Phil SumblerThe Swans return to the Liberty Stadium today after a particularly successful time on the road last week which saw them record two wins, six points, two clean sheets and five goals. Can that form continue against a Wycombe side who look set for a return to League One after just one season at this level.
All the form, table and overall position for this one points to a comfortable Swans win which will keep the pressure on Watford slightly especially as they have a local derby against Luton who have their own eyes on a top half finish this season.
Just seven days ago, any talk of automatic promotion seemed to have disappeared but there is a glimmer of hope which, despite the Swans seven point disadvantage to Watford, is thanks to the performances and results of the last week.
Of course that top two spot is very much Watford’s to lose but this time last year we were eight points adrift of Nottingham Forest and we all know what happened there. And then you consider that, after their match today, three of Watford’s last four games will be against sides currently in the top four which of course includes the small matter of us visiting Vicarage Road on the last day of the season. As the title of this article implies where there is life there is hope.
But before we worry about all of that we have to do the business ourselves. It’s a good week for us (or could be) with today’s home game being followed in midweek by another home game with QPR. For once today as well we have the two sides kicking off at the same time (an earlier than planned kick off due to the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh) and today could be one of those pivotal days where we get a much clearer idea of if we are in the top two mix or if we are just clinging to a hope that really isn’t there.
We despatched Wycombe earlier in the season with some ease in the reverse fixture and should be expecting much the same this afternoon. They are spending their first season at this level and it has looked for most of the season as if it will be their only season. They currently sit 10 points from Derby who occupy the last safety spot and with 15 only available it would be a massive turnaround for a side who has earned just 33 points to date.
Captain Matt Grimes though is not under estimating the visitors as he explained “Wycombe will be bang at it, as are all of the teams who are fighting for their lives at this stage of the season.
“It will be another tough test but if we play like we did on Tuesday and Saturday then it will be all about us.
“We spoke after the win at Millwall that it was a brilliant result but we needed to back that up. We had four losses so just one good game was not enough to put that to bed, and we managed to do so at Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday.
The game at the Liberty kicks off at 12.30pm and you can of course follow the progress in discussion with other Swans fans via our matchday thread which can be found here
