

Having suffered at the hands of a decisive and dubious decision down at Yeovil last week, Jackett was quick to point out that all's fair in love and war.

"We had to take that decision on the chin - we swallowed that," said Jackett, of the questionable 85th minute penalty at Huish Park which denied him a point.

"This time, the incident's worked for us.

"I thought the initial challenge was a fair one and when the ball came out Kidderminster had a chance to clear.

"If they had broken away, would they have been happy for it to be pulled back? It's the referee's decision to stop the game, not mine."

For all Molby's grumbling, there could be no denying who deserved the three points.

The Swans were bullish and unrelenting in their pressure, more powerful than their opponents in every sense.

It didn't appear to be as clear cut as that before Connor's strike.

The Swans passed and moved well, Gurney looking useful in his first start since his switch from Swindon.

But so did Kidderminster, complete with ex-Swans Lee Jenkins and Richie Appleby in the starting XI, while another Jack-in-exile, Stuart Roberts, sat on the bench.

The first chance of the clash came to the visitors, Kevin Austin sharp enough to stop Kelvin Langmead getting a shot in on goal after 14 minutes.

But then came the opener, and while there might have been a touch of fortune about it, it filled the hosts with confidence. Trundle looked sharper than he has done all year, while Andy Robinson also seemed to have stepped up the gears in a more central role.

Kris O'Leary was everywhere again and complementing his power game with a few nice touches and a devil of a volley to have Danby scrambling.

It was even better following the break. Robinson clattered the post on 50 minutes, but it was Trundle who grabbed the second, turning marker Wayne Hattswell inside out before slotting the ball home.

There was little surprise the third came as Connor could do little else but find the back of the net after Roberto Martinez and sub Leon Britton split the Harriers wide open with precision passing.

"It was very pleasing," added Jackett.

"It's a very satisfying performance although we still need to get more efforts in on goal."

You wanted more Kenny? Now that's ruthless.

NEVER mind the Premiership, Italy's Serie A or even the Spanish La Liga - Swansea City captain Roberto Martinez reckons League Two is one of the toughest divisions in Europe.

It might sound a trifle outlandish, but Martinez argues the ultra-competitive nature of what used to be the Third Division makes it one of the most difficult leagues to play in - and to get out of.

The Swans midfielder has tasted Spanish top-flight football with Real Zaragoza as well as all three levels of the league during spells at Wigan, Walsall and Swansea.

Martinez, 31, also had a brief flirtation with the Scottish Premier League with Motherwell.

But he reckons there are few leagues in Europe, possibly the world, that match the rough-and-tumble nature of League Two.

And, speaking ahead of Swansea's home meeting with Jan Molby's Kidderminster today, the Spanish midfielder reckons the Football League basement is a fiercer environment than ever this season.

"League Two is, without doubt, one of the hardest leagues in Europe and probably one of the hardest in the world," he said.

"The reason I say that is it's very, very hard to play football, to find space or have time on the ball.

"League Two is very demanding from a results point of view and fiercely competitive as a result.

"In most other leagues in Europe you will get more time and space on the ball. It's not box-to-box like it is here. There's more control.

"Even in the lower leagues in Spain, there is much more emphasis on tactics.

"In Europe they've got a different attitude to their football. You have more time to express yourself than you do over here."

"Because there are no outstanding teams in the division this season, because things are so even, you can lose against anyone and win against anyone," continued Martinez.

"This season it seems any number of teams might be able to get into the play-offs if they put a half-decent run together.

"That's why we've got to make certain we get points on the board as quickly as possible to try to pull away from the rest."

Despite an average start to the campaign - three victories, three defeats and one draw - Swansea entertain former boss Molby and his Kidderminster side just five points off league leaders Scunthorpe.

And the skipper, seemingly surplus to Vetch Field requirements when he was dropped from the team a month ago, is flourishing now he is back at the heart of the Swans midfield.

"It's hard to say whether I'm playing better now than I was before I was left out of the team," he said.

"I've been part of a side that has needed to get results. It's been important to get the best out of the players and at the moment I think we've found a system, a combination if you like, that's doing that."

But does he feel his future at the Vetch is more secure now?

"At the moment I'm just looking forward to being involved against Kidderminster and I can't look any further ahead than that," was his diplomatic reply.

"In football you can't think any longer than a week in front of you because there are many different circumstances that can change your future at the club.

"As I've always said, joining Swansea was a well-thought-out move, a massive challenge for me, and I was never going to walk out on the club that easily.

"I'm prepared to fight for a future at the club and, at the moment, I'm just delighted to be back in the team."

Martinez and co face a Harriers team joint bottom of League Two after a disastrous run of four straight defeats.

But, with Kidderminster's former Swansea contingent - Richie Appleby, Stuart Roberts and Lee Jenkins - certain to relish their Vetch return, Martinez insists victory cannot be taken for granted.

"Kidderminster are a very dangerous side to play against," he said. "They had a disappointing result last weekend (a 2-1 home defeat by Leyton Orient) and don't look too comfortable - especially at the back. But the danger for us is they're not under any pressure to get a result.

"I'm sure they will make it very hard for us."

With Garry Monk suspended following his red card in last week's 1-0 defeat at Yeovil, Andy Gurney is expected to make his first start in the centre of defence.

Molby has warned his old team that Appleby, who spent almost five years at the Vetch before joining Harriers in December 2001, is ready to emerge as the best midfielder in League Two.

"If Appleby stays fit, he will only get better, stronger and quicker," said Molby of his injury-prone midfielder.

"And if he remains fit, then we have the best midfielder at this level."