Groo

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).

I wish I could come, bit far from saskatoon though , was very nearly sent to Cleveland with the job, a colleague went instead and is returning the day of the match. I'd have found a way to stay longer and now be begging for a ticket (sitting anywhere)

And of course your NOT a big club anymore By the way Swansea sold out their allocation of tickets 2 weeks ago

Historically, Stoke, Burnley and Wolves especially would be Premiership teams.

The thing to worry about, if the team is playing as bad as everyone thinks (even though top), what happens when a number of teams improves after christmas (as happens most years). If that happens will the current Newcastle team have the bottle to raise their game with them. Look at Leeds a few years ago in League One, stormed it over the first 3 months, recovering from a 20 point defecit to momentarily get into the promotion places and then drifted away and failed to get promotion. Other teams will improve. I can't believe the TV talk as well, you do realise that so far you have had the lion's share of what little there is available. Swansea have been on TV once, and that was because it was a Derby match, it was Cardiff's 5th game I believe, why the TV love in with them I don't know. The smaller teams could do with the TV money, but usually they get totally overlooked, no matter how well they are playing.

Not enthused about an aging player wanting a retirement fund.

lol, you have the Henry VIII syndrome, hope the egg supplier keeps her head about her.

Beckford's not all he's cracked up to be and has far too much baggage. Newcastle need to get players with good character for a change.

Rickie Lambert went to Southampton this summer from Bristol Rovers for £1m. I'd be surprised if the record was much higher than that. Fabian Delph move from Leeds for an undisclosed fee but rumoured excess of 5 million.

Joe Allen.. Who is he I hear you ask... You'll find out in a few weeks when he comes to the toon with his team. who have beaten WBA, Cardiff and QPR recently. Newcastle will make it 4 wins against the top 4

Do they not still have this 7 day rule on bans for yellows which would mean he would miss the Derby game? 7 day rule changed this year, so starts straight away.

:celb: Chopra's 5th.... so will miss the game against us (Swansea) next week :frantic: