Groo

Bob Moncur thinks it will be a good game in any case CLICK HERE

Basically the difference between Prem and Championship. taking the chances.

FA Cup, 3-0 ??

An ode to next saturday by a wag on one of our sites: We're going up North, Where they all speak funny, We've got a new striker, But we've got no money, Your boys each week on forty grand, Something we don't understand. Now you've got Butt and we've got Beats, Prepare for your first of home defeats, Van der Gun lets off a barrel, No joy for you this Christmas 'Carroll', Ducks arse defence and lots of flair, As Dyer tangles Coloccini's hair, And our De Vries doesn't 'Harper'on, About how he's Hollands no. 1, Now you might have plenty of fog on the Tyne, But the River Tawe suits us just fine, No funny bridges or famous beer, But our recent form you have to fear, You've got an Ashley and so have we, And the differences are so plain to see, Yours got fat on internet sales, Ours got fit and captained Wales, I think that Hughtons the fashion loser, His suits will never match our Sousa, A touchline prowess to behold, As his awesome tactics will unfold, If Smith chops Leon we don't care, He'll jink right past like he's not there, And setting up our forward line, Leon Brittons doing fine, As Joey Allen ventures forth, He'll be our Angel of the North!!! Especially like verse 5. And yes, we speak funny too

He made a number of stupid comments which got everyone's back up when he left, we had no doubt he would leave at some point for bigger things but not so soon, not when his comments included he loved the club, he had a 5 year plan to get us into the Prem, he would have to be pushed out, etc. He also made very public comments against players who left for clubs seen as bigger or in a higher division, talking about money not being everything, they should have some loyalty etc.. So when he went, it was like your girlfriend leaving you for some ugly tosser down the road who has a bit more dosh than you. But what if you're an ugly tosser yourself? Wouldn't admit it would you.

That's for us to know and you to find out Haha, do you think we all have a direct line to Chris Hughton? Or that he wouldn't just put his fingers in his ears and go 'lalalala Im not listening'? We're on a good run and the players have been playing well, I did hint at some players looking better, who knows, maybe its temporary. Being good old fashioned footy fans though, we're all nice as pie at the moment, when we do lose, it will of course be useless manager and sack the board time.

That's for us to know and you to find out

He made a number of stupid comments which got everyone's back up when he left, we had no doubt he would leave at some point for bigger things but not so soon, not when his comments included he loved the club, he had a 5 year plan to get us into the Prem, he would have to be pushed out, etc. He also made very public comments against players who left for clubs seen as bigger or in a higher division, talking about money not being everything, they should have some loyalty etc.. So when he went, it was like your girlfriend leaving you for some ugly tosser down the road who has a bit more dosh than you.

Nice write up of the Swans, never knew that Tate was a scum supporter. As for Beattie if he is your record signing I dispute what you have written in bold. SIGNING FEE: 600K possible add-ons That's the trouble on trying to knock something together in a hurry, in work We're still in full celebration on the 1-9 score for Judas's team

and change

Hopefully they will be OK, we did bottle it the first time we played Leeds up there, but was OK the next season (oops there wasn't one we went up)and the 'bigger' games we have had since. As Monk says though, St James's will be a different kettle of fish. If they don't let the crowd get to them, it will be a better game whoever wins.

they all look the same to me

Spellings not my forty.. I do believe we stand a chance, put it that way. Never know in footy, we could have an off day and the Toon will forever think we are cack

'Swansea for Dummies' A guide for those who know nothing about us. Just about everyone here I presume The players more likely to play: Between the Sticks - Dorus De Vries. Dutch stopper signed when his Dunfermline contract expired, previously with Den Haag. Fantastic shot stopper with a preference to roll a ball to a defender rather than punt up field. Had some suspect moments in previous seasons but has improved season on season, this year best yet. Made some world class match saving saves this season. SIGNING FEE: NOTHING Attacking right back - Angel Rangel. Bit of a fairy tale for him, our scout went to a lower league Spanish match to watch a striker and spotted a potential star playing for the opposition, Rangel. Good defender whose excellent at overlapping and getting involved in the attack. SIGNING FEE: NOTHING Centre Half - Alan Tate. Being a Sunderland lad and fan of his local team, he quite fancies this. Was Captain of Man Utd's youth team when joined on loan in 2002. At this time we were fighting to remain in the league and only stayed in on the last game of the season due to us beating Hull and Exeter drawing, Exeter went down and out. Tate joined the following season permanently and has played all across the back and in midfield. Earlier he lost concentration at times (Bramble-esq), but this part of his game has now gone and he's been one of the players of the season. Has been playing left back but moved back to Centre half when Monk got injured. SIGNING FEE: NOTHING Centre Half - Ashley Williams. Signed from Stockport 2 years ago, has really come into his own. Voted Welsh player of the Year and recently Captained Wales against Scotland, one for the Premiership we think. SIGNING FEE: 400K Attacking Left Back - Fede Bessone. Argentinean with Italian passport, signed from Espanyol 'B'. Has struggled to make an impact and thought to be suspect defensively, famous for a rugby tackle on a Cardiff player last season . Another defensive player whom Sousa has worked his magic on and has shown to be transformed since getting a starting place recently. Was always thought of as being very good in attack but now much more aware and capable in defence as well, a returning Monk is unlikely to remove Bessone from the starting line up after the last two match winning performances (crossed for the goal against Cardiff and scored the goal against Derby). SIGNING FEE: NOTHING Right Wing - Nathan Dyer. Signed from Southampton, very pacy winger chips in with the odd goal. Think most already know of him. SIGNING FEE: 400K Central Midfield - Darran Pratley. Signed from Fulham, the midfield engine, we really missed him at the start of the season. He’s the type of player that will break up an attack and pass the ball in his own box and then be at the end of the resulting cross when the ball’s played downfield and then is back tackling when the keeper kicks the ball upfield again. He does it continuously all game without breaking sweat. SIGNING FEE: 100K Central Midfield - Leon Britton. Another loanee from the 2002 season with Tate and Martinez. Once held the transfer record for a 16 year old, when he moved from arsenal to west ham for 600K. Eventually released due to being too small, he maybe only 2 foot high but has the presence of someone 7 foot tall. He will be everywhere taking the ball from the Toon players feet. SIGNING FEE: NOTHING Central Midfield - Andrea Orlandi. Signed from Espanyol a few years ago, first season fell foul of injuries and last season seemed to be a bit lightweight, although plenty of skill. This year has shown to have toughened up and has a subtle touch in midfield. As a footnote, was once voted the 2nd sexiest player in Spain, behind David Beckham, so the ladies had better beware. SIGNING FEE: NOTHING Left Wing - Cedric van der Gun. Was a promising player coming through the Ajax youth system, was reckoned to be the next Johan Cruyff, but injuries put his career off the tracks. Played for Dortmund and recently Utracht, still settling in and expected to shine very soon, we have seen glimpses SIGNING FEE: NOTHING Centre Forward – Craig Beattie. Record signing at 600K, has looked well suited to the Swansea style of play. Strong and holds the ball up well and capable of scoring goals. SIGNING FEE: NOTHING Possibly alternatives, Garry Monk, the Captain, may return from injury but might find it hard to push himself straight back in. Joe Allen, 19 year old Welsh International could well play in central midfield, possibly ahead of Orlandi, excellent prospect. David Cotteril, winger/striker signed from Sheff Utd this week, another Welsh International, may come on as sub for debut. Swans fans will be shocked if we play anything other than 4-5-1, it’s the formation we have played for almost every game for the last 3 years (home and away). It’s not a defensive formation the way we play it. Interesting tussle will be on the right wing, as Enrique is fast and may well think he has Dyer tied up, then you had better hope that Jonas does a bit of defensive work, as Angel Rangel will overlap and link with Dyer, similarly on the other wing Bessone will overlap Van de Gun. I wish I could be there to see the battle between Smith and Nolan and Britton and Pratley. If we turn up then you will know you have been in a game!! Oh and look after the Jacks that turn up, a friendly bunch, a lot will be staying to sample the legendary Newcastle nightlife.

Groo mate, you needn't bother make the trip. We've got the win sealed now. Wish I could come, bit far from Canada. On a side note, I see Cardiff are in a bit of financial doo dah with the tax man, that would make 3 bankruptcies for good old Pistol Pete if it happens.

Is Bodde back playing? Unfortunately no. At the start of the season we had injuries and suspensions, we could have fielded the team of MIA players and won a game (only the keeper was missing, so probably not ). Martinez abrupt departure and his returning for the top scorer, second top scorer (I know he was only a loan player), assitant manager, keeper coach, physio, head scout (who took his laptop with all player data), tea lady, assitant tea lady.... we were a little dishevelled at the start. Also Sousa's changed the defence to play a zonal marking system, which they took a little time to get used to.

It was the 3rd game of the season, we were without most of our first team through injury and suspension and we were still realing from the change in management and disruption that caused. We're a totally different animal now as this CLICK HERE table shows. We have beaten QPR and cardiff at home and West Brom away. If you think we it will be an easy game you are in for a rude awakening.

Newcastle 0 Swansea 1. We don't get to score many but play a patient build up type of footy, probing for opportunities. The opposition don't get to score many in the 10-15 minutes we usually allow for them to have the ball.

I can't start a new thread yat, so posted this here. CLICK HERE and look at post 17149 A bit of trivia, someone found a paper cartoon and photo from a 1930's Swansea v Newcastle game

Actually no, undefeated for 12 games now.

Watch Darran Pratley next Saturday. A fellow Swans fan described him as a duracell bunny on acid..

He's had the luck of having a lot of money to spend on players, so managers like Tony Pulis could be the best English manager, with him not having much money at his disposal Except of course he's Welsh.

What's the bettings there will be 2 shiny new ones offered.

Thought so, glad we're at home. Big pitch will suit our players, Dyer especially will take advantage.

Get used to it, you will see the magic soon One of only 2 games this season I'll be rooting for a Newcastle defeat. (Well, unless Newcastle has something riding on it and Swansea does not).