Tate Haunted By Barnsley Miss

The Swans vice-captain has revealed that the memories of that defeat two years ago in the Millennium Stadium is what is driving those still at the club on as the Swans look to build on their six point lead at this stage of the season.

Tate was sent clear with a glorious opportunity to score the goal that would have sealed promotion for the Swans but his shot went high and wide and the rest, as they say, is history as both Tate and Bayo missed penalties and it was Barnsley who took the Championship place at the expense of the Swans.

But Tate reveals in today's News of the World that he never expects to forget that miss in the closing stages of the game and that he thinks about it at least two or three times a day.  Looking back on the day he said "Much better players than me have missed penalties.  You see world class players miss them.

"But that chance in stoppage time still bothers me.  I think about it two or three times a day.  I think about it every time I go to bed.  I'll probably think about it for the rest of my life.

"What happened is driving me on today.  It's something that can be laid to rest if we win promotion.  There are a few players still at the club who played that day, Garry Monk, Andy Robinson and Leon Britton.  If you ask these lads they will say what happened against Barnsley is a big driving force.   All the players were given a review of that season on DVD.  I watched every game, but when it came to the play-off final I had to turn it off.

"I can't watch it.  I'll probably never watch it.  They say you get what you deserve, but we didn't deserve to lose that game.  We absolutely battered Barnsley.  We deserved to go up."

Tate has only recently returned to the side in the last month following injuries at the back and he played – and scored an own goal – in yesterday's 4-2 defeat at Northampton  "It's not the ideal way to come back but that's the way football is." he said referring to the reasons for his return

"I've had to be patient this season but I'd rather wait and come into a team doing well then walk straight back into a team that's struggling.   I've spoken to the gaffer and he said if I play well then I stay in."