Jackett Delighted At Draw

Jackett Delighted With Draw

Swans manager Kenny Jackett thought he was on the end of a wind up when he was told yesterday that he had been drawn against his old club QPR in the Carling Cup First Round.

Speaking in today’s Western Mail, Jackett said: "What were the chances of that happening? It’s unbelievable. There were 60 clubs in the draw, yet QPR against Swansea comes up.

"I didn’t believe it when I was told. I thought someone was having a joke with me. You couldn’t schedule something like that.

"But, obviously, I’m delighted. I’ve only been gone three months, but it’ll be great to go back to Loftus Road. I’ve got a lot of friends up there."

The chances of the draw were increased on the basis that QPR were one of only 16 sides that the Swans could have faced due to the seeding of the draw with another of Jackett’s ex-clubs, Watford also being amongst the seeds. But Jackett revealed that he had not yet spoken to Ian Holloway about the draw

"I haven’t spoken to Ian yet, but I’m sure he was surprised as I was to see QPR had drawn Swansea,

"It’ll certainly be an interesting one, being in the opposite dug-out to him.

"To a degree, it was disappointing to part company with Ian and the job at QPR so close to the end of last season when promotion was in sight.

"But I have no regrets about the decision to come to Swansea. I think everyone at QPR understood you can’t turn down jobs like this when they come along.

"You can’t pick and choose with these things. I’m proud to have taken on the job of Swansea City manager.

"As for QPR, I felt the club was in a solid position. It was well set up. Set up to be a Division One club."

And of his game plan for the match at Loftus Road, Jackett has picked out some players who he thinks will cause him problems on the night "If I had to pick out their dangermen, I’d probably say (strikers) Kevin Gallen and Paul Furlong and (midfielders) Martin Rowlands and Marc Bircham. But they’ve got no shortage of quality."

The match is scheduled to take place in the week beginning 23 August.

Why not check out the latest Vetch Verdict on the BBC site?