Eight games without scoring a goal and you might think that James Thomas would be losing his cool.

But the Morriston-born Swansea City striker is calmness personified ahead of the Boxing Day crunch with Bristol Rovers at the Vetch.

Rovers are the only side below Swansea in Division Three after Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Leyton Orient.

Thomas recognises the importance of the game but reckons he and the players will go out in the same frame of mind as they would if they were top of the tree at Christmas.

''Thursday is a massive game for us, obviously,'' said Thomas, ''but I don't think anything has changed from the beginning of the season.

''The lads will go into this match with the same attitude as if we were not in the position we are in.

''Obviously there is a little bit more pressure on us because of where we are.

''But we have to make this home advantage count. We have to put more pressure on sides and start to take our chances.

''For me personally I know I haven't scored for eight games but all strikers go through a barren spell and I am sure that once I get one the rest will come.''

Saturday's defeat was Swansea's second 1-0 reverse against fellow strugglers but their record is still not as poor as their Boxing Day opponents.

Bristol Rovers have lost eight matches in a row in the league and have tasted defeat 12 times in their last 17 league and cup games, winning only twice, against Runcorn in the FA Cup and Lincoln in the league.

''They are on an even worse run than we are,'' said Thomas. ''But we still have to raise our performance from that on Saturday.

''I am sure the gaffer can get us up for Thursday and hopefully I can get among the goals again and we can get three points.''

Thomas's barren run has coincided with his move out left in a front three employed by Brian Flynn, but he is happy to play anywhere as long as Swansea benefit.

''Of course I would like to play right up the front,'' said the ex-Wales under-21 star.

''It has been a little bit frustrating playing out wide but if the gaffer wants me to play there then I will happily do it.

''Anything that's good for the team I will do. Hopefully the goals will return and we can start moving up the table.

''That's the most important thing right now.''

Flynn will be hoping that Thomas's scoring touch returns against Rovers otherwise he could be looking up from an unenviable position - bottom of the pile at Christmas time.

Paul Reid reckons that Swansea have the quality to get out of the mess they are in but they must concentrate on their own game.

Reid, captain against Leyton Orient, says it is important to get the performance right on Thursday.

''We owe them one after they beat us up there earlier in the season,'' he said.

''It's really a local derby and the fact that we are both at the bottom means it's a massive game.

''But I think we have what it takes to get out of the mess we are in now.

''We certainly have it in us but we cannot worry about what everyone else around us is doing.

''We just have to go out and get as many points as we can.

''As long as we get results we will be OK.''

Swansea were missing the aerial skills of Matt Murphy in the 1-0 defeat on Saturday and Reid took time to say a few words for his team-mate both this season and last at Bury.

''I am gutted for Matt,'' said Reid.

''He was starting to do well for us and he was scoring goals.

''He has been a revelation up front.

''I spoke to him last week and he was on his way home.

''He was a gutted, especially with his contract up in the summer and having to cope with a bad injury.

''I just hope he can get back in quick time.''

Meanwhile, Rovers assistant manager John Still is well aware of the problems plaguing his side.

After the latest loss at Cambridge, Still said: ''We are making it too easy for sides by the way we defend.

''All three goals were sloppy and that is where we have to start our bid to get out of trouble.

''We are playing some good football at times but we are giving the ball away in good positions and letting in soft goals.''

Brian Flynn sent a simple Christmas message to his players after defeat by Leyton Orient on Saturday: ''Things must improve or we are going down.''

Chris Tate's breakaway strike condemned Swansea City to defeat No. 12 of the season and sent them plunging back into the Third Division relegation places.

And Flynn, who took over the Vetch Field reins from Nick Cusack in September, admits that much more is required in the second half of the campaign if Swansea are to avoid the dreaded drop to non-league football.

''We are nearly half way through the season so we can assess things and know exactly what we have to do and need to improve,'' said Swansea's director of football.

''We are going to have to have a better second half of the season than the first.''

The visit of Bristol Rovers to the Vetch on Boxing Day marks the midway point of what has been a miserable campaign to date.

And with Rovers the only side below Swansea in Division Three after defeat at Cambridge over the weekend, the game is being billed as the biggest of the season for both clubs.

''We're back in the bottom two and that makes Thursday one hell of a game,'' continued Flynn.

''It's a big one because we lost at home to Leyton Orient. The rest of the season is going to be tough and as I've said all along, I think it will be a yo-yo situation at the bottom with teams going up and down every week.''

Flynn was expecting on-loan Blackburn Rovers striker Marc Richards back in South Wales today after the 20-year-old returned to Ewood Park for treatment on an Achilles problem 10 days ago.

And the former Wrexham boss is hopeful of having the young frontman available to face Ray Graydon's Rovers after his side failed to break down 10-man Orient.

Flynn is also keeping his fingers crossed over first-choice central defender Jason Smith (ankle ligaments), who he wants to deploy alongside Alan Tate.

Swansea have been drawn away at Peter Nicholas's Newport County in the quarter-final of the FAW Premier Cup, which will be played at the end of January.

Flynn added: ''We're looking forward to it. It will be nice to go and play Newport in a competition that, touch wood, I've had a good success rate in.''

Draw: TNS v Cardiff City, Newport County v Swansea, Afan Lido v Wrexham, Rhyl v Barry.

''We'll see where we are at Christmas'' has been Brian Flynn's catchphrase since the early autumn day when he was unveiled as the man to save Swansea City.

Well the sleigh bells are all but ringing, and Flynn will tuck into his turkey on Wednesday with his misfiring side exactly where they were when he arrived back on September 19 - the Third Division relegation zone.

Twelve points have come from a possible 39 under the former Wrexham boss, and only the dreadful form of one of the other 'too-big-to-go-down' clubs, Bristol Rovers, has saved Swansea from being bottom of the pile. For now.

The two sides meet at Vetch Field on Boxing Day in what looks, without wishing to go over the top, a rather important contest.

Even Flynn, not a man who deals in hyperbole, was forced to concede after Saturday's home reverse against Leyton Orient that the Rovers game was looming ex-tremely large as a result.

Bottom against bottom-but-one in Division Three, a real festive treat it is unlikely to be.

There will be high tension, there could be high drama: Swans fans will be hoping excitement rather than worry sets the pulses racing.

Something to shout about would be nice, for there was precious little to spark Welsh smiles once Orient's Scott Canham was shown the red card after just 28 minutes over the weekend.

Up until then Swansea had been running the show, Gareth Phillips scuffing a golden opportunity and James Thomas stinging the keeper's palms.

Leon Britton's surge through the middle was only halted by a Canham lunge which brought the first yellow card.

Five minutes later, a rare attacking foray from the visitors saw the same player clatter into Roger Freestone in an attempt to make amends for his own miscontrol and that was the end of the former Brentford midfielder's afternoon.

'Cheerio, cheerio,' gloated the home fans, sensing victory was now guaranteed. In fact they were waving goodbye to the three points.

Orient reorganised, posting the impressive Jabo Ibehre on the right flank and leaving Chris Tate all on his own up front. 5-3-2 had become 4-4-1 and the home side never adapted.

''Swansea started well. There was some good passing and good movement and we were under pressure with 11 men on the field,'' said Orient boss Paul Brush.

''And in the end we played better with 10 men. We set our stall out and I think we made them edgy on the ball.''

The fluid football of the early stages long gone, Swansea were reduced to lofting hopeful - some might say hopeless - balls forward from the back. Orient duly cleared, time after time.

The only hint of a threat on Scott Barrett's goal was coming from distance, with Paul Reid and Alan Tate both sending fizzers past the woodwork.

''We played every ball in front of them,'' lamented director of football Flynn. ''I think there was only one diagonal ball in the second half, from Paul Reid to Craig Stiens, and that was it.

''We had to play diagonal balls to create something but we didn't in the second half and that was poor.

''It's not necessarily the fault of the people who play the balls that we didn't get in behind them because you've got to make runs. A run makes a pass, a pass does not make a run.''

Amid all the Swansea possession, one neat ball from Andy Harris saw Ibehre race inside Michael Howard and then pull back for Chris Tate.

The man with the fake tan - and two strikes in three matches before the trip to South Wales - sidefooted neatly into the corner.

It was the only occasion when Orient gave Freestone something to do, but nobody could have blamed an away team with only 10 men for so long for not coming forward more often. John Williams might have levelled things after Britton's through ball 14 minutes from the end, but the substitute's toe poke was too tame to trouble Barrett and Orient survived.

By then there was a sense that this was destined to be another of Swansea's sour afternoons in 2002.

''I thought we might have learned our lesson playing against 10 men,'' added Flynn.

''We went 1-0 up against Rochdale at home and they had a man sent off but we conceded a late equaliser. Not putting away sides who are a man short is not a habit I like.''

He continued: ''It's frustrating because we have gradually been getting better at home and the first half against Orient was okay. The movement was bright, we were passing the ball well and we were creating chances.

''But after the break there was only Leon Britton and Paul Reid trying to be creative - apart from them we did not look a threat. We were too predictable.''

So all eyes on Bristol Rovers, when another defeat would leave Swansea in dire straits as they begin the turn for home in what could just be their last Nationwide League season for a while.

Flynn wants 50 points, Swansea have just 18 with next Thursday match number 23 of the campaign - the halfway point.

''I can't overemphasise the huge challenge that we face,'' Flynn's programme notes had stressed on Saturday. No Brian, you can't.

SWANSEA CITY will head into their Boxing Day clash against Bristol Rovers knowing nothing less than a victory will do after this crushing defeat by Leyton Orient.

The Swans, dreadful away from home, lost at the Vetch for the first time in two months after failing to capitalise against a team reduced to 10 men for three-quarters of the game.

Little more than three weeks after climbing five places off the bottom with their emphatic 2-0 win against Shrewsbury, Swansea will be back in 24th place if they slip up again when the Pirates visit the Vetch for Thursday's crucial basement battle.

The stark fact is Swansea simply cannot afford to lose at home and a repeat of Saturday's result against Rovers - propping up the table after losing at Cambridge - would almost certainly make them favourites for the drop.

"Bristol Rovers is going to be one hell of a game," said Swans director of football Brian Flynn.

"The match will mark the half-way point of the season and it's clear that the second half needs to be better than the first."

With 22 games played and only 18 points collected - mustered from four wins and six draws - Swansea can scarcely expect to survive without a significant improvementon their return so far. A glance at last season's final table shows Lincoln City finished three off the bottom with 46 points but Swansea may need to aim for 50 to be certain of Third Division survival.

Statistics aside, rose-tinted statements such as "we're too good to go down" should be dismissed because, on the evidence of Swansea's hopeless second-half display against Orient, that simply isn't true.

They started the first half with a flourish but, with Orient depleted after midfielder Scott Canham was dismissed for two yellow cards, faded into oblivion after the interval.

Swansea lacked penetration, their distribution was dreadful and movement off the ball was virtually non-existent.

Orient were scarcely much better, but they did the one thing Swansea have failed to do all season - capitalise on their possession.

Chris Tate's 54th-minute goal - secured after Jabo Ibehre had exploited a chasm in the Swans defence - condemned Swansea to a painful defeat and left Flynn bemoaning his side's second-half ineffectiveness.

"For a start, we should have learnt a lesson from the Rochdale game (October 5) when we went 1-0 up, they then had a man sent off but scored a late equaliser," he said.

"Once again, we didn't make the extra man count and it's not a very pleasing habit."

Swansea will certainly need to be more inventive against Rovers - surely the most important match in Flynn's three-month reign.

"Our second-half performance against Orient was predictable," said Flynn, more critical of his side than in recent weeks.

"We were very poor at creating anything and attacking wise, we did not present a threat.

"Every ball was played in front of them (Orient). There was just one diagonal ball in the second half and that's not good enough.

"You've got to make runs behind people - there was space to do it - but we didn't and therefore couldn't capitalise on our possession."

Flynn made three changes to the side that lost at Exeter - David Theobald and Paul Reid were preferred to Kris O'Leary and Andrew Mumford, while Steve Watkin replaced the injured Matt Murphy - but it was to little effect.

The result was compounded by another dreadful refereeing performance from Berkshire official Paul Armstrong.

As the rain fell, so the conditions worsened but Armstrong chose not to view the increasingly slippy surface as a mitigating factor and brandished seven yellow cards as well as the one red.

A booking for Swansea's Alan Tate blemished an otherwise outstanding performance from the on-loan Manchester United defender.

Tate was once again solid at the back and made a number of confident moves forward, including a 30-yard dash in the seventh minute that created an opening for James Thomas.

The Swansea striker almost claimed his first goal since the 2-2 draw at Carlisle on October 26 when he collected Watkin's square pass and hit a first-time shot with the outside of his boot that was flipped over the crossbar by Orient keeper Scott Barrett.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men after 28 minutes when Canham, booked only five minutes earlier for a foul on Leon Britton, challenged Roger Freestone.

It didn't look reckless - Canham was entitled to go for a 50-50 ball - but the referee clearly deemed the midfielder had launched in with studs showing and off he went.

Orient attempted to close the game down in the hope of re-

SportWales treating to east London with a point so imagine their delight that they managed to grab all three. With the second half only nine minutes old, Andy Harris supplied Ibehre who, catching Michael Howard out of position, squared for Tate to tuck into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Swansea came close on a couple of occasions - Alan Tate tried his luck from 40 yards and substitute John Williams almost got a boot in ahead of Barrett - but the latter stages were dominated by the referee and his notebook. So to Rovers on Boxing Day when Swansea could have on-loan Blackburn striker Marc Richards and defender Jason Smith back available again after their injuries.

"We're back in the bottom two but, as I've said all along, there will be a yo-yo effect," said Flynn.

"We'll assess the situation again after the Bristol game. It's going to be tough but, make no mistake, we're prepared for it."

BRIAN FLYNN slammed his side's lack of professionalism as they slipped back into the relegation places.

"I thought we might have learnt a lesson playing against 10 men.

"That happened against Rochdale when we were winning 1-0. We just had to hit diagonal balls in this match. We played far too many straight balls and made no runs behind them.

"There was plenty of space at the back and we didn't go looking for it.

"When you play against 10 men you expect to have most of the possession but we were far too predictable and played very poorly in the second half."

And Flynn admitted that the first-half sending off of Orient midfielder Scott Canham turned the game.

"We started well against the 11 men but didn't improve. I brought on three subs in an effort to try and change the game but it just did not work."

Swansea play fellow relegation rivals Bristol Rovers on Thursday in what is now a must-win game.

Flynn added: "It's yo-yo football at the moment with sides going back and forward in the league.

"It will be tough on Thursday but, as I have always said, we will be well prepared for it."

Flynn refused to comment on the sending off but he suggested the referee had a far from impressive game.

"I cannot comment on the sending off as I don't know whether Freestone asked for the ref not to send the player off.

"I don't think he took the conditions completely into account when he went on booking players."

WALES hit-man John Hartson has reiterated his desire to play for crisis club Swansea City before his career ends.

Hartson spoke of his determination to run out in the white shirt of his hometown club in a special Q&A session with Celtic View, the official magazine of the Scottish champions.

The man whose goal fired Celtic into the next round of the UEFA Cup also opened up in the revealing interview on:

HIS fears that Mark Hughes would be lured away from Wales by a top Premiership club;

THE anger he feels over claims that his big mate Robbie Savage feigned injury to miss the recent Euro 2004 qualifier in Azerbaijan;

THE special rapport he has had down the years with Vinnie Jones;

HOW he has made up with old West Ham adversary Eyal Berkovic;

WHY he gets annoyed at people constantly linking him with a big-money transfer away from Celtic Park.

Swans fans will be particularly intrigued at Hartson's continued desire to sign for The Vetch club one day.

Hartson says he can see it happening towards the end of his career, but stressed he had to be useful to the Swans and not just use a move home to Wales as a simple final pay day.

Answering questions from Celtic fans for the magazine interview, Hartson said: "I'd love to go back home to Swansea and play for the club one day.

"It's a situation which might not come around until I'm in my mid-30s, but I would genuinely love to play in front of my own people.

"Swansea is very important to me in terms of my roots. If I went back, I would want to make sure I could still play well and score a lot of goals.

"I would be little use to the Swans if I couldn't run any more.

"We will see, but I would love it to happen." Hartson is in the middle of his own golden period at present, having established himself as Wales's No1 striker and re-established his position in Celtic's team.

But while he has had an excellent 2002 personally - including winning his first medals in professional football - Hartson has been saddened at the plight of his hometown club.

The Swans' very survival as a Football League team was in jeopardy for a while - and Hartson had to look on from afar with sadness as the club plummeted to the bottom of the table.

"I still look for Swansea's result before I find how any of my old teams, Luton, Arsenal, West Ham, Wimbledon and Coventry, have got on," he explained.

"The Swans are my team, they're the only club I would say that I actually support.

"I followed Liverpool until I was a teenager, but it was Swansea I used to go and watch and my love for the club just grew from there. The Swans had a great side back then."

Circumstances have radically changed since, of course, and Hartson is desperate to see his hometown outfit begin climbing the Leagues.

But he hopes in five years' time to be able to play himself for a flourishing-again Swans XI.

"I'm definitely going back to buy a home in Wales anyway," said Hartson.

"Maybe not Swansea, but definitely somewhere in Wales. But I would love to play for them.

"A lot of my mates work down on Swansea docks. I'd probably have ended up down there with them if I hadn't made it as a professional footballer."

Hartson continued: "Career-wise, I'd like to go into the media side of things, maybe in Welsh television, once I finish playing.

"The fact I can speak fluent Welsh would help in that respect and I feel I'd do an okay job once I pick up more experience and knowledge of the game."

SWANSEA crashed back into a dreaded relegation spot after falling victims to a smash and grab raid by 10-man Orient.

The Londoners snatched a surprise lead after 53 minutes when Chris Tate was on hand to meet Jabo Ibehre's low cross and rifle his drive past the helpless Swansea keeper Roger Freestone.

Orient had midfielder Scott Canham sent off in the 27th minute after his second yellow card in five minutes.

It seemed a harsh decision as he was dismissed after a lunge at Freestone.

But, ironically, the sending off lifted his own side.

Until that incident Swansea had dictated the game and only a flying stop from Orient's keeper Scott Barrett prevented top-scorer James Thomas from putting them ahead after 17 minutes.

Swansea manager Brian Flynn said: "We began brightly enough, but so often the whole game changes when one side is reduced to 10 men. And that's what happened today."

ORIENT, down to ten men for more than an hour, lifted themselves clearer of a relegation nightmare with their third successive win.

Midfielder Scott Canham was dismissed after 27 minutes for a lunge at Swansea keeper Roger Freestone. It was his second yellow card in five minutes.

But Orient produced a spirited revival and snatched the points when Chris Tate fired home the only goal of the game after 53 minutes.

Manager Paul Brush said: "We played better with ten men than with 11. We got them anxious and then you could see their players were beginning to get a bit edgy."

"We had to sweat for it in the closing stages but we did show the character and the tenacity needed."

Manchester United defender Alan Tate will be staying with Swansea City until the end of the season.

Tate's original loan period was due to end after the Leyton Orient game on Saturday, but United manager Alex Ferguson has agreed to extend the deal.

The club's Supporters Trust pay for Tate's wages, and the 20-year-old centre back has already won over the fans will some impressive performances.

"I'm delighted that Sir Alex is allowing Alan to stay with us," Swansea boss Brian Flynn told the club's website. I know that United will be watching me while I'm here

Alan Tate

"He has shown already what he is capable of and given a long run in the side I feel we'll see him develop and improve game on game.

"Alan was very keen to arrange a long-term loan as he has settled well in the area and is enjoying the competitive edge of first-team football that you just cannot get when playing for the reserves.

"Sir Alex appreciates that aspect of the game and makes good use of the loan system to help develop his younger players."

Tate added: "It's nice to get thing settled early so that I know where I stand and I'm now looking forward to doing what I can to help the team move up the league table.

"I know that United will be watching me while I'm here, so hopefully, if I'm doing well then I might have more of a chance of making the first team when I go back there."

Swansea City's Third Division survival plans have suffered a hammer blow with the news that Matt Murphy is out for the rest of the season.

The makeshift striker, who has three goals in his last five matches, was told by a specialist yesterday he would almost certainly not play again this term because of a knee problem.

And with the 31-year-old's Swansea contract up next summer, he now faces an agonising spell on the sidelines wondering whether he has a future at Vetch Field.

''I've just had the news that Matt will probably not play again this season and it's a real blow,'' admitted director of football Brian Flynn.

''It's a blow for the team and it's a blow for him because he has really started to find his form in the last few weeks.'' Murphy, who faces an operation, picked up the knee cartilage problem rising unchallenged for a header at Exeter last Saturday.

With Marc Richards also out, his place in attack tomorrow could be taken by Steve Watkin, John Williams or Craig Stiens, while Paul Reid may force his way back into midfield after hamstring trouble.

On-loan Manchester United defender Alan Tate continues at the back with Flynn hoping it is not the 20-year-old's last game in a Swansea shirt.

''I have spoken with Sir Alex Ferguson and he seems fairly positive,'' added Flynn, who hopes to keep the centre-back until the end of the season. ''He just needs to check up on the injury situation at Old Trafford.

''Unlike a short-term deal, a player cannot be recalled by his club when he is on a long-term loan unless circumstances are extraordinary, so that's why it's not simple.

''We need to get it sorted out because tomorrow is Alan's last game in the initial spell and I think he can have a big influence if he stays.''

He continued: ''Getting it finalised will boost the squad for Leyton Orient. It's all about us tomorrow. I'm sure the fans would agree that we've improved at home apart from one blip and if we're not going to win away, we'll have to do it at home.''

Orient, whose place in Division Three looks a little less perilous than a couple of weeks ago after two straight wins, are short of centre-backs to handle Swansea's rejigged attack.

The impressive Justin Miller returned to Ipswich this week to try his luck under new boss Joe Royle after a three-month loan stay.

Simon Downer (cruciate ligaments) and Dave McGhee (Achilles) are also absent, meaning Os boss Paul Brush must deploy right back Matt Joseph and left-back Billy Jones in his back three. Midfielder Carl Hutchings (hamstring) is also a doubt.

Leon Britton makes his home debut for Swansea City tomorrow with a message from best mate Jermain Defoe ringing in his ears: ''Do exactly what I did.''

West Ham midfielder Britton plays the second game of a one-month loan spell in South Wales against Leyton Orient at Vetch Field.

And the talented 20-year-old has been urged to use his time in the lower leagues to grab the attention of the Upton Park management by a player who went from unknown to possible England striker after a season-long stay at Bournemouth.

''Jermain's probably my closest friend in football,'' explained Britton.

''He rang me the other day and told me to try to do what he did when he went on loan.

''He scored loads of goals and broke records for Bournemouth and that meant that when he got back to West Ham they had to put him in the first team.

''They just could not keep him in the reserves. That's what I want to do while I'm at Swansea - impress Glenn Roeder so that when I do go back, I'll get my chance.''

Britton, who the Hammers paid Arsenal £400,000 for when he was just 16, can hardly wait for a chance to parade his skills in front of a home crowd tomorrow - particularly as his fellow Londoners provide the opposition.

''It's the nearest club to West Ham so I might see a few familiar faces,'' he continued.

''And it will add a little something extra for me because I'm playing against a London side - I'm absolutely buzzing about the game.

''I thought I did all right at Exeter last weekend considering it was my first ever senior game.

''I could have done better in the second half - we all could have done - but overall I was quite pleased.

''It was quite a hard game. Martin Thomas and Kwame Ampadu were both roughing it up a bit in midfield and the conditions were not great either.

''But running out and seeing the Swansea fans was excellent. They had the whole stand behind one goal and went up one of the sides and they were good to me which was nice.

''That's why I can't wait to play at home. It's another massive game - hopefully I can do well and help put on a bit of a show for the fans and we can get three points.''

Swansea City boss Brian Flynn has already seen enough of Leon Britton to know he wants to keep the midfielder at Vetch field for much longer than a month.

The West Ham United youngster was Swansea's best player on debut in the defeat at Exeter last weekend.

And with Britton's initial one-month loan spell up in mid-January, Flynn has revealed plans to extend the 20-year-old's stay in South Wales.

''I think Leon is a bit unfortunate not to have broken into the West Ham first team yet,'' said Swansea's director of football.

''He was one of the few bright points for us at Exeter.

''He showed he's a good, intelligent player who uses the ball well and also that he punches his weight. ''Straight away he has shown his quality, and we would like to keep him here for longer than a month.''

Meanwhile, striker Jamie Wood has outlined Swansea's target for tomorrow's meeting with Leyton Orient and the crunch clash with Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day: six points.

''We've got two home games and it's vital to get points from both, hopefully six,'' he said.

''And I certainly think with the players we've got we shouldn't have any worries this season. We've got the ability to do the job.''

DAVID SMITH last night expressed his disappointment at not being given more first-team opportunities after becoming the fifth Swansea City player to be shown the door by director of football Brian Flynn.

The former Coventry City defender's contract has been paid up only six months after he was signed from Grimsby Town by former boss Nick Cusack.

And 34-year-old Smith, who changed his mind after originally rejecting the offer of a pay-off when Leigh De-Vulgt left, said he was unhappy at having made only four appearances.

"It's disappointing not to have played a bigger part at the club this season," said the former England U21 international.

"It would have been nice to have had more chances to show what I can do."

Cusack hailed Smith as having "a cultured left foot and a very good pedigree" when he arrived amid the pre-season optimism sweeping the Vetch.

Smith started the season as Cusack's first-choice left-back - scoring once at Darlington on August 13 - and played the first three games before a groin injury kept him out for a month.

But the former West Bromwich Albion player never regained his place after Michael Howard was let in and made just one appearance under Flynn, as a substitute in the 1-0 defeat against Torquay United.

"I haven't had much chance to impress since coming back from injury and I've dropped even further down the pecking order with the manager bringing in a number of new faces," said Smith.

"Having moved my family down to Swansea it's upsetting for this to happen only six months into my contract. But that's football. It's the manager's decision and there's nothing I can do about it."

Smith follows Michael Jackson, Jonathan Keaveny, Andrew Marsh and De-Vulgt out of the Vetch.

"David was fully aware that he was only going to be a fringe player for the rest of the season and that he would not be involved in the first team as much as he would want to be," said Flynn.

"Without regular reserve action there seemed to be little point in us retaining his services."

Meanwhile, Flynn was dealt a blow yesterday when on-loan Blackburn Rovers striker Marc Richards was ruled out of Saturday's clash against Leyton Orient. Richards had treatment on an Achilles problem earlier this week but has since aggravated the injury in training.

SWANSEA'S home clash against Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day is a 1pm kick-off and fans can pay on the gate.

David Smith has become the fifth player to be shown the Vetch Field exit door by Brian Flynn.

The 34-year-old left wingback has changed his mind after originally rejecting the offer of a pay-off when Leigh De-Vulgt left Swansea City last week.

''He was fully aware that he was going to be a fringe player for the rest of the season and that he would not be involved in the first team as much as he would want to be,'' said director of football Flynn.

''Without regular reserve action, there seemed little point in us retaining his services and we wish him all the best in the future.''

Ex-England Under-21 winger Smith is the fourth of Nick Cusack's 10 summer signings to go following the departures of Jon Keaveny, Andrew Marsh and Michael Jackson last month.

He made just four Swansea appearances, scoring once at Darlington in the second game of the season, but never regained his place after groin trouble let in Michael Howard.

Former Coventry, West Brom and Birmingham player Smith has more than 400 league games to his name, but the veteran's Nationwide League future now looks extremely uncertain.

Meanwhile, Swansea have been hit with the news that on-loan Marc Richards will miss Saturday's meeting with Leyton Orient.

The 20-year-old is still to return from Lancashire having gone home for treatment on an Achilles injury last weekend and then aggravated the problem in training.

Flynn remains hopeful that Richards, whose six-week loan ends on New Year's Eve, will be fit to face Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day and Lincoln on December 28.

His absence on Saturday further limits Swansea's attacking

Brian Flynn's plans for the busy festive period have been boosted by the news that Jason Smith could be back in action much sooner than expected.

The influential Swansea City centre-back was initially ruled out for a month after damaging ankle ligaments last week.

But Smith, 28, is making a rapid recovery from the training ground knock and could play some part in the three games coming up in Christmas week.

''He's still pretty doubtful for Leyton Orient this Saturday,'' admitted director of football Flynn. ''He will probably not be involved, but if he keeps improving the way he has, we are hopeful that he will be fit to play at some stage in our Christmas programme.

''It was only last week that he picked up the injury, but the positive thing is that Jason wants to play and that has to be good news for us.''

Flynn is hopeful of reuniting Smith with borrowed Manchester United centre-back Alan Tate, even though the classy 20-year-old's one-month loan spell expires after the Orient game.

The Swansea boss is still waiting to hear from Old Trafford supremo Sir Alex Ferguson, whose attentions yesterday were fixed on United's Worthington Cup quarter-final clash with Chelsea.

''They had a game last night so I'll be looking to speak to him today,'' added Flynn, who is hoping to keep Tate until the end of the season.

Having limped off at Exeter last Saturday, Andrew Mumford remains on course to play this weekend.

And Swansea are hopeful of having on-loan Blackburn striker Marc Richards (Achilles) fit after he returned from Lancashire yesterday. Steve Watkin is also in the running to replace the injured Matt Murphy in attack.

Swansea's squad were set for a practice match at the Vetch today after Flynn was unable to arrange a midweek friendly.

Swansea will face Swansea Senior League champions West End next month in the third round of the West Wales Senior Cup.

As holders of the trophy after their 6-0 win over Hakin United in last year's final, Flynn's men will be keen to avoid a repeat of the two sides' meeting at the same stage in 1998-99.

Then West End upset the odds with a 3-2 win at the RTB Sports Ground. As yet there is no date for the tie, which must be played by January 26.

STEVE WATKIN is determined to make an impact on his return to the Swansea City side - after admitting the first half of the season had been a "washout."

The 31-year-old former Wrexham striker has made only seven first-team appearances this term, his last start coming in the 2-2 draw at Carlisle United on October

26.

Watkin, who started the season behind James Thomas and Jamie Wood in the pecking order, admitted he is getting frustrated constantly being on the fringes of the team.

But, with Matt Murphy and Marc Richards both out injured, Watkin is expected to be given his chance alongside Thomas and Wood as Swansea enter a crucial Christmas period at home to Leyton Orient today.

And, mindful that his contract expires at the end of the season, Watkin knows it is an opportunity he must make the most of.

"Any chance I get I've got to grab with both hands and try to make an impact," said Watkin.

"If I play against Orient and do well, I think it's only fair that I get to keep the shirt and play against Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day.

"I'll be disappointed if I have a good game and I'm then dropped for the next match because I'm hungry for a run in the team.

"The first half of the season has been a washout for me. I just haven't got started.

"To be honest, it feels strange because this is the first time I've not

been a first-team player for any length of time.

"And it's not nice when you're not involved in things. It can get you down a bit."

With the prospect of Richards's loan spell being extended at the end of the month and the arrival of Leeds United youngster Craig Stiens, the omens don't look good for Watkin.

But the Wrexham-born striker, a veteran of more than 200 Swans appearances, insists there is still plenty of time left to persuade director of football Brian Flynn to offer him an extension.

"There's still a long way to go in the season and there's no question of me panicking at this stage," said the former Wales B international, who joined the Swans from The Racecourse in September 1997.

"In the same way there are plenty of points to play for, there are lots of games left for me to stake my claim.

"Obviously, what I need more than anything is two or three games in the side and you never know what can happen.

"It might seem difficult when there is so much competition for forward places, but that can help because it gives you an added incentive to do well when you're in the side."

Watkin expressed sympathy for Murphy, who could miss the rest of the season after damaging knee ligaments in the 1-0 defeat at Exeter last Saturday.

But there was better news for Swansea yesterday when, as expected, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson gave permission for defender Alan Tate to remain at the Vetch for the rest of the season.

And with Jason Smith making a rapid recovery from ankle ligament damage, it means Flynn could be able to field his strongest side - Murphy aside - against Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day.

Watkin believes the next seven days - rounded off with a difficult trip to Lincoln a week today - will be crucial to Swansea's Third Division survival hopes.

"The next three games and those over the New Year period are going to be massive," he said.

"And I think it's important that we concentrate on our own performance rather than worry about what the other teams around us are doing.

"It's vital that we start with three points against Orient because we want to go into the Bristol game on a high.

"It gives you a psychological boost when you're three or four places off the bottom of the league and we have to hold on to that.

"There's a stigma attached to being right at the bottom and we're determined not to be there again."

Brian Flynn was today waiting to hear from Old Trafford supremo Sir Alex Ferguson for a decision on the future of Alan Tate.

With Tate's one-month loan spell set to expire after Saturday's clash with Leyton Orient, Flynn has contacted the Manchester United manager about the possibility of keeping the centre-back at Vetch Field for the rest of the season.

''I have put a call in to Sir Alex and I'm waiting for him to get back to me,'' said Swansea City's director of football.

''I have had no indication as yet as to what he will say and cannot be sure until I've heard from United, but when the initial deal was agreed it was with a view to a longer loan.

''We want him to stay, and the positive thing is that Alan wants to stay too.''

After Matt Murphy was ruled out of the Orient game with possible knee cartilage damage, Flynn has received some good news from on-loan Blackburn striker Marc Richards.

The 20-year-old was due back in South Wales today after returning to Lancashire last week for treatment on an Achilles injury picked up in training.

''He's had a scan and there's no serious damage, just some slight inflammation,'' explained Flynn.

''He's travelling back down today and we're hoping that he will be available this Saturday.

''It's a timely boost with Matt Murphy injured. He has been scoring goals and you will always miss a player who is doing that, but the onus is now on the others to step in.''

Meanwhile, Swansea's Supporters' Trust has given the club £10,000 as part of the 'Let's stop moaning and get a loan in' scheme to be used to fund the cost of loan players.

A further £12,000 is available - with pledges still being taken - which will be handed over to the club as and when required.

In return for the initial £10,000, the trust will receive 10,000 £1 shares in the club.

THERE was no sign of former Swansea City chairman Mike Lewis at St James' Park on Saturday.

But the 500-odd Swans supporters who travelled down could be forgiven for nonetheless giving him a verbal battering since there was precious little else for them to shout about.

After feasting on last month's emphatic 2-0 victory against Shrewsbury Town, they were left searching for crumbs of comfort as Swansea failed to add another building block on a miserable day in south Devon.

The defeat extends to 16 the number of away league games without a win and turns Christmas encounters at the Vetch against Leyton Orient (Saturday) and Bristol Rovers (Boxing Day) into cup finals.

Though there is little on which Lewis and the Swansea followers would agree these days, even he would be hard pushed to dispute their claim that the Swans should have mustered a much-needed point from this particular relegation battle.

And had referee Grant Hegley watched a video of the match yesterday, he too would have conceded that the free-kick from which Exeter stole the points should never have been awarded.

Swansea didn't really deserve it, but the game - almost as grim as the inclement weather - was labouring towards a scoreless draw until the Hertfordshire official awarded a ridiculous 73rd minute free-kick.

Hegley - who never allowed the game to flow, making seven mostly unnecessary bookings - deemed Alan Tate's boot was high on the stooping Santos Gaia, even though the Swansea defender's foot was little more than waist-height as he went to hook clear.

Andy Roscoe's left-foot strike from just 10 yards out hit the net via a cruel deflection off a 10-man wall and, from that point on, Swansea failed to lift themselves off the canvas.

But director of football Brian Flynn refused to castigate Hegley afterwards.

"I thought it was waist-height rather than a high boot, but you'll have to ask the referee about it," he said.

"Other than that, I thought he did OK. Our bookings (Michael Howard, Jamie Wood, Leon Britton and Alan Tate entered the notebook) were down to indiscipline and we've only got ourselves to blame for them."

Flynn knows his side must start stringing results together to pull free of the relegation quicksand and a holiday period that also includes a daunting trip to Bournemouth could make or break their season.

"We've said all along that this will be a crucial period for us," he said.

"The key to our survival is the ability to put a little run together."

And we know we need to improve our away record. I don't think there's a phobia in the dressing room about away matches, but the longer this run goes on, the harder it becomes to put things right."

One of few positives the Swansea boss could extract from Saturday's damp squib of a game was the excellent debut performance of on-loan West Ham midfielder Leon Britton.

There isn't much of him, but the 20-year-old attacker shone like a beacon in the gloom as Swansea struggled to create anything that would trouble Exeter goalkeeper Kevin Miller.

Britton showed some particularly exquisite touches in the 12th minute when he curved into the 18-yard-box and stopped the ball dead before turning and delivering a pinpoint cross for Matt Murphy.

Swansea had the occasional sniff - Murphy and substitute Steve Watkin both went close with headers in either half - but it was Exeter, with former Swans favourites Martin Thomas and Kwame Ampadu leading the charge, who just about edged it.

Flynn handed on-loan Leeds United striker Craig Stiens his debut as a second-half substitute, but saw Andrew Mumford and Murphy pick up injuries that cut short their involvement.

Tate joined James Thomas and Jamie Wood up front as the game wore on, but Swansea suffered the killer blow 17 minutes before the end.

Exeter leap-frogged the visitors into 20th place, Swansea's cause helped by the fact fellow strugglers Boston, Carlisle and Bristol Rovers all lost.

"This result is a hiccup, but we have to put it behind us and concentrate on Leyton Orient on Saturday," said Flynn.

"The one thing we need to be is more consistent. We played very well against Shrewsbury, but failed to reach the same standards against Exeter."

A GLANCE around St James' Park reminded one of past glories - a stand named after pre-war goal hero Cliff Baston who starred for Exeter before Arsenal.

Swansea have their memories too, of course. Twenty one years ago they dined from soccer top-table with Manchester United, Liverpool and Co.

But if you look at the foot of Division Three this morning, both rivals' 82-year football league lives hang by a slender thread.

All the more galling for Swans followers then that it was bungling Hertford-shire referee Grant Hedgley controversial award of a 73rd minute free kick to the Grecians, which cost their club dear in Devon.

The official, who also booked seven men in a never-dirty clash, deemed Swansea defender Alan Tate's boot was high on the stooping Gaia Santos and Andy Roscoe's left foot did the rest.

It meant Exeter leap-frogged the visitors into 20th spot in the table. The defeat also meant Swansea have not won an away league match in 16 attempts since February 23rd.

Swansea now have crucial Vetch matches with fellow-strugglers Leyton Orient and Bristol Rovers around Christmas before visiting Lincoln on December 28.

And Swans boss Brian Flynn insists improving his team's away record is the key to his men staying out of the Nationwide Conference.

He said: "This is definitely the case. All I am concerned about is what we've done since I have been in charge.

"We have lost in Exeter and we will have to start all over again. But I never felt that we would get out of trouble overnight _ there was always going to be more battles ahead."

Swansea, seeking a first away victory for almost 10 months made three changes from the side who rattled up a third victory in four home games at Shrewsbury's expense 14 days ago.

In came striker Jamie Wood, Chris O'Leary who returned to lead the Swans, from central defence. And there was a Nationwide League baptism for borrowed West Ham link-man Leon Britton - a player who had joined the Hammers in a £1.5m deal from Arsenal at just 16 years old.

The Grecians had a familiar look - former Swans favourites Martin Thomas and Kwame Ampadu patrolling mid-field.

Exeter also boosted by the re-instatement of ex-Birmingham star Kevin Miller - the goalkeeper back after serving suspension.

This clash had been saturated in controversy for weeks.

And a large police presence threw a gauntlet of security around the arena - this, in anticipation of 1,000 travelling Swansea fans abusing their former owner - Exeter vice-chairman Mike Lewis.

Two points separated these rivals who were floundering in third position white-water.

The importance of the occasion was leading to a distinct dearth of festive spirit.

A battery of unforced errors was marring the opening exchanges but a potent win by Britton took him past Thomas, Kevin Pilkington nodding away the danger deep in the area.

The Swans had a huge slice of fortune on 16 minutes, though. Shaven-headed Thomas rounded Andy Mumford before firing a right-foot shot against the post.

Swansea were soon hitting back. Britton's right-side corner was pin-point - Matt Murphy's header powering into Miller's gloves.

Despite the visitors' wealth of possession, Neil McNab's men always posed a threat on the break - and Swansea keeper Roger Freestone was scrambling as Thomas's right-footer skidded inches wide.

And the Grecians so nearly went ahead in first-half stoppage time. Roscoe cut through on the left, Thomas somehow headed over a gaping net from eight yards.

This tinderbox encounter was waiting to explode at any second and referee Hedgley cautioned six men by the 58th minute - including Swansea stars Alan Tate, Wood and Michael Howard.

And there was more discomfort for the Swans as Exeter bagged the vital winner 17 minutes from time.

Hedgley ruled against Tate. Carl Pettefer touched the free kick to Roscoe and the full-back's 10-yard drive whistled into the net via a wicked deflection.

LEON BRITTON plans to enjoy his loan spell at Swansea City after admitting he was beginning to waste away in the reserves at West Ham.

The 20-year-old midfielder sets out to revive his flagging career when he makes his full Swans debut in today's Division Three basement battle at Exeter City.

Britton - glad for a temporary escape from the gloom enveloping Upton Park - could be forgiven for wearing a broad smile given his two-year struggle to be promoted from West Ham's reserve team.

A bright future was predicted for the Londoner when, at the age of 16, he joined the east London club from Arsenal for £400,000.

But Britton is yet to fulfil his ambition of following in the footsteps of contemporaries like Jermaine Defoe, Michael Carrick and Joe Cole by breaking into the Hammers first team.

Hence his arrival on loan at Swansea, where he hopes to convince West Ham manager Glenn Roeder that he is good enough to play at the highest level.

"I'm glad to get away from West Ham for a while because I feel like I've been rotting in the reserves," said

"It was getting me down, plugging away and training hard without getting a chance in the first team.

"Fewer and fewer youngsters are getting a break in the Premiership these days. There's Wayne Rooney at Everton, but how many others could you name?

"For me, coming to Swansea is a big boost because I feel wanted a change. I don't feel part of things at West Ham, but at Swansea I feel I'm going some-where."

Britton, an attacking midfielder who stands at just 5ft 5in, admitted he thought his Premiership career would have taken off by now.

"Seeing the likes of Carrick, Defoe, Cole, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand progress through the ranks at West Ham was a major factor in my decision to join them," said Britton.

"I wanted to be one of them - to be playing in the Premiership week in week out - but it has not worked out.

"It's not too late, though. The reason I've joined Swansea is to get some valuable first-team experience and hopefully impress Glenn.

"I want to do well for Swansea, but I've got a contract with West Ham so I need to make progress there.

"They will be keeping tabs on me - Glenn said he would send people to matches regularly over the next month

Britton. - so now is the time for me to show what I can do."

Swansea hope Britton will add extra flair and added attacking impetus to the midfield as the Third Division strugglers seek to build on the encouraging 2-0 victory against Shrews-bury a fortnight ago.

"From what I've seen, it's hard to believe Swansea are struggling in the league," said Britton.

"I suppose the situation here mirrors the one at West Ham - plenty of talent in the side but for some reason struggling in the league.

"I hope things will click into place at West Ham, and I'm sure the same can happen at Swansea.

"I can't wait to play at Exeter. They're also struggling so it should make for a tough game, but there's a lot of confidence that we can get something from it."

Matt Murphy has recovered from a calf injury to play at St James' Park as Swansea are reunited with former chairman Mike Lewis - certain to receive a hostile reception from travelling supporters if he attends the match.

Youngster Craig Stiens is expected to start on the bench after joining the Swans from Leeds United on loan until the end of the season, but defender Jason Smith and loan striker Marc Richards are both ruled out through injury.

Exeter are set to include former Swansea players Martin Thomas and Kwame Ampadu.