Jackett Eyes Vetch Win

Jackett Eyes Up First Vetch Win

Swansea manager Kenny Jackett is eyeing up his first Vetch win today after the Swans took their tally to three away wins in the last four league trips under his control.

Lee Trundle’s first half strike from close on 30 yards was enough to give Jackett a win and he was at pains to state that he had changed his tactics for the game and impressed on his players that the long ball from the back was not the only way to play the game.

Speaking in today’s Western Mail, Jackett said I think the thing they’ve recognised in the last couple of games is we’ve been too frantic in our passing and in our build-up play – there hasn’t been enough control.

"Since I arrived at the club, I’ve tried to get us to move the ball quicker because I’m a firm believer goals are scored by counter-attacking and quick passing.

"But, at times, in our attempts to speed up our play going forward there hasn’t been enough measured play.

"That frantic type of play isn’t what I want and isn’t how I’ve worked in the past.

"So I’ve tried to get it across to the players that it’s OK to go forward fast, but, if we need to take an extra pass to move upfield, then we should.

"In their own way, the fans have let me know their feelings about the way we’ve been playing and I’ve got no problems with that."

Jackett also stated that his reason’s for bringing Roberto Martinez back into the fold were not due to supporter pressure but the fact that he felt the club captain could play the role that he needed in countering Cambridge’s line-up "Cambridge have a pretty distinctive style to their play and I wanted to match that by playing 4-3-3. In that kind of formation, Roberto is very good at playing the holding role and dictating play,

"I thought Roberto did very well. But whether he will be a permanent fixture in the side now we’ll have to see. I can’t say what team I’m going to play against Lincoln."

He was also full of praise for goalkeeper Willy Gueret who secured the points for the Swans with a series of good saves in the second half

"I’ve been very pleased with the impact Willy has made at the club," said Jackett. "Roger Freestone is a tough act to follow, but I think he’s a good acquisition for the club and he’s proved that with this performance.

"He’s a capable goalkeeper and shows a lot of maturity as a man, which he transfers into his performances."

And on the subject of that first Vetch win, Jackett had no doubts what he wanted

"Cambridge was a massive victory for us – our third win from our last four away games," he said. "But, from a personal point of view, now I want to get that first home win under my belt.

"I realise it’ll be a difficult game, but I need to cross that bridge."

He added, "Six points from the two weekend matches would be fantastic, but there are still areas where we need to improve.

"It was disappointing that we weren’t able to finish Cambridge off. We gave the ball away quite cheaply on a number of occasions.

"But perhaps it’s a measure of where we are at the moment. Ideally, when you’re 1-0 up you want to go on and win 2-0 or 3-0, but, if that’s not going to be the case, you’ve got to do the next best thing and dig deep for the points."

And that final statement is exactly right. Successful teams don’t always win with ease and come the end of the season, backs-to-the-wall wins at places like Cambridge can prove to be the difference between mid table and the promised land.

Why not check out the latest Vetch Verdict on the BBC site?