Planet Swans ArchivesSitting down on Saturday afternoon at the Liberty Stadium there was a sense that Swansea were about to produce something special and boy the lads did not disappoint. In what can only be described as total football, the 2-0 win over the Royals was a real joy to watch.
If I am being honest it has been deeply frustrating watching the club over the past few months, we know what the team are capable of and to see the seemingly never ending run of draws played out was excruciating to see at times.
The performances of the squad have been excellent and having the lions share of possession but not converting the chances the squad have created has left the Swans four points adrift of a play-off place.
It unearths the inevitable question ‘What if we had converted those chances into goals and hung on for wins?’ Certainly the club we love would have been right up there in the promotion mix – something that would have been beyond my wildest dreams at the start of the season.
One thing is clear. There is very little to fear from the rest of the season and we are still in with a shout at two consecutive promotions and after dominating sides this season with regular frequency there is no reason why we should not.
It may be a big ask for the team to go out and achieve the ultimate goal of being a premiership club in the first season back in the second tier of the British game. But it would be no less that the players richly deserve and the chance to have their crack at getting into the top flight is one they must relish and take. All this within six years of potentially going out of the league entirely – it still astounds me.
We all have to be realistic about the chances of such a feat but whilst consolidation as the fundamental basis of the season, goals must be readjusted and certainly this has reflected in statements coming from within the Swansea squad.
Trinidad and Tobago international Jason Scotland certainly was in buoyant mood after the clubs 2-0 win over the Clarets but has revealed his desire to secure a play-off berth. His manager Roberto Martinez has been a little bit more coy about the chances of securing a top six finish.
Underplaying the club’s chances of achieving such a position is understandable, however with the performance level of the squad and the ambition that this club has, the Swans could certainly cause a shock and become the championship dark horses in the run into May.
Of course suspensions and injuries will, and have, played their parts but what this Swansea squad are doing out on the pitch has to be commended and praised.
Since Martinez took over from Kenny Jackett back in 2007 this club has been revitalised – some may say reborn – but we must not get ahead of ourselves, nonetheless the manager, coaching, and playing staff have done this city and the fans proud. Now let’s see if we can go one step further and finally realise that ultimate ambition a place in the Premier League.
