Press cuttings

30th November 2005 Swans target Dons striker McLeod

Evening Post Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett says he wants to sign MK Dons' striker Izale McLeod, who has been linked with a move to a number of Premiership clubs. Jackett said: "There is no doubt he is a very good player and he is the right player for us. "We haven't made a bid and I haven't spoken to Danny Wilson at MK Dons, but we have watched the player on quite a few occasions." McLeod, 21, has scored eight League One goals in 17 games this season. Wilson said this week the Dons were determined to hold onto their prized asset, but admitted they would have to consider selling him if the price was right. And Jackett added: "There is a lot of interest in Izale. I wouldn't envisage his club letting him go cheaply but I do believe he would take us forward.''

29th November 2005 Race hotting up for Trundle - but Jackett insists 'I'll do a

GiveMeFootball.com By Mark Shail Swansea have made their first indications that they could, reluctantly, be preparing for life without Lee Trundle following the news that manager Kenny Jackett is joining the race to sign £1 million rated MK Dons striker Izale McLeod. Jackett has so far denied making any move for 21-year-old frontman McLeod, but admits having been to watch him play a number of times. "We haven't made a bid for Izale and I haven't spoken to Danny Wilson at MK Dons, but we have watched the player on quite a few occasions," said Jackett. "There is no doubt he is a very good player and he is the right player for us. "I'm always looking at ways to strengthen my squad. There is a lot of interest in Izale. I wouldn't envisage thus club letting him go too cheaply but I do believe he would take us forward." McLeod is expected to leave the National Hockey Stadium this January but the Swans could face competition from the likes of Wolves, Cardiff and Aston Villa. "There is always a good and a bad time to bring a player in," added Jackett. "This is definitely the correct moment. We are pushing hard for Championship football at our club and we are having big gates at the Liberty Stadium." Even if the Welsh club miss out on McLeod in the January sales, Jackett says he will still be in the market to bring in some new players to boost the club's promotion bid. "I do have a budget to work from. We have the funds to strengthen and I'd like to utilise that facility in January," he said. Meanwhile, Trundle has admitted a January transfer to Everton – the club he supported as a boy, would be a 'dream move'. With the Toffees having found the net just five times this season, Everton boss David Moyes is thought to be eyeing a new striker and the Scot was in the stands to watch £1.5 million rated Trundle score his 17th goal of the season on Saturday. Charlton, Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday have also been linked with Trundle but the 29-year-old admitted he would find it hard to turn down a switch to his beloved Goodison Park. "They're my club. I grew up loving them and I would give anything to join them," said Trundle. Jackett added: "I dont want Lee to leave us, but I'm very aware that there is a lot of interest in him from the Championship. I believe taking a significant fee for him would be a quick fix that Swansea don't need. I want to build my team around Lee. "I'll certainly do all I can to keep Lee at Swansea. We're having large home crowds and I'm quite certain things might get disrupted if he were sold."

29th November 2005 Swans Trophy switch brings welcome relief

Western Mail CLUB captain Roberto Martinez has welcomed the easing of Swansea City's festive programme. Swansea's LDV Vans Trophy game with Peterborough has been brought forward a week to Tuesday, December 13 after attempts to stage the tie this weekend failed. Both clubs have a free date because of FA Cup elimination, but there was not enough time for Swansea to make logistical arrangements to play the game on Saturday. However, bringing the Southern Section quarter-final tie forward a week has allowed Swansea to avoid the nightmare scenario of six games in 15 days over the Christmas and New Year period. "From December 18 on (when Swansea visit Doncaster) it is going to be very, very busy," said Martinez, who played a prominent role in the 2-2 draw at Tranmere last Saturday after coming off the bench. "Getting a game moved from that Christmas schedule is a bonus as it's a game less than every three days over that period. "You don't get that average even in a World Cup, so it's going to be very tough on everyone. "But it's a fantastic challenge for our squad and we will be looking to get as many points out of it as possible." League One leaders Swansea return to action against Scunthorpe next Tuesday before welcoming Colchester to the Liberty Stadium four days later. Then, after Peterborough's LDV Vans Trophy visit, there is a busy league schedule with games against Doncaster (Dec 18, away), Brentford (Dec 26, away), Gillingham (Dec 28, home), Swindon (Dec 31, away) and Port Vale (Jan 2, home). On Swansea's LDV Vans Trophy ambitions, Martinez added, "There's a fantastic prize at the end of the road. Sometimes the early rounds are tricky because you don't know if it's a good time to play them. "But I think going to the Millennium Stadium with our fans would be a fantastic day out. It's something we're looking forward trying to achieve. "Peterborough is a tough opposition and we shouldn't get carried away because they are going to treat it as a final. "For them, to come to the Liberty Stadium and play the top team in League One is going to be a fantastic motivation. "It is a one-off occasion and we are aware that makes everyone raise their game against Swansea City." Swans chairman Huw Jenkins, meanwhile, has poured cold water on speculation linking 17-goal striker Lee Trundle with a move to the Premiership. Everton boss David Moyes - who has stated his desire to sign a striker during the January transfer window - was at Tranmere on Saturday to check out Trundle in person. Moyes' presence at Prenton Park came after Trundle, a devoted Evertonian, had recently said, "I think deep down if a Premiership club comes in, no Swansea fan would begrudge me moving on to the top flight. "I'm an Everton fan and I'd give anything to play for them and I think everyone knows that." But Swans chairman Jenkins said, "Lee has given a couple of interviews where he has made it clear that he has an affection for Everton. "And now the Everton manager has turned up at one of our games I think people are putting two and two together. "But there's never been any contact between Everton and ourselves and I've got no idea if David Moyes was even watching Lee. "It could be that Everton watch most of Tranmere's games if they are not playing themselves. It's on their doorstep after all. "Whatever develops over the next month or over the next two years we will deal with when it happens."

28th November 2005 Jackett joins race for Dons striker

VitalFootball.co.uk MK Dons striker Izale McLeod has attracted interested from the likes of Aston Villa, Wolves and our rivals up the road. Reports now claim that Jackett could join in the race for the striker who could well move on to a bigger club in January's transfer window. Kenny Jackett says they've watched McLeod on a number occasions but there's been no contact between the two clubs. 'We haven't made a bid for Izale and I haven't spoken to Danny Wilson at MK Dons, but we have watched the player on quite a few occasions,' said Jackett. 'There is no doubt he is a very good player and he is the right player for us. 'I'm always looking at ways to strengthen my squad. There is a lot of interest in Izale. I wouldn't envisage thus club letting him go too cheaply but I do believe he would take us forward.' With Premiership and Championship clubs making their interest known, Jackett faces tough competition for his signature and its unlikely that he'll be joining us in the New Year. McLeod has averaged a goal every two games this season, scoring 8 goals in 16 appearances. Swansea are also looking at Peruvian International Juan Cominges, a 22 year old midfielder who plays for Argentinian league side, Colon Sante Fe.

28th November 2005 Safe haven for showboat

The Times “HE’S A GOD HERE,” ANDREW TOOZE, the owner of the Deli Lounge café in central Swansea, said, “and we’re not letting him go.” That sums up the Lee Trundle dilemma. Supporters worship the 29-year-old Liverpudlian forward who has spearheaded Swansea City’s rise to the top of Coca-Cola League One. But they also fear that he may be prised away by a team in the Championship or Premiership before he can complete the job of leading the Swans there. Only last weekend, Trundle scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Yeovil Town at the club’s handsome new Liberty Stadium, including yet another contender for an ever-expanding show reel of spectacular strikes. But afterwards, to widespread dismay, he was quoted as saying he felt “ready for the Premiership” — misquoted, it turns out. “People were asking me whether I’d be able to score goals in the Championship and I said, ‘Yeah, definitely, I believe that I can’,” Trundle said. “Then somebody asked if I thought I could score goals in the Premiership and I answered the same again. “I’m a person who believes in my own ability, and I believe that whatever level I play at I’ll score goals. People questioned whether I could score goals in this division, and I laughed. “All my mates at home got their money on me to be top goalscorer because I think there were 20 strikers in this division quoted and I wasn’t one of them.” The bookmakers, for once, got it wrong. Exemplary close control, a wide repertoire of tricks and the ambition and audacity to try the unexpected have made Trundle the top scorer in League One with 17 goals so far, including lobs, solo dribbles, overhead kicks, and he is also quick to point out that he has the second most assists. If you have never seen him play, then picture a late-developing Paul Gascoigne without the bad refuelling habits, or a lower-division Matthew Le Tissier with a better haircut. “When I was growing up, I used to love Paul Gascoigne, the way he enjoyed the game and played as if he never had a care in the world,” he said. “With Matt Le Tissier, people used to go on about his weight — like me — but he was a great entertainer, a great goalscorer and the type of player who could win games on his own. Some of the goals he scored were unbelievable. “I like to go out and enjoy it and that’s the type of player (Le Tissier) was. If I try something and it doesn’t come off, I’m not going to get uptight about it and think: ‘Oh no, what have I just done?’ If you want to score goals, you’ve got to try different things, and that’s what I do. I play with a smile on my face, but all the lads understand that I don’t do tricks just for the sake of it or at the expense of passing to someone else.” Trundle’s confidence should not be mistaken for big-headedness, whatever you imagined when you heard that he has the only image rights deal outside the Premiership. He is an immensely likeable character, and everyone in Swansea seems to have a story about the unpublicised generosity of a player who always has time for supporters. “I’m here to play football and when people stop me on the street and chat it means I’m doing my job and that gives me great pleasure,” he said. “They want to talk to you for all the right reasons, so I’ll always chat with anyone. With the image rights things, everyone had a laugh; all the lads in the dressing-room were all writing their names on their tube grips. It was just something that was negotiated between the club and my agent, but it proves that you must be doing something right.” At 29, though, Trundle is no overnight sensation. A lifelong Everton fan, he came into league football late with Wrexham in 2000, after spells with Southport and Rhyl, and he joined Swansea in 2003, contributing 22 goals to their promotion from League Two last season. But the youthful promise that led to a trial with Liverpool took a while to mature. “My attitude wasn’t right,” he confessed. “I was too laid back. It was when I got older and my daughter was born when I knuckled down and started training hard. I wouldn’t swap this for any other life in the world now, which is why I look back and think I wasted all those years. That drives me on.” Is time running out? “Coming into the game late, it’s not only that you’ve had less wear and tear on the body, your mentality’s different,” he said. “If you have been playing since 17, you could get tired of it after you have been in it a long time. I came in at 24 and I think I’ve got a lot to offer and also to make up for. I’m still hungry to achieve things. And I’m not the sort of player who is going to lose any pace.” Pace, highly prized among Premiership managers, may be the one quality Trundle lacks. “I’m not lightning-quick, which some people say you need to be for the Premiership, but I’m not slow,” he said. “Teddy Sheringham is 39 now, and he’s never had a lot of pace, but he can still knock a great pass and score goals. If the ball comes to me I believe that I’ve got the brains and skill to beat players and score.” So far he has done that at every stage, and some recently-unearthed Irish ancestry holds out the prospect of international recognition. At club level, barring Premiership intervention, the Championship beckons. “If he stays, we’ll go up,” Paul Huxtable, a supporter attending Tuesday evening’s LDV Vans Trophy match against Rushden & Diamonds, said. “If he doesn’t, I don’t think we will. He’s irreplaceable. I wouldn ’t swap him for Ronaldinho.” That level of faith and hope must impose a heavy burden, even on such a relaxed character. “A lot is on my shoulders, but that is the kind of pressure I like as a player,” Trundle said. “I think deep down if a Premiership club comes in, no Swansea fan would begrudge me moving on to the top flight. I’m an Everton fan and I’d give anything to play for them, and I think everyone knows that. But I’m not going to kick up a fuss and try to get away. It would have to be a deal that was right for the club and for me. Sheffield Wednesday put in a bid, but it wasn’t the right football move. Wednesday are a massive club, but Swansea can be too.” The supporters seem to understand. “I wouldn’t bear him any ill-will if he did go,” Steve Bevan, another fan at the Rushden match, said. “I’d just be grateful for what he has done — although of course I don’t want him to go. If he’s going, it needs to be to the Premiership. He’ll be in the Championship next season anyway if he stays.” Trundle spent the weekend back home on Merseyside, playing against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday and watching Everton take on Newcastle United yesterday. Goodison Park, of course, witnessed some of the sad, last days of Paul Gascoigne, but if David Moyes makes the call, it could enjoy the prime of Lee Trundle.

28th November 2005 FORBES PRESSES FUTURE CLAIMS

Evening Post Question: What is Adrian Forbes hoping to have in common with John Toshack, Terry Venables and Ally McCoist? Answer: He is hoping to have careers both in the media and coaching when he hangs up his boots. You would have thought being a father of two and a professional footballer would be enough to keep anyone busy. But not Forbes. The 26-year-old has started both a media and journalism course this year, as well as his level one coaching badge. "It's busy, busy for me at the moment." Forbes said. He's not wrong. The former Norwich and Luton player is also trying win his place back in Kenny Jackett's starting XI at the same time. An untimely knee injury at Huddersfield Town in August forced Forbes onto the sidelines for two months. It couldn't have been a worse time to be out of the side. Swansea have soared to the top of League One during the last two months. Now he has to wait patiently for his chance. Not that Forbes has been idle. He has been looking to the future - a future he hopes won't creep up on him too fast. "I had the opportunity to start my coaching badges recently and it gives me another option for when I finish in the game," he said. "It would have been stupid not to take this opportunity and hopefully I will be able to complete my first badge by the end of the season. "It is interesting as it takes you back to basics - the stuff you take for granted and do naturally. "But when you are coaching eight and nine-year-olds they don't know that yet. "That is the difficult part. Explaining things to them and making sure that they understand. "But it is enjoyable." While Forbes is not planning to give Kenny Jackett any pointers on the coaching front, the man etched into Swansea history for scoring the last league goal at Vetch Field - plus the goal that sent his side into the third tier of the English game - does understand the techniques a little better. "It does make me understand where he (Jackett) is coming from a little easier. "But this is how he started, as did Colin Pascoe and Kevin Nugent. "Let's put it this way. The coaching side is not as easy as it looks. "I'm sure it's easier to put on a session for people who know the ins and outs of the game than it is for the young kids as it takes a bit more explaining, but I'm coping with it so far." So if trying to get to grips with explaining the finer points of the game to children isn't hard enough, Forbes is also looking to the media with an Open University course in journalism and media. Appearances on Anglia TV's version of Soccer Night whetted his appetite for a stint on the small screen. "It is hard work. It is difficult to fit it all in with two kids as well," he added. "But this is something that I would really like to do when I finish playing. "I did a bit of TV work and commentary when I was at Norwich and when I went to Luton I was able to do some more. I have got the taste for it." But for now Forbes is content at trying to win his place back in the team. "I just have to bide my time," he admitted. "The lads have done really well while I have been out - the injury just came at the wrong time for me. "Leon Britton has been playing exceptionally well so I'm just going to have to sit on the bench and wait for my opportunity."

28th November 2005 Jackett defends selection policy

BBCi Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett insists he started with the right team in the 2-2 draw at Tranmere. The League One leaders were 2-1 down after a poor first half before half time substitutes Andy Robinson and Roberto Martinez helped turn the tide. Robinson got the late equaliser after a brace against Rushden in the LDV Vans Trophy in midweek. "With three substitutions you can affect the game, we did that and came on strong second half," said Jackett. "It was a great game with lots of chances. We had a few more than they had but we cannot complain over the draw. "Tranmere showed tremendous spirit but I never felt it was over. "At the end it felt like a point earned rather than two lost. "We were obviously disappointed to concede two goals, but we battled and we scrapped and kept going and we got hold of the opposition."

27th November 2005 KENNY SAYS DRAW WAS FAIR

Evening Post Tranmere boss Brian Little remained upbeat despite watching his side concede a 88th-minute equaliser to Andy Robinson that gave Swansea a 2-2 draw. Little declared the result puts the team "in the right direction" as they look to climb the League One table. He said: "I got the feeling that we might just sneak it. It was a hard game - a good game. We feel unlucky not to have got the extra points but perhaps they will feel they deserved a draw. "Our attitude was spot on. We were against a decent side and we matched them throughout. We are looking for results and it was a point which takes us in the right direction. If we keep producing that sort of effort and commitment we will be okay. "Everybody had a go and whilst there was disappointment in the end the fans remained great." Swansea manager Kenny Jackett was left to reflect on a "great game" and admitted that a draw was a fair result despite feeling his side had the better chances. He said: "It was a great game with lots of chances. We had a few more than they had but we cannot complain over the draw. It was probably a fair result. Tranmere showed tremendous spirit but I never felt it was over. "At the end it felt like a point earned rather than two lost. We came on very strong in the second period with the substitutes doing well. "We were obviously disappointed to concede two goals but we battled and we scrapped and kept going and we got hold of the opposition."

25th November 2005 LITTLE: SWANS TO BE FEARED

Evening Post Brian Little has warned Tranmere Rovers that Swansea City's surge to the top of League One is much more than a happy honeymoon. The Rovers boss put his side's narrow opening day defeat at the Liberty Stadium down to the momentum Swansea gained from promotion and a sparkling new home. But Little now accepts Kenny Jackett's team are no early-season flash in the pan. "For a few weeks after they beat us, people were saying 'Oh look, Swansea have won again'," said the former Aston Villa manager. "But now Swansea are expected to win every week. "They have probably gone beyond where they could have imagined at the start of the season, but no-one can deny that they are where they are because of how good they are." Little paid special tribute to Lee Trundle saying : "He's a player capable of doing some very special things." Swansea youth-team keeper Kyle Letheren has joined Newport County on work experience as cover for the suspended Tony Pennock, his goalkeeping coach at the Liberty Stadium. Swansea will discover their opponents in the LDV Vans Trophy area quarter-final tomorrow morning on Soccer AM.

25th November 2005 Robinson aims to be Prenton peril

Liverpool Echo ANDY ROBINSON is hoping a midweek double for Swansea City will earn him the chance to play against his hometown team Tranmere Rovers tomorrow. Scores of Robinson's family and friends from Birkenhead will be at Prenton Park for the League One fixture (3pm) and he says: "I would love to be involved." Robinson spent a season on trial with Tranmere in 2002/03 after impressing in local amateur leagues. But he failed to make a breakthrough into the first-team. A move to South Wales paid dividends and the 26-year-old, who is in his third season with Swansea, posts close to 100 senior appearances.

25th November 2005 JACKETT SET TO MAKE CHANGES

Sporting Life Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett looks set to ring the changes for the trip to Tranmere Rovers. Jackett included a number of fringe players in the 4-0 demolition of Rushden & Diamonds in the LDV Vans Trophy in midweek. But, despite the likes of Andy Robinson, Marc Goodfellow and Brian Murphy putting in impressive performances, Jackett is likely to stick with the men who have got the Swans into such a commanding position at the top of the League One table and shuffle his pack again. Alan Tate returns from a one-match suspension and should feature. Tranmere manager Brian Little will again be without defender Paul Linwood. A scan has confirmed that Linwood will be sidelined for two weeks with a knee problem, but on-loan Simon Francis is available again after being cup-tied for the 3-2 LDV Vans Trophy victory over Rochdale in midweek. Striker Steve Davies (knee) and defender Carl Tremarco (foot) are back in full training but a knee problem keeps Jason McAteer on the sidelines.

24th November 2005 Thorpe returns to Swansea

Teamtalk Lee Thorpe has returned to Swansea after his loan spell at Peterborough came to an end. The striker moved to London Road in October but failed to score in any of his six appearances for the club, though he was accredited with a number of assists. Manager Mark Wright has decided not to renew the deal as the former Lincoln man was commuting from Bristol to Peterborough every day, a situation Wright felt was not ideal. "Lee Thorpe has returned to Swansea," he said. "Certain things went on that neither party were happy with, so we decided it would be best if he went back to his own club. "Lee started very well for us, he is a good lad, but he was travelling from Bristol everyday," Wright told the club's official website.

24th November 2005 RESERVES GO DOWN

Evening Post Swansea City were beaten 5-1 by Cardiff City in a Pontin's Holiday Combination Wales and West division match at St Helen's last night. Swansea City were beaten 5-1 by Cardiff City in a Pontin's Holiday Combination Wales and West division match at St Helen's last night.

24th November 2005 ROBBO SERVES UP A REMINDER

Evening Post Andy Robinson hopes that Kenny Jackett's will be having a few sleepless nights before Swansea City visit Tranmere Rovers this weekend. The midfielder gave the Liberty Stadium boss a timely reminder of his abilities with a goal double in the 4-0 victory over Rushden & Diamonds in the LDV Vans Trophy on Tuesday. And with Swansea heading to his neck of the woods on Saturday, the 26-year-old hopes his performance will present Jackett with a few selection headaches. "Hopefully I've given the gaffer a few sleepless nights," said Robinson. "I would love to get some action up there. I scored there in the FA Cup a couple of years ago and I would love for it to happen again. "All my family and friends will be there so it would be nice to be involved in the game. "I hope my performance has given the gaffer a few headaches." Robinson was suspended for the opening game of the season when Brian Little's Tranmere came to Swansea. Missing the first five games of the season after his dismissal at Bristol Rovers last term meant that the Birkenhead-born midfielder slipped down the pecking order. "I feel I'm too good too be sitting on the bench - but that is a testament to the players who have come in for me," Robinson admitted. "Missing those first five games cost me my place in the team, no doubt about it. I was in the side at the end of last season and now I'm not. "But that has given the likes of Leon (Britton) to come in and he has done a great job. So all I can do is keep working hard in training and when I get the chance that I take it like I did against Rushden." Robinson took his goal tally for the season to five with his brace against the Northamptonshire club and while he has not been a regular starter, Jackett has rewarded him with a one-year contract extension. Jackett is a big admirer of Robinson and believes he has the ability to operate at a higher level - providing Swansea are promoted to the Championship. "That's a nice compliment and that is where I would love to be plying my trade," he added. "I would love to be with Swansea more than anything. "If we do get there then I'm going to knocking on the gaffer's door from the first day of pre-season." Two red cards last season, at Shrewsbury and Bristol Rovers, led to many questions about Robinson's temperament. But he is having none of it. "I'm more mature now - I have learnt to walk away from those situations now," he said. "Don't get me wrong, if there is a tackle to be won I will be the first there to win it. It is just the niggly stuff that I have to walk away from and I think that I have shown I can. "I just want to concentrate on my football and put a smile on my face - and hopefully a smile on other people's faces too."

23rd November 2005 Jackett: Players impressed

Teamtalk Swansea boss Kenny Jackett was impressed by the performance of his fringe players in the 4-0 demolition of Rushden & Diamonds in the LDV Vans Trophy. Andy Robinson scored twice while Garry Monk and Paul Connor also netted for the hosts, who were in total control against their League Two opponents. Jackett said: "I think it was the right thing to do to get some fresh enthusiasm out there. There's more than a few players here waiting to stake their claim for a place and their enthusiasm levels were right up there for the game and it showed. "Every game is important to us and we can be realistically ambitious about this competition and we can look forward to the draw." He added: "I think the way the players performed just shows this club is heading in the right direction."

23rd November 2005 JACKETT HAILS HIS OWN GEMS

Evening Post Kenny Jackett could not hide his delight as his reshuffled Swansea City side thumped Rushden & Diamonds 4-0 to move into the area quarter-finals of the LDV Vans Trophy. Andy Robinson scored twice before late strikes from Garry Monk and Paul Connor wrapped up another impressive home win. Swansea manager Jackett declared: ''The players showed some enthusiasm and some passion and I'm delighted with them. These are people who have been waiting for an opportunity and I think the result proves that making all the changes was the right thing to do. ''We looked well-organised, we had a good balance and we played some really good football. The attitude was spot on. "The Millennium Stadium is not that far away and these are exciting times. Fingers crossed for another home draw." Swansea will find out their next opponents this weekend.

23rd November 2005 SWANS LOOK IN SUCH A RUSH TO GET TO CARDIFF

Evening Post Swansea City are just three steps from Millennium Stadium heaven after Kenny Jackett's understudies cruised past Rushden & Diamonds. Andy Robinson was the star of the show, notching a goal in either half to send Swansea through to the southern section quarter-final of the LDV Vans Trophy. And there was a special moment for Garry Monk, who chalked up his first goal for the club as Jackett's men came through in impressive fashion. The Swansea boss, after all, had made nine changes to the XI which started Friday night's Coca-Cola League One success over Yeovil. The two survivors were in central defence - Monk and Kris O'Leary, who had been expecting a night off until Ijah Anderson pulled out with flu. Gary Fisken, last seen in a senior game around 51 weeks ago, was the surprise name in the home line-up, while there were returns for senior figures like Adrian Forbes, Robinson and club skipper Roberto Martinez. It was a new look team and a contrasting atmosphere from the Yeovil game, with rows of empty seats for the first time in a Swansea fixture at their new home. Fans only tend to get excited about the LDV Vans Trophy when the pull of a big day out in Cardiff is felt in the latter stages. Those who did turn up last night might have seen two goals inside the first three minutes. Paul Connor, another of the heavyweight names recalled by Jackett, might blame rustiness for the first miss - a wayward header from Shaun MacDonald's cross. Next it was 'keeper John Ruddy who saved the Diamonds as Connor got a toe on the end of O'Leary's long ball. The ease with which Swansea cut through was a sign of things to come, though, and the opening goal eventually came on the 20-minute mark. The lively Marc Goodfellow, starting a game for the first time since August, was the instigator, turning Rob Gier before whipping in an inviting cross with his weaker right foot. Robinson - all 5ft 8in of him - rose highest to head home his fourth goal of the season. Rushden were looking like a side struggling towards the foot of League Two as Swansea began to enjoy themselves. Only the offside flag, going up and down like a yo-yo in front of the East Stand, denied Jackett's team as they produced a string of sweet moves before the break. Martinez and MacDonald, the old pro and the puppy, were busy in midfield with Robinson and Goodfellow threatening down the flanks. The first half negotiated with comfort, Swansea began the second period in the same mood. And after more good work from Goodfellow, there was another early chance for Connor. This time the little left winger robbed Gier before sliding from the left into his striker's path. But with Diamonds centre-back Phil Gulliver doing just enough to put him off, Connor could only slide his shot straight at Ruddy and the visitors survived. Barry Hunter breathed another sigh of relief in the away dugout as Goodfellow tried his luck from 35 yards and watched in agony as the ball sailed narrowly wide of the target. When it could easily have been contest over, it was very nearly game on just before the hour. Swansea's defence was troubled for the first time all night by a hopeful long ball and, after Monk could not get enough purchase on his header, Chris O'Grady found himself clean through eight yards from goal. He shot low to the corner and somehow Brian Murphy clawed the ball away, the Irishman proving once again his undoubted shot-stopping ability. The reminder of the slender nature of the lead served Swansea well, as within eight minutes they had their killer goal. A short corner routine worked Robinson into space just outside the penalty area and he reminded Kevin McLeod and Lee Trundle, both watching on from the stands, that there is another Scouser on Swansea's books capable of scoring spectacular goals. The Merseysiders in the stand clapped long and loud as Robinson curled a beauty into the top corner of the net. And they were on their feet again 14 minutes from the end as Monk met Goodfellow's free-kick at the near post to nod home only the second goal of his career. There was still time for Connor to grab the goal he had been threatening, the former Rochdale man rounding Ruddy after latching onto Martinez's through ball. Job well done.

22nd November 2005 CARDIFF WANT TO DO IT THE SWANSEA WAY

Evening Post Cardiff City have turned to Swansea for help as they bid to boost attendances at Ninian Park. The Championship side are desperate to attract more fans having seen their gates dwindle while Swansea's have soared. "Cardiff contacted our ticket office for information about opening hours and it's up to them whether they follow our lead," explained Swans director David Morgan. "They are trying to generate increased crowds like we are seeing at the moment.We feel that people are living the dream with us. They recognise that Swansea City are on the up and they don't want to miss a bit of it.'' And with Alan Tate suspended, the man who made 28 appearances in Watford's midfield plays in his new position as Rushden & Diamonds arrive at the Liberty Stadium in round two of the LDV Vans Trophy. "I've never been right-back in a senior game before," he says, "but it's not a bad position. "You get a bit of time on the ball and I think I've got the ability to find people when I get possession. "I'll have to work hard defensively, but hopefully I can do myself justice. "I know it might not lead to much, but I'd like to do well just for myself. "It's a big game for the lads - we want to do try to win this competition if we can - and it's a big game for me. "Obviously a lot of the fans have forgotten about me, so I just want to make sure I don't let anybody down." ''They are people who have played big parts for us in the past and this is a chance to remind everybody what they can do in a home game. ''I don't want to lose any game, particularly at the Liberty Stadium, and I'm expecting a big performance from the team I send out.'' With a fairly small crowd expected, Swansea are stressing that plenty of tickets will be available at cash booths from 6.15pm. Tickets for upcoming league games at the Liberty Stadium against Scunthorpe and Colchester are on sale, while fans are reminded that Saturday's trip to Tranmere is pay on the day. Official travel club bookings are being taken at the club shop. A Swansea reserve team take on their Cardiff counterparts at St Helen's tomorrow night (7pm). Swansea City (probable): Murphy, Fisken, Monk, Austin, Anderson, Robinson, Martinez, MacDonald, Goodfellow, Connor, Forbes. Subs: from Gueret, Ricketts, O'Leary, Tudur Jones, McLeod, Britton, Trundle. Rushden & Diamonds (probable): Ruddy, Gier, Dempster, Gulliver, Hawkins, Bell, Savage, Burgess, Kelly, O'Grady, Armstrong. Subs: from Young, Mills, Okuonghae, Chillingworth, McAfferty, Tomlin.

22nd November 2005 REMEMBER ME? FORGOTTEN GARY OUT TO IMPRESS

Evening Post Forgotten man Gary Fisken makes his first Swansea City appearance in a year tonight intent on turning a few heads. But the transfer-listed fringe man admits it is not only boss Kenny Jackett he is keen to impress - he wants to catch the eye of rival managers. "I suppose you could say I am looking to get away," Fisken says. "Things haven't worked out for me at Swansea and I need to kick-start my career. "Hopefully, if I play well tonight it might lead to something." There was one run-out in a second-string line-up in the FAW Premier Cup at Caernarfon in January, but Fisken last featured in a fully-fledged senior game 12 months ago. With Jackett's squad riddled with suspension after the Shrewsbury fiasco, the then 23-year-old was given a chance against Bury at Vetch Field. But Fisken's solitary league start since arriving from Watford in the summer of 2004 did not exactly go as he had hoped. He was substituted halfway through a 3-1 defeat and would make the bench on only two more occasions throughout the remainder of Swansea's promotion-winning campaign. This was not what Fisken had in mind when he became Jackett's first Swansea signing. "It's been frustrating for me," he concedes. "The lads did so well last season that it was hard not being involved, especially towards the end. "But I've kept on working hard in training all along and tried to stay positive. That's all you can do." A reserve-team regular, Fisken has at times operated at right-back this season for Swansea's second string. And with Alan Tate suspended, the man who made 28 appearances in Watford's midfield plays in his new position as Rushden & Diamonds arrive at the Liberty Stadium in round two of the LDV Vans Trophy. "I've never been right-back in a senior game before," he says, "but it's not a bad position. "You get a bit of time on the ball and I think I've got the ability to find people when I get possession. "I'll have to work hard defensively, but hopefully I can do myself justice. "I know it might not lead to much, but I'd like to do well just for myself. "It's a big game for the lads - we want to do try to win this competition if we can - and it's a big game for me. "Obviously a lot of the fans have forgotten about me, so I just want to make sure I don't let anybody down." ''They are people who have played big parts for us in the past and this is a chance to remind everybody what they can do in a home game. ''I don't want to lose any game, particularly at the Liberty Stadium, and I'm expecting a big performance from the team I send out.'' With a fairly small crowd expected, Swansea are stressing that plenty of tickets will be available at cash booths from 6.15pm. Tickets for upcoming league games at the Liberty Stadium against Scunthorpe and Colchester are on sale, while fans are reminded that Saturday's trip to Tranmere is pay on the day. Official travel club bookings are being taken at the club shop. A Swansea reserve team take on their Cardiff counterparts at St Helen's tomorrow night (7pm). Swansea City (probable): Murphy, Fisken, Monk, Austin, Anderson, Robinson, Martinez, MacDonald, Goodfellow, Connor, Forbes. Subs: from Gueret, Ricketts, O'Leary, Tudur Jones, McLeod, Britton, Trundle. Rushden & Diamonds (probable): Ruddy, Gier, Dempster, Gulliver, Hawkins, Bell, Savage, Burgess, Kelly, O'Grady, Armstrong. Subs: from Young, Mills, Okuonghae, Chillingworth, McAfferty, Tomlin.

22nd November 2005 IT'S ALL CHANGE

Evening Post Kenny Jackett makes a whopping 10 changes to his Swansea City side tonight but insists he does want to win the LDV Vans Trophy. Fringe men like Gary Fisken, Ijah Anderson and Brian Murphy all start the second-round meeting with Rushden & Diamonds at the Liberty Stadium alongside promising youngster Shaun MacDonald. And there are recalls for established stars like Andy Robinson, Marc Goodfellow, Adrian Forbes and club skipper Roberto Martinez. But Jackett is adamant that his understudies can progress in a competition they are favourites to win following first-round exits for the likes of Nottingham Forest, Southend and Huddersfield. ''We earmarked the LDV Vans Trophy at the start of the season as something we could do well in,'' the Swansea boss said. ''And when you look at the sides left in the competition you'd say a club the size of ours has as good a chance as any. ''That's not being big-headed, that's just being realistic.'' Garry Monk is the one survivor from the side that started Friday's 2-0 win over Yeovil with Kevin Austin joining him at the heart of defence. Anderson gets his first start of the season at left-back, while former Watford man Fisken returns at right-back after a 12-month first-team exile. MacDonald, 17, will partner the experienced Martinez in central midfield with Robinson and Goodfellow getting long-awaited chances to strut their stuff on the flanks. With 17-goal Lee Trundle likely to feature on the bench, Paul Connor and Forbes will carry Swansea's attack to a full-strength Rushden outfit who are struggling at the foot of League Two. ''I want to freshen the side up and give some people on the fringes a go,'' Jackett added. ''We're talking about some very good players, many of them established first-teamers, who have a great opportunity tonight. ''They are people who have played big parts for us in the past and this is a chance to remind everybody what they can do in a home game. ''I don't want to lose any game, particularly at the Liberty Stadium, and I'm expecting a big performance from the team I send out.'' With a fairly small crowd expected, Swansea are stressing that plenty of tickets will be available at cash booths from 6.15pm. Tickets for upcoming league games at the Liberty Stadium against Scunthorpe and Colchester are on sale, while fans are reminded that Saturday's trip to Tranmere is pay on the day. Official travel club bookings are being taken at the club shop. A Swansea reserve team take on their Cardiff counterparts at St Helen's tomorrow night (7pm). Swansea City (probable): Murphy, Fisken, Monk, Austin, Anderson, Robinson, Martinez, MacDonald, Goodfellow, Connor, Forbes. Subs: from Gueret, Ricketts, O'Leary, Tudur Jones, McLeod, Britton, Trundle. Rushden & Diamonds (probable): Ruddy, Gier, Dempster, Gulliver, Hawkins, Bell, Savage, Burgess, Kelly, O'Grady, Armstrong. Subs: from Young, Mills, Okuonghae, Chillingworth, McAfferty, Tomlin.

21st November 2005 Addicks to swoop for Swans marksman

EatSleepSport Charlton Athletic are the latest side to be linked with a move for Swansea City's highly-rated and in-demand top scorer Lee Trundle. The former Tranmere Rovers striker, who joined the Swans in summer 2003, has lit up the lower leagues with his vast array of skills and prolific goalscoring abilities and is finally attracting plenty of interest from clubs in the Championship and Premiership. His brace in the 2-0 victory over Yeovil on Friday evening his season's tally to 17, while he has netted 62 goals in 105 appearances in total for the Swans. His form this season has seen him targeted by Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday, but his recent boast that he is confident of being able to cut it in the top flight has now seen Alan Curbishley's side come into the reckoning as potential suitors. Trundle said: "I can score goals in the Championship no problem. I believe I can score in the Premiership." The Addicks are always willing to give players from the lower divisions a chance and, following summer signing Darren Bent's success, it is a distinct possibility that they could bid for Trundle in January's transfer window.

21st November 2005 TRUNDLE IS JUST ONE OF A KIND

Evening Post Lee Trundle is a one-off according to Swansea City assistant manager Kevin Nugent. The 29-year-old Scouser took his goal tally for the season to 17 with a two-goal salvo against Yeovil on Friday night and the Swansea No. 2 feels there is not another striker in the Football League like the Liberty Stadium star. ''He is unique,'' Nugent said. ''There isn't anybody like him in all the leagues. ''He has something so different to everyone else.'' With Trundle's talents hitting the headlines once again, Nugent feels that Swansea has become the Football Leagues top scorer's adopted home. ''He is full of confidence at the moment and he is at a place that he likes working so everything is paying off at the moment,'' he added. Trundle, who was the subject of a failed £750,000 bid from Sheffield Wednesday last month, could still be hitting the headlines for years to come despite turning 30 next year. The Liverpool-born striker did not turn professional until the age of 24 and Nugent, a veteran striker of nearly 500 games, believes that could be a huge benefit to the Swansea talisman. ''When you come into football late you haven't got all the wear and tear on your knees and your ankles and that can give you an extra few years,'' Nugent said. ''He is an ambitious person, but this club is going forward and we want him to stay. He loves working here and everyone knows that. ''Ever since the first pre-season Lee was here we were out in Holland and he was doing some tricks before the game and the fans loved it. There were only about 20 there but that has grown to 20,000.'' Season tickets holders are reminded that their tickets are not valid on tomorrow night. For tomorrow's LDV Vans Trophy match against Rushden and Diamonds (7.45) the ticket booths will be open for cash sales from 6.30pm with tickets priced £10 for adults and £5 for children and OAPs with only the West and East Stands open. Park and ride schemes will not be in operation, but the Landore car park is available for stadium use priced £4 and will close at 10.30pm.

21st November 2005 Swans Missing Tate

TeamTalk.com Swansea City will be missing influential defender Alan Tate for the LDV Vans Trophy second-round visit of Rushden. The former Manchester United trainee serves a one-match suspension after collecting his fifth booking of the season during the recent 2-1 win at Southend. However, Tate was not expected to be fit to face Rushden after suffering a cut above his eye during Friday's 2-0 victory against Yeovil. Swans boss Kenny Jackett has no other injury or suspensions concerns, and Tate aside, boasts a full-strength squad.

21st November 2005 Constable is a Saddler

Walsall-Mad.co.uk Signing confirmed Walsall today confirmed the signing of Chippenham Town striker James Constable. Constable has gone straight into the squad for Tuesdays LDV Cup game with Bournemouth, to be played at Bescot. Constable signed for £4,000, a sell on clause and Walsall have agreed to visit Chippenham Town for a friendly in the summer also part of the deal. Having already scored 12 goals this season the striker will arrive full of confidence. Constables main qualities is that he holds the ball up well and shows an aggressive nature in his play. This is a quality that we have lacked as our forward line are a little small. His arrival now gives Paul Merson options up front in a department we have been lacking in since the departure of Julian Joachim. Walsall beat off competition from Swansea City, Bristol City, Swindon Town and Rusheden and Diamonds in securing the 21 year olds signiture. James is making a late start to League football but he will show pleanty of heart and desire after finally reaching his dream of becoming a profesional footballer.

21st November 2005 TRUNDLE IS JUST ONE OF A KIND

Evening Post Lee Trundle is a one-off according to Swansea City assistant manager Kevin Nugent. The 29-year-old Scouser took his goal tally for the season to 17 with a two-goal salvo against Yeovil on Friday night and the Swansea No. 2 feels there is not another striker in the Football League like the Liberty Stadium star. ''He is unique,'' Nugent said. ''There isn't anybody like him in all the leagues. ''He has something so different to everyone else.'' With Trundle's talents hitting the headlines once again, Nugent feels that Swansea has become the Football Leagues top scorer's adopted home. ''He is full of confidence at the moment and he is at a place that he likes working so everything is paying off at the moment,'' he added. Trundle, who was the subject of a failed £750,000 bid from Sheffield Wednesday last month, could still be hitting the headlines for years to come despite turning 30 next year. The Liverpool-born striker did not turn professional until the age of 24 and Nugent, a veteran striker of nearly 500 games, believes that could be a huge benefit to the Swansea talisman. ''When you come into football late you haven't got all the wear and tear on your knees and your ankles and that can give you an extra few years,'' Nugent said. ''He is an ambitious person, but this club is going forward and we want him to stay. He loves working here and everyone knows that. ''Ever since the first pre-season Lee was here we were out in Holland and he was doing some tricks before the game and the fans loved it. There were only about 20 there but that has grown to 20,000.'' Season tickets holders are reminded that their tickets are not valid on tomorrow night. For tomorrow's LDV Vans Trophy match against Rushden and Diamonds (7.45) the ticket booths will be open for cash sales from 6.30pm with tickets priced £10 for adults and £5 for children and OAPs with only the West and East Stands open. Park and ride schemes will not be in operation, but the Landore car park is available for stadium use priced £4 and will close at 10.30pm.

21st November 2005 Charlton Athletic - League One hotshot eyed?

Clubcall.com Charlton Athletic have been linked with a surprise move for Swansea City striker Lee Trundle. The 29-year-old has been in superb form for the Swans, and has notched 15 goals already this term. Southampton have expressed an interest in Trundle, and Sheffield Wednesday have had a £750,000 bid for the player rejected. The Addicks have seen their promising early-season form dip of late, and are expected to make signings in the January transfer window.

20th November 2005 TRUNDLE TAKES SUCH A LIBERTY

Evening Post Finally the lights were switched on for Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium and, finally, the Swans put to bed their Yeovil Town bogey. Only one victory in the previous five games, no goals in their previous three defeats to the Glovers, Kenny Jackett's hit the target twice and cemented their place at the top of Coca-Cola League One for yet another week. It was Lee Trundle who did the damage yet again for the Liberty Stadium men with a two-goal salvo as he took his tally for the season to 17 strikes from 16 games and once more the powers that be at Swansea will be cutting off all lines of communication to avoid any unwelcome suitors for their 29-year-old Scouser. The former Wrexham man was on the spot to fire Jackett's league leaders into the lead when he charged into the Yeovil area only for Nigerian international Efe Sodje to chop him down to win a penalty which Trundle fired straight down the middle of Weale's goal. Trundle may have changed his spot kick routine, but his second goal had Magic Daps written all over it. A long through ball from Owain Tudur Jones, gave Bayo Akinfenwa a long chase and with the 17-stone compatriot baring down on him Sodje laid the ball back to his keeper. Hurried and panicked. Weale sliced the ball to the waiting Trundle and with the sweetest of left foots he lofted the ball back over the Glovers custodian and watched with sheer admiration as his 61st goal in Swansea colours went into the contenders' list for goal of the season. "When you score goals like that you don't need to run around celebrating. You can just admire what you have just done," beamed Trundle. And if Trundle was pleased with his strike then the bench were over moon. "We have had a couple of long-range shots this season," said Swanea's assistant manager Kevin Nugent. "There was Kevin McLeod's against Bristol City and we have had this one. "It wasn't just the strike itself. He brought it down on his chest and we just knew that he was going to hit. "It was an absolutely fantastic goal. "We just knew as soon as it had left his boot, maybe even before he took it on his chest, because we have seen him do things like that in training. He is just on fire at the moment." A fire that was certainly needed at the freezing Liberty Stadium, not that the minus-five degree temperatures put off one young lady as ran on to the pitch in the dying seconds with all but a thong to cover whatever little modesty she had left before being dragged away by the stewards. More than 19,000 fans packed in to the Swans new home to smash the stadium record which the Ospreys had set back in late August against Wasps and with the passion that this clash generated you hardly seem to notice the cold. There has always been an edge to the Swansea v Yeovil games, not least since Cardiff City fan and Swans target Gavin Williams 'did the Ayatollah' two seasons ago back at Vetch Field. Kris O'Leary, retaining his place in the side after last Saturday's superb 2-1 win at Southend United and playing at the Liberty Stadium for the first time since the opening day of the season, showed just the kind of strength that was needed from the opening minute. When Nathan Jones tried to go straight through the Port Talbot man, O'Leary stood his ground looking down on the Yeovil midfielder wondering what his lunge was supposed to achieve. Yeovil were reduced to 10-men early in the second half after they had laid siege to Willy Gueret's goal, but when Leon Britton tried to clear the danger he was bundled into touch like it was an Ospreys match - not a Swansea City one. Lee Johnson let his feeling know to Dorset referee Keith Stroud only to get himself a yellow card for dissent and, following a gesture of disapproval to his caution, Stroud kept his yellow card out to take Johnson's name once again and quickly follow it with a red. "It seemed like they had an extra man when their player got sent off," Nugent admitted. "They were looking really good at that stage and they were very hard to mark, but we manage to match them in all departments." So as the Swansea promotion machine continues to gather pace the Yeovil bogey finally appears to be over. "We certainly believe it is," Nugent said. But with the way things are going for Jackett's side it could be a while before Swansea get to find out whether it truly is and they look to put a division between themselves and last year's League Two champions.

20th November 2005 TATE'S OLDER, WISER AND MUCH HAPPIER

Evening Post He may have to dust off the bobble hat on Tuesday night, but Alan Tate is out in the cold no more. Tate will be wrapped up warm in the stands in midweek when Rushden & Diamonds visit the Liberty Stadium in round two of the LDV Vans Trophy. Watching on was a role he got used to last season, when a place in Kenny Jackett's back four proved almost impossible to pin down. Not any more. Tate has featured in every Swansea game this season, and only a one-match suspension sees him sit out the Diamonds' visit. Gone are the frowns worn all too often by the former Manchester United youngster last season. In their place are the smiles of a rewarding campaign. It has been some transformation, one which started in Tate's head. "I wouldn't say I had a bad attitude last season, but I would say my attitude has changed," the 23-year-old says. "Last season I wanted to play centre-half and nowhere else and that probably didn't do me much good. "But I came back in pre-season and said to the gaffer that I would be willing to learn if he wanted me to play somewhere else. "My relationship with the gaffer has never been bad, we have always got on okay. "But maybe the reason he wasn't picking me last year was my own fault. "I'm big enough and old enough to take the blame now, so I think I probably have grown up." A Brian Flynn recruit, Tate's current Swansea contract expires at the end of this season. Six months ago, the chances of Jackett giving him an extended deal looked slim. Today, though, Tate can harbour realistic hopes of being offered fresh terms. "I hope so," he says. "I've spoken to the gaffer and he said that I have been playing well, so that's good enough for me at the moment. "Quite a few of the lads are out of contract next summer so I'm not trying to rush anybody. "Hopefully, something will be sorted before the end of the season because you never really want it to get that far." If the remainder of 2005-6 runs along similar lines to the first four months, Tate should have much cause for optimism. A substitute on the opening day of the season, Swansea's resident Sunderland fan was summoned at half-time thanks to Garry Monk's dead leg. It was no like-for-like swap in the centre of defence - Jackett preferred a reshuffle which saw Tate slot in on the right. Swansea kept a clean sheet in victory over Tranmere, and the day's late arrival has not looked back. "Even after last season, I always felt I would get back in the team at some stage because I believe in my own ability," Tate adds. "I didn't expect my chance to come on the opening day, but I don't think anyone can say I haven't taken it. "There are going to be bad days and indifferent days because I'm learning to play in a new position. "But the gaffer, Kevin Nugent and Colin Pascoe are helping me as much as they can and I'm happy with the way things are going." Full-back is all new for Tate, whose 10 years at Old Trafford were spent playing at the heart of defence or midfield. "Centre-half still comes most naturally to me, but if anything right-back is more enjoyable because you see more of the ball," he goes on. "I like to get forward and thankfully I've had a hand in a few goals this season. "The gaffer pulled me the other day and said one of the reasons why we're top of the league is because myself and Sam (Ricketts) have been able to get forward and join in attacks. "There are plenty of other reasons, of course, but that's nice to hear." Tate is more pleased than anyone that the scowls of last year are gone. "It was the first time I had been dropped and I wasn't always happy," he remembers. "But I realise now that even the best players in the world get left out, and it probably won't be the last time it happens to me." Not that he wants to be omitted any time soon. Being part of Jackett's Swansea, after all, is a pretty enjoyable way to earn a living just now. "I spoke to a lot of fans over the summer, and they all said just make sure we don't go straight back down like the last Swansea team to go up did," Tate reveals. "As players we were unsure what to expect really, but I think the division has suited us. "The one team that have beaten us fairly were Huddersfield, and even then we were down to 10 men by the time they got their third goal. "From what I've seen so far, I'm confident we can give anyone a game."

20th November 2005 DIAMOND BRIGHT IS RUDDY'S HOPE

Evening Post He swapped dropping down to the Nationwide Conference for the bright lights of the Barclays Premiership, but on Tuesday night John Ruddy heads for the Liberty Stadium. The 19-year-old goalkeeper left Cambridge in the summer to join Everton in a deal worth £250,000 for the non-league side. One of the brightest stars for the future, Ruddy joined Rushden and Diamonds on a month's loan last week and the Toffees protege heads to South West Wales with the Nene Park outfit for the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy. Ruddy may now be learning his trade at the self-styled School of Science, but this is the England Under-18 international's second loan spell this season. Five games at Walsall last month, Ruddy's first match with Rushden saw the Everton youngster keep a clean sheet against Boston United as Phil Gulliver struck an injury-time winner for the Diamonds. ''He is a great addition to the squad,'' Rushden boss Barry Hunter said about his new goalkeeper. ''He comes from a higher league but he has experience at our level.'' Hunter moved for the England Under-18 international when he lost his first-choice custodian Andy Woodman to an Achilles injury. Rushden caused an upset in the opening round of the competition when they beat Swansea's League One promotion rivals Southend. A first-half strike from Gregory Pearson was enough to dump last season's LDV Vans Trophy finalists out. While back-to-back promotions is dominating the minds of Kenny Jackett and his players, the LDV trophy is something that can bring his side more glory. Swansea comfortably eased past the Football League's basement boys Torquay at Plainmoor in the last round. Bayo Akinfenwa was on target with Andy Robinson and Adrian Forbes helping Swansea to a 3-1 win. Jackett gave youngsters Shaun MacDonald and Mark Pritchard their first starts of the season and he may be tempted again to use the fringe members of his squad once again and leave his big guns on the bench ready to fire into action if needed

20th November 2005 UPSIDE DOWN FOR LITTLE

Evening Post Tipped for the top but heading for the bottom. Tranmere's campaign looked to be one full of promise, but when the first whistle went at the Liberty Stadium (then the New Stadium) on August 6, things started to go wrong for Brian Little's side. Bayo Akinfenwa gave Swansea the perfect start to life in League One and it was a blow that Tranmere have yet to recover from. Only one win in their last 11 league games has left the Prenton Park side sitting fourth from bottom. Tranmere's last outing saw them crash to a disappointing defeat to fellow strugglers MK Dons, a performance that left Little bewildered. "We have been exceptionally good on the training ground and to play like we did in the second half against MK Dons is unbelievable," Little said. "Performances like that are hard to take because I don't think it is a true reflection of how we have been working in recent weeks." Last year the former Aston Villa chief saw Tranmere miss out on promotion to the Championship after finishing third behind Luton and Hull before losing to Hartlepool in the play-offs. But despite this season's struggle, Little has unearthed a gem. Steve Davies is a 17-year-old striker who has broke into the first team. But the young starlet is unlikely to face Swansea on Saturday after injuring knee ligaments in the 2-1 defeat to MK Dons. Little is also expected to be without his former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland international Jason McAteer after the 34-year-old picked up a knee injury in training . Swansea's Andy Robinson will be hoping to regain his place in the side for the trip to the Wirral. Born in Birkenhead, Robinson was suspended on the opening day of the season.

19th November 2005 DOUBLE TROUBLE AS LEE

Evening Post Swansea City shone under the lights as they finally put to bed their Yeovil Town bogey. In front of a record-breaking 19,288 crowd at the Liberty Stadium, it was Lee Trundle who kept Swansea at the top of the table. A questionable 24th-minute penalty from the Scouser was the club's first goal against Yeovil under Kenny Jackett. But if the spot-kick was a little dubious, Trundle's second goal was out of this world. A Chris Weale clearance landed at his feet and he lofted the ball 40 yards back over the keeper's head. If Trundle had thought his goal had stolen the show, deep into injury time - in near-minus five degrees temperatures - a female streaker beat security and serenaded the Yeovil keeper before being dragged off by the stewards. Having stuck with the side that toppled Southend United last Saturday, Jackett's men had to try to end their Yeovil hoodoo in front of packed Liberty Stadium without skipper Roberto Martinez. Garry Monk, who won his place back in the team last weekend in Essex, kept hold of the captain's armband. The match started at a frantic pace with both teams looking to draw first blood. Barely a minute had passed when Kris O'Leary showed his power as Nathan Jones tried to go sliding straight through last year's player of the season. Although this match was fast and furious, neither side threatened each other's goal until the 14th minute. A Trundle cross picked out Leon Britton in the centre of the Yeovil area, but Colin Miles got his head to the former West Ham man's effort to send the ball over the bar. Kevin McLeod's resulting corner caused confusion in the box, but the Somerset outfit managed to get the ball behind once more. This time the former Everton winger went deep and found Britton on the back post, he played the ball back to McLeod and his shot hit Darren Way with the home fans appealing for a penalty. They got their penalty nine minutes later. After a failed Yeovil attack, Sam Ricketts brought the ball out of the Swansea area and floated it to Trundle. The 29-year-old charged into the area where he was closely guarded by Efe Sodje and the Nigerian international went sliding in to win the ball but referee Kevin Stroud pointed to the spot. Trundle stepped up and slammed home his 60th Swansea goal. He nearly doubled the lead when an Alan Tate pass for Britton was cut out by Jones, who played in Trundle. The Football League's top scorer took the ball to the edge of the Yeovil area before curling in a shot which rattled the frame of the goal. There was always going to be niggle in this game and when McLeod and Paul Terry collided, Stroud took out his book to caution the pair five minutes before the interval. With the first half coming to a close, the visitors came close to levelling the scores. Willy Gueret came out to claim a cross but landed on Izzy Iriekpen's head and spilled the ball. With both players down injured, Stroud called for the physios, which eased the danger. Jackett's men made a poor start to the second half. One Iriekpen mistake let in Wales Under-21 international Arron Davies, but with the goal beckoning his shot was comfortably saved by Gueret. The pressure was taken off in the 53rd minute, when a torrent of abuse towards Stroud from Lee Johnson saw the one-time Swansea target shown the red card. Trundle thought he had all but sealed the points when he found the target after a miss-hit shot from Owain Tudur Jones, but it was ruled out for offside. But Trundle did get his second of the night on 67 minutes - and what a goal it was. A casual back pass from Sodje put Weale under pressure from Bayo Akinfenwa. The Yeovil keeper cleared what he thought was the danger as it fell to Trundle 40 yards out. However, he lofted the ball gracefully over Weale and into the net for his 17th goal of the season. Trundle may be able to do no wrong at the moment, but he was booked for a challenge in the 78th minute. There was more red with 10 minutes left on the clock when Alan Tate, marking his third anniversary in Swansea after his move from Manchester United, left the field with blood pouring from his head. Trundle felt he had another case for a penalty five minutes from time when he went down under the challenge of Kevin Amankwaah. It wasn't given. It didn't matter.

19th November 2005 BRILLIANT TRUNDLE TOO GOOD FOR YEOVIL

Western Daily Press Swansea City 2 Yeovil Town 0 YEOVIL TOWN crashed to their third successive league defeat last night as Lee Trundle inspired Swansea to victory with a brilliant display. Trundle, the top scorer in League One, was the difference between the sides as he scored both goals in front of a record 19,288 crowd at the Liberty Stadium. The striker won and then converted a first-half penalty before sealing victory for the Swans in the second half with a brilliant long-range effort. Yeovil's cause was not helped by the second-half sending off of Lee Johnson for two yellow cards within seconds of each other. Glovers boss Steve Thompson made two changes to his starting line-up, introducing Efe Sodje and Arron Davies and switching to a 3-5-2 formation. Davies lined up alongside Phil Jevons up front, while Sodje formed a three-man defence with Terry Skiverton and Colin Miles. The home side started well and pushed Yeovil back, with Trundle the focal point of their attacks. On 14 minutes his cross picked out Leon Britton, only for Nathan Jones to rescue Town with an excellent header. From the resulting corner taken by Kevin McLeod, Glovers keeper Chris Weale dropped the ball and was relieved to see it trickle wide. Seconds later McLeod crossed again and the ball appeared to strike Darren Way on the hand but Swansea's penalty appeals were turned down. However, on 23 minutes the Welsh side scored the goal that their dominance merited and it was no surprise that Trundle was the goalscorer. The in-form striker brushed aside Skiverton in the middle of the field and advanced into the penalty area where he was tripped by Sodje. Referee Keith Stroud immediately awarded a spot-kick which Trundle confidently dispatched into the net. Yeovil tried to hit back immediately, with Jones and Way both wasting clear opportunities. But it was still Swansea who displayed the greater goal threat, with Trundle hitting the crossbar with a brilliant curling effort from 25 yards. Just before half-time Yeovil finally created a clear opening as home keeper Willy Gueret collided with defender Izzy Iriekpen, presenting Sodje with an open goal. But the Nigerian hesitated before shooting, allowing Garry Monk to clear off the line. The visitors started the second period well, with both Davies and Jevons having close-range shots blocked as they searched for an equaliser. On 53 minutes the Glovers' task was made much harder when playmaker Johnson was sent off for two yellow cards. He received his first booking for dissent when the referee turned down appeals for a penalty for handball. Seconds later Johnson was booked again and shown the red card for, it later emerged, making a gesture towards the referee. The midfielder will now be suspended for Yeovil's home game against Oldham next Saturday. Thompson said: "Unfortunately we can't appeal against two yellow cards. I'll look at the video to find out exactly what has happened." Yeovil were then temporarily down to nine men when Jones was told to leave the pitch for treatment to a head wound and also to change his shirt. Trundle sealed victory for Swansea with his wonder goal in the 67th minute after Weale had hurriedly cleared the ball straight to him. The master marksman chested the ball down 35 yards out and calmly sent a lob over Weale and into the goal to make it 2-0. Thompson introduced Chris Cohen and Matt Harrold as his side looked for a way back into the game. The Glovers did create a couple of decent chances, with Skiverton and Kevin Gall both coming close. But despite a much-improved second-half performance from the visitors, Swansea comfortably held on to show why they sit at the top of League One. Swansea City (4-4-2): Gueret; Tate (Austin 80), Monk, Iriekpen, Ricketts; Britton, Tudur-Jones, O'Leary, McLeod; Akinfenwa, Trundle (Connor 89). Subs: Robinson, Martinez, Forbes. Yeovil Town (3-5-2): Weale; Sodje, Skiverton, Miles; Amankwaah, Johnson, Terry, Way, Jones (Cohen 72); Davies (Gall 63), Jevons (Harrold 72). Subs: Collis, Bastianini.

19th November 2005 THOMPSON HAPPY DESPITE DEFEAT

Western Daily Press Swansea assistant manager Kevin Nugent admitted striker Lee Trundle had "stolen the show" as his two strikes helped the Welsh outfit secure a 2-0 win over Yeovil. The Swans biggest concern will now be whether they can hold on to their best player who has already struck 17 goals so far this season. "Lee has stolen the show, but it was a good all-round performance against a very good Yeovil side," said Nugent. "It was a fantastic result and the pressure is now on the other sides and it was good to get one over our bogey side. "Lee's second goal was typical of him as he has been doing that in training every day and you could tell it was a goal the moment he struck the ball." Despite the defeat Yeovil manager Steve Thompson was delighted with the response from his players. "We played well in the second half especially when we were down to ten men. We changed things round and were able to get forward far more and I am very proud of all of them," he said. "The referee said Lee Johnson made a hand gesture towards him but I will have to look at the tape to see if we take any action."

19th November 2005 GLOVERS SUNK BY TRUNDLE DOUBLE

Western Daily Press A brace from magic man Lee Trundle saw off Yeovil 2-0 and increased Swansea's lead at the top of League One in front of their biggest crowd of the season. He opened the scoring from the spot in the 23rd minute after being brought down by Efe Sodje, but his second-half clincher was top class even for Trundle's large repertoire. Glovers keeper Chris Weale hammered a ball high out of defence under a challenge from Bayo Akinfenwa. It flew straight to Trundle, who promptly sent it first-time into the back of the net from fully 35 yards. By then, Yeovil were down to 10 men, but they only had themselves to blame - Lee Johnson was cautioned and, as he walked away, he gestured to the referee, who promptly showed him another yellow followed by a red. The Swans are now serious challengers for automatic promotion - providing they can hold onto hot property Trundle.

19th November 2005 TRUNDLE: I CAN SCORE AT TOP LEVEL

Evening Post Lee Trundle believes he can cut it in the Premiership after his two-goal salvo ended Swansea City's hoodoo against Yeovil Town. The 29-year-old took his tally to 17 goals for the season in front of a record 19,288 crowd at the Liberty Stadium. Trundle won and converted a 24th-minute penalty before hitting a contender for goal of the season midway through the second half with a sublime lob over Yeovil keeper Chris Weale. "I can score goals in the Championship no problem," he said when posed the question if he could cut it at a higher level. "I believe I can score in the Premiership. "It was a good team performance out there and it was nice to finally get one over on Yeovil."

18th November 2005 TIME FOR US TO PUT THE YEOVIL BOGEY TO BED

Evening Post As grudge matches go, it is hardly Mourinho v Wenger or Boca-River Plate. But Garry Monk admits recent history adds a little extra spice to Swansea City's clash with Yeovil Town tonight. Beaten three times in their last three encounters with the Glovers, Monk and Co run out this evening intent on putting that record straight. For those with slightly longer memories, Gavin Williams's Ayatollah antics at Vetch Field two seasons back remain vivid in the mind. "There have been a few things said in the last few games that the lads have disagreed with," Monk concedes. "When they won at our place last season, we could hear them singing in the dressing room even though there was a long way to go in the league and plenty to play for. "Fair play to them, they're a good side and they went up as worthy champions, but in football you don't forget about things like that. "From our point of view, we owe them one tonight." Swansea's most recent chance to get one over on the green and white hoops was a little over a month ago. But in a part of the world visiting fans associate with tractors, Kenny Jackett's team failed to move out of the slow lane at Huish Park. Terry Skiverton's solitary goal prompted emphatic home celebrations at the end - another picture which remains at the forefront of Swansea minds. A repeat performance from Jackett's men tonight and Yeovil should head back across the Bridge with a fifth win in six meetings since Gary Johnson steered the Somerset side into the Football League. Should Swansea reproduce the form of last weekend at Southend, however, this evening's hosts will be celebrating a three-point lead at the top of League One. It is worth noting, of course, that the Roots Hall success ended another run of barren results against particular opponents. "Both Southend and Yeovil have done well against us in the last couple of years, so hopefully we can put both to rest in one week," Monk adds. "I wouldn't like to call Yeovil a bogey team because then you tend to think too much about it. "But the fact is we haven't beaten them in the last couple of seasons and we're determined to put that right. "We will put the same effort in as we did at Southend and, if we can play as well as we did down there, I'm sure we'll be all right." Recalled after a month out of the side, Monk was one of several impressive performers in Essex. And he is keen to stress that even if Swansea will have 18,000 fans to help them along, another classy showing will be required for victory tonight. "Make no mistake about it," he warns, "Yeovil are a quality side. "We have to match them and stop them playing first of all before we start thinking about playing our football." Get it right and, with a game to go before December, Swansea will have 37 points on the board - the same tally managed in an entire season the last time the club were competing at this level. With only 18 matches gone, that will put Jackett's team ahead of the two-points-per-game rate which guarantees promotion. "We all said that was our aim from the start of the season, but it's probably gone better than we expected," Monk admits. "But we talk as players and, having played most of the sides in the division, we haven't come across anyone and thought 'Wow, they're a step above everyone else'. "A lot of people didn't agree - I read bits and bobs in the summer saying we'd do well just to avoid relegation - but we always felt we could do well at this level. "There's a bit more football played and maybe some of the lads who didn't shine so much last year are doing it now. "Now we have to make sure that continues."

18th November 2005 GET SWITCHED ON!

Evening Post Swansea City play their first match under the Liberty Stadium lights tonight with Kenny Jackett admitting it is time to shine against Yeovil. Victory would send Jackett's men clear at the top of League One with 37 points - the same tally Swansea managed throughout the 2000-1 season when they were last operating outside the basement division. But to reach that mark after just 18 games this time around, they must conquer the bogey side of Jackett's Swansea reign. ''I have struggled against Yeovil,'' the Swansea boss said, ''but I had struggled against Southend, too, until last Saturday. ''Hopefully we will get another performance like Roots Hall and we will get the first win over Yeovil tonight.'' Beaten 1-0 at Huish Park and 2-0 at Vetch Field last season, Swansea lost by a single goal on the Glovers' own patch once again last month. ''Yeovil are a good side, but they haven't beaten us by a street in any of the matches,'' Jackett pointed out. ''So I wouldn't say it's a problem for the players that we haven't beaten them. If anything it's a help because it's a challenge they want to overcome.'' Swansea will be roared on by a record crowd, the last of around 18,000 home tickets going yesterday afternoon. They will also be boosted by Bayo Akinfenwa, a key absentee from the recent defeat in Somerset who is fit to play despite his ongoing shin problem. Sam Ricketts, another who missed that game, is a less certain starter - Swansea were today running fitness checks on the Welsh international after his midweek exertions in Cyprus. Wales boss John Toshack will be among this evening's bumper audience, checking perhaps on Owain Tudur Jones. The former Bangor City man is expected to partner Kristian O'Leary in central midfield with club skipper Roberto Martinez once again on the bench. ''The lines between myself and Roberto are quite clear and there is no problem there,'' Jackett said. ''He knows why he is not in the side and he knows what he has to do to get back in. He also knows that I value him very highly. ''He feels his quotes in the paper this week were misinterpreted, he didn't think they came across in the right way. ''He hasn't questioned his future with the club with me and he wants to be perceived by the fans as the good player and good club man that he is.'' All eyes, then, on Yeovil, at full strength as they bid to improve their mid-table position after thumping Macclesfield in the FA Cup on Tuesday night. ''It's our first game under floodlights at the stadium and there'll barely be an empty seat in the house, so all the ingredients are there for a cracker,'' Jackett said.

18th November 2005 MACC REPEAT IS KEY TO BEATING LEADERS - WAY

Western Gazette Yeovil Town's vice-captain Darren Way believes his side will have to work hard if they are to defeat table-toppers Swansea City in Coca-Cola League One tomorrow. The influential midfielder, who netted in his first outing for a month when opening the scoring in the 4-0 FA Cup win against Macclesfield Town at Huish Park on Tuesday, is expecting another entertaining game against the Welsh outfit. The Glovers have won four of their last five meetings against the Swans, that run including a 1-0 home victory on 8 October. Way has just returned to Yeovil's line-up after recovering from a fractured eye socket - and there is no doubt that he was missed. Yeovil, who lost 2-1 against Huddersfield Town in League One on Saturday, claimed only one win from the five games for which he was absent. He said: "We were desperate to get a win against Macclesfield. I thought we were unlucky against Huddersfield on Saturday but we have come back strongly and that really sets us up for the Swansea game. "We have always seemed to do quite well against them and it is always an entertaining game, so all we have got to do is make sure we close people down and do the same things that we did against Macclesfield. "Even though we kept giving the ball away our work-rate seemed to get us the result. "There will be a big crowd at Swansea and it is a new stadium. It is always nice to play in those sorts of games so we are all looking forward to it." With Efetobore Sodje also returning from injury against Macclesfield and on-loan midfielder Chris Cohen available for selection in the principality, boss Steve Thompson certainly has many options at his disposal tomorrow. Thompson said: "It is great to have Darren and Efe back because not only are they great players, they are also two very strong characters. "There is a lot to think about now in terms of selection. We have a lot of options but we have had two tough games in a short space of time. "We will have to have a look at things in training before making any decisions."

17th November 2005 ROBERTO: I WANT TO END MY DAYS HERE

Evening Post Roberto Martinez today spelled out his desire to finish his career at Swansea City. The 32-year-old club skipper admitted earlier in the week that he could leave the Liberty Stadium in the January transfer window. Martinez stands by that statement, but is concerned that his comments in the wake of his shock omission from Kenny Jackett's starting line-up at Southend last weekend could have been misconstrued. The Spanish star is keen to stress that as he is in the last year of his contract, a transfer-window departure would have been a possibility whether he had played at Roots Hall or not. And Martinez is anxious that fans will not view the suggestion that he could move on as a knee-jerk reaction following his demotion to the bench. ''Let me make this clear,'' Martinez stated. ''If the decision was mine to make, I would sign a new deal with Swansea City and I would retire in the football club. ''But unfortunately, that's not in my hands and there's nothing I can do about it. The fact is that my current contract is up at the end of the season. ''Like any other player in that situation, if something came up elsewhere in the transfer window I would have to consider it as a possibility. ''But that is because I will only have six months left on my deal with Swansea, not because I was left out at Southend.'' Martinez pointed to the events of 15 months ago, when he was first axed from the Swansea side by Jackett. Then he battled his way back into favour and ended up playing 37 games as Jackett's men clinched promotion from League Two. ''I don't want any of the fans to think I am a moaner or that I am being negative,'' the ex-Wigan midfielder added, ''because that simply isn't the case. ''I have been involved in professional football for 17 years and I have been dropped before, including since I joined Swansea. ''Whether you agree or disagree with the decision doesn't matter. It's down to the manager and as players all you do when it happens is work hard and try to get your place back - that is exactly what I intend to do now.''

16th November 2005 No deal for Sandwith

Teamtalk Macclesfield defender Kevin Sandwith has not been offered a deal by Swansea following two days training with the League One leaders. The 27-year-old has been transfer-listed by Silkmen boss Brian Horton, along with Tony Barras, Neil MacKenzie and Allan Russell, after what the left-back admits has been an under-par start to his career at Moss Rose after arriving from Lincoln in the summer. The left-back's reputation in the bottom two divisions remains high, and Swans boss Kenny Jackett offered him the chance to impress at the Liberty Stadium. "I just went down to train for a couple of days but they've got nothing for me," Sandwith said. "It was good to have a look at the club and I was impressed with the set-up and the stadium they've got down there. It's not an easy time of year to get trials and I'm not going to just go anywhere but we'll just wait and see what happens. "It's a tough one, but I haven't performed to my potential (at Macclesfield) and the gaffer's seen that."

16th November 2005 No deal for sandwith

TeamTalk.com Macclesfield defender Kevin Sandwith has not been offered a deal by Swansea following two days training with the League One leaders. The 27-year-old has been transfer-listed by Silkmen boss Brian Horton, along with Tony Barras, Neil MacKenzie and Allan Russell, after what the left-back admits has been an under-par start to his career at Moss Rose after arriving from Lincoln in the summer. The left-back's reputation in the bottom two divisions remains high, and Swans boss Kenny Jackett offered him the chance to impress at the Liberty Stadium. "I just went down to train for a couple of days but they've got nothing for me," Sandwith said. "It was good to have a look at the club and I was impressed with the set-up and the stadium they've got down there. It's not an easy time of year to get trials and I'm not going to just go anywhere but we'll just wait and see what happens. "It's a tough one, but I haven't performed to my potential (at Macclesfield) and the gaffer's seen that."

16th November 2005 STADIUM'S SUMMER LASTS ALL YEAR LONG

Evening Post The sun always shines on Swansea's new £27 million Liberty Stadium. Because a £50,000 system to help its grass grow means it has turned into summer all year round. Bosses have drafted in a huge lighting rig to ensure all the grass at the showpiece ground gets its fair share of light. It consists of 60, 600 watt bulbs covering a huge 400sq metres. Groundsman Dan Duffy said it was helping in the job of keeping the ground in top condition for both the Swans and the Ospreys. "There is a yellow glow at night and I have heard people talk about it being a UFO," said Mr Duffy. "It actually makes the top of the stands and roof glow. "It aims to replicate summer all the year round. It gives off certain rays. Pitches need light, air and water. We get plenty of rain and this gives the pitch the rest. It increases the soil temperature." The rig was developed by a Dutch company and had a successful trial at Sunderland Football Club's Stadium of Light three years ago. Since then other Premiership clubs have taken possession of some of them - in Newcastle United's case four, while Arsenal have got 10. With only one at his disposal, Mr Duffy has to confine it to the Morfa Retail Park end of the ground, which is out of the sun. He uses it in a three day cycle, 24 hours in one part, before moving it to another part of the same area the next day and the final part the day after. "It is an ideal tool for a groundsman to have, something which recreates summer through the winter," he said. "It is good to have a little bit of technology on your side." The success of the piece of technology means there is usually no need to re-turf pitches suffering from wear and tear. Nearby resident Dan Price of Trallwn said: "It does look amazing at night. "It can resemble something out of the film ET. Everybody has been wondering what has been going on there.''

16th November 2005 UP TO YOU

Evening Post Huw Jenkins insists Lee Trundle is not for sale at any price - but admits the future of Swansea City's star striker is out of his hands. The Swansea chairman has conceded that the club's board will be almost powerless to stop Trundle leaving should the 29-year-old decide he wants to move on. But Jenkins hopes a sustained bid for promotion to the Championship this season will persuade the Scouse ace that his future lies in South Wales. "It's our intention to hang on to Lee no matter what bid comes in for him," he said. "We will do everything in our power to keep him and finances will not dictate what happens. "Whatever offers we might get would be rejected because our supporters deserve that. If we can afford to keep him, which we can, we should keep him because we're running this club on behalf of the fans. "But, ultimately, it is going to come down to what Lee thinks. "There's always a bit of every player that feels potentially he wants to move on for whatever reason. "However, Lee has stated all along that he is happy at Swansea and, hopefully, that's the way things will stay." Having rejected a £750,000 bid from Sheffield Wednesday for Trundle last month, Swansea will be reasonably confident of fending off any further interest from the Championship come the January transfer window. But the big fear at the Liberty Stadium is an offer from the Premiership turning the former non-league player's head. Jenkins added: "Our main priority has to be making sure we continue our push for promotion because I think that will dictate how things go from here. "It's important Lee feels the club is moving forward and then, hopefully, we can achieve all our aims together. "The more successful the club is, the better it is for every player. Success breeds success and brings financial benefits for everybody." The Swansea chief has played down the idea of handing Trundle a lucrative new contract now in a bid to ward off potential suitors. "We've got a good relationship with Lee and we're always talking about different things, but he is already under contract until the end of next season," he pointed out. "Things could develop over the next few months but, as I say, where we are in the league will probably dictate things. "Lee has been a fundamental part of our success in the last couple of seasons and what we have always tried to do is keep at least a year on his contract. Our plan is to do that again." That is music to the ears of boss Kenny Jackett, who is well aware of how difficult it would be replace a man with 15 goals in 15 League One games this season. However much money Swansea might have to spend, finding a new Trundle would be a daunting task. But Jackett is optimistic he will not have to face that problem - at least not before the end of the season. "I genuinely believe Lee will still be with us on February 1," he declared. "We want to improve every aspect of this club and Lee recognises that. That is why I believe he will stay. "We have big ambitions at Swansea and I would like to think those ambitions mirror Lee's. "We have always matched his ambitions so far and that's why he's happy at the club. "Also, we have produced chances for Lee which, fair play to him, he has converted." Trundle's terrific goalscoring record - he has 59 strikes in 104 Swansea games - is precisely why fans are concerned that their hero may soon depart. But Jackett added: "I don't worry about it because at the moment there is nothing to worry about. "This club is in a good situation financially so nobody can get one over on us or get him cheaply. "It will be a football decision for us, and I can safely say that it will take a very big offer to get him away. "It will take a lot for Lee to leave Swansea."

15th November 2005 ROBERTO PONDERS FUTURE

Evening Post Roberto Martinez admits he is not sure if he will still be a Swansea City player in January - never mind when his contract runs out at the end of the season. Swansea's club captain has spoken for the first time since his shock omission from the side which won at Southend on Saturday. And Martinez, who indicated recently that he would like to finish his career at the Liberty Stadium, now concedes he is not sure what the future holds. "In football you never know what will happen," the 32-year-old told the Evening Post. "I have said many times that I have got really attached to this club and my feelings for Swansea City and the supporters are not just for now but forever. "But if in December I have to move or I have to consider it I will do that. "If it's the case that I can stay until the end of the season then I will stay until the end of the season. "I will continue to work as hard as I can but in football, there are things you cannot really control." Martinez was axed by boss Kenny Jackett at Roots Hall despite being a candidate for player of the season so far. He went on: "I always give 100 per cent and when I look at the stats I'm really happy. "I was the only outfield player who had started all 16 league games before Southend and we got 31 points in that time. "In football some things are in your hands and others aren't. "You have to be a reliable pro, you have to give everything in every training session and here you have a responsibility to Swansea City, which is a fantastic place to be. "But whether you are picked to play or not is not down to you. "I'm really happy with the work I've done and that's all I can carry on doing." Memorably dumped by Jackett at the start of last season, Martinez fought his way back to play 37 times in Swansea's promotion-winning campaign. His form in League One has been more impressive than at any stage last term, making his latest stint on the substitutes' bench all the more surprising. "It's for people like you on the outside to say what my form is like, not me," the former Wigan midfielder added. "I could say something that could be misinterpreted by the manager or something which is seen as disrespectful to my team-mates and I don't want that to be the case. "Last season I was maybe the last on the list as a midfield player. I ended up playing the most games of all the midfielders and we got promoted. "Maybe I do not get a lot of credit from other people, but I feel credit for myself. "For a professional footballer, the thing that makes you happy is recognition on the pitch." Martinez has been a firm favourite with Swansea fans almost ever since Brian Flynn signed him from Walsall nearly three years ago. Brought in to douse the flames of possible relegation to the Conference, the one-time Real Zaragoza youngster was the key influence as Flynn's men escaped the drop on a dramatic final day of the season. "I'm very, very proud in myself with how the football club has turned," he said. "If at the end of the day I get credit or not for that is down to other people, but I'm really happy with the work I've put in. "Since coming here in February 2003, the only thing I have said is that this club should be in the Championship. "We are very, very close to that now and winning at Southend was a fantastic result as we look to achieve that aim." An animated supporter of his team from the Southend dugout, Martinez added: "I am a long way from home and I love Swansea City. "I want to win every single game and I want to win promotion, and any three points are more important than me." Asked about his decision to drop Martinez yesterday, Jackett reiterated that his skipper does have a big role to play this season. And the Swansea boss added: "As a manager, your team selection cannot ever get focused on just one person. "I understand that sometimes press people can do that. That's their job. "But from a manager's point of view you must always look at your team. That's the important thing." "Alan is available for Yeovil because of the seven-day rule, so it's fallen pretty well for us," Jackett admitted. Swansea are expecting a sell-out home crowd on Friday night. Supporters are being urged to get tickets early, with all seats in the East Stand gone already. The ticket office and phone booking line (08700 400004) are open from 10am to 6pm every day. Early indications are that Yeovil will bring around 1,000 fans to South Wales, so the Liberty Stadium's record attendance could be topped.

15th November 2005 STRIKER COPS A TRIAL

Evening Post Swansea City are running the rule over Macclesfield's Kevin Sandwith and non-league starlet James Constable. Defender Sandwith arrived on trial at the Liberty Stadium yesterday, while striker Constable was due in Swansea today. Sandwith, 27, played against Swansea for Lincoln City in the Imps' 1-0 victory back in April. The left-back switched to Macclesfield over the summer, but was one of five players recently transfer-listed by Brian Horton following the Moss Rose club's dreadful start to the season. Constable, meanwhile, is a 21-year-old forward earning rave reviews at Southern League side Chippenham Town. Swansea boss Kenny Jackett was at Worcester City last night to see him in action for a second time. "Kevin Sandwith is a left-sider who played against us last season," Jackett said. "He's out of the picture at Macclesfield so we're having a look at him and he's having a look at us. "Constable's situation is different. "He has trained with Bristol City and has been offered a contract I think by Swindon. "If anybody actually takes him there will be a transfer fee involved, so we will see whether we want to make a move for him. "He is 6ft, a nice shape and quite strong and he has a good goalscoring record." Swansea defender Alan Tate, meanwhile, has been handed a one-match ban after collecting his fifth booking of the season at Southend on Saturday. Tate, who has featured in every game this season, will sit out the LDV Vans Trophy second-round meeting with Rushden & Diamonds a week tonight. "Alan is available for Yeovil because of the seven-day rule, so it's fallen pretty well for us," Jackett admitted. Swansea are expecting a sell-out home crowd on Friday night. Supporters are being urged to get tickets early, with all seats in the East Stand gone already. The ticket office and phone booking line (08700 400004) are open from 10am to 6pm every day. Early indications are that Yeovil will bring around 1,000 fans to South Wales, so the Liberty Stadium's record attendance could be topped.

15th November 2005 Striker battle on

EatSleepSport Swansea and Swindon are battling it out for the services of non-league starlet James Constable who is attracting plenty of interest. The Chippenham Town striker has already impressed while on trial with the Robins, who are believed to have offered him a contract, while Swansea have also entered the running. Bristol City are also keen but the Swans have made their move by taking him on trial. "He has trained with Bristol City and has been offered a contract I think by Swindon," Swans boss Kenny Jackett revealed. "If anybody actually takes him there will be a transfer fee involved, so we will see whether we want to make a move for him. "He is 6ft, a nice shape and quite strong and he has a good goalscoring record."

15th November 2005 STRIKER COPS A TRIAL

Evening Post Swansea City are running the rule over Macclesfield's Kevin Sandwith and non-league starlet James Constable. Defender Sandwith arrived on trial at the Liberty Stadium yesterday, while striker Constable was due in Swansea today. Sandwith, 27, played against Swansea for Lincoln City in the Imps' 1-0 victory back in April. The left-back switched to Macclesfield over the summer, but was one of five players recently transfer-listed by Brian Horton following the Moss Rose club's dreadful start to the season. Constable, meanwhile, is a 21-year-old forward earning rave reviews at Southern League side Chippenham Town. Swansea boss Kenny Jackett was at Worcester City last night to see him in action for a second time. "Kevin Sandwith is a left-sider who played against us last season," Jackett said. "He's out of the picture at Macclesfield so we're having a look at him and he's having a look at us. "Constable's situation is different. "He has trained with Bristol City and has been offered a contract I think by Swindon. "If anybody actually takes him there will be a transfer fee involved, so we will see whether we want to make a move for him. "He is 6ft, a nice shape and quite strong and he has a good goalscoring record." Swansea defender Alan Tate, meanwhile, has been handed a one-match ban after collecting his fifth booking of the season at Southend on Saturday. Tate, who has featured in every game this season, will sit out the LDV Vans Trophy second-round meeting with Rushden & Diamonds a week tonight. "Alan is available for Yeovil because of the seven-day rule, so it's fallen pretty well for us," Jackett admitted. Swansea are expecting a sell-out home crowd on Friday night. Supporters are being urged to get tickets early, with all seats in the East Stand gone already. The ticket office and phone booking line (08700 400004) are open from 10am to 6pm every day. Early indications are that Yeovil will bring around 1,000 fans to South Wales, so the Liberty Stadium's record attendance could be topped.

15th November 2005 ROBERTO PONDERS FUTURE

Evening Post Roberto Martinez admits he is not sure if he will still be a Swansea City player in January - never mind when his contract runs out at the end of the season. Swansea's club captain has spoken for the first time since his shock omission from the side which won at Southend on Saturday. And Martinez, who indicated recently that he would like to finish his career at the Liberty Stadium, now concedes he is not sure what the future holds. "In football you never know what will happen," the 32-year-old told the Evening Post. "I have said many times that I have got really attached to this club and my feelings for Swansea City and the supporters are not just for now but forever. "But if in December I have to move or I have to consider it I will do that. "If it's the case that I can stay until the end of the season then I will stay until the end of the season. "I will continue to work as hard as I can but in football, there are things you cannot really control." Martinez was axed by boss Kenny Jackett at Roots Hall despite being a candidate for player of the season so far. He went on: "I always give 100 per cent and when I look at the stats I'm really happy. "I was the only outfield player who had started all 16 league games before Southend and we got 31 points in that time. "In football some things are in your hands and others aren't. "You have to be a reliable pro, you have to give everything in every training session and here you have a responsibility to Swansea City, which is a fantastic place to be. "But whether you are picked to play or not is not down to you. "I'm really happy with the work I've done and that's all I can carry on doing." Memorably dumped by Jackett at the start of last season, Martinez fought his way back to play 37 times in Swansea's promotion-winning campaign. His form in League One has been more impressive than at any stage last term, making his latest stint on the substitutes' bench all the more surprising. "It's for people like you on the outside to say what my form is like, not me," the former Wigan midfielder added. "I could say something that could be misinterpreted by the manager or something which is seen as disrespectful to my team-mates and I don't want that to be the case. "Last season I was maybe the last on the list as a midfield player. I ended up playing the most games of all the midfielders and we got promoted. "Maybe I do not get a lot of credit from other people, but I feel credit for myself. "For a professional footballer, the thing that makes you happy is recognition on the pitch." Martinez has been a firm favourite with Swansea fans almost ever since Brian Flynn signed him from Walsall nearly three years ago. Brought in to douse the flames of possible relegation to the Conference, the one-time Real Zaragoza youngster was the key influence as Flynn's men escaped the drop on a dramatic final day of the season. "I'm very, very proud in myself with how the football club has turned," he said. "If at the end of the day I get credit or not for that is down to other people, but I'm really happy with the work I've put in. "Since coming here in February 2003, the only thing I have said is that this club should be in the Championship. "We are very, very close to that now and winning at Southend was a fantastic result as we look to achieve that aim." An animated supporter of his team from the Southend dugout, Martinez added: "I am a long way from home and I love Swansea City. "I want to win every single game and I want to win promotion, and any three points are more important than me." Asked about his decision to drop Martinez yesterday, Jackett reiterated that his skipper does have a big role to play this season. And the Swansea boss added: "As a manager, your team selection cannot ever get focused on just one person. "I understand that sometimes press people can do that. That's their job. "But from a manager's point of view you must always look at your team. That's the important thing."

14th November 2005 LETHEREN KEEPING FINGERS CROSSED FOR DEBUT

Evening Post He may only be 17 and he may only have been in the Wales Under-19s side since August, but Swansea City's Kyle Letheren is hoping to win his first under-21 cap tomorrow. The Llanelli-born Swansea youth keeper travelled to Cyprus yesterday with his under-21 team-mates for the friendly in Paphos. Letheren, a second-year scholar at Swansea, is one of two uncapped goalkeepers in Brian Flynn's squad to face the Cypriots at the Paphiako Stadium. "Hopefully it will be me who gets the call," the 17-year-old said. "Sam (Pearce) has been in the squad before so I hope that it will be me who is given the chance." Letheren was first drafted into the under-19s side in August and he has recently come back from the under-19s UEFA qualifying championships in France. "It wasn't a surprise to get called up again after the late call last time," Letheren said. "I kept a clean sheet in France against Austria and we won 5-1 against San Marino. "Brian Flynn has been giving good reports to David Moss (Swansea's head of youth)." If Letheren does get the nod for his under-21 debut he will be joined by two fellow Swans. Mark Pritchard will be hoping to keep up his goal-a-game ratio for the trip to the Greek island.

14th November 2005 START BELIEVING

Evening Post Lee Trundle believes Saturday's superb 2-1 win at Southend proves Swansea City can achieve back-to-back promotions. Kenny Jackett's side stormed back to the top of League One with their most accomplished performance of the season. Trundle grabbed the headlines yet again, notching his 15th goal in 15 games before creating a second for Bayo Akinfenwa. But it was far from a one-man show - Swansea were excellent in all departments as they toppled Saturday lunchtime's leaders. And Trundle declared: "We definitely believe another promotion is on for us this season. "We've been speaking about it since the start of the season, but I think now people are starting to believe us. "We've moved up a division but I always knew we had players who could play football so I knew we wouldn't struggle." Trundle, later described as tremendous by Southend boss Steve Tilson, revealed the secret of his goalscoring success. "At the start of the season I wasn't even in a list of 20 players to be top scorer in the division at a couple of bookies," he smiled. "A few of my mates put money on me at good prices, and now they are on the phone all the time telling me to keep it going." Jackett, meanwhile, has assured skipper Roberto Martinez he has a big part to play this season despite dropping him this weekend. Jackett, who paired Kris O'Leary and Owain Tudur Jones in central midfield, said: "With Kris in there and Owain going forward it looks like quite a good partnership. "But next week it could be Roberto's day or Andy Robinson's day. "I felt it was right to leave Roberto out for this game. Kris has physical strength and good defensive instincts which perhaps release Owain to go forward. "But Roberto's had a cracking season so far and I have said to him that he is a big part of Swansea City's future. "I am not going to comment on whether we'll offer him a new contract at the end of the season, but it's no way the end for Roberto Martinez. "He is the captain and there will be many, many more days this season when we will need him." Tudur Jones, who needed five stitches in a head wound on Saturday, has been withdrawn from the Wales Under-21 squad for this week's friendly in Cyprus. Swansea's owners have given a pat on the back to the 1,500 travelling fans who roared their side to victory in Essex. "The Southend directors said they had not seen such passionate away fans for many years," revealed Swansea director David Morgan. "We owe them a big thank you for the part they played." Tickets for Friday's home game with Yeovil are on sale now, with Swansea predicting a record attendance at the Liberty Stadium.

14th November 2005 Trundle ready to rumble for the Republic - Swans go top and

GiveMeFootball.com Swansea returned to the top after edging past Southend in the top-of-the-table clash at Roots Hall. Swans' goal machine Lee Trundle put the visitors in front with his 15th goal of the season before Adebayo Akinfenwa doubled the lead two minutes after the interval. Freddy Eastwood then pulled a goal back for the Shrimpers nine minutes from time but Swansea held on to take all three points. After the match, in-form Trundle said he is hoping his recent form earns him a call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad. "All I'm asking for is a chance – if I get that chance then it's up to me. If I'm not good enough at least I can hold my hands up and say I had a go," he said. Southend boss Steve Tilson admitted that Trundle was the difference between the two teams on the day. "He was tremendous - we gave the ball away and then allowed him too much space," Tilson admitted. "Maybe we could have nicked a point in the last ten minutes, but with hindsight, Swansea deserved the win. But it's early days, and defeat at this point in the season doesn't make or break how things will go." Huddersfield are up to second after condemning Yeovil manager Steve Thompson to his first home defeat since taking over the managerial job at Huish Park. Andy Booth and Mark Hudson put the Terriers 2-0 up at the break before the Glovers produced a second half onslaught but only had Lee Johnson's 47th minute header to show for their efforts. Huddersfield boss Peter Jackson said: "I knew Yeovil would throw everything at us in the second half and it gave them a major lift when they scored two minutes into the second period. We were very positive at the back and defended with our lives." Brentford climbed to fourth after a hard fought 2-1 victory against Hartlepool at Victoria Park. The Bees went ahead when Dudley Campbell headed home after 22 minutes but the Monkeyhangers levelled things through Tony Sweeney 20 minutes from time. The winner came seven minutes later when Campbell's pass sent Lloyd Owusu through and he fired past Dimi Konstantopoulos. Brentford boss Martin Allen said he was delighted with his side's dogged display. "It was a great team performance. We took the lead well and had other chances to go two, three or even four up. Their keeper made some good saves but in the second half it was a bit dodgy for a short spell." A brace from veteran striker Wayne Allison maintained Chesterfield's impressive recent from after a 2-0 win against Port Vale, while Walsall defied their horrendous injury list with a 2-0 victory against struggling Gillingham at the Bescot. Brian Little admitted he is feeling the pressure after his Tranmere side were beaten 2-1 at home by lowly MK Dons. Rovers took the lead through skipper Mike Jackson but a double from Izale McLeod made it five home games without a win for Little's side. "The result is hard to take. There is pressure on us but I must stand up and take it. I accept there will be criticism. The first goal we gave away was bad enough but the second was just schoolboy stuff," said Little. Michael McIndoe's 78th minute penalty was enough to give Doncaster all three points at Oldham, while Chris Iwelumo's late strike means it's now a dozen games without a victory for Rotherham after Colchester's 2-1 win at Millmoor. Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest fought out a 1-1 draw at Dean Court and honours also ended even at Valley Parade, where Yorkshire rivals Bradford and Barnsley couldn't manage a goal between them. Finally, in the only match played yesterday, on loan Ian Morris a bagged a brace for Blackpool as the Seasiders ran out comfortable 5-2 winners against ten-man Scunthorpe.

14th November 2005 Ricketts not quite on song

TeamTalk.com Swansea defender Sam Ricketts may be a Wales international - but don't ask him to sing the national anthem. The full-back, who arrived at Swansea on a free transfer in May 2004 from Conference club Telford, made his Wales bow in February against Hungary. But the Aylesbury-born 24-year-old cannot sing the Welsh national anthem before internationals because he is unable to speak the language. Ricketts explained: "I must admit I still can't sing the Welsh national anthem. My grandmother was Welsh and that's how I qualify for the national team. "Unfortunately, she's been dead for a long time but I still have a lot of family living in and around Cardiff. I'm trying to learn a bit of Welsh and pick up some of the anthem but it's really, really difficult," he told the League Paper. Meanwhile, Swans midfielder Owain Tudur-Jones has with withdrawn from the Wales Under-21 squad for Tuesday's friendly against Cyprus after he needed five stitches in a head wound sustained during the weekend victory at Southend.

14th November 2005 Bean keen for return to Swansea

BBCi Midfielder Marcus Bean has returned to QPR after a two-month loan spell with League One leaders Swansea City. But the 21-year-old, who has spent 10 years at the London club, said he would like to return to the Liberty Stadium. "If it was down to me I'd stay here, I love the club, the fans, the players and the area and would love to come back," Bean told the Swansea website. QPR manager Ian Holloway wants a fee for Bean, and Swansea have Kris O'Leary and Owain Tudur Jones back from injury.

14th November 2005 Kev: keep your chin up

Essex Evening Echo HE may have been left cut, battered, bruised and disappointed by Southend United's 2-1 defeat against Swansea City at Roots Hall on Saturday, but skipper Kevin Maher still insisted his side had plenty to smile about. The narrow reverse in front of a huge crowd of more than 11, 000 fans sent the Seasiders slipping to third in the League One table. But Maher, who needed three stitches above his right eye following a clash with Owain Tudur-Jones, believes Steve Tilson's side should be delighted with their start to the season. "This is only one game and even though it was two high-flying teams it's never going to be make or break at this stage of the season," said the composed midfielder. "Of course it's disappointing not to have won but we're still up there challenging."

14th November 2005 START BELIEVING

Evening Post Lee Trundle believes Saturday's superb 2-1 win at Southend proves Swansea City can achieve back-to-back promotions. Kenny Jackett's side stormed back to the top of League One with their most accomplished performance of the season. Trundle grabbed the headlines yet again, notching his 15th goal in 15 games before creating a second for Bayo Akinfenwa. But it was far from a one-man show - Swansea were excellent in all departments as they toppled Saturday lunchtime's leaders. And Trundle declared: "We definitely believe another promotion is on for us this season. "We've been speaking about it since the start of the season, but I think now people are starting to believe us. "We've moved up a division but I always knew we had players who could play football so I knew we wouldn't struggle." Trundle, later described as tremendous by Southend boss Steve Tilson, revealed the secret of his goalscoring success. "At the start of the season I wasn't even in a list of 20 players to be top scorer in the division at a couple of bookies," he smiled. "A few of my mates put money on me at good prices, and now they are on the phone all the time telling me to keep it going." Jackett, meanwhile, has assured skipper Roberto Martinez he has a big part to play this season despite dropping him this weekend. Jackett, who paired Kris O'Leary and Owain Tudur Jones in central midfield, said: "With Kris in there and Owain going forward it looks like quite a good partnership. "But next week it could be Roberto's day or Andy Robinson's day. "I felt it was right to leave Roberto out for this game. Kris has physical strength and good defensive instincts which perhaps release Owain to go forward. "But Roberto's had a cracking season so far and I have said to him that he is a big part of Swansea City's future. "I am not going to comment on whether we'll offer him a new contract at the end of the season, but it's no way the end for Roberto Martinez. "He is the captain and there will be many, many more days this season when we will need him." Tudur Jones, who needed five stitches in a head wound on Saturday, has been withdrawn from the Wales Under-21 squad for this week's friendly in Cyprus. Swansea's owners have given a pat on the back to the 1,500 travelling fans who roared their side to victory in Essex. "The Southend directors said they had not seen such passionate away fans for many years," revealed Swansea director David Morgan. "We owe them a big thank you for the part they played." Tickets for Friday's home game with Yeovil are on sale now, with Swansea predicting a record attendance at the Liberty Stadium.

14th November 2005 Trundle ready to rumble for the Republic

GiveMeFootball.co.uk Swansea returned to the top after edging past Southend in the top-of-the-table clash at Roots Hall. Swans' goal machine Lee Trundle put the visitors in front with his 15th goal of the season before Adebayo Akinfenwa doubled the lead two minutes after the interval. Freddy Eastwood then pulled a goal back for the Shrimpers nine minutes from time but Swansea held on to take all three points. After the match, in-form Trundle said he is hoping his recent form earns him a call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad. "All I'm asking for is a chance – if I get that chance then it's up to me. If I'm not good enough at least I can hold my hands up and say I had a go," he said. Southend boss Steve Tilson admitted that Trundle was the difference between the two teams on the day. "He was tremendous - we gave the ball away and then allowed him too much space," Tilson admitted. "Maybe we could have nicked a point in the last ten minutes, but with hindsight, Swansea deserved the win. But it's early days, and defeat at this point in the season doesn't make or break how things will go."

14th November 2005 LEE TOPS THE BILL, BUT WHAT A SUPPORT CAST

Evening Post Another Saturday, another avalanche of new members for the Lee Trundle fan club. It is not just those in Swansea City colours purring about the talents of the Scouse maestro these days. Trundle is a star too in Southend, admired by the locals despite spoiling their weekend. The word continues to spread. With most eyes on international football, Swansea's top-of-the-table encounter with Southend was English club football's game of the day. Hence the TV cameras were in town, and hence Southend needed to take the unusual step of setting up an overflow press box. They came to see League One's top two, they left gushing about one man. Scribes who spend most Saturdays watching the big boys of the Premiership found themselves enthusing about a bloke who used to play for Burscough. And so Kenny Jackett was left dealing with the usual barrage of questions about his brightest star. It is becoming as much a part of his job as picking the team, but Swansea's manager will not mind. After all, as long he is talking about Trundle, Trundle will be spearheading his team. Another goal this weekend, another superbly created for Bayo Akinfenwa and another virtuoso display. The scouts went home to pen yet another positive report about the most talked about player in the division, if not the entire Football League. Even those on duty for Premiership clubs at Southend might just be putting Trundle in the worth-a-punt bracket when they check in with respective bosses today. So far only Sheffield Wednesday have tested Swansea's resolve with a bid for the 29-year-old, but who will be next? Assuming he stays fit, it seems inevitable Trundle will be the subject of further offers come the transfer window. Never mind switching the mobile off through January, Jackett might be wise to unplug the Liberty Stadium fax as well. ''Lee keeps on working hard and he keeps on improving,'' the Swansea chief told the herd of reporters who had descended on Roots Hall. ''Maybe there will be more bids for him, we will have to wait and see.'' Jackett, quite rightly, was keen to share out the praise this weekend. For these scouting reports should not have focused solely on the man with 15 goals in 15 league games this season. They should also have mentioned the string of impressive performances throughout the Swansea side. Dreadful at Stockport seven days earlier, Jackett's were sublime here. In his days as Wales manager, Mark Hughes used to talk about the need for eight or nine players to be close to their peak on the same day for the team to emerge victorious. There have been Swansea matches in recent times when only Trundle's magic touches have been required for success, but not this time. Against a full-strength Southend side not used to yielding points on their own patch, Jackett got a performance from all 11 of his players. The controversial, brave decision to remove Roberto Martinez from the side paid off spectacularly. Defeat in Essex would have seen the flak flying, but a return to top spot left Jackett to take a bow. Martinez, a candidate for player of the season so far, could count himself very unfortunate to be left out. But he will be back. A class act, the Spaniard savoured the team's success even if his non-participation meant individual frustration. Kristian O'Leary, the man summoned to replace the club captain, was magnificent in midfield alongside the ever-improving Owain Tudur Jones, back to his dominant self after an off day at Edgeley Park. There was a fine showing, too, from Garry Monk, the other man recalled after a spell out of the team. With the equally impressive Izzy Iriekpen, he formed a barrier in front of Willy Gueret's goal which Southend could not break down until it was too late. Freddy Eastwood's goal offered the home side hope of salvaging something from the game, but a draw would have been a footballing travesty. Swansea would have been out of sight had their finishing matched some of their terrific approach play. Predictably, it was Trundle who showed the way, blasting into the net after Tudur Jones had met Alan Tate's floated free-kick with his umpteenth header of the afternoon. Another free-kick, this time quickly taken by Sam Ricketts, gave Trundle the stage to perform. Outrageously, he escaped the attentions of three Southend defenders before seeing a shot blocked on the line by Adam Barrett. But Akinfenwa was in the right place to stroke home his eight goal of the campaign. Further opportunities were passed up, but no matter. This was Swansea's day, one of the finest of the Jackett era. ''Everybody should be very proud,'' he reflected. ''We have put ourselves in a very good position in the league, but the challenge now is to make sure we get enough points from our 29 remaining games to stay there.'' With his side in this form, a place in the Championship looks a distinct possibility. Just imagine, 20-odd new sets of opposition fans for Trundle to win over.

14th November 2005 LETHEREN KEEPING FINGERS CROSSED FOR DEBUT

Evening Post He may only be 17 and he may only have been in the Wales Under-19s side since August, but Swansea City's Kyle Letheren is hoping to win his first under-21 cap tomorrow. The Llanelli-born Swansea youth keeper travelled to Cyprus yesterday with his under-21 team-mates for the friendly in Paphos. Letheren, a second-year scholar at Swansea, is one of two uncapped goalkeepers in Brian Flynn's squad to face the Cypriots at the Paphiako Stadium. "Hopefully it will be me who gets the call," the 17-year-old said. "Sam (Pearce) has been in the squad before so I hope that it will be me who is given the chance." Letheren was first drafted into the under-19s side in August and he has recently come back from the under-19s UEFA qualifying championships in France. "It wasn't a surprise to get called up again after the late call last time," Letheren said. "I kept a clean sheet in France against Austria and we won 5-1 against San Marino. "Brian Flynn has been giving good reports to David Moss (Swansea's head of youth)." If Letheren does get the nod for his under-21 debut he will be joined by two fellow Swans. Mark Pritchard will be hoping to keep up his goal-a-game ratio for the trip to the Greek island.

13th November 2005 LEE ON TARGET AGAIN AS SWANS WIN AWAY

The Scotsman Southend surrender top spot as Swansea win summit battle SWANSEA stormed to the top of Coca-Cola League One after goals from Lee Trundle and Adebayo Akinfenwa at Roots Hall knocked Southend off the summit. Trundle struck five minutes before the interval and then set up Akinfenwa two minutes after the restart, and the Swans held on for a 2-1 win after Freddy Eastwood pulled one back. Southend dropped to third after Huddersfield's 2-1 win against Yeovil at Huish Park. Veteran striker Andy Booth opened the scoring in the 11th minute before Mark Hudson doubled the advantage six minutes before the break. At the other end of the table, Izale McLeod lifted MK Dons above Tranmere with a quickfire double at Prenton Park. Michael Jackson had given the hosts the lead prior to half-time, but McLeod levelled from the penalty spot after 57 minutes and netted the winner a minute later. Chris Iwelumo's late strike secured Colchester a 2-1 win against Rotherham at Millmoor. Wayne Allison's brace gave Chesterfield a 2-0 win against Port Vale at the Recreation Ground. Bradford and Barnsley had a player sent off each in a goalless draw at Valley Parade. The visitors had Brian Howard dismissed for violent conduct, while Ben Muirhead got two yellow cards.

13th November 2005 LEE ON TARGET AGAIN AS SWANS WIN AWAY

Telegraph Southend (0) 1 Swansea (1) 1 Billed as a battle between the League One hotshots, this exhilarating encounter turned out to be virtually a one-man show. Lee Trundle, still the country's leading scorer after netting his 15th goal yesterday, easily outshone the one-time West Ham trainee Freddy Eastwood, who has been attracting many scouts to Roots Hall. Trundle rifled in Swansea's first and straight after the break set up their second which, despite Eastwood's close-range volley nine minutes from time, proved enough for his side to leapfrog Southend and go back to the top of the table. The Liverpudlian, 29, might not entirely look the part and is a late developer having, by his own admission, developed little in his earlier non-League days with Stalybridge, Southport and Rhyl except his waistline. But he is now much trimmer and, in fact, looks positively sylphlike alongside his 17-stone sidekick Adebayo Akinfenwa. As for his natural ability, Trundle is not at all like the lumbering style of centre-forward his name suggests. His touch on the ball could not be more delicate. Take the ruthless finish with which he opened the scoring on 40 minutes. Alan Tate launched the ball forward, Owain Tudur-Jones nodded down and Trundle's control was instant before he unleashed an unstoppable low drive. In contrast to that economy of effort, he showed an abundance of trickery and determination in the build-up to the Swans' all-important second strike. Sam Ricketts' free kick was played short to him on the left side of the box and Trundle mesmerised three defenders before firing low only for Andy Edwards to clear off the line, with Akinfenwa, at the far post, scoring his eighth of the season from the rebound. "That's 23 between our two front men," said Swansea manager Kenny Jackett, reluctant to let the spotlight shine soley on Trundle. "There were a lot of good performances out of there and Lee's was just one." Try telling that to the 1,500 fans from South Wales. They were bowing in unashamed worship to their idol as he went through his after-match badge-kissing routine. "The fans have been brilliant to me," said Trundle, whose own hero is Paul Gascoigne. "Like Gazza I like to play with a smile on my face and they respond to that. I believe I can score at any level." It seems hard to believe that a Championship club would not take a gamble on such an exceptionally gifted player. Kevin Bond, Southampton's assistant manager, was in the crowd and, although Saints, Norwich and Crystal Palace have reportedly been tracking Eastward, his attention must have been drawn to Trundle. Eastwood could not quite rediscover the sense of occasion which enabled him to hit a hat-trick on his Southend debut against Swansea 13 months ago and another at Bristol City on his recent 22nd birthday. But the former Grays Athletic forward nevertheless proved he possesses a predator's instinct when he eventually pounced. Elsewhere, play-off hopefuls Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth could not be separated. Brian Stock levelled for Bournemouth in the 64th minute with a superb curling effort after Nicky Southall's first-half opener. Lloyd Owusu's winner on 78 minutes gave promotion hopefuls Brentford a 2-1 win at Hartlepool. In League Two, Leyton Orient went top after Justin Miller's equaliser gave them a 1-1 draw at Peterborough. Wycombe missed out on top spot, Tommy Mooney's equaliser at Darlington cancelling out Richard Keogh's own goal. • Leeds United's No 2 Sam Ellis is favourite to take over as manager of Blackpool.

11th November 2005 NO NIGHTMARES ABOUT FREDDY

Evening Post Leon Britton is not expecting any more scouting requests from Kenny Jackett after Freddy Eastwood shot down Swansea City on his Southend debut. But Britton believes Swansea are better prepared to cope with the threat of his former West Ham colleague when Jackett's men go back to Roots Hall tomorrow. Eastwood was a virtual unknown on loan from the Conference South when he marked his first Football League game with a sensational hat-trick to topple Swansea. Just over a year on, the former Grays Athletic striker boasts a tally of 32 goals in 57 games for the Shrimpers, making him one of the most wanted frontmen in the lower divisions. "It was quite funny thinking back," Britton says. "The gaffer asked me what I knew about Freddy before the game and I said to him 'He's not bad, a bit of a finisher'. "He scored his first goal in the first eight seconds and ended up getting a hat-trick. "I don't think the gaffer will be asking me to do much scouting work in the future. "When it comes to ex-West Ham players, he'll probably ask Izzy Iriekpen rather than me." Promotion for both Swansea and Southend last season means Britton, who was an unused substitute that day, can smile about his tips to the manager now. Jackett and Co will hardly be able to complain about a lack of warning if Eastwood, who has notched eight times so far this term, proves the match-winner again this weekend. "Nobody knew much about Freddy last time we played there, but I don't think the gaffer will be asking any questions about him tomorrow," Britton adds. "Freddy's a year younger than me, but we played together quite a few times for West Ham's youth team and you could see then that he was decent finisher. "But what he has done since going to Southend has been really impressive. "He started as an unknown, but he seems to be getting better all the time." Eastwood has developed into one of the lower divisions' hottest striking properties, with Southampton, Crystal Palace and Norwich City all said to be admirers. How Swansea cope with the 22-year-old will be central to their chances of stopping the League One leaders in Essex tomorrow. But Britton is well aware that shutting out Eastwood will not guarantee success against a Southend side Swansea have not beaten in their last five attempts. "Talking to the rest of the lads, we all agree that Southend were one of the best teams we played last season," he says. "They added great experience by signing Shaun Goater over the summer and another good player, Luke Guttridge, seems to be in the side a lot more this year. "We know their side well and we all realise that this is going to be a really tough game. "I remember the last good result we had against them. We won 2-0 at their place in the season we fought off relegation. "They have got the better of us a couple of times since then so maybe it's about time we got another victory." An away success would give Britton the bragging rights over Jay Smith, the talented Southend midfielder he grew up with in Romford. It might also serve as another reminder to United that they were wrong to reject him after a trial just before he arrived in Swansea three years ago. Most important to Britton, though, is that Jackett's team put in a smarter showing than the miserable effort at Stockport in round one of the FA Cup last weekend. "I wouldn't like to say they were more up for it than we were," Britton says, "But they wanted to put things right after losing badly in the league and it showed. "We never got going from start to finish and it was probably our worst performance this season. "But we have always bounced back after disappointments in the past and this a fantastic chance for us to do it again. "If we could get a win away at the league leaders it would be a massive boost for everyone."

11th November 2005 GOATER LOOKING TO STRIKE SWANS BLOW

Evening Post Shaun Goater believes Southend United can strike a blow in the race for the Championship with victory over Swansea City. The man they called the Goat at Manchester City has seen far bigger games than tomorrow's League One top-of-the-table clash in a distinguished 16-year career. But Goater insists that even at this early stage in the season, a home win this weekend would do wonders for Southend's bid for consecutive promotions. "When you're up at the top it's always important to do well against the sides around you," the 35-year-old said. "That makes it a big game and if we win it, our confidence will be as high as it could get. "You might think it couldn't get any better than it is right now but a win over the team just below us would increase our lead and build our belief. "It would certainly help as we go into our next few games." A summer signing from Reading, Goater was not part of the Southend side which took four points off Swansea last season. But he added: "I know they're a good side and it will be a tough game for us. "Having said that, we're looking forward to the challenge."

11th November 2005 GURNEY'S A MAN ON A MISSION TONIGHT

Bristol Evening Post Andy Gurney is the type of competitor Bristol City fans would love to see fall flat on his face at the County Ground tonight! Not just because he is back plying his trade for with the club he quit for Swansea City last year - bitter rivals Swindon Town. The gritty 31-year-old Bristolian also spent five memorable years with Rovers during their Twerton Park exile before switching to Reading via a £100,000 transfer in 1999. He then joined Swindon, who signed him on a free two years later. Now, Gurney is on a mission to make his temporary stay in Wiltshire - his initial loan agreement expires in January - a permanent one. And what he wouldn't give for three vital points tonight against a side with whom he has enjoyed many a derby battle down the years. The versatile shaven-headed left-back appeared to have quit the region for good when he joined Swans on a three-year contract at the age of 30 last year. But Gurns, as he has always been called by friends and fellow pros, was given the cold shoulder treatment by the Welsh club towards the end of their successful 2004-05 League Two promotion campaign and, before he knew it, he was back at the County Ground and fighting a quite different battle with the Wiltshire Robins - at the foot of League One. One of the genuine hard men of the region's footballing fraternity, Gurney made 134 appearances for the Gas and he is under no illusions as to the importance of the mission for both clubs tonight, as they strive to start addressing their alarming form. City enter the clash on the back of five straight defeats, the sort of run that has been unheard of at Ashton Gate in many a year. Swindon have collected just 10 points all season from their 16 encounters but at least have a five-match unbeaten run to protect entering the derby. Gurney reasoned: "You only have to look at where both sides are in the table to know just how vital the game is. "Swindon-City matches are exciting at the best of times but the situation we both find ourselves in makes it all the more intense. "No-one predicted before the start of the season that both clubs would be languishing at the wrong end of the table and we want to get away from it as quickly as we can. "Bristol City are a big club and they will be very disappointed at the start they have made. "We are looking forward to the game immensely and we're looking to start climbing the table more quickly than they do." Gurney admits to being mystified as to his struggle to establish himself at Swansea but is determined to see his career end with a flourish. A permanent return to the County Ground would do very nicely, one gets the impression, despite the present difficulties. "I'm enjoying it," he said. "As far as my future goes it's out of my hands to a certain degree. "All I can do is play football, do as well as I can and hopefully something will get sorted out to keep me here longer."

11th November 2005 MARTINEZ FOR CHOP

Evening Post Kenny Jackett is poised to axe skipper Roberto Martinez for tomorrow's top-of- the-table crunch match at Southend United. The Swansea City boss will instead turn to Kristian O'Leary in a bid to beef up his second-placed side ahead of their showdown with the League One leaders. There is also expected to be a recall in central defence for Garry Monk, with Kevin Austin the fall guy after the FA Cup horror show at Stockport last weekend. But it is Martinez's omission which is far more controversial. Dropped dramatically in the early days of Jackett's reign, the classy Spaniard played his way back into the side last season without ever being certain of his position. Despite a summer of proposed midfield strengthening, Martinez has looked much more secure this term. He has been one of the stars of the campaign to date, in fact, so to leave him out of the biggest game yet comes as a major surprise. Jackett refused to reveal his side today, admitting only that he had some difficult decisions to make with a fully-fit squad to choose from. But, tellingly, he added: ''Last year at Southend the key goal against us was Spencer Prior's header (from a corner). ''We had just got ourselves back into the game but after that goal it fell away from us. ''Southend are very strong at set-pieces and it's important to me that we have players who can get on the end of things in both penalty boxes. ''We have some big players and I would expect them to take the responsibility to put their heads in. ''Our set-piece work has to improve. You don't pick a side based on that but I have to select the right big players. ''You've got ball players and wide players but going through the middle you need some size. ''You need four good markers and you need four who can lose their markers in the other box.'' O'Leary goes straight in at the deep end having not started a league game since the opening week of the season, while Monk is back after a month on the sidelines. Southend, unbeaten in their last five meetings with Swansea, have won 10 of their last 12 league matches, giving them a two-point lead on their visitors this weekend. ''It's a massive game, the biggest of the season,'' Jackett admitted. Whatever happens in front of a near sell-out crowd tomorrow, the Swansea chief is already looking further ahead. ''When I was at Watford, we tried to establish ourselves as one of the top 30 clubs in the country,'' he added. ''That was a realistic ambition and it would be a good aim for Swansea over the next few years. ''I look at sides like Bolton and Charlton Athletic and think they have to be our role models.'' Marcus Bean has returned to Queens Park Rangers early after being told he would not be involved at Southend. The midfielder has spent two months on loan at the Liberty Stadium in his second spell at the Swans.

11th November 2005 It's not so sweet as Martinez faces axe

Western Mail ROBERTO MARTINEZ is set to be axed from the Swansea side for tomorrow's League One showdown at Southend - despite being one of the club's star performers this season. Boss Kenny Jackett is ready to show a ruthless streak after last week's dismal 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Stockport, with defender Kevin Austin likely to be another fall guy for the top-of-the-table clash at Roots Hall. But it is the shock axing of club captain Martinez that will raise most eyebrows among Swans fans and inevitably place another question mark over his future at the League One club. Jackett did not disclose his probable starting XI for the trip to Essex, but it is expected that the long-serving Kris O'Leary will take Martinez' place in midfield with Garry Monk replacing Austin in defence. While Austin did not have the best of games against Stockport, the decision to make Martinez another scapegoat is puzzling since he was far from the worst performer on a bad afternoon at Edgeley Park. And it is even more difficult to understand given the Spanish midfielder has been in outstanding form for the Swans this season, perhaps second only to Lee Trundle. The former Real Zaragoza player has started all of Swansea's first 16 league matches and scored two goals, in the 5-2 win at Walsall and the 1-1 home draw against Nottingham Forest. Now, though, the 32-year-old faces the prospect of being left out of the match-day 16 altogether, with Jackett having the luxury this weekend of a full squad to pick from. The Swans boss hinted yesterday that he wanted to strengthen the midfield to ensure his team were not over-run as they were during last season's 4-2 defeat at Southend. "We need to be strong, and I need to pick the right 'big' players for this particular match," said Jackett. "In the middle you need some size. Looking back at last year's game, the match went away from us after Spencer Prior had scored Southend's second goal. "I've got some big decisions to make in terms of team selection, but that's what you want as a manager. Having everyone fit and available is what you aspire to." Tomorrow will not be the first time that Martinez has been left out in the cold by Jackett. The former Wigan midfielder was surprisingly dropped just two matches into the 2004-05 campaign, leading Jackett to question whether he had a future at the club. But Martinez was reinstated four games later and, though he was out of the first-team picture again at the end of February and through much of March, he went on to make 37 league appearances during Swansea's promotion-winning season. Many Swans fans will regard it as strange that he should be dropped again just as he is producing some of his best form for the club since arriving from Walsall in February 2003. Martinez said recently he wanted to spend the rest of his career at Swansea, but there must now be considerable doubt over whether that wish will be granted. The midfielder, however, will put aside any personal disappointment this weekend to urge his team-mates to prove they are one of the best footballing sides in League One. Swansea would swap places with Southend and return to the League One summit if they picked up their first league away win in four attempts from the sell-out Roots Hall clash. "Away from home, we haven't been playing as well as we know we can, and last week's match at Stockport was just one of those days you get every now and then," Martinez said. "But we know there is huge potential in this squad and we know that, at times this season, we've played some of the best football in the division. "Look at some of the big victories we've had - 5-2 against Walsall, 7-1 against Bristol City, 5-1 against Chesterfield... "I don't think there are many teams in this division that can produce that kind of attacking performance on a regular basis. "But what we have to do is put in the hard work as well as entertain the fans. We've got to work hard when we haven't got the ball, and try to express ourselves when we have got it." One player who won't be involved at all this weekend is Marcus Bean. The midfielder is returning to QPR after spending two months on loan at the Liberty Stadium.

10th November 2005 TRUNDLE'S POINTER

Evening Post Lee Trundle believes Swansea City would be happy with a point from Saturday's League One summit meeting at Southend. Kenny Jackett's second-placed side would return to the top of the table with victory over the leaders at Roots Hall. But Trundle insists Swansea would be pleased to leave Essex undefeated by a Southend outfit who have not lost a league game on home soil since the first day of the season. ''It's a massive game,'' the 14-goal marksman said, ''and to come away with a draw would be a good result. ''We will go there hoping to win the game, of course, but we'd be pleased with a point because it's a difficult place to go. ''They are top of the league and, although some people might be surprised about that, I'm not one of them. ''They are a good side who go forward well and have some quality goalscorers.'' Trundle concedes a dramatic improvement on last weekend's sorry FA Cup exit at Stockport will be needed just to stay on level terms against Steve Tilson's side. ''That was a real disappointment,'' he added. ''We didn't pass the ball about and we didn't look like a threat going forward which hasn't been the case too often this season. ''But I'm certain we can get our form back. ''The league is what really counts for us and, although it's going to be a very tough game, we all know how important it is that we bounce back.'' Swansea are well aware, too, that they are due some success against Southend. In five meetings over the last two seasons, the Shrimpers are unbeaten. Last time out they earned a creditable draw at Vetch Field despite a Trundle strike, while Swansea's last trip east ended in a Freddy Eastwood-inspired 4-2 home win. ''He's one of the goalscorers I'm talking about,'' Trundle went on. ''He is someone we will have to keep an eye on this time, although it's not just about him. ''They have got a lot of good players and we will have to be on our game if we are going to get something on Saturday.'' Meanwhile, Swansea target Gavin Williams has joined Championship side Ispwich on a month's loan from Premiership outfit West Ham. Tickets for Saturday's game at Roots Hall go off sale tomorrow at 1pm. Swansea have reported healthy ticket sales for their meeting with Yeovil a week tomorrow, the first fully floodlit football match to be held at the Liberty Stadium. Tickets are also on general sale for the LDV Vans Trophy second-round home tie against Rushden & Diamonds on November 22.

10th November 2005 Fry: Swans can go all way to Premiership

Western Mail BARRY FRY believes Swansea City have the potential to copy his former club Birmingham City and jump up two divisions to the Premiership. Ten years ago Fry led Birmingham out of the third tier of English football and in 2002 Steve Bruce completed the job by finally ending their long absence from the top flight. And Fry - speaking ahead of the Swans' weekend clash with another of his former clubs, Southend United - sees similar potential in Swansea to the Birmingham side he led to the old Division Two championship in 1995. "Looking at Swansea, they remind me of when I went to Birmingham (in 1993) - a sleeping giant that you think belongs higher up the league," said Fry. "I was unable to stop Birmingham going down to the old Second Division, but we came straight back as champions and the club has since taken off. "And I do see similar potential in Swansea. I think they would have a bit of clout in the Championship and they're on a par with Birmingham in terms of their supporters. "I know how passionate the Welsh fans are and, like Birmingham, Swansea have a very big fanbase to tap into. With such strong support behind them, who knows how far Swansea could go? They have the potential to go all the way to the top. "I know they've got a great new stadium, but, if they were doing well as a Championship team, I don't think it would be big enough to hold all the people who wanted to get in." Swansea's quest to return to the upper echelons of English football continues on Saturday against another side who were not expected to be among the League One front-runners. Fry, who had an eight-month spell in the Roots Hall hot-seat before a controversial defection to Birmingham, accepts that, unlike Swansea, Southend would be punching above their weight if they were to reach the Championship. "I was in charge of Southend when they were in the old Division One and, though the fans hate me for leaving the club, I have fond memories of my time there," Fry says. "It would be brilliant to see them back at that level, though you'd have to say a club like Swansea would be better equipped to cope in the Championship. And I would have thought Swansea, with their new stadium, have got more ambition than Southend. "I was with Stevie Tilson (Shrimpers boss) the other day - I know him very well as he used to play for me - and he said he thought this season would be all about consolidating Southend's status in League One. "Having done very well after 16 games, though, he's seen nothing in the division to be frightened of and he's saying, 'Why not at least go for the play-offs?' "Putting aside the argument about whether or not Southend could cut it in the Championship, what they and Swansea have achieved is a fantastic example for all lower league clubs to try and follow. "Just a couple of seasons ago both clubs were fighting to stay in the league - Stevie only got the Southend job because they were struggling - but now they're each fighting for back-to-back promotions. "It's very encouraging for lower division clubs up and down the country. And it's what you want to see - wide open divisions where everyone has got a chance of success." Fry took a step back from the frontline of management in the summer, handing over the reins at Peterborough to Mark Wright and becoming director of football and main club owner at London Road. But the colourful Londoner retains a keen interest in the affairs of clubs across the country, and admires the jobs Tilson and Swans boss Kenny Jackett are doing with their respective teams. "I know Kenny very well from his days as a coach at QPR and Watford and I'm delighted he's now a manager in his own right," said the former Barnet boss. "He might be a relatively new manager on the football circuit, but he's been a very well-respected coach for a number of years. "Stevie is someone who's done every job there is. He's looked after the U12s, U14s, U16s, youth team, reserve team and now the first team. "I'm not surprised he's making a success of it at Southend. He's a very deep-thinking man who was always keen to have a crack at coaching. "Southend and Swansea have had fantastic starts to the season after coming up from League Two last year. It should be one hell of a game at the weekend." One intriguing aspect of an expected sell-out encounter at Roots Hall will be the face-off between Swansea's 14-goal top-scorer Lee Trundle and Southend's eight-goal hot-shot Freddy Eastwood. In the corresponding fixture last season Eastwood destroyed the Swans with a hat-trick on his league debut - the first goal coming after less than eight seconds - as Southend ran out 4-2 winners. But Fry knows which player he'd rather have in his team. "Lee Trundle is a better striker than Freddy Eastwood," he said. "They're totally different types of player. Eastwood is an out-and-out goalscorer who can go long periods of a game without doing anything before popping up with a winning goal - he can tap it in or smash one home from 25 yards. "Trundle is not only a great goalscorer and a scorer of great goals, but he can also bring others into play. "He has a knack of holding the ball up and producing the unexpected. He has better all-round ability to his game. "They're both very exciting players, but, if you're forcing me into a corner and I had £1m to spend on someone, I'd pick Trundle over Eastwood." As Fry also points out, however, Southend are no one-man team. "Stevie played non-league football at Canvey Island and he's bought very wisely from the non-league," Fry said. "Eastwood and Mitchell Cole (midfielder) have both come from Grays Athletic and Mark Bentley from Dagenham. "At the other end of the scale, Steve has brought in a player with bags of Premiership experience in Shaun Goater. I said to Steve, 'How did you afford a player like that!' "He said Shaun's been a big influence on the side - on and off the pitch. It was a great coup to attract someone who was playing in the Premier League just two years ago. "I think Steve has got a nice mix of youth and experience at Southend. And it's a side with a lot of hunger and desire." Swansea hardly lack ambition themselves. It promises to be some match this weekend.

09th November 2005 Smith facing best of foes

Essex Evening Echo Blues midfielder Jay Smith grew up alongside Leon Britton and Izzy Iriekpen but that will go out the window when the old pals line up on opposing sides at Roots Hall. It's a table topping clash, with Steve Tilson's men well aware that the Welsh side are breathing down their necks and that's all the motivation Smith needs. "We all used to live in the same block in Romford," said Smith, 24. "Leon was down my road and Izzy was just round the corner and we used to meet up all the time. They've obviously moved away now because they're playing in Swansea but we've stayed in touch and talk every week. "The banter has been flying ahead of Saturday's game and I've been letting them know what I'm going to do if I get on."

09th November 2005 Swans eye winger deal

East Sleep Sport Swansea are weighing up a move for Bath City youngster Andy Sandell after the player impressed while training with the club. The 22-year-old winger has spent three days training with the Swans and boss Kenny Jackett is believed to be delighted with the way the youngster fitted in with the rest of the squad. "I think I've been playing well (in training) and my technique has been good but it's up to them at the end of the day. I'm just glad to be training to be honest," said Sandell. "I'm enjoying it at Bath but if Swansea make an offer, although they might decide not to, then it would be great if the two clubs could agree a figure."

09th November 2005 'TIME WE CURED AWAY-DAY BLUES'

Evening Post Kenny Jackett admits Swansea City must sharpen up on their travels if they are to reclaim top spot in League One at Southend this weekend. Jackett's men head into the mouthwatering top-of-the-table clash with a bad case of the away-day blues. Beaten at Yeovil, below-par in the draw at Rotherham and embarrassed last Saturday by Stockport in the FA Cup, Swansea's sole success on the road in seven weeks came at Torquay in the LDV Vans Trophy. And Jackett concedes any repeat of the Edgeley Park performance will see his side humbled at Roots Hall on Saturday. "We haven't been anywhere near our best away from home," the Swansea boss said, "and that's something we must address at Southend. "I look at Yeovil, Rotherham and Stockport and I feel that we need to be stronger and more competitive. "We have got to go out and make things happen." Jackett is keen for Swansea to replicate their Liberty Stadium form - they thrashed Chesterfield in their last home fixture - against a Southend side who have not lost a league game on their own patch since the opening day of the season. "Pitches are often tighter away from home and there has not been the same flow to a lot of our away games that we have seen at home," he added. "The games haven't been so end-to-end and the ball has spent a lot more time in the air. They've been more like League Two games than League One games and it's important that we work towards getting it down on the floor this weekend. "We can't just turn up and think our football will shine through in the end. We need to be more proactive." While Swansea squeezed into the third of League Two's automatic promotion spots on the final day of last season, Steve Tilson's team came up via the play-offs after finishing fourth. While champions Yeovil and runners-up Scunthorpe have made decent starts to life at the higher level, Swansea and Southend have taken League One by storm. "I don't think a lot of people would have said this would be a top-versus-second game," Jackett conceded. "I think all four sides who came up will be pleased with what they have done so far and it just proves how tight the bottom two divisions are. "They're both very competitive and to some degree there's not a lot between them." Jackett has rejected rumours on Humberside linking Hull City wideman Jason Price with a return to Swansea. Welshman Price, who spent six years at Vetch Field before leaving for Tranmere in 2001, was reportedly a loan target for Swansea and Doncaster Rovers. But Jackett said: "That's a long way off the mark. We haven't even watched him recently, never mind tried to sign him." Swansea City's FA Youth Cup first-round tie with Cheltenham at St Helen's last night was postponed because of the weather.

08th November 2005 BAYO: SWANS ARE HANDLING WITH CARE

Evening Post Swansea City are wrapping Bayo Akinfenwa in cotton wool in a bid to get him fit for Saturday's showdown with Southend United. A stress fracture in a shin could see the powerhouse striker sidelined for a significant spell if he is not given plenty of rest. But Swansea are well aware of Akinfenwa's influence alongside Lee Trundle in attack and are keen for him to play a part in this weekend's top-of-the-table clash. "Bayo has made a difference for us this season. There's no doubt about that," boss Kenny Jackett admitted. "We've been fluent in the wide positions which has been important, but Bayo has been a big part of our play going forward. "He holds the ball up very well and you would probably say that he is our only out-and-out targetman." Jackett added: "Of course we're hoping to have him available and I think with careful management he will be okay. "There are going to be question marks over him at the start of every week because of the stress fracture for a while. "He will have to spend time in the gym doing non-weight bearing work and only come out on to the training field on certain days. "Basically it's a case of wrapping him in cotton wool between games. If we get that right I think the problems will clear up in a few weeks." There is better news of central defender Garry Monk, who will hope for a return to Jackett's side at Roots Hall after recovering from a nagging calf problem. Marcus Bean, meanwhile, could have played his last game in a Swansea shirt. The Queens Park Rangers midfielder sees his two-month loan spell come to an end after the trip to Essex. And though Jackett is keen to keep Bean for another four weeks, he admits the decision will be down to the player. "I'm going to have to sit down and discuss it with Marcus this week," said Jackett, who left Bean out of his 16 for the 5-1 win over Chesterfield. "We have six games in a month after this weekend so I would like to be as strong as possible, but it's going to be a question of how he feels about his place in the squad." Swansea fans are reminded that Saturday's game is all-ticket for home and away supporters. Tickets are on sale now at the Liberty Stadium, with just over 1,000 of Swansea's 1,700 allocation sold so far. With prices cut to just £10, official travel club coaches are filling fast. Swansea have confirmed that the home game with Gillingham on December 28 will kick-off at 7.45pm.

07th November 2005 AUSTIN VOWS: WE'LL GET IT RIGHT AGAIN

Evening Post Kevin Austin today insisted Swansea City will bounce back from their shock FA Cup defeat at Stockport in next Saturday's crunch league clash with Southend. Kenny Jackett's men were humbled by lowly Stockport as strikes from Jermaine Easter and Keith Briggs either side of half-time sent them crashing out of the cup at the first-round stage. But Austin is convinced Swansea will put their Edgeley Park embarrassment behind them in time for next weekend's top-of-the-table contest. ''Stockport was probably our worst performance of the season,'' the powerhouse defender admitted. ''But every team in the world has setbacks and now it's all about how we come back from this. ''We all would have enjoyed a cup run and the finances could have been important for the club, but I don't think it's the end of the world . ''What we've got to is make sure we improve next week and I'm sure we will. Going out of the cup is not ideal preparation, but we can draw strength from our league displays and we'll go to Southend confident that we can get a result.'' Austin accepts the defensive errors which haunted Swansea on Saturday must be eliminated before the trip to Roots Hall. The former Bristol Rovers man held his hands up for Stockport's first goal, while all eyes were on centre-back partner Izzy Iriekpen when Briggs's strike sealed only County's third win of the season. ''The first goal was my fault and the second we should have dealt with it better as a defence," Austin said. ''But I wouldn't say we took it for granted that we would beat Stockport. We knew it was going to be a tough game and they put us under a lot of pressure. They were in our faces and they deserved it. I suppose something like this was always going to happen because things had been going really well for us. ''But we're still in a strong position in the league and we want to stay there. We'll be right up for it next weekend . ''We didn't do very well at Southend last season but we're a stronger team now.'' Bayo Akinfenwa is an early injury worry for Swansea's biggest game of the season so far despite only playing 34 minutes as a substitute on Saturday. ''He has a stress fracture of the shin and we're going to have to be very, very careful with him,'' Jackett conceded. The Swansea boss is promising a major improvement when his side return to League One action, adding: ''I would have liked to have won at Stockport and Southend, but now we have to focus on getting things right on Saturday. ''I don't like losing and I don't give in easily. That has to be the case with my teams.''

07th November 2005 SHOCK LOSS FOR SWANS

Evening Post Dire Swansea City turned in their worst performance of the season as they were embarrassed by struggling Stockport County. Any hopes of another FA Cup run were washed away in the Greater Manchester rain, leaving boss Kenny Jackett wondering how his team could be so bad having been so good in their previous game. A lacklustre showing was summed up by the Stockport goals, both of which should have been snuffed out by the visiting defence. But Swansea sloppiness left Chris Turner's men celebrating only a third win of the campaign. This tie was a repeat of last year's second-round meeting between the clubs, when Jackett's side were the League Two outfit hoping for an upset. The roles were reversed this time round, with Stockport suffering in the Football League basement and Swansea pushing for a place in the Championship. Hence the visitors were hot favourites to emulate their performance of 12 months ago, when they emerged 2-1 replay victors after a hard-fought goalless draw on this ground. One of the Swansea goalscorers then, Paul Connor, was back in the starting XI yesterday for the first time since damaging ankle ligaments at Hartlepool seven weeks ago. The former Rochdale man was recalled for Bayo Akinfenwa - left on the bench because of a suspected stress fracture in a shin - in the sole change to the line-up which thumped Chesterfield last Saturday. Stockport were on the other end of a 6-0 beating at Carlisle last time out, prompting boss Turner into five changes. The Hatters are enduring a terrible season, but there was no sign of a lack of confidence as they began on the front foot. Keith Briggs brought the first save of the game from Willy Gueret and Ludovic Dje nudged wide of the post inside the opening six minutes. Briggs forced a smarter Gueret stop on the 20-minute mark as Stockport continued to make light of the gulf between these sides in the league tables. Swansea threatened occasionally on the break, with their first shot on target coming from an unlikely source. Alan Tate galloped down the right before cutting inside and drawing a decent stop from home keeper James Spencer. Swansea were gifting possession to their hosts too often and Gueret was grateful to see two dangerous set-pieces scrambled clear before the half hour. The French keeper palmed Michael Raynes's looping header over the woodwork as Swansea's sluggish start grew into a sloppy first period. Sam Ricketts was on hand to snuff out a dangerous Matt Hamshaw break before the League One high-flyers finally offered a hint of their attacking quality. Lee Trundle was the creator, lofting a pass over his shoulder for Connor to chase. The recalled striker turned his man neatly but saw his left-foot shot parried to safety. Within inches of an undeserved lead, Swansea finally went behind four minutes before the turnaround. There seemed little danger when Kevin Austin cut out Dje's wayward pass just outside his own box. The normally reliable centre-back dallied, though, allowing EASTER to steal possession and tuck his shot under the helpless Gueret. Swansea could have gone two down with the last act of the half, Tate and Austin getting themselves in another pickle before watching gratefully as Easter rifled over. Jackett's men began the second half knowing a serious improvement was required to give them any hope of making it to round three of the cup for the third successive year. Whatever the manager said, however, his players did not take on board and the second goal Stockport had been threatening soon arrived. This time it was Izzy Iriekpen's turn to be robbed by the pacy Easter on the edge of his own area. The Cardiff-born striker fed Danny Boshell and his pass found BRIGGS in space on the right edge of the penalty area. The angle to goal was tight but that was no problem to the Stockport skipper, who drove emphatically into the roof of the net. Jackett, relieved to see a yellow rather than red card flashed at Kevin McLeod for a reckless challenge on Ross Greenwood, sent on Akinfenwa and Andy Robinson in a bid to stem the tide. Still Stockport looked the more dangerous side, though, and Adrian Forbes was soon summoned by the increasingly desperate Jackett. Forbes joined Akinfenwa and Trundle up front as Swansea reshuffled, but the changes had little impact. In fact it was Stockport sub Michael Malcolm who almost made a difference as Gueret was called into action once again. Jackett waved his arms in the dugout, his players huffed and puffed on the pitch. But this was one of those dreadful days to be a travelling fan, and Stockport were not to be denied one of the upsets of the weekend. Robinson's late 25-yarder would have made no difference even if it had flown under rather than just over the crossbar.

07th November 2005 Jackett's men just fail to deliver

Western Mail FIREWORKS were zooming up into the night sky all around Edgeley Park as Kenny Jackett reflected on Swansea's early FA Cup exit. This was one November 5 that Jackett certainly won't care to remember, though, as his side's cup hopes fizzled out like a bonfire extinguished by the rain. It would have taken a barrel-load of gunpowder to induce some kind of Swansea spark as they produced a performance that was as lifeless as the 5-1 demolition of Chesterfield was explosive. Difficult to explain, given this was a contest between one of the best sides in League One and one of the worst in League Two. Even allowing for the neutralising effect of the FA Cup, even conceding that a team is entitled to the occasional off-day, the reality is Swansea were inexplicably - and inexcusably - awful. "It was a poor performance - one that we've had very rarely," was the slightly understated reaction of Swansea boss Jackett. "We looked disjointed. There was no cohesion, either in defensive or attack. "The second half, when I was looking for a positive reaction to us going 1-0 down, was particularly disappointing. Generally this season we've been able to stretch the play and get balls into the feet of the strikers by using our wide players, but we repeatedly went through the middle. We constantly chose the wrong option and gave the ball away very cheaply. "Even with the lion's share of possession in the second half, we did very, very little with the ball. We huffed and puffed, but rarely threatened the Stockport goal. "We were always waiting to get going, and it never quite happened. "It's a big reminder to us that you have to earn everything you get in football. If you don't work hard, if you're not first to the ball and if you don't get your basics right, then you don't win." Seven days earlier Stockport had been humiliated 6-0 by Carlisle, and a couple of Edgeley Park natives admitted they had been braced for another pasting from Swansea after the Chesterfield crushing. They were not the only ones. Few travelling fans had expected a first-choice Swans line-up to stumble against a League Two side already engaged in a fight for Football League survival. So what went wrong? Had a touch of arrogance set in ahead of this trip to Greater Manchester? Were Welsh minds already tuned to next Saturday's League One summit meeting at Southend? Jackett was not sure of the answers. "I'd like to think there was no sense of over-confidence among my players going into the game," he said. "I'd like to think we came here with the right attitude. "You can never just expect to turn up and win. In football you have to earn everything you get - no matter who you're playing. "Were the players thinking about Southend? I'd like to think not. I certainly hope it wasn't a case of people underestimating or undervaluing Stockport. "I don't really subscribe to it being just a bad day at the office because performance-wise I expect better things than this. "It's disappointing because we would've liked to have reached the third round of the FA Cup once again. And I like to win all games because momentum is a big thing in football. "We will have to do better than this at Southend. We'll have to learn from the mistakes." Right from the start you got the impression Swansea's latest FA Cup campaign was going to last no longer than a 90 damp minutes under leaden Cheshire skies. And you would have sworn the results of the previous weekend had been reversed as Stockport stamped a confident authority on the match and Swansea looked like a bunch of frightened rabbits. Chris Turner's side assumed early control of midfield and choked the service to Swans strikers Lee Trundle and Paul Connor. What followed was a defensive horror show from the Swans that began when Kevin Austin cut out a cross-field pass from Ludovic Dje before lingering for so long on the ball that Cardiff-born striker Jermaine Easter was able to steal in and rifle past a helpless Willy Gueret. Easter might have added a second just before the interval when Austin and Alan Tate contrived to concede possession, their blushes saved by a shot that was blazed over the crossbar. But Stockport were to celebrate their second eight minutes after the restart when Izzy Iriekpen failed to clear on the edge of the Swansea area and Danny Boshell found Keith Briggs with a delightful angled pass. Briggs skipped past Sam Ricketts and smashed the ball beyond Gueret's reach from the tightest of angles. Token first-half efforts from Connor and Tate, and a late 25-yard shot from substitute Andy Robinson that sailed over the bar were the sum total of Swansea's efforts as the introduction of Robinson, Adrian Forbes and Adebayo Akinfenwa failed to lift Welsh gloom. It was not entirely Trundle's fault that he produced one of his most subdued performances of the season - the shortage of quality service was largely to blame for that - but Swansea's 14-goal top-scorer seemed to lack his usual desire to come hunting for the ball. Elsewhere, as Jackett lamented, Swansea failed to exploit the left-sided attacking threat of Kevin McLeod and Roberto Martinez did not stamp his usual authority on the midfield. The less said about the defence, the better. "Both goals were given away by us - both times we were caught in possession," Jackett cursed. "We tried everything in the second half, putting Adrian wide right and Leon (Britton) in the hole behind the two strikers. "If anyone was going to spark us in the last 30 minutes it was Leon. He got into two or three dangerous situations. But he was about the only one. "It was a disappointing afternoon. You have to say that Stockport did very well and deserved to win the game. "I haven't used any strong words with the players yet. Quite often there's too much emotion swirling around after a performance like that. "But we'll sit down on Monday, have a fresh look at it and review what went wrong." Robinson performed well enough when introduced as a 56th-minute substitute to lay claim to a starting place at Southend. But Jackett suggested he will resist any knee-jerk reactions when the Swans travel to Roots Hall to confront the league leaders. "I'm not particularly tempted to change the line-up," said Jackett, who will closely monitor the fitness of Akinfenwa this week with the striker labouring under a stress fracture of the shin. "The starting XI will stay reasonably settled."

07th November 2005 Cardiff hit man topples Swans

Wales on Sunday SWANSEA CITY turned in their worst performance of the season as their FA Cup hopes went up in flames at Stockport. It may have been Bonfire Night but there was precious little to remember about the date for Kenny Jackett's men who were quite simply awful in almost everything they did. They were out-thought and completely out-fought by a home side which seemed to scent a cup upset from the very start. These two sides met at Edgeley Park in the second round of the competition just 12 months ago with Swansea needing a replay to beat their higher division opponents. Since then both teams have gone in opposite directions in the league but it was Stockport who turned the tables with goals either side of half time from Cardiff-born Jermaine Easter and midfielder Keith Briggs. Beforehand, Jackett insisted he wanted to reach the third round, at least, but his lacklustre troops looked as if they were already thinking about next Saturday's top of the table league clash with Southend, rather than the task in hand. At least the omens had looked good before kick-off with Swansea coming into the tie on the back of a 5-1 victory and just one defeat in their last 13 matches. But although the Hatters are struggling in League Two this season, they were hell bent on erasing the memories of their own 6-0 drubbing by Carlisle last week. The home side came tearing out of the traps with Briggs and Danny Boshell peppering Willy Gueret's besieged goal from distance and makeshift striker Ludovic Dje unlucky not to turn in the latter's effort from close range. Swansea's midfield, so often dominant this season, was completely overwhelmed at times with Owain Tudur-Jones looking particularly out of sorts in the centre of the park. He was booked on 27 minutes and then had to count himself a little lucky after a clumsy challenge two minutes later. But in fairness, none of his teammates shone in the driving rain and swirling wind. Swansea's normal attacking threat was nowhere to be seen with Lee Trundle a subdued presence up front and his strike partner Paul Connor enjoying no luck at all. Even when Connor did find himself with a clear sight of goal, he launched his first effort over his own head and was then denied by a fine one-handed block from James Spencer after 34 minutes. Sam Ricketts and Kevin McLeod both missed the target from distance as the half ebbed away but it was really a case of when, not if, the Hatters would score. The goal finally arrived after 41 minutes when Kevin Austin cut out Dje's pass. But the normally reliable centre half dallied on the ball far too long on the edge of the box, allowing Easter to nip in and score past the exposed Gueret. Easter must have thought Christmas had come early in first half injury time when Austin and Alan Tate tackled each other to give the striker another clear run on goal, only for him to blaze his shot over the crossbar. Swansea's miserable afternoon went from bad to worse eight minutes into the second half but this time it was Austin's defensive partner Izzy Iriekpen's turn to be caught out by Easter. The Stockport livewire stole possession on the edge of the box, allowing Boshell to thread a neat pass to the on-rushing Briggs, who lashed the ball into the roof of the net. Jackett tried his best to spark his side into life but even the introduction of Adebayo Akinfenwa, Andy Robinson and, later, Adrian Forbes failed to do the trick.

07th November 2005 Eastwood: I'll gun down Trundle

Western mail LEE TRUNDLE beware - Eastwood is loading up his six-shooters. Southend hotshot Freddy Eastwood is gunning for Trundle and his Swansea City teammates when League One's top two teams tangle at Roots Hall next Saturday. And Eastwood is determined to put limelight loving Trundle in the shade for once. The Swansea striker is currently top of the pile in British football with 14 goals to his name this season. Eastwood beat Trundle's 23 goal haul last season by a single strike and although he finds himself lagging seven behind this term, he insists there is little to choose between them as master marksmen. "Trundle is the best in our division, if not the best in the league right now," said Eastwood who matched Trundle's hat-trick last weekend on his 22nd birthday. "He is good at what he does and is a great finisher with plenty of tricks. "I'm not being big-headed but I rate myself as at least being as good as him and I want to prove it on Saturday. "He is the top scorer in the league and if you are sitting at the top you must be doing something right. "I just hope I can have scored more than him again by the end of the season." Eastwood, like Trundle, started out in non-league football having been released by West Ham two years ago. But he bounced back into the professional ranks in double quick time, announcing his arrival at United 12 months ago in stunning fashion with a hat-trick - ironically against Swansea. "When a lot of players get set-backs in football they don't always make comebacks," said Eastwood of his 12 months in the badlands. His goals last season helped propel Southend into League One via the play-offs. And like Swansea they have so far confounded those who predicted that a difficult season lay in store for both clubs. "To be honest I think it is down to the promoted teams being more hungry than other teams and feeling that we have a point to prove," said Eastwood. "All three sides that came up last season (Scunthorpe were the third) are decent teams and we have all shown that this season. "I've found things easier this season which is down to the manager bringing in better players who make more chances for me." One of those 'better players' came in the vastly experienced shape of Shaun Goater. The 35-year-old former Manchester City and Reading striker has been dishing out the advice to Eastwood even though at times he has been keeping him out of the side this season. "I'm only 22 and still have so much to learn so it is great to have someone like Shaun to give me advice," he said. "His experience is great to tap into for any young player and training with him day in day out is tremendous." So what advice will he have for his teammates on Saturday? "Stop Trundle I think," said Eastwood "But whatever happens with people like us playing I can't see it being goalless."

07th November 2005 Kenny looks for a simple solution

Western mail IF SWANSEA boss Kenny Jackett was fuming at his side's meek surrender in the FA Cup he wasn't showing it afterwards. Jackett, as is his way, kept the lid tightly shut on the emotions which were surely bubbling up inside him after his side gifted Stockport passage into the second round. When asked if he had seen his side perform as badly this season he would only admit to it being "a poor performance" and "not one of our best". But Jackett insisted his players had not gone into the match expecting an easy ride or even with half an eye on next Saturday's trip to League One leaders Southend. "We were always waiting to get going in the game but it never happened," he said. "We did very little with the ball and I was especially disappointed with the second half. "I would like to think that we came here with the right attitude." But he later contradicted himself somewhat by admitting: "We can't just expect to win things by just turning up and thinking everything will be right for us." Whatever his thinking, Jackett wants his side to go back to the simple things that have taken them to a challenging position at the top of the division this season. "It's a big reminder that we have got to work hard and do the basics right in every game," he said. Jackett also confirmed that striker Adebayo Akinfenwa would need to be nursed through the next few matches after being diagnosed with a stress fracture of the shin. Surgery may be required, but Jackett said medical staff will monitor his fitness closely in the meantime.

05th November 2005 Preview: Stockport v Swansea

Manchester Online YOUNG goalkeeper James Spencer is set for a recall to the starting line-up after last week's horror show at Carlisle. Spencer will replace Carl Ikeme, who shipped six against Carlisle, for the first round FA Cup game. Michael Raynes is set to return to the line-up after his dead leg, as is Keith Briggs, but Tes Bramble is still sidelined. Swansea will be without loan midfielder Marcus Bean - who QPR do not want cup-tied - and recovering defender Garry Monk. Stockport are 11/1 to beat Swansea 2-1 with Betfred.

05th November 2005 We’ll bounce back - Turner

Stockport Express CHRIS Turner.COUNTY boss Chris Turner has responded defiantly in the wake of last weekend’s six-goal mauling at Carlisle United by stating that his players will bounce back in the FA Cup on Saturday. Unsurprisingly, Hatters fans have been critical of the performance at Brunton Park since the weekend, but Turner remains determined to back his players to put things right, starting on Saturday in the Cup at home to League One high-fliers Swansea. Turner said: "I’ve got a good bunch of players here who have an excellent attitude and have worked hard in 95 per cent of games so far this season. "Individual players have made errors and been punished, but look at Manchester United, exactly the same thing happened there on Saturday. Their goalkeeper Van der Sar made a vital error and even in a top class side like that you could see the confidence draining away. "Every manager, every coach and every player has days like that, you just want the game to finish. "I was devastated and gutted for everybody connected with our club, it was an unacceptable performance at Carlisle, but I know we will bounce back on Saturday against Swansea, I’ve no doubt about that. "We’re playing the best team in the bottom two divisions on Saturday, but it’ll be a great game and anything can happen. I’ve had a great response in training." Defender Michael Raynes will be back to keep tabs on the Swans’ dangerous front-man Lee Trundle on Saturday. He missed the trip to Carlisle with a dead leg. However, striker Tes Bramble (hamstring strain) only has an outside chance of returning this weekend.

04th November 2005 TURNER: SWANS BEST IN BOTTOM TWO DIVISIONS

Evening Post Stockport County boss Chris Turner is hoping that his beleaguered side can bounce back from their crushing at Carlisle by beating the team he calls the ''best in the bottom two divisions.'' The former Sheffield Wednesday boss saw his side mauled 6-0 at Brunton Park last weekend ahead of tomorrow's first-round meeting with Swansea. ''I was devastated and gutted for everybody connected with our club. It was an unacceptable performance at Carlisle,'' Turner said. ''But I know we will bounce back against Swansea. I've no doubt about that. ''We'll be playing the best team in the bottom two divisions, but it'll be a great game and anything can happen.'' Meanwhile, Swansea are reportedly tracking Chippenham Town striker James Constable. The 21-year-old is currently on trial at Bristol City, with Swindon and Walsall also keeping an eye a player who has scored 11 goals for the Southern Premier Division side this term. The draw for the FA Cup second round will be made at 3pm on Sunday on both BBC1 and Sky Sports News. Fans can pay at the gate at Edgeley Park tomorrow.

04th November 2005 'DANGERMAN' IS CHAMPING AT BIT

Evening Post Hailed this season as a greater danger than Lee Trundle, Paul Connor will be let off the leash at Stockport County tomorrow. Ears pricked up in the Bescot Stadium press room after a Trundle-less Swansea City had put five past Walsall. Praise for Trundle, after all, is almost as regular as the Scouser is in front of goal. Kudos for Connor, however, is sprinkled less liberally by opposition managers. Hence Paul Merson had reporters scrambling for their notebooks after Swansea's triumph in the Black Country back in August. "I could have done with Lee Trundle playing because then Paul Connor would have been on the bench," the former England star moaned. "Trundle's a good player, but I don't think he could have caused as many problems for us as Connor did. "He ripped us apart." Connor capped a memorable performance with a goal that day. But that remains his solitary contribution to the scoresheet so far this season and, therein, lies the real tale of his campaign. His disappointing tally of three League One starts can be partially explained by an ankle injury picked up at Hartlepool which sidelined him for over a month. More significant has been the near-impeccable form of Trundle, plus the impressive start to life as a Swan made by Bayo Akinfenwa. And so it is with some relish that Connor can look forward to a rare run-out at Edgeley Park this weekend. "I don't know if Paul Merson would say what he said now after the goals Trunds has scored," he says through a smile. "But it was really nice to hear that, especially from a great player like him. "It was a bit strange to be left out for the next game after that, but I got on with it and I'm happy fighting for my place. "Hopefully, there's a chance of a start tomorrow because that's what I've been waiting for. "I don't want Bayo to be injured - you never wish that on a team-mate - but if I get a game that will be nice for me." Connor, impressively, is not kicking and screaming about his lack of opportunities this year. Perhaps that is because he was told he could leave for Darlington back in July despite contributing 13 goals to the Swansea cause last season. "My situation is a lot better now than it was in the summer," he reflects. "I nearly left then - not that I wanted to - and I can't complain that I'm still here and still in with a shout of playing. "I think I've changed the manager's mind a bit by getting my head down and working hard so that's got to be a good thing." Connor's willingness to run the channels has been important, particularly with the wide open spaces which have emerged at the Liberty Stadium. He has seen off the challenge of Lee Thorpe - now seemingly heading for Peterborough on a permanent basis - and is a useful squad member in that he can play alongside either Trundle or Akinfenwa. "Bayo's more of a target-man who takes a bit of the weight off you, but the manager feels I can play with either of them and I think I have proved that this season," Connor adds. "Everyone wants to play every week, but I'm pleased for Lee and Bayo because they're both doing really well. "If I can come off the bench and help out then I'll just have to take that for the moment." Maybe there will be more game-time ahead if the 26-year-old can seize the chance presented by Akinfenwa's fitness problems against lowly Stockport. The FA Cup has been kind to Connor in the past - he reached the fifth round with Rochdale in 2002-3 and scored in every round for Swansea last season, one of his strikes coming in the 2-1 win replay win over Stockport. Then the Hatters were the higher-division side. Now Kenny Jackett's men head north as heavy favourites given Stockport's travails in League Two so far this term. "Things have changed a bit for the two clubs since then," says Connor. "But we're not expecting it to be easy. "I've played for the lower-league team against the bigger sides in the cup and they will feel they have nothing to lose. "They will fancy their chances of an upset and it's vital that we match their desire. If we do that, hopefully, we'll have enough quality to get through."

04th November 2005 BAYO IN SCARE

Evening Post Paul Connor looks set for a first Swansea City start in seven weeks at Stockport County tomorrow amid fresh concerns over Bayo Akinfenwa's fitness. Swansea are ready to summon Connor for the FA Cup first-round clash as Akinfenwa is suffering from a suspected stress fracture in a shin. At this stage Swansea insist the seven-goal striker's latest problem - he has already suffered hamstring troubles this season - is not too serious. But Connor's probable inclusion proves Kenny Jackett's concerns. ''Bayo's got a possible stress fracture in his shin which has been bothering him for a few weeks,'' the Swansea manager said. ''He first complained about it before the Torquay game but he has played well despite it since then. ''It's a build-up of pressure, caused I believe by his hamstring troubles rather than his weight. ''It could get worse and we could end up losing him for a spell, but we're confident we can manage the problem. If we're careful with Bayo, particularly in training, we should be okay.'' Nevertheless Connor is poised for a first start since he injured ankle ligaments at Hartlepool in mid-September as Swansea look to reach the second round of the cup for the third successive season. Their crunch League One clash with Southend is only eight days away, but Jackett has pledged to field his strongest possible side at Edgeley Park. That means Owain Tudur Jones will also start despite taking a knock on an ankle in training. ''We had a terrific win over Chesterfield last week and it's important that we keep the momentum going ahead of a huge game against Southend,'' Jackett added. ''Our form has been good generally this season and I want to keep getting positive results.'' While Jackett's side have lost just once in their last 13 matches, struggling Stockport have won only two games since relegation from League One in May and were mauled 6-0 at Carlisle last weekend. Boss Chris Turner, who has rebuilt the side Swansea saw off in the FA Cup second round last November, reckons his team have been handed the toughest tie of the weekend. ''It's nice of him to say that we're the best team in the bottom two divisions, but Southend are above us in the table,'' Jackett pointed out. ''It has been a good season so far, though, and we want to continue that by making progress in the cup.'' Garry Monk (calf) will not feature despite returning to training yesterday, while there is also a fitness concern over Richie Evans. Swansea's unfortunate physio was left treating himself at the training ground after pulling a muscle in his back. Midfielder Tudur Jones has agreed a new contract keeping him at Swansea until the summer of 2008, barely three months after arriving from Bangor City. ''Owain has made a big impression despite only playing five league games so far and we're pleased to extend his contract for another two years,'' Jackett said. ''He's only 20 and we feel that he has a good future if he keeps up the work rate he has put in since joining us.''

04th November 2005 Connor comes in from cold and aims to fire up Swans

Western Mail PAUL CONNOR could be described as the man who has worked his way back into Kenny Jackett's affections. Back in the summer the Swansea City chief told the 26-year-old striker that he was surplus to requirements, even though he hit 10 league goals in the Swans' promotion success. Connor even travelled to Darlington for talks after Jackett agreed an undisclosed fee with the League Two club for the former Middlesbrough, Stoke and Rochdale player. But the marksman decided against a move back to his native north east and his decision to remain at Swansea has paid off since he is now very much part of Jackett's plans. Just a few months ago Jackett was ready to part with Connor because he was behind Lee Trundle, Adrian Forbes, Lee Thorpe and new signing Adebayo Akinfenwa in the pecking order. But the wiry, 6ft 2in forward has seen off Thorpe, who has been loaned to Peterborough, and has leapfrogged Forbes. And the Bishop Auckland-born striker will start tomorrow's FA Cup clash at Stockport if Akinfenwa fails to shake off a shin problem that has dogged him the last couple of weeks. Jackett is confident Akinfenwa will be fit for the Edgeley Park showdown - but Connor is raring to go if the powerhouse fails to make it. "It has been good to work myself back into the manager's plans. I've just put my head down and worked hard," said Connor, hoping to make his fifth start of the campaign at Stockport. "My situation now is better than it was in the summer when I nearly left. "I'm still here and I'm still in with a shout of playing, so I can't complain. "Everyone wants to play, but the lads in the team are doing well. If I come off the bench and help, then I've got to take that. "I'm just pleased to be at Swansea. I was close to leaving. One club (Darlington) came in. They put an offer on the table and the gaffer gave me permission to talk to them. "I went up there and spoke to them, but my heart wasn't really in it so I didn't go there." With Trundle and Akinfenwa forging a lethal partnership - they have scored 21 goals between them - Connor has found it hard to break into Swansea's starting line-up. An ankle ligaments injury, which sidelined him for more than a month, hardly helped his cause. One of his few 2005-06 starts came at Walsall in August since Trundle was sidelined with a hamstring problem. Connor scored one of his side's goals in the 5-2 win and was singled out by Walsall chief Paul Merson as the best player on the park that afternoon. But for the following game, against Barnsley at the Liberty Stadium, Jackett put Connor back on the bench and started with the fit-again Trundle. "That was a strange one, but I just got on with it. Paul Merson said Trunds wouldn't have caused the problems I did in that game which was nice of him to say," said Connor. "Whether he'd say that now with all the goals Trunds has scored I don't know! "It has been frustrating for me this season, but Trunds and Bayo have done really well up front and I was also unlucky enough to get injured. I've had to fight my way back to fitness. "Bayo is more of a target-man than Trunds and when you play with him he does takes a bit of the weight off you. But the gaffer says I can play with both of them. "I wouldn't want Bayo to get injured. You don't wish that on anyone. But if my chance comes on Saturday then that would be nice." Former Swans boss Brian Flynn signed Connor in March 2004, paying Rochdale £35,000 for his services. He has netted 16 goals in 59 league appearances, but his FA Cup goalscoring record with the Swans is more impressive - three in five outings. Connor struck in the 2-1 FA Cup replay win over Stockport at the Vetch last season. "I've scored a few goals in the FA Cup and I've had a couple of good runs in the competition. I reached the fifth round with Rochdale," he continued. "I scored against Stockport in the cup last season. We drew 0-0 at their place and got them back down to the Vetch where we fancied our chances." With the free-scoring Swans second in League One and Stockport floundering near the bottom of League Two, Jackett's men are favourites to make into the hat for the second round. "Stockport have got some decent players, but hopefully we've got too much for them," he said. "In these games anything can happen on the day so we've got to match them at everything." Swansea's Wales Under-21 midfielder Owain Tudur Jones has signed a two-year contract extension. A bargain £5,000 signing from Welsh Premier League outfit Bangor in the summer, Tudur Jones has forced his way into Kenny Jackett's side and has scored twice in eight appearances.

03rd November 2005 LEAGUE CLUBS LINING UP FOR CONSTABLE

The Bath Chronicle Chippenham Town striker James Constable is being lined up for a move to League football with Bristol City, Walsall, Swindon Town and Swansea City all offering trials to the youngster. Constable, 21, has trained with the Robins twice this week and will start a series of week-long sessions at the other three interested clubs next Monday at Walsall followed by Swansea and Swindon. Representatives from both Swindon and Walsall were at Chippenham's match with Banbury on Tuesday night and Town boss Darren Perrin claims he will not stand in the striker's way if an offer comes in. "I spoke with Iffy Onuora after the game, Paul Merson has been on the phone and, to be fair, all the clubs involved have behaved fantastically," said Perrin. "If they make an offer, and it is still only an if, then I have got a figure in mind that we think is right for Chippenham Town Football Club and for James. But one thing I promise - we will not be looking for ridiculous money." Constable, a product of the Cirencester Acadamy, scored his 12th goal for Chippenham on Tuesday but it was not enough to extend his side's 13-match unbeaten run. The Bluebirds lost 4-2 at Banbury with Perrin admitting the better side won. "I've got no complaints about the result but I have to say the officials were dreadful," he explained. "I've read comments from other managers this season and it seems to be a problem running through the Southern League. These are semi-professional players and they're giving it their all only to be let down by poor decisions. It's not sour grapes because he wasn't the reason we lost." Perrin's poor luck with goalkeepers continued with Nathan Vaughan and Chris Astley both coming down with illness shortly before kick-off. Astley started the game, but had to be substituted after 32 minutes with his side 3-1 down after conceding two sloppy goals. "Everything that could go wrong did go wrong," said Perrin. "To be fair to Chris he wasn't well and he had a torrid game. I can't criticise him though - he was man enough to go on in the first place."

03rd November 2005 MONK LOSES RACE TO BE FIT FOR CUP CLASH

Evening Post Garry Monk has lost his fitness battle to be ready for Swansea City's trip to Stockport County in the first round of the FA Cup. The 26-year-old defender has been struggling with a calf injury for several weeks and Swansea boss Kenny Jackett was hopeful that the former Southampton player would be fit. However, limited training this week and with the players travelling to Stockport tomorrow means that Monk will return to full training on Monday. ''Garry trained with me on Tuesday and the lads are going up tomorrow so he won't be ready for the weekend,'' said club physio Richie Evans. ''I hope to have back in full training on Monday.'' Meanwhile, Peterborough United will make a move during the transfer window to sign Swansea City's Lee Thorpe. The 29-year-old target man had his loan spell at London Road extended for a second month over the weekend and now Posh boss Mark Wright will look to make it a permanent move in January. Wright has been pleased with Thorpe's displays since he made the move, but he is worried other clubs will now try to hijack a possible permanent move to London Road. ''I have tracked Lee for a long time, but I'm not the only one,'' said Wright. ''He is a much sought-after striker because he offers a physical presence and good athletic ability. ''He has already shown us what he can do and I'd love to get him here on a permanent basis. ''My main worry is that other teams will see how well he's doing for and they'll come in with an offer so it's something we need to sort out quickly.'' Swansea have given permission Thorpe to play in Peterborough's FA Cup clash with Burton Albion on Saturday.

03rd November 2005 LEAGUE CLUBS LINING UP FOR CONSTABLE

Bath Chronicle Chippenham Town striker James Constable is being lined up for a move to League football with Bristol City, Walsall, Swindon Town and Swansea City all offering trials to the youngster. Constable, 21, has trained with the Robins twice this week and will start a series of week-long sessions at the other three interested clubs next Monday at Walsall followed by Swansea and Swindon. Representatives from both Swindon and Walsall were at Chippenham's match with Banbury on Tuesday night and Town boss Darren Perrin claims he will not stand in the striker's way if an offer comes in. "I spoke with Iffy Onuora after the game, Paul Merson has been on the phone and, to be fair, all the clubs involved have behaved fantastically," said Perrin. "If they make an offer, and it is still only an if, then I have got a figure in mind that we think is right for Chippenham Town Football Club and for James. But one thing I promise - we will not be looking for ridiculous money." Constable, a product of the Cirencester Acadamy, scored his 12th goal for Chippenham on Tuesday but it was not enough to extend his side's 13-match unbeaten run. The Bluebirds lost 4-2 at Banbury with Perrin admitting the better side won. "I've got no complaints about the result but I have to say the officials were dreadful," he explained. "I've read comments from other managers this season and it seems to be a problem running through the Southern League. These are semi-professional players and they're giving it their all only to be let down by poor decisions. It's not sour grapes because he wasn't the reason we lost." Perrin's poor luck with goalkeepers continued with Nathan Vaughan and Chris Astley both coming down with illness shortly before kick-off. Astley started the game, but had to be substituted after 32 minutes with his side 3-1 down after conceding two sloppy goals. "Everything that could go wrong did go wrong," said Perrin. "To be fair to Chris he wasn't well and he had a torrid game. I can't criticise him though - he was man enough to go on in the first place."

03rd November 2005 MONK LOSES RACE TO BE FIT FOR CUP CLASH

Evening Post Garry Monk has lost his fitness battle to be ready for Swansea City's trip to Stockport County in the first round of the FA Cup. The 26-year-old defender has been struggling with a calf injury for several weeks and Swansea boss Kenny Jackett was hopeful that the former Southampton player would be fit. However, limited training this week and with the players travelling to Stockport tomorrow means that Monk will return to full training on Monday. ''Garry trained with me on Tuesday and the lads are going up tomorrow so he won't be ready for the weekend,'' said club physio Richie Evans. ''I hope to have back in full training on Monday.'' Meanwhile, Peterborough United will make a move during the transfer window to sign Swansea City's Lee Thorpe. The 29-year-old target man had his loan spell at London Road extended for a second month over the weekend and now Posh boss Mark Wright will look to make it a permanent move in January. Wright has been pleased with Thorpe's displays since he made the move, but he is worried other clubs will now try to hijack a possible permanent move to London Road. ''I have tracked Lee for a long time, but I'm not the only one,'' said Wright. ''He is a much sought-after striker because he offers a physical presence and good athletic ability. ''He has already shown us what he can do and I'd love to get him here on a permanent basis. ''My main worry is that other teams will see how well he's doing for and they'll come in with an offer so it's something we need to sort out quickly.'' Swansea have given permission Thorpe to play in Peterborough's FA Cup clash with Burton Albion on Saturday.

03rd November 2005 McLeod aims to end his big cup misery

Western Mail DON'T try talking to Kevin McLeod about FA Cup joy. The Swansea City winger might have turned 25 recently, but he has experienced nothing other than misery in the competition. McLeod's first FA Cup outing ended with an embarrassing 2-1 defeat against Shrewsbury Town as part of an Everton side that also included England golden boy Wayne Rooney. And he tasted more cup despair when he moved to QPR, playing in a 1-0 first-round defeat against Grimsby in 2003 and a 3-0 third-round reverse against Nottingham Forest last year. No wonder he's determined to ensure Swansea progress beyond the first round of this season's competition when they travel to Stockport County this weekend. "It's about time I had some sort of success in the FA Cup," said the former Everton trainee, who has just committed himself to the Swans until the end of the 2007-08 campaign. "I haven't played too many games in the cup, but the ones I have played have all been disappointing. "Funnily enough, Everton's defeat at Shrewsbury cropped up the other day when I went to a gentleman's dinner and Kevin Ratcliffe (the former Shrewsbury boss) was the speaker. "He said that before the match, he looked at the two team-sheets and thought Shrewsbury had half a chance of beating Everton. "And, as it turned out, he was right. I spent most of the match on the bench, and I remember the gaffer (David Moyes) wasn't happy at all. "A mate of my mine, Ryan Lowe, was playing for Shrewsbury, and when I came off the bench for the last couple of minutes he was laughing at me. "I just said to him, 'Listen, I've been sat on the bench most of the afternoon and I think you deserve to win this.' "The pitch had been waterlogged and sometimes the big teams just don't fancy it, whereas the small ones are right up for it. "You can't predict what's going to happen in the FA Cup - it's the most unpredictable competition in the world - and Shrewsbury caught us cold." A few months on from Everton's Gay Meadow washout, McLeod moved to pastures new in the form of QPR's Loftus Road. Again, though, there are no fond FA Cup memories for the Scouser to reflect on. "I particularly remember the Grimsby defeat because we were all over the place," he reflects. "I was playing at left-back, Gareth Ainsworth was also playing out of position and the manager (Ian Holloway) just wanted the game to be over. "The gaffer said, 'If we win, great, but there are more important things than the cup.' He was right because it was the season we won promotion to the Championship." Stepping up to that level might be the priority at Swansea, but boss Kenny Jackett still harbours FA Cup ambitions that extend to a place in round three at least. And McLeod believes he could at last be about to taste some cup success against a League Two side Swansea beat at the second-round stage last season and one still smarting from a 6-0 defeat against Carlisle last weekend. "I don't see any reason why we can't beat Stockport and go on a bit of a run in the FA Cup," said McLeod. "Last week Stockport lost 6-0 and we won 5-1, but I don't think that will have much of a bearing on this match because the FA Cup is such a leveller. "If we could get to the third round, it would have to be Everton for me. I'm a boyhood fan and I'd love to play against them for Swansea." McLeod is eyeing a bright future at the Liberty Stadium after signing a two-year contract extension - reward for a impressive start to the season that saw him net seven goals in the first eight league games. "The new contract has come about through sheer hard work after the gaffer told me to knuckle down in the summer," said McLeod, who joined Swansea back in February. "I've got to make sure I keep on improving and playing to a high standard."

02nd November 2005 Posh target permanent Thorpe deal

BBC Online Lee Thorpe has impressed during his loan spell with Posh Peterborough manager Mark Wright is keen to make loan signing Lee Thorpe's move a permanent one. The Swansea striker has had his stay at London Road extended for a second month and has been cleared to play in Posh's FA Cup tie against Burton Albion. Peterborough are now expected to buy the 29-year-old when the transfer window opens in January. "Mark has identified that he would like Lee on a permanent basis," said Posh director of football Barry Fry. "So we are hoping we can persuade Lee to sign for a couple more months on loan before we can make things permanent." Thorpe joined Swansea from Bristol Rovers last February, but is behind Lee Trundle, Adebayo Akinfenwa and Paul Connor in the striking pecking list at the Liberty Stadium.

02nd November 2005 JACKETT'S GOAL IS ROUND THREE

Evening Post Kenny Jackett has set round three as the target ahead of Swansea City's FA Cup opener at Stockport County on Saturday. Swansea travel to Edgeley Park this weekend hoping to repeat last December's cup victory over the Hatters. And Jackett is determined that, like last season, Swansea will go on to make it all the way to the competition's glamour-tie stage. ''If you're a lower-division manager, you've done your job if you get through to the third round of the FA Cup,'' he said. ''We managed that last year, getting a couple of replays and a Sky game along the way, which all helped financially. ''The competition was good to us and we hope for something similar this time round. ''The aim is to get to the third round and hope to get a big tie. Once you reach that stage you look at each game individually and see how far you can get.'' Goals from Paul Connor and Marc Goodfellow helped Swansea past Stockport in a Vetch Field replay in the second round last term. The clubs have since swapped divisions, with Chris Turner's men struggling once more in League Two following relegation. While Swansea were hammering Chesterfield 5-1 last weekend, Stockport were getting thrashed 6-0 at Carlisle. ''They'll be wanting to put things right after that,'' Jackett said. ''But really it's about making sure we keep to the standards we've set.'' The Swansea boss has pledged to field a full-strength team, and could have every member of his squad to choose from. Centre-back Garry Monk (calf) is hopeful of making a return after abandoning plans for a comeback last weekend, while there are no fresh injury concerns following the Chesterfield win. The club has confirmed that supporters travelling on official travel club coaches to Southend will pay £10.

02nd November 2005 City look at Chippenham striker

BBC Chippenham Town striker James Constable has been training with Bristol City - after the Wiltshire side's boss Darren Perrin asked City to give him a trial. The 21-year-old has already scored 11 goals for the Southern Premier Division outfit this season. "He trained with us on Monday and did well - we'll have another look at him on Thursday," City manager Gary Johnson told his club's website. Perrin said Swansea, Walsall and Swindon have enquired about Constable.

01st November 2005 JACKETT VOWS: NO REST FOR THE CUP

Evening Post Kenny Jackett is already relishing the prospect of Swansea City's crunch League One clash with Southend - but will not rest his stars in the FA Cup. The Swansea boss is bracing himself for ''a hell of game'' when his second-placed side face the leaders at Roots Hall on November 12. But Jackett is not even considering leaving out any of his big names in the FA Cup first-round tie at Stockport this weekend. ''I think Southend have won nine of their last 11 matches and their 3-0 win at Bristol City on Saturday was exceptional,'' he said. ''People are telling me that we'll take 1,500 fans to Essex so it's set up really well. ''It's going to be a hell of a game, but that doesn't mean I'll be resting anyone this Saturday. The FA Cup is a competition we want to do well in.'' While promotion to the Championship remains top priority, ambitious Jackett has already declared the LDV vans Trophy as winnable. The plan to battle on all fronts could be viewed as a little risky, but he insisted: ''I'm not concerned about cup competitions affecting our league form. ''We managed to get through in the LDV despite resting a number of players and giving others a chance. ''As far as Stockport goes, there's not that much travelling involved and it's not as if we've got midweek games either side. ''We want to push on from our performance against Chesterfield and I don't think it's worth tampering with the side.'' Swansea are to subsidise official travel club coaches to Southend in a bid to ensure a bumper away following. Coaches will leave Morriston at 6.30am and the Quadrant at 6.45am for the 2pm kick-off. Southend yesterday made the match all-ticket for away supporters. The allocation of 2,000 tickets is now on general sale at the Liberty Stadium. ''We're trying to encourage as many fans as possible to go to Southend because they can give the players that vital extra boost,'' said Swansea director David Morgan. ''We apologise for any inconvenience caused by Southend's late decision to make the game all-ticket, but we hope our fans will take advantage of the lower travel prices.'' Any supporters who have already booked transport for the game will receive a £6 refund on the day. There are still seats available for Stockport - coaches depart Morriston at 7.30am and the Quadrant 7.45am priced £16. Fans are being urged to buy tickets for the home game with Yeovil on November 18 now with the club anticipating a possible sell-out crowd.

01st November 2005 STAYING - OWAIN WILL SIGN NEW DEAL - GARETH VINCENT

Evening Post Owain Tudur Jones is ready to commit his long-term future to Swansea City after his scoring return to Kenny Jackett's side. The 21-year-old starlet continued his smooth adaptation to life as a professional footballer with another accomplished performance in last Saturday's 5-1 thumping of Chesterfield. The only difficulty encountered so far, in fact, was the ankle injury which sidelined Tudur Jones for six weeks before he returned as a substitute at Rotherham 10 days ago. Thanks to the knock collected on Welsh Under-21 duty in early September the former Bangor City player remains a Football League baby. He has made just four League One starts since leaving North Wales in the summer, but already he has done enough to earn a contract extension. ''When I signed for a year in pre-season, I never thought I'd be having talks about a longer deal so soon,'' Tudur Jones said. ''It's great news for me. I will still be putting in exactly the same effort on the training ground and out on the pitch, but it will be nice to know in my own head that I have got an extra year or two on my contract. ''I don't know how long the extension is going to be, but it's safe to say that I'll be signing it. ''Hopefully then I can settle down properly and my football will improve.'' While there is scope for the ex-sports science student to get better, his game is looking pretty strong already. Kenny Jackett is a big fan, while John Toshack has also taken note. A good passer, the 6ft 2in Tudur Jones has physical presence and gets up and down the pitch impressively. On top of that, he has shown already that he has an eye for goal. ''I scored at Walsall, but it's nice to have got my first goal at home against Chesterfield,'' he admitted. ''I'm a midfield player who likes to get into the box, so it's taken a little bit of pressure off now that I've got on the scoresheet. ''Now I'm looking forward to getting a few more.'' Tudur Jones's strike, which came in the third minute of first-half injury-time, illustrated his capabilities. Swansea had been camped in their own box for a long spell, but when Kevin McLeod's tackle turned defence to attack, Tudur Jones led the charge to the other end of the field and got his reward from Alan Tate's centre. ''It's got to be one of my best moments in football,'' he said. ''I didn't know where to turn really because our fans are all over the place at the stadium, but most of my family were there so that was nice. ''I was feeling a bit heavy-legged by the last 10 minutes, but if I can get a few more games under my belt then hopefully I'll go from strength to strength.'' Swansea boss Kenny Jackett is running the rule over 22-year-old Bath City left-winger Andy Sendall. ''I've seen him play for Bath and he looks quite promising,'' Jackett said. ''We're having a closer look at him for a few days.''

31st October 2005 LEE: I OWE IT TO KENNY

Evening Post Lee Trundle admits he is in the best form of his life after his Chesterfield hat-trick made it 14 goals in as many League One starts. And the Scouse striker, subject of a recent £750,000 bid from Sheffield Wednesday, was keen to pay tribute to Kenny Jackett after Saturday's 5-1 drubbing of the in-from Spireites sent Swansea City up to second in the table. "Someone told me that at this stage last season I'd only got four goals, so I'm really pleased with my tally so far this year," said Trundle, the Coca-Cola League's top marksman. "I seem to be getting better and getting stronger with each season I play. I'm 29 now, but this is only my fifth full season in the (professional) game and I'm getting more knowledgeable. "My confidence is growing and I would say I'm definitely in the best form of my career." He added: "A big part of that is the gaffer. He's worked on my fitness and brought nutritionists in and that's helped me a lot. "I trained hard over the summer to get the weight off and that was down to the gaffer's knowledge. He kept telling me I could be a better player if I improved on the fitness side of things." Trundle's treble, his third in a Swansea shirt, ended a memorable week when he became the first player outside the Premiership to sign an image rights deal. "People were asking whether all that was going to take my mind off my football and I think I've answered that question," he went on. "But I was no more determined to score against Chesterfield because of the image rights deal. The key was that all the lads clicked. "We were all on song and when that happens you know we're going to be in for a good day. We've put a stop to all the talk about us going through a bad patch with that performance." Jackett was thrilled after seeing his side end a three-game winless streak in the league in such spectacular fashion. "It's a tremendous day for everybody at Swansea City," he declared. "We haven't been a million miles away in the games we haven't won, but we got everything right this time." The Swansea manager revealed plans to extend Marcus Bean's loan from Queens Park Rangers into a third month despite leaving the defensive midfielder out of his 16 this weekend. Striker Lee Thorpe, meanwhile, is to spend a second month on loan with League Two side Peterborough after making an impressive start to life at London Road. Swansea switch their focus to the FA Cup first-round trip to Stockport this week before a top-of-the-table clash at Southend on November 12.

31st October 2005 MCFARLAND BACKS SWANS

Evening Post Chesterfield boss Roy McFarland is backing Swansea City to win promotion this year - providing they can hold on to Lee Trundle. The Spireites chief watch Trundle destroy his side at the Liberty Stadium with his third hat-trick in a Swansea shirt. McFarland rates the 29-year-old as the ''best finisher'' he has seen. McFarland said. "He was excellent. He took his chances very, very well and in tight situations. "I think Swansea will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season, providing they hang on to Lee Trundle. But he can see the crowd love and he lovers it here, so I think that it would take a Premiership club to turn his head. "I would have to see a bit more of him to see whether is good enough to play at that level, but he is certainly a handful." McFarland was left disappointed following the crushing defeat, but felt the scoreline was not a fair reflection of the match. He said: "If you look at the stats we conquered everyone of them, but stats don't win you football matches, goals do. The difference in this game was Lee Trundle and I wish Kenny (Jackett) all the best in trying to keep hold of him." Chesterfield came to the Liberty Stadium in fine form having dispatched Huddersfield Town and Bristol City in the previous outings and McFarland felt that the volume of games for his side was too much. "We looked a little tired and jaded. We weren't as sharp as we have been and we have got punished," McFarland admitted. "We defended poorly, not just as a back four but as team. It is very, very difficult to put a game into perspective when you have just been beaten 5-1."

31st October 2005 TRUNDLE GONE MISSING? TRY TELLING CHESTERFIELD

Evening Post There was a panic at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday when it emerged that Trundle had disappeared. Fortunately, for Swansea City, it was only Lee Trundle's No. 10 shirt that was mysteriously missing when the time came to lay out the kit. After a pre-kick-off rush to the printers to get a new jersey, that problem was solved. What would not be so easy would be to replace the man himself - emphasised once again as Trundle helped himself to a hat-trick in Swansea's 5-1 thumping of Chesterfield. That is 14 goals now in 14 league starts since Kenny Jackett's men climbed to English football's third tier. That is sensational form, and the one downside to Trundle's latest memorable display was the feeling that Sheffield Wednesday's £750,000 offer for the Scouser could be the first of many. Trundle, a menace for League One defences just as he was in the basement division, is now the top marksman in the country. With an ability to create for others - see Bayo Akinfenwa's opener this weekend - and the capacity to do the hard yards thrown in, he makes for an attractive proposition. Wednesday's manager, Paul Sturrock, no doubt cursed his failure to sign Trundle come final score on Saturday evening. He cannot have been the only manager to take note, and there lies the worry for Swansea's followers. How much would it take to prise the 29-year-old from South Wales? It would probably need a seven-figure offer just to be considered. Even then the answer might be no. Swansea's owners are well aware of Trundle's immense influence, hence the image rights deal agreed last week. Hence Huw Jenkins's declaration on the eve of Chesterfield's visit that Swansea hope Trundle will spend the rest of his career teasing defenders by the Tawe. Punching the air as Trundle completed his third Swansea treble with a memorable hat-trick goal, the chairman probably had his other hand on the off button of his mobile phone. Once switched on again, a call to Trundle's agent would be a good idea. Forget image rights, an extension to the former Wrexham man's playing contract is what supporters want to see. A pay rise would be worth it, such is Trundle's influence on the fortunes of his club. ''Whenever someone talks about Swansea, they talk about Lee Trundle,'' Owain Tudur Jones pointed out. ''He is the man everyone asks about - they want to know what sort of bloke he is and what sort of player is. ''I just tell them that it's brilliant to have him on your side.'' Rival managers all around the lower leagues would offer a knowing nod at Tudur Jones's take, for Trundle's class has left dugouts up and down the country green with envy. ''He was the difference between the sides,'' sighed Roy McFarland this weekend. Jackett is the lucky one, the manager who has Trundle in his armoury. Asked if he had ever worked with a better finisher, the Swansea boss pointed to Aston Villa's Kevin Phillips. But don't get the wrong idea. Maybe he was unconvinced about the maestro from Merseyside when he succeeded Brian Flynn 19 months ago, but these days he is part of the ever-expanding Trundle fan club. ''His running ability and his fitness are getting better and that's promoting his ability,'' Jackett said. ''He has taken on board what we have said to him about looking after himself and you can see the results of that now. ''Look at his third goal, which was particularly special. When the ball went over the top and it was a one-v-one situation, he had the strength and the pace to get on the end of it before the defender. ''Once he has done that, you know he has the talent to score the goal.'' Trundle had made a mug of Chesterfield defender Steve Blatherwick, turning him one way and then the other before lashing a low shot into the net. In a week when all talk had been of Trundle trousers and Trundle coats, those boots reclaimed the headlines. First there was the measured through ball which allowed Akinfenwa to fire Swansea into the lead, then the poacher's instinct that saw Trundle double the advantage after Chesterfield failed to deal with Roberto Martinez's cross. More lax defending at the other end - Izzy Iriekpen looked odds on to clear but got nothing on Shane Nicholson's free-kick - saw Blatherwick head the visitors back into the contest. But not for long. After Sam Ricketts's surge, the ball squirted to Trundle 12 yards from goal with no defender in sight. The outcome was inevitable. And 3-1 became 4-1 just before the interval, Swansea breaking spectacularly after a sustained spell of Chesterfield pressure with Alan Tate and Ricketts leading the charge. The ball eventually reached Tudur Jones, and his second professional goal arrived with the aid of a deflection. Game over, even if Chesterfield admirably refused to cave in. Only Trundle's magic could break McFarland's team down in a second half where Willy Gueret was the busier goalkeeper. ''It can cross your mind that Lee's goals will mean more bids coming in for him,'' added Jackett, whose side move back to second in the table ahead of the FA Cup break. ''But I don't really worry if there's speculation about our players in the national newspapers. That means we're doing something right. ''The good news is that we're able to make footballing rather than financial decisions, and we're happy with Lee and he's happy here.''

31st October 2005 Trundle grows and shrinks at Swansea

Daily Telegraph There is a story told by some Swansea City fans about the day the club were freed from the clutches of their despised former owner, Tony Petty. He bought Swansea for £1 in 2001 and sold out the following year for about £20,000 to a local consortium. As revenge for his brief hated reign, the apocryphal story goes, he received his pay-off solely in pound coins. That amount of Petty cash would have had the same mass as a baby humpback whale and in these parts nobody's carried that sort of weight since Harry Secombe was appearing on Highway. Still, it is easy to see why Swansea fans might believe such fantastic yarns. Over the past three seasons they have witnessed a real-life fairy tale, with their ugly duckling suitably turning into a swan. On the last day of the 2002-03 season the club narrowly avoided the opprobrium of dropping out of the Football League. They consolidated during the following term, were promoted from League Two the season after that and are now pushing for a second successive graduation. This season's winning football is being played in a brand new stadium, a fitting setting for the 5-1 thumping of previously in-form Chesterfield on Saturday. So what's behind the sudden Swansea charge? Manager Kenny Jackett said: "We had a terrific year last year, getting promoted in our last year at the Vetch, and that gave us a platform to go into this stadium. We really put the ground work in last season and we have reaped the rewards this year." It is a simple explanation, but there is an even more obvious one. In 2003 the club signed Lee Trundle on a Bosman transfer and his hat-trick on Saturday (Trundle's 58th, 59th and 60th goals in 102 Swansea starts) continued his and the team's magnificent run in a decent couple of weeks. First his form attracted a £750,000 bid from Sheffield Wednesday (rejected) and last Wednesday he is thought to have become the first non-Premiership player to sign an image-rights deal, meaning he will take a cut of all merchandise sold bearing his name. The contract is being billed as a "Beckham deal" which is apt because the Swansea striker shares the England captain's penchant for sartorial solecisms. Quite how a Trundle sarong will go down in the Swansea pubs remains to be seen. Trundle said: "We're going to bring a line of clothing out. Adults, children and other merchandise too. I like to dress a bit differently. You get a bit of banter off the lads, but it's OK." His football performances attract only plaudits and this success, coupled with the golden handcuffs of the image-rights deal, might even keep Trundle in south Wales, at least until a Premiership club come calling. "Obviously if a club was to entice me away, it would have to be a big one," he said. A big club, perhaps, for a big-name player who is shrinking. "I'm over a stone lighter than when I first came here," he continued, "and it's showing in my performance." Quite so. According to the commodity and transfer markets, the 11st Trundle is now worth more than his weight in gold. Match details Swansea (4-4-2): Gueret; Tate, Iriekpen, Austin, Ricketts; Britton, Tudur-Jones, Martinez, McLeod; Akinfenwa (Connor 71), Trundle. Subs: Murphy (g), O'Leary, Forbes, Robinson. Goals: Akinfenwa (7), Trundle (11, 28, 72), Tudur-Jones (45). Booked: McLeod. Chesterfield (4-4-2): Roche; Bailey, Hazell, Blatherwick, Nicholson; Hall, Clingan, Allott, Hurst (Smith h-t); Larkin, Allison (Davies 78). Subs: Muggleton (g), Kovacs, Picken. Goal: Blatherwick ( 21). Referee: I Williamson (Berkshire).

31st October 2005 Lee the key togoing up again

Western Mail ROY McFARLAND believes Swansea City could be celebrating promotion in May - as long as they resist selling Lee Trundle when the transfer window reopens in January. According to the Chesterfield boss, Swansea's hopes of escaping from League One rest heavily on the flamboyant striker, who not only bagged a hat-trick against the Spireites but set up Adebayo Akinfenwa for the opening goal of the afternoon with a wonderful pass. Swans boss Kenny Jackett can be sure Trundle's Liberty Stadium exploits will not have gone unnoticed at Hillsborough. Sheffield Wednesday recently had a £750,000 bid for the 29-year-old turned down. Will Owls chief Paul Sturrock come back with an improved offer for the marksman who has netted an amazing 14 goals in 15 matches this season? And will other clubs try to tempt "Magic Daps" away from Swansea, as chairman Huw Jenkins fears? "Swansea are a good team and they will be there or thereabouts come May, providing they hang on to Trundle," said former Derby and England defender McFarland. "If he stays with Swansea, then they have a very good chance of going up. I wish Kenny all the best in trying to keep him." Jenkins has made no secret that Trundle would be sold at the right price. But would they find someone who could not only match his terrific goal rate - he has scored an amazing 59 goals in 102 outings for Swansea - but also provide the same entertainment value? McFarland suspects not. "Trundle has been excellent this season. If he's scoring goals, people will look at him," he went on. "The supporters here love him and, looking at him, he loves it at Swansea. "What would turn his head, obviously, is if a Premiership club came in for him. "If a bid comes in then whether it gets turned down or not only Swansea can decide." It has certainly been a memorable week for Trundle. Two days before tackling Chesterfield he signed a lucrative image-rights deal with his club which ensures he receives a cut of all merchandise sold bearing his name, nickname, initials and image. He has even launched his own clothing range - aimed at both children and adults - and will have a say in the designs. No wonder he has been dubbed the David Beckham of the Football League. And if he carries on producing five-star displays like he did on Saturday, then Trundle can expect his tops and trousers to fly off shop rails. His first goal revealed the instinct of a six-yard box predator, while his next two strikes were brilliantly executed. This is the beauty of Trundle. Not only is he a great goalscorer, he also scores great goals. After creating Akinfenwa's sixth-minute opener, he doubled the lead on 12 minutes, stooping to head home from close range after Owain Tudur Jones' header came his way. Seven minutes after Steve Blatherwick reduced the deficit, Trundle restored the two-goal advantage with a blistering left-foot strike before Tudur Jones claimed Swansea's fourth on the stroke of half-time. With 18 minutes left, Trundle completed his hat-trick with the game's best goal. He teased Blatherwick until the defender fell to the floor before drilling a low shot past Barry Roche. It was vintage Trundle and the Liberty Stadium faithful - not to mention the player himself - lapped it up. "He (Trundle) took his chances very well. He finished them with a bit of class," added McFarland. "He's a handful, a real threat. He was a thorn in our side all afternoon. His runs, control and finishing were excellent. We found him hard to handle. "If you look at the stats, we put in more crosses and had more shots on goal, yet they beat us 5-1. Trundle was the difference between the two sides." Jackett can understand why a club such as Wednesday wants to sign his star man. Since he was signed by former Swansea chief Brian Flynn on a free transfer in the summer of 2003, Trundle has scored 53 goals in 87 league appearances, a strike rate that commands respect. But Jackett is confident he can keep a player contracted to the Swans until the end of June 2007. "It does cross your mind that there could be interest in Lee," said Jackett after this impressive win which lifts his side to second. "But we're definitely not in a hurry to let Lee go. As a club, we've done very well on several fronts and we're in a sound position. ""We don't have to sell for financial reasons. Any decisions we make are football ones. "But Lee is happy here. He's in a side that creates chances and, for any goalscorer, that's important because they thrive on chances and confidence." Trundle is leading the League One goalscorers chart after hitting the third hat-trick of his professional career. Maybe that Republic of Ireland call-up he dreams of is not too far away. "Lee is 29. He was a late starter in the game, but he has kept improving and he's still looking to improve," added Jackett. "He has got fitter. He came into the game late at 24, but now his fitness is starting to promote his ability." The Swans faced Chesterfield after collecting only one point from the last nine, but Jackett's charges ended a three-match winless run in fine style. The side that had already rammed five past Walsall and seven past Bristol City effectively wrapped up the points in the first 45 minutes with Jackett claiming his charges played their best football of the season during that period. The Swans made a statement with this result. While Walsall chug along in mid-table and Bristol City flounder near the bottom, Chesterfield have emerged as play-off contenders and were fifth in the table before kick-off. "It was game over at half-time, although you don't tell your players that," said McFarland, whose Spireites arrived at the Liberty Stadium on the back of two wins that had yielded seven goals. "When we let Swansea in they didn't mess about. They really punished us."

30th October 2005 Trundle creates perfect image

Wales on Sunday LEE TRUNDLE yesterday enhanced his all-important image with a stylish hat-trick for Swansea City to prove Chesterfield are so 'last week'. League One's deadliest marksman found the net as if it was going out of fashion to lift the rampant Swans back into the automatic promotion places behind leaders Southend United. Trundle became the first player outside the Premiership to sign an image rights deal in the week and even launched his own clothing label. But after smashing his third treble for the Swans, the 29-year-old's only regret will be not being able to maximise on his 'best start to a season' as his designs haven't yet hit the catwalks of Swansea! Trundle looked dapper in white yesterday as Magic Daps strutted his stuff at the Liberty Stadium to inspire Swansea to their first success in four League One games - against a red-hot Chesterfield side that had enjoyed their best league start for 24 years. Swansea's 5-1 demolition job is the third time they've plundered five goals this season - and it's not even November! Trundle's goal tally of 14 strikes in 15 games is his best start to the season and now the super-slick Swans striker said: "People wondered whether my image rights contract would take my mind off football - I think that performance answers that question. "I'm now in the form of life and I'm looking to smash my season's record." Trundle's 23 goals for Swansea last term is his best and he insisted: "It's only my fifth season as a pro and with each season I'm getting stronger.." Trundle wasn't the only player 'looking good' on the pitch as Kenny Jackett's heroes danced to Roberto Martinez's tune as the veteran Spanish centre-midfielder pulled the strings. Chesterfield's rearguard set the tone for the afternoon in just the seventh minute. Their defence dozed-off as Trundle flicked a delicious ball through to Akinfenwa who outpaced blathering Steve Blatherwick to ram home his seventh goal of the season. Kevin McLeod was inches away from doubling the lead as his 20-yarder brushed the side-netting as was Trundle when his 25-yard dipping volley was tipped over by 'keeper Barry Roche - but Trundle made no mistake moments later. It was another collector's item from 'Magic Daps' though it wasn't one of those moments of genius - but a rare headed goal. Fit-again Owain Tudur-Jones' header from Martinez's cross was deflected into Trundle's path and the Scouser stooped to conquer. The Spireites threatened to spoil the Swans party as Blatherwick made amends for his earlier dithering defensive display by heading home Shane Nicholson's wicked inswinging free-kick after Swansea centre-back Izzy Iriekpen fell asleep to allow Blatherwick his first goal since the opening day. The goal had been coming though as Swansea had lost their tempo and McFarland's men had started to get a foothold. And the hosts could have easily been reduced to 10 men after McLeod's dangerous two-footed tackle on Steve Larkin. But card-happy ref Iain Williamson surprisingly just cautioned McLeod. Then Swansea stepped back on the gas as that man Trundle all but finished the game as a contest with his third double of the season. Left-back Sam Ricketts' marauding dash up the left flank wasn't halted and via a handy deflection of Hazell the ball rolled to Trundle. For some reason the Chesterfield back line didn't close Trundle down and again he duly punished them for their lacklustre defending. Welsh Under-21 midfielder Tudur-Jones, back in the starting line-up after recovering an ankle injury, made the game completely safe on the stroke of half-time with his second goal in four league starts for the Swans. Alan Tate's cross for fellow full-back Ricketts wasn't fully cleared and Tudur-Jones' deflected strike beat the wrong-footed Roche. Trundle then completed a stunning treble with a blistering solo effort. He picked up McLeod's long ball, ran 30 yards, turning defenders inside out before letting rip with a scorcher. Swans stopper Willy Gueret also achieved a late hat-trick as he made some crucial saves. But in all honesty, Jackett's boys were rarely in any real danger.

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