It’s been quite a month for Kenny Jackett. In the five weeks since he was barracked by sections of his own supporters in the Carling Cup defeat at QPR, he has seen his side win 6 of the 7 games played, conceding just one goal (a penalty) in the process.
It is form like that that has not just seen his side rise to 3rd in the league table and progress, at the expense of League One leaders Luton to the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy, but placed him in with a strong shout of winning the manager of the month award for September.
Despite that record of six wins in seven, there have been just four rounds of league fixtures during the month of September – Swansea have picked up nine points from those fixtures – meaning that the award is likely to go to the manager of the only side that have beaten Swansea in the five weeks – Yeovil Town.
During that period the cider men have recorded three league wins and a draw – including a 6-1 thumping of Oxford United – meaning that manager Gary Johnson appears to be in pole position when the award is announced later on this week. They are also top of the League Two table which further backs his cause. However, they have exited the Carling Cup (2-0 to Bolton) and the LDV (4-3 to Torquay)
Southend have also picked up three wins from their four matches in September and stand above Swansea in the monthly league table.
No matter whether Jackett picks the award up or not – judging by the curse associated with it Swans fans will hope he doesn’t – it has been a remarkable turn around in fortunes that few who voiced their opinions at QPR would have predicted.
Last night’s domination of a depleted Luton Town side suggests that there is plenty more to come from this Swansea side who now move onto a side that has not lost a game in September – Chester City. With three of the four games following that at the Vetch, the Swans will be looking to build on their current good form and fans are beginning to wonder where the next goal against will come.
The last goal against the Swans in any form of football from open play came 630 minutes of football ago when Kevin Gallen netted for QPR – the last goal from open play in the league came 605 minutes ago with the freak effort by McCann for Cheltenham. Three successive league clean sheets, four in all competitions, says it all about the transformaton at the Vetch and an award would be fitting but sadly this month I can see Kenny missing out.
But at the end of it – who cares as the Swans march on?