Planet Swans ArchivesWell, where do I start. Last weekend I sat down and watched three different draws. The World Cup one had me celebrating as we drew our neighbours in both England and Northern Ireland. It’s been a long time since we played the English (20 years next year) and I am sure that both games against them could be sold out many times over. Adding the hint of a local derby to qualifying games will make for interesting watching and you all know that the words ‘Battle’ and ‘Britain’ will be used many times during those group stages. On Saturday, the National Lottery draw proved lucky for me – only to the tune of £100 – but luckier than it normally is. And then I watched the FA Cup draw on Sunday. By this time I was convinced that the name Swansea City would come out next to Arsenal or Manchester United – everything comes in threes they say – so I was somewhat surprised to see the names of Macclesfield or Cambridge next to our name.
There’s two ways of looking at this. Sure we could have got the big name in Round 3 and lost but this tie gives us an excellent chance of progression to Round Four. With all 3rd round winners getting £50,000 prize money then I will settle for that and then the big club in Round 4. And we’ll beat them there instead. Several times in the last twenty years has a lower division club progressed to the quarter finals or more – maybe this time it will be ours and let’s be fair if you are in Round 4 then anything is possible. Providing it doesn’t come at a cost to our league form but I do believe that if we get home draws then anything is possible.
Last weekend’s game was not a classic encounter by any stage of the imagination but it was a decent enough game. It had the ingredients of a cup tie – lower league opposition fighting back after falling behind and in fairness the ‘goal’ they scored could have stood and we could be looking at a replay next week. But it wasn’t to be and I have to say that it was nice to see Brian Flynn so adamant that he wasn’t to shake their manager’s hand. Graham Westley’s comments leading up to the game were pure fiction in what he was responding to and full credit to Brian for not sinking to his level and rising above them. And of course – which team is in Round 3 Graham?
This is, of course, our last glimpse of the Swans before Christmas at the Vetch and there is no reason why today we cannot get the three points. Southend have struggled in the league but let’s not forget that they have won at the Vetch this season and we cannot afford another one of those slip ups today. The next few games are going to be tough – Doncaster, Torquay and Yeovil making it possibly more important that we get three points today. If we can then take four or more points from the three after today then we are nicely set up for the New Year and I suspect I am not alone in hoping that Yeovil have one eye on their date with Liverpool when they visit the Vetch on the 28th.
Finally this week, I was sent a list of Christmas presents that some of the Swans players may like to receive in their stockings (no insinuations please!) on Christmas Day – so I’ll share some of them with you
Lee Trundle – Nicky Clarke Hair Set
Alan Tate – Neck Shrinking Machine
Leon Britton – Action Man
Roger Freestone – Anti Aging Cream
Andy Robinson – Car to go with his hub caps
Jonathan Coates – An ABC Spelling Book
Thanks to Mike from Swansea for sending these and trust me, they were the only ones clean enough for this publication!
That is it from me – a Merry Christmas to Jacks everywhere and if Santa doesn’t bring what you want then take 3 points on Boxing Day instead.
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