Phil Sumbler
Scott Parker was a man set a mission at the start of the season and that mission was to return Bournemouth back to the Premier League following their relegation in 2020.
With just four games of the season to go, Parker knows his side have that promotion within their own hands and can take a big step towards completing that mission should they win in SA1 this evening and one of their nearest rivals Nottingham Forest lose to Fulham.
If those two results happen then the Cherries will need just one win from their three remaining games but Parker knows that life will not be easy for his side in SA1.
Bournemouth won 4-0 when the two sides met earlier in the season but much has improved about Swansea since then and with an eight match unbeaten run under our belts a repeat result is seemingly unlikely, something Parker just about admitted when he was speaking to the Daily Echo ahead of the game.
“A tough game for us – a good side,” he said when asked about the Swans.
“They have a real identity about them and the way they play. Russell Martin has done a very good job there.
“It’s going to bring many difficulties for us going to their place because they have a real identity about them in the way they play.
“They’ll want to dominate the ball and it can stress you and cause you problems.”
The Swans unbeaten run stretches back to March 12 when we were beaten 1-0 at Blackpool and with 16 points from those 8 games, the Swans themselves are ending the season in promotion winning form which was a key element that Martin was looking for to finish his first campaign in charge.
You get the feeling that Bournemouth would more than happily settle for a point tonight especially with three games remaining – one of them against a Forest side who of course the Swans visit this weekend.
It should prove to be an entertaining evening at the Swansea.com – kick off is at 7.45pm.
