Swansea Preview

By: Richard Hubbert
Date: 29/10/2004

AFTER crashing to their first league defeat in seven league games last week at Chester, Town will be eager to get back to winning ways at Blundell Park against high-flying Swansea.

Town currently sit in 15th place in League Two - just three points from 7th place. Therefore a win is what is needed this Saturday to keep the Mariners in touch with the leaders at the top of the division. A lack of goals is obviously Town’s main problem at the moment and Jon Daly was brought in on loan last week scoring on his debut. He will hope to bang in another few in his home debut for the Mariners.

The Opposition

Overview Swansea had a relatively poor start to the season - losing two of their first three games - to Northampton and Macclesfield. Since then, however, it has been a totally different story - they won four games in a row from the middle to the end of September - including a Carling Cup defeat to League One leaders Luton. They have lost just one game in their last eight outings - a 4-2 defeat at Southend a few weeks ago. This has propelled them into 3rd place in the division, but Swans fans are wary of such good starts to the season - last year under Bryan Flynn they were in the top for most of the season, but fell away at the end with just four wins from their final 22 league games. Their Squad Former Millwall keeper Willy Gueret is the man behind the sticks for the Swans - after he moved to the Vetch Field on a free transfer back in July. Former Lincoln defender Kevin Austin is another player that was drafted in by boss Kenny Jackett in the summer. Austin has plenty of experience of this league - with more than 100 appearances each for both Leyton Orient and our local neighbours at Sincil Bank. Kristan O’Leary has been with the Swans now since 1995 and can play in either the centre of defence, in midfield or as a right full back. Roberto Martinez (left) is an experienced Spanish midfield player who played most of his games in England with Wigan between 1995 and 2001. He then went on to briefly feature for Motherwell and Walsall, before a loan deal - then a permanent move - to Wales. Adrian Forbes has become a fans favourite since his summer free transfer switch from Luton. The ex Norwich man can play in attack or midfield, and he always chips in with a goal or two. He has got three already this year and will be looking to hit double figures this year after managing nine in 25 starts for Luton last season. Key Player Lee Trundle (left) The obvious choice. He scored 22 goals last season after a move from rivals Wrexham. He is still one of the favourites to be top scorer in this division this year. Trundle is a real menace for any defender with his aggressive and resilient style, that has already seen him score four goals in ten starts this term.

Recent Form

Town Swansea L Chester (a) 1-2 D Shrewsbury (a) 1-1 D Bristol Rovers (h) 0-0 W Northampton (a) 1-0 D Cheltenham (h) 1-1 Currently 15th in League Two. W Leyton Orient (h) 1-0 L Southend (a) 4-2 W Mansfield (h) 1-0 D Chester (a) 1-1 W Luton (h) 2-0 (LDV) Currently 3rd in League Two.

Team News

Town Swansea The Mariners will have to do without record appearance holder and club captain John McDermott who is almost certain to miss out with both back and rib problems. This means that Jason Crowe will move over to play at right wing back - but only if he passes a fitness test. The former Portsmouth player hasn’t trained this week, but it is hoped he will be ok. This all means that Ronnie Bull will start on the left hand side with Crowe on the right. If Crowe doesn’t make it, however, then Clint Marcelle will get his first league start for the Mariners. Elsewhere, there could be changes up front with Colin Cramb dropping to the bench creating a strikeforce of the on loan Jon Daly, Andy Parkinson and Ashley Sestanovich. Terry Fleming took a knock last week at Chester but will be fit to play, there is more doubt, however, over the fitness of Dean Gordon who has a knee injury. Rob Jones will deputise, but he himself has a nose problem - therefore Russell Slade will be keeping his fingers crossed that one of them is fit to play. Former Tranmere forward Andy Parkinson was injured last week and was going to miss the Swans game with Darlington, until it was called off due to a waterlogged pitch. He is fit again now and will keep his place in Kenny Jackett’s squad. Championship Manager legend Izzy Iriekpen is fit for selection again now, but will probably just be on the bench, while former Burnley midfielder Brad Maylett is still sidelined with a hernia problem.

Probable Teams

Town Swansea 1 Anthony Williams 28 Terrell Forbes 6 Justin Whittle 24 Dean Gordon 16 Ronnie Bull 15 Terry Fleming 17 Thomas Pinault 8 Jason Crowe 10 Andy Parkinson 24 Jon Daly 7 Ashley Sestanovich 27 Willy Gueret 2 Samuel Ricketts 3 Kevin Austin 16 Garry Monk 19 Andy Gurney 4 Kristan O’Leary 6 Roberto Martinez 11 Adrian Forbes 18 Andy Robinson 10 Lee Trundle 17 Paul Connor

Subs

Town Swansea 11 Stacy Coldicott 9 Michael Reddy 18 Rob Jones 29 Colin Cramb 23 Clint Marcelle 25 Scott Fitzgerald 22 Izzy Iriekpen 7 Leon Britten 1 Brian Murphy 5 Alan Tate

Head to Head

Swansea have the slight edge of the Mariner with 19 wins to Town’s 17. Interestingly though, the Swans have not beaten Town in their last six meetings - Slade’s men will be looking to make that stretch to seven come Saturday. P 46 W 17 D 10 L 19 F 60 A 58 Swansea Head-to-Head (53rd on The Opposition Ladder).

Connections

Former Town midfielder and now assistant commercial manager David Smith had a brief spell with the Swans after he left Blundell Park in 2002. Smith made just three starts for Swansea under Nicky Cusack and then, Bryan Flynn. He enjoyed a more successful time with Town when he was involved in the 1997/98 double Wembley triumph - he also played for Birmingham, West Brom, Bournemouth and Coventry.

Last Meeting

Town last met the Swans over 10 years ago in an FA Cup Replay at Blundell Park in February 1993. Dave Gilbert and "Super" Clive Mendonca netted for the Mariners. Town were then in the First Division, enjoying a decent run of form - a season that saw them finish in 9th place in the table - a finish not beaten since. Swansea meanwhile, finished 5th in the Second Division (now League 1) but could not manage promotion, losing to West Brom in a Play Off Semi Final at the Hawthorns.

Prediction

Town to win 2-0 2-0 Recent Predictions Game Prediction Score Points Chester 0-0 1-2 0 Northampton 2-1 1-0 1 Cheltenham 1-1 1-1 3 Cambridge 1-0 2-0 1 Charlton 1-2 0-2 1 Leyton Orient 2-2 2-0 0 Macclesfield 1-1 1-3 0 Wycombe 2-2 0-2 0 Mansfield 1-1 2-0 0 Wigan 1-2 1-0 0 Reader's POMs

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