Adams will today have first hand experience of that footballing skill when Swansea City visit Fratton Park in the 4th Round of the FA Cup.

Adams will be looking to take his cup holders into the 5th round on their defence of the trophy they won last May at Wembley.

And he is steeling himself for a tough test today and declared the Swans the best footballing side in the Championship ahead of the game.

Speaking to the Western Mail, the former Arsenal captain said โ€œThey are probably the best footballing team in the division

โ€œThatโ€™s certainly the case from what I have seen this season.

โ€œThey really do pass the ball well. Iโ€™m not just saying that because we are playing them, they really are that good.

โ€œThey destroyed Reading at the weekend. I have seen them live twice this year and they were a very impressive footballing team and, as Iโ€™ve said, probably the best in the Championship.

โ€œSaying that speaks volumes for what I think about Swansea. I have been to the Liberty Stadium a couple of times and I know enough about them to definitely know they could cause us problems.

โ€œLittle Leon Britton is an excellent recruit from West Ham and the same with Darren Pratley from Fulham,โ€ said the former England defender.

โ€œRoberto has also found a couple of Spanish lads who are very good as well, so itโ€™s going to be tough for us.

โ€œThese teams always play above themselves in cup games,โ€ he said. โ€œWhen itโ€™s the FA Cup they always seem to find some spirit and raise their game.

โ€œWeek in, week out they are where they are for a reason. But, on any given day in the cup, anything can happen.

โ€œThatโ€™s what we did against Manchester United last year. And that is the beauty of the cup, as they say.

โ€œIf I rested players I donโ€™t think I would be able to field an XI,โ€ he joked.

โ€œWe need a couple of central midfield players. That would be handy because we have lost another one this week.

โ€œNiko has got a little bit of a tear in his groin. He will definitely miss the Swansea game.

โ€œWhat you see is what you get with Jermaine,โ€ he said. โ€œHe is very quick and he is a great crosser of the ball.

โ€œHe can be running one way and still cross it back the other way. Itโ€™s just an amazing talent.

โ€œHe just wants to play and is frustrated that he hasnโ€™t been getting that opportunity.

โ€œWe can give him that and he has been bright, positive and energetic since he arrived.”