As hundreds of Welsh troops marched thought the City earlier this week, Swansea City manager Paulo Sousa issued his own rallying call ahead of the game at Watford.
Galvanised in defeat
One could forgive the team for being demoralised after a controversial game at the City Ground, where the Swans were so cruelly denied a chance to close the gap on 2nd place. Darren Pratley's stonewall penalty claim was waved on, and a late corner given to Nottingham despite offside claims.
In a lesser team it would have floored them but not Swansea, no these days we are made of sterner stuff.
Dusting themselves off after the game, there was little doubt that Tate, Pratley and Britton were all left distinctly unimpressed by official Colin Webster's performance. Rightly so but in today's modern game there is little time to dwell on the “what if's” there are still points to play for.
Bouncing back was a must but the manner in which the team did so was even more pleasing. Pressing Watford at every given opportunity, creating chances and an all round solid display just goes to show how mentally strong this squad is this season, a facet of play that will certainly stand the club in good order for the run in when the gloves are well and truly off.
Awe inspiring Sousa
But is this form really surprising? Not if you consider who is now at the helm its not. Throughout his illustrious playing career Sousa has pretty much seen it all. His eye for detail is remarkable and his desire for perfection equally as awe inspiring. Nothing short of excellence will do for the Portuguese legend such is his quest for football to be played the right way.
Having inherited an already strong squad, Sousa has turned his charges into one of the teams to fear in this division. As the stats will prove, you wont get much change from Swansea. Yes we may not be scoring with a frequency but does this matter, if come the end of May we finally realise the dream? No It doesn't .
Leading the Swans to the highest league position in decades, Sousa and Swansea are one of the success stories in the football league this season, even if some branches of the media are at pains to accept it.
Even his dress sense oozes class and not a brown sandle in sight.
Dont need to spend big
Where the likes of WBA, Forest and Newcastle may have bank rolled their clubs in order to reach the premier league, some people fail to realise it can be done on a shoestring budget. Swansea are again this season have shown themselves as a beacon of light shining out amongst the dark financial blackness that football has got itself into. It is such a pleasure to be a fan of a club that conducts itself with such poise.
Closer to Premiership dream
A question was asked on PS this week, can Swansea nick 2nd spot? It maybe an ask but if the team keep on wining and other results go our way then we could see a closely fought run in. However with the lottery of the play-offs a more than distinct possibility, have the players the toughness and skill to win over three games?
Bet your bottom dollar they have, every Swans fan will tell you of the heartache of the play off campaign of 2006. Losing a final on penalties is hard to take but with the likes of Tate, Trundle, Britton and Monk all to aware of how that that crushing blow felt, and with a much bigger prize a stake, this time around it will be different.
This is a leaner more meaner club, with a much touted “Winning Mentality” the Swans are no longer a team to roll over. I for one will not be surprised to be handed that free season ticket in the summer and looking forward to Premiership football, I know there is a fear of getting ahead of oneself but if you can't have dreams then what's the point. Swansea can win promotion and in all honesty deserve it.
If not for its fiscal responsibility, its great support, players with a real desire to win, a manger who has shined and a chairman who frequently bucks the trend the Swans deserve their well overdue chance to tackle the big guns. As Posh manager Jim Gannon put it so succinctly, “ They've been very patient, but they've kept improving every season. They faced a big challenge last summer when they lost manager Roberto Martinez and all his staff, but the appointment of Paolo Sousa has been inspired.Swansea are a perfect role model for clubs trying to climb the divisions.”
Now lets get down to the Liberty on Saturday and down the owls and take a step closer to that dream? Will you be there I know I certainly will be.
This article first appeared on JACKARMY.net.