Phil Sumbler
Key figures at the club have unanimously today called for the fans to be loud and proud in the backing of the team at the Swansea.com stadium this afternoon as Sunderland arrive backed by their own vocal travelling support.
The Swans return home after two superb away wins against West Brom and Watford lifted us up ten places in the table to a position where we head into the game today holding a play off position in the Championship.
The team were backed by around 1700 fans at West Brom and a further 600 in midweek at Watford and that travelling support was rewarded with a maximum return and the team coming from behind to secure the maximum on both occasions.
Julian Winter, Russell Martin and Matt Grimes were all united in their view that they needed that support today to be vocal at home in what promises to be the loudest atmosphere the Swansea.com has seen this season with Sunderland having sold their full allocation for the fixture.
A fourth successive league win for the Swans will help cement that current position in the top six and all three key people from the club were clear what they needed from the Jack Army this afternoon.
Speaking in their notes in today’s digital match programme their comments were consistent
Julian Winter: “Just over 1,700 supporters gave the team fantastic backing at West Brom and over 600 made the trip to Vicarage Road in the midst of public transport issues, and your support is massively appreciated by everyone – you really do make the difference. Today we are back at home in front of the Jack Army and I’m sure the atmosphere will be one to savour.”
Russell Martin: “To travel in the numbers you do – at a time when train strikes and the economic situation have made it more difficult to get to games – is just outstanding, and it means so much to ourselves and the players.
We do not take it for granted, and we are grateful for the connection we can feel between you and the team.
Hopefully we will feel that connection once again as we return to the Swansea.com Stadium, because that feeling is so important for us as a team and a club, and the lads will need you to bring the energy today at the end of a relentless week.”
Matt Grimes: “The support we had at West Brom and Watford was incredible. The fans are unbelievable with the distance that they have to travel,but the support they give us is tremendous, and when we need them they’re there.”
The game against Sunderland kicks off this afternoon at 3pm.
