Planet Swans ArchivesSwans manager Kenny Jackett was understandably upbeat after watching Lee Trundle break the hearts of Port Vale with two late moments og magic – scoring one and creating the other for Thomas Butler.
It was a fine end to a turbulent week for the Swans boss who had left Izzy Iriekpen out of his side following his well publicised arrest last weekend. Jackett said after the game “Izzy didn’t play and that was partly down to disciplinary reasons. He’s a smashing lad but it has been a turbulent week for him.
He’s accepted the club’s fine and has apologised to the fans. Hopefully, he will put what has happened behind him.”
And with that decision to drop the defender, Jackett was possibly even more pleased by the performance of Kevin Austin alongside Lawrence who he opted to go with “I thought Kevin Austin and Dennis Lawrence were outstanding. They handles Port Vale’s strikers and didn’t give them a lot of change.”
Injuries also forced Jackett’s hand with Alan Tate and Kris O’Leary being the midfield pairing with Andy Oakes in for a rare start ahead of the injured Willy Gueret “I also thought Alan Tate did well in midfield and Andy Oakes kept a clean sheet, even though he took a heavy bang on his shoulder.”
Jackett though saves the final words of praise for the man who notches a goal pretty much every other appearance for the Swans and is now firmly rooted in the club’s all time Top 10 scorers “It looked like the game was heading for a draw but we came up with the goods in the end.
“It was a great finish from Trunds for the first and his play to create the second was terrific. The game was even and both sides had opportunities but it was a big finish from us.
“We were beaten at Port Vale last season but we made a game of it this time.
“It has been a frustrating time for Lee because by this time last season he had scored 20 goals. “But we have sensed him coming back to his best in recent weeks and I think the goals will now start to flow again. “He’s been getting into good positions and looks sharp and, at the end of the day, he has proved to be the difference between the sides.”
Vale boss Martin Foyle though felt that his side had deserved at least a draw from the game “I thought we were the better side. We played some really good football and created chances. But all that counts for nothing and the result is difficult to stomach.
“It’s a man’s world out there and young players have to learn quickly. The game should have ended 0-0 at worst and I suppose I’ll be having a sleepless night. “But there are definitely a lot of positives to take out of the game and we will have to pick the players up during the week.”
Twelve months ago this weekend, Trundle was on show with another wonder goal – this time against Yeovil at the Liberty Stadium – but that was probably the high spot of the season as the Swans faded away slowly from that point. Jackett will be hoping that this time around it is different and this is the platform from which we can leap to more success. Starting against Bristol City next Sunday.
