Swansea City v Brentford - Issue 27 by swanseacityafc

SWANS v BRENTFORD

ISSUE 27

Sky Bet Championship play-offs semi-final first leg Swansea City v Brentford Sunday, July 26 - Kick-off 6.30pm

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ALL FOR SPORT

SWANS v BRENTFORD

12 Match Reports

32 Meet the visitors

46 Jack Bidwell | Looking Back

Jack the Lad

#JacksAtHome

Polite Warning: The British courts have now imposed a standard minimum three-year ban from all football grounds for football-related arrests â&#x20AC;&#x201C; both inside and outside the ground. CCTV is currently in operation inside and outside the stadium, while police are also using handheld video cameras. Offences include: obscene or racist chanting or gesturing; consuming alcohol in seated areas; continual standing in seated areas; aggressive behaviour; going onto the pitch; throwing of items; drunk and disorderly behaviour or under the influence of drugs. Please note there is also a no-smoking policy within the stadium. If broken, you could be ejected. Sales of goods inside and outside the stadium is prohibited unless via official registered sellers. The club badge is a registered trademark and unauthorised use of it will not be permitted. High-quality cameras are not permitted inside the stadium.

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Board Of Directors Chairman: Trevor Birch Directors: Romie Chaudhari, Bobby Hernreich, Huw Jenkins, Stephen Kaplan, Jason Levien, Stuart McDonald, Martin Morgan Honorary Club President: Alan Curtis; Associate Directors: David Morgan, Cath Dyer Behind the Team Head Coach: Steve Cooper Assistant First Team Coach: Mike Marsh Goalkeeping Coach: Martyn Margetson Head of Medicine: Dr Jez McCluskey Head of Performance Analysis: Steve Rands Head of Recruitment: Andy Scott Academy Manager: Nigel Rees Staff: David Tivey, Ritson Lloyd, Ailsa Jones, Matthew Murray, Adele Callaghan, Daniel Morris, Lee Watkins, Chris Watkins, Tom Jenkinson, Tom Goodall, Daniel Nisbett, Suzan Eames, Michael Eames, Shaun Baggridge, Huw Lake Club Staff Senior Management Group: Andrew Davies (Head of Operations, Facilities & Development); Gareth Davies (Chief Financial Officer); Rebecca Edwards-Symmons (Head of Commercial); Jonathan Wilsher (Head of Media & Communications) Club Secretary: Ben Greenwood Assistant Football Secretary: Rebecca Gigg Head of Retail: Andrea Morris Head of Hospitality & Customer Services: Catherine Thomas Legal Counsel, Head of Safeguarding: Rebeca Storer HR Manager: Nicola Butt Senior Commercial Sponsorship Manager: Lee Merrells Partnership Sales Manager: Cory Richards Media Manager: Chris Barney Marketing Manager: Julie Parienti Ticket Office Manager: Luke Hughes Operations & Events Manager: Matthew Daniel Facilities Manager: Gordon David Grounds Manager: Anthony Harry Health & Safety Manager: Richard Deakin Disability Access Officer: Mark Phillips Community Trust Manager: Helen Elton Club Chaplain: Kevin Johns MBE Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle Programme Production Contributors: Alex Bennett, Julie Kissick, Sioned Dafydd, Chris Barney, Andrew Gwilym, Jonathan Davies, Sophie Davis, Adam Evans, Adil Guney Yurtlu, Ege Agar, Corey Hughes, Gwyn Rees Photography: Athena Picture Agency, PA, REX, Natalie Davis, Ashley Crowden Designers: Callum Rothwell, Jordan Morcom Print: DWJ Group Ltd.

NEW BEGINNINGS: FOCUSSING ON OUR FANS AND OUR COMMUNITY. PUTTING THE CLUB AT THE HEART OF EVERY DECISION WE MAKE.

Swansea City AFC Liberty Stadium, Landore, Swansea, SA1 2FA Telephone: 01792 616 600 Ticket Office: 01792 616 400 Website: www.swanseacity.com Email: info@swanseacity.com

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SWANS v BRENTFORD

TREVOR BIRCH

riting these digital programme notes for Sunday’s Championship play-off first leg against Brentford, I still can’t quite believe what happened at Reading on Wednesday night.

CHAIRMAN

Their application has been totally focussed and committed. It’s not easy playing three games a week, far from it. When you are suffering from fatigue, injuries and pushing yourself through the pain barrier, you cannot always expect to perform at 100 per cent in every single game. So, I have nothing but the highest regard for their commitment.

Like most supporters I’ve spoken to, it was probably one of the most remarkable nights of football I have ever experienced during my time involved in the game. The emotional swings were unbelievable.

And it’s not just the 11 players on the pitch; it’s the entire squad. It has been the team spirit which has delighted me the most because it’s been clearly evident that they’ve all been in it together. There is a strong bond between them all, including the backroom staff, and it has been that bond and belief in one another that has enabled them to overcome the challenges put in front of them.

I don’t think many people gave us much of a chance of snatching that last play-off place from either Nottingham Forest or Cardiff who were very much in the driving seat. I have to admit prior to and during the evening I was focussing more on Cardiff than Forest and hoping for a Hull final fling, but when Cardiff went one up I thought the evening was going to fizzle out. How wrong I was! Attention quickly turned to The City Ground as Stoke went one up while we went ahead with a spectacular Rhian effort. At that stage we had hope but nothing more. Then Forest equalised, as did Reading, and our prospects nosedived again. As the scores were still the same with 25 mins to go, any remaining hope was fading fast. Then miraculously the world began to turn, the goals started to flow and the miracle was achieved.

It’s easy to break that group dynamic when one or two people, for whatever reason, are pulling in a different direction. But that hasn’t been the case here. They’ve all been in it together, pulling in the same direction, and I’m including all the support staff here who have each played their part in creating that unity. This was epitomised by kit man Mike Eames organising for some of the flags and banners from the East Stand to be hung in the makeshift dressing room at Reading, giving it a siege feeling. These small details can make all the difference.

The celebrations on the pitch afterwards when the Forest result came through will be something I will remember for the rest of my life. I said to Wayne afterwards that he has played a starring role in two of my favourite moments in football, this one and the win at Leeds earlier this season. I’m sure the emotions of our loyal and passionate fans watching at home were exactly the same.

Steve has been central to that. At the start of the season we appointed a new coach who had not managed in the league before and we had just sold £40m worth of talent, including the majority of our goals in Oli McBurnie, Dan James and Jordan Ayew. To start from scratch, build a group of players into a cohesive team, compete in what is recognised as one of the toughest leagues in the world and to finish sixth is a magnificent achievement, whatever happens from here.

I cannot speak highly enough of the effort from the players and staff. A huge amount of credit must go to the entire squad, Steve Cooper and his backroom team. The professionalism and hard work put in by the players and the coaches has been just phenomenal, especially since we’ve come back from the Covid lockdown.

SWANS v BRENTFORD

I'm delighted for Steve. He’s a genuine and authentic person and respected by everyone at the club. Some people questioned whether a young coach who has built his reputation in youth football could manage older players in a league format. Well I think he’s proved he can – and more.

breaking through, they just need an opportunity in the first team to show how good they are. I think Steve is flying the flag for all those young coaches out there waiting for an opportunity. But while the emotions and celebrations of Wednesday night will stay with us in our memories, all that’s behind us and we have a job to finish.

As far as I’m concerned, he's been fantastic. Yes, it’s a young squad overall, but within that he’s also managed senior players like Andre Ayew, Wayne Routledge, Mike Van der Hoorn, Kyle Naughton and Nathan Dyer. These are experienced players who have seen and worked with some very good coaches and managers, and all have responded well to his coaching philosophy and methods.

I can assure you that everyone is totally focussed on Brentford and will go into the game with no fear and looking forward to the challenge. Let us wish the boys all the luck in the world and send them our unstinting support,

It makes you think too, there must be so many other young talented British coaches out there, working below first team level, who have put in the hours of hard work to get qualified and who just haven't been given a chance. Just like young players

SWANS v BRENTFORD

STEVE COOPER G

Jay Fulton’s workrate, Andre Ayew’s leadership, the impact of our subs already mentioned along with Yan Dhanda and Bersant Celina.

ood evening to all Swansea City supporters around the world! Well, it’s been some week hasn’t it, and I’m sure every single one of you enjoyed the events on Wednesday night.

All that forms into one team performance. And that’s what we stand for.

It was a day in which epitomised our team spirit, our togetherness and more than anything a desire to do well for our football club.

That result, along with the performances – bar one game – after lockdown, mean we are in a good place going into the play-offs.

Every player and staff member have worked so hard to get us to this point, and it’s great to see that work rewarded with a place in the play-offs.

I’d be lying if I said we weren’t feeling good about ourselves. The training ground is a vibrant one, but it’s also a very focused and committed one. We’re not ready to stand still, while we’re so committed to improving and getting to where we want to be.

I’ve read a few reports which said we snuck into the play-offs, but I don’t think you can do that after 46 games. You finish where you deserve to, and for us that was sixth.

We face a Brentford side which just missed out on the automatic spots, and of course we know them well from our encounters this season.

It was certainly an unique occasion, but it was what we deserved. The players were very professional and focused on the job in front of us.

But, as we’ve always done this season, we’ll put the focus on ourselves.

It truly was a team effort. Quite rightly, a lot was written about Rhian Brewster’s unbelievable goal, while Wayne Routledge’s first goal would have been played non-stop across media channels if it had been in the Liverpool v Chelsea match. It was pure quality.

The club that plays in the play-off on Sunday and on Wednesday will be a club that’s very much together. When you’ve got that it can be really helpful, particularly in good times like this. We really believe in what we do and we love the fact we’ve got loads of young players and that we give them opportunities.

Liam Cullen also executed a great finish for the third goal, while Wayne scored with his head – not something he usually does – for the fourth in stoppage time.

This year the boys have been brilliant. The Jack Army have supported us even through times where we haven’t had many wins. We’ve stuck to our plan and you saw that the other night - we needed three goals or so in 20 minutes, and I can't remember a long booted ball.

But the performance was so much more than that. Erwin Mulder making crucial saves, Marc Guehi’s unbelievable block late on when we had just one in defence, solid displays from Ben Cabango and Mike van der Hoorn, the energy of Connor Roberts and Jake Bidwell at wing-backs, captain Matt Grimes’ general quality pass for Wayne’s first goal,

SWANS v BRENTFORD

That pleases me so much. We need to thrive on it and enjoy it.

We will have your support at the forefront of our minds tonight as we look to give you the result you deserve.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s everything to go for.

Keep shouting, keep supporting, and enjoy the match,

Once again, your support is really appreciated by all the players and staff. You may not be able to be at the Liberty for this amazing occasion, but we know you are following us passionately wherever you are around the world. For the midweek win at Reading, we placed your flags inside our makeshift changing room, and it gave the boys such a big lift.

SWANS v BRENTFORD

MATT GRIMES

ello and welcome to everyone joining us around the world for today’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg against Brentford – and what is our final home game of the season.

work – our team, staff and fans have been through it all – to get the moment that gets you in the playoffs is pure jubilation.

You look at other teams in the league and they are littered with experience but for a lot of our players, it is their first year in the Championship. The job the gaffer and the players have done is phenomenal. Obviously, it’s not over yet but to see what we’ve already achieved – I don’t think you can argue against the fact that it’s been a very successful season.

Well, where do I start?! As you can imagine, the mood in the camp is brilliant; I think you can forgive us for being very happy after Wednesday! We never went into the game against Reading thinking ‘we’ve got to score x amount of goals’; we just wanted to take care of business and see what happened.

There were a couple of notable milestones in that game. First, Rhian Brewster reached 10 goals for the season. As he was winding up to shoot, I thought surely not! But I’ve seen him do that in training, so it wasn’t that much of a surprise when the ball nestled in the net.

It was only at half-time when we found out Cardiff were 2-0 up against Hull and Nottingham Forest were 1-0 down against Stoke that we started thinking otherwise. At that point, drawing 1-1 and playing against 10 men, we thought the best route to go down was to try and score as many goals as possible.

We were also delighted to see Liam Cullen score his first senior goal; there really was no better time to do it. He has been given his opportunity by the gaffer in recent weeks and I honestly cannot tell you just how difficult a finish that really was.

After Wayne Routledge scored our second goal, the gaffer told us we needed three goals as Stoke had gone 2-1 up. Then a couple of minutes later, he told us we only needed two. We knew it was all or nothing and just went for it. Thankfully, we came up trumps.

And how can I not mention Wayne?! Even if he doesn’t play as much as he would like, he’s fantastic to have around the dressing room. If you can learn from someone like him every day, you won’t go far wrong. Then when he pops up with two goals when you really need him, you certainly cannot argue with his qualities!

When the final whistle went, the gaffer came onto the pitch and was telling us to calm down because we didn’t know the final result at the City Ground. At any point, Forest could have scored; there are so many twists and turns in the Championship.

What an occasion today is going to be. It is one we are really looking forward to; these are the types of games you want to play in.

But when the news filtered through that Stoke had won 4-1, I think everyone has seen the way we celebrated! It is so difficult to put into words. It was almost like a mini miracle; so much had to go for us on the night. After such a long season of hard

Obviously, we know Brentford are a very good team. They have been in the hunt for promotion all season;

SWANS v BRENTFORD

they have some fantastic players and play some very nice football. But if you want the ultimate prize, you have to get past these challenges and beat these teams. I don’t think we could have any more momentum – especially after Wednesday – and we’ll be looking to take that into today. For the final time this season, I would like to thank the Jack Army for your amazing support throughout the campaign. Rest assured, whatever happens from here, we will have given it our all.

SWANS v BRENTFORD

CLICK HERE TO WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 12

SWANS v BRENTFORD

SWANSEA CITY 1 BRISTOL CITY 0 DATE: SATURDAY, JULY 18 VENUE: LIBERTY STADIUM ATTENDANCE: N/A REFEREE: DARREN BOND ˚

SWANSEA CITY 1

wansea City ensured their chase for a play-off place would go to the final day of the season as Connor Roberts struck the winner against Bristol City.

Roberts 45+2'

BRISTOL CITY 0

The Wales international chose the ideal time to score his first goal of the season, keeping his cool to slot home after Conor Gallagher had hit the post in first-half stoppage time.

Swans: Erwin Mulder; Ben Cabango, Mike van der Hoorn (Wayne Routledge 72), Marc Guehi; Connor Roberts, Jay Fulton, Matt Grimes (captain), Jake Bidwell; Conor Gallagher (Yan Dhanda 83), Andre Ayew; Rhian Brewster (Liam Cullen 72).

The Swans survived a second-half scare as Famara Diedhiou hit the woodwork with a penalty after being fouled by Ben Cabango as Steve Cooper’s side remained in touching distance of the top six.

Subs not used: Josh Gould, Tivonge Rushesha, Aldo Kalulu, Jordon Garrick, Nathan Dyer, Bersant Celina.

The head coach had made one change from the draw at Nottingham Forest as Cabango replaced the suspended Kyle Naughton, and it proved an even start against a Robins side still nursing lingering play-off ambitions themselves.

Bristol City: Daniel Bentley; Zak Vyner, Jack Hunt (Pedro Pereira 46), Ashley Williams (Famara Diedhiou 68), Tomas Kalas, Jay Dasilva (Kasey Palmer 68); Korey Smith (captain) (Niclas Eliasson 68), Jamie Paterson, Andreas Weimann; Nahki Wells (Marley Watkins 87), Benik Afobe.

Striker Nahki Wells spurned a fine chance as he failed to connect properly with a Andreas Weimann cross, while Rhian Brewster fired narrowly wide for the Swans. The hosts built up a head of steam and took the lead when Roberts steered in the rebound after Gallagher’s curling strike had beaten keeper Daniel Bentley, but not the right-hand upright.

Subs not used: Joe Wollacott, Adam Nagy, Callum O'Dowda, Tommy Rowe.

The visitors pushed for a leveller, and thought they had it when Diedhiou went down in the area seconds after coming on.

Key quote:

“IT WAS GREAT TO FINALLY GET OFF THE MARK BECAUSE I’VE BEEN DISAPPOINTED NOT TO HAVE SCORED UNTIL NOW. “I HAVE BEEN PLEASED WITH MY FORM SINCE WE RESTARTED AND THE NEW SYSTEM HAS ALLOWED ME TO GET FORWARD MORE, GET CROSSES IN AND TRY TO GET ONTO THE END OF THEM TOO.” CONNOR ROBERTS

But his shot struck the inside of the post and came out to leave the Swans still in front. And, despite a few nervy moments in the closing stages, Cooper’s side saw the game out well to keep their hopes alive.

SWANS v BRENTFORD

CLICK HERE TO WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 14

SWANS v BRENTFORD

READING 1 SWANSEA CITY 4 DATE: WEDNESDAY, JULY 22 ˚ VENUE: MADEJSKI STADIUM ˚ ATTENDANCE: N/A ˚ REFEREE: STEVE MARTIN

wansea City snatched a Championship playoff place in the final moments of the season on a night of incredible drama at the Madejski Stadium.

READING 1

The Swans knew a win would get them into the top six provided one of Cardiff or Nottingham Forest lost their last game, although defeat from the Reds would also require a five-goal swing towards Steve Cooper’s side in terms of goal difference.

Brewster 17', Routledge 66', 90+1', Cullen 84'

Puscas 43' pen

SWANSEA CITY 4

Reading: Rafael Cabral; Michael Morrison, Matt Miazga (Tyler Blackett 81), Liam Moore (captain); Chris Gunter, John Swift (Gareth McCleary 75), Michael Olise, Omar Richards, Andy Rinomhota; Yakou Meite, George Puscas (Lucas Boye 85).

Remarkably, in the end it was a six-goal swing as Forest were beaten 4-1 by Stoke at the City Ground. Wayne Routledge struck a brace from the bench, while Liam Cullen netted his first goal for the club and Rhian Brewster took his tally to 10 for the season against the 10-man Royals.

Subs not used: Sam Walker, Jordan Obita, Felipe Araruna, Ayub Masika, Charlie Adam, Gabriel Osho.

The visitors started strongly, Brewster smashing home a stunning strike from distance, and things got better for the Swans when Yakou Meite was sent off for pushing Mike van der Hoorn in the face.

Swans: Erwin Mulder; Ben Cabango (Liam Cullen 82), Mike van der Hoorn (Wayne Routledge 46) (Bersant Celina 93), Marc Guehi; Connor Roberts, Jay Fulton (Yan Dhanda 46), Matt Grimes (captain), Jake Bidwell; Conor Gallagher, Andre Ayew; Rhian Brewster.

However, Swansea were dealt a blow when Reading levelled just before half-time via a George Puscas penalty.

Subs not used: Josh Gould, Tivonge Rushesha, Nathan Dyer, Aldo Kalulu, Jordon Garrick.

When Forest levelled after trailing against the Potters it looked as though Swansea would miss out. But Routledge produced a deft finish to give them the lead, before two Stoke goals suddenly had the Swans needing two of their own in the closing stages.

Key quote:

“IT WAS A BRILLIANT NIGHT, I AM SO PROUD OF THE PLAYERS' EFFORTS TO COME HERE AND WIN 4-1, BUT THERE ARE TWO GAMES, MAYBE THREE, TO COME.” STEVE COOPER

Cullen showed great composure to then sweep home on the half-volley with six minutes remaining. And Routledge made himself the hero as he headed in Conor Gallagher’s cross in the first minute of stoppage time. There was an anxious wait at the final whistle, with Forest still playing, but confirmation of a fourth goal for Stoke put the outcome beyond doubt and kickstarted the celebrations on an unforgettable night.

SWANS v BRENTFORD

PLAY-OFF DRAMA – HOW THE NIGHT UNFOLDED Swansea City have a two-legged Championship play-off semi-final against Brentford to look forward to after a night of scarcely believable drama. Steve Cooper’s side entered the final game of the season knowing they had to beat Reading at the Madejski Stadium, but they would also need help from elsewhere. Cardiff and Nottingham Forest were their two rivals, both three points ahead of the Swans. A defeat for either of those sides would open the door for Swansea, although they would also need a minimum goal difference swing of five in their favour if they were to usurp Forest. Here, we look back on all the key moments and how events unfolded.

1st minute

20th minute

All three games get under way with Cardiff hosting bottom side Hull and Nottingham Forest entertaining Stoke City on home turf.

Meanwhile, at Cardiff, the hosts take a stride towards sealing their topsix spot as Junior Hoilett fires home on the angle to give them the lead.

19th minute There is more good news for Swansea as, after weathering heavy pressure, Danny Batth pops up to head Stoke into the lead at the City Ground. 17th minute The Swans are the first of the trio of play-off hopefuls to register a goal as Rhian Brewster smashes in a fantastic long-range strike. It’s the on-loan Liverpool striker’s 10th goal since joining in January.

34th minute Cardiff put themselves firmly in control as Sean Morrison heads home their second. A defeat for the Bluebirds and a win for the Swans would have seen the sides swap places, but that avenue already appears well and truly closed off. If Swansea are to overtake anyone, it is going to have to be Forest.

SWANS v BRENTFORD 40th minute

43rd minute

Swansea are aware they need goals and their quest is helped when Reading striker Yakou Meite is shown a straight red card after pushing Mike van der Hoorn in the face.

The half-time whistles go around the country and Swansea are facing an uphill battle. Forest are losing, Cardiff are winning and the Swans are level and needing to score a number of goals to have any chance. To that end, Cooper sends on Yan Dhanda and Wayne Routledge at the break for Jay Fulton and van der Hoorn.

43rd minute But the Swans quickly suffer a setback as Jake Bidwell brings down Andy Rinomhota in the area, and George Puscas levels from the spot.

61st minute

66th minute

It’s bad news from the City Ground as Tobias Figueiredo heads Forest level against Stoke. There is less than half hour to play.

Routledge gives Swansea some hope as he superbly controls a lovely pass from Matt Grimes and lofts the ball over Rafael Cabral and into the net.

78th minute

83rd minute

That requirement is quickly reduced to two when Lee Gregory slides home another goal for the Potters. They now lead 3-1 in the East Midlands.

Danny Ward puts the seal on Cardiff’s win with their third goal. There is definitely one Welsh side in the play-offs, can the Swans make it two?

84th minute

73rd minute Just over a quarter of an hour to go and there’s a glimmer of a lifeline as James McClean finishes from close range to restore Stoke’s lead. As it stands, Swansea still need three more goals.

T hey put themselves within tantalising reach when Liam Cullen, not long on the field as a s u b s t i t u t e, s u p e r b l y converts a half-volley to score his first senior goal for the club. Swansea need just one more goal, provided nothing else happens at Forest.

CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE..

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SWANS v BRENTFORD

88th minute Swansea are now playing with only one man back in Marc Guehi, and the defender makes a vital block as Omar Richards threatens to shatter their play-off dream. Erwin Mulder also makes two important saves from the Reading man.

91st minute Green and black shirts swarm forwards in search of the goal they need. After a move breaks down, Conor Gallagher and Brewster combine for the former to chip in an inviting cross that Routledge heads home. As it stands, Swansea are in the play-offs.

Full-time The whistle goes at the Madejski, but Swansea are left waiting for news from Nottingham. As Cooper and his players wait a roar erupts behind them to let them know that Nuno da Costa has put through his own net to make it 4-1 to Stoke. The celebrations can begin.

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SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION | READING V SWANS

wansea City defied the odds to secure a top-six finish in a spectacular victory at the Madejski Stadium last night. Both fans and players took to social media to express their delight as Steve Cooperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s men earned themselves a place in the Championship play-offs.

Here, we bring you the best social media reaction from the players, ex-Swans stars and the Jack Army after an incredible evening.

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AND THE

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STILETTOS AND STUDS REGULAR COLUMNIST JULIE KISSICK GIVES HER TAKE ON THE RECENT EVENTS SURROUNDING SWANSEA CITY

ave you ever spent 90-plus minutes experiencing what felt like every emotion known to man and emerging from it a blubbering mess, not knowing what day it was and questioning everything you had just witnessed?

And we did. We did it in style too. That game had everything, or at least what I watched/listened to did. It is no exaggeration to say that I was ‘pacing’ for much of it. I couldn’t sit still and I know I was not alone.

Wednesday night. What a night!

I had three devices on the go so I could keep across what was happening with Forest and Cardiff and friends who support both of those clubs were messaging me and calling me. By half-time I was expecting to be struck down with a migraine at any minute. Stress!

I am still emotionally exhausted, and physically I feel as though I kicked ever single ball on the pitch at the Madejski Stadium. It happened, right?

I keep thinking how it must have felt to the players. They were playing in the strangest of circumstances anyway in an empty stadium in July, but beyond those obvious points, they must have had to execute such incredible focus and discipline to do what they did.

Today’s game, a semi-final home leg against Brentford proves that it did, but I’m still pinching myself. What an incredible game, an incredible achievement, an incredible team. Swansea City, I am SO proud of you.

And Steve Cooper’s preparation and tactical talks must have been pitch perfect, because even when the changes happened, the game plan continued to be executed.

When I submitted my column ahead of the Bristol City game, I sent Chris Barney, the media manager, an email saying, ‘Here you go Chris, final one of the season.’

I’m in a very privileged position in being able to write this column and share my thoughts regularly and I know I speak for fans up and down the country and across the world when I say we are proud and grateful for all Steve, his coaching staff and the players have achieved.

His response: ‘Hopefully one more to go after this! Gotta keep believing.’ Honestly, the hope was there but the expectation was that the Bristol game was our last. It seemed inconceivable that Nottingham Forest would blow it and the chances of Cardiff not getting anything from lowly Hull were non-existent.

It hasn’t been a great year for the vast majority of us for obvious reasons and many supporters will have endured a great deal more hardship than the inconveniences the virus has brought. But getting to this point, a play-off semi-final, giving us something to cheer about, to focus on, a real feel-good factor in tough times, that is such a positive.

What did I know, eh? I do know after all these years of supporting the Swans that we can be sure of two things: we never do things the easy way (ever), and we are capable of doing the seemingly impossible sometimes, especially when the odds are stacked against us.

So, thanks to all who made it possible, and let’s keep the faith, keep believing and get the job done.

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SWANS v BRENTFORD

ERTHYGLAU CYMRAEG GAN SIONED DAFYDD ROWLANDS, SWANSTV LIVE

s dwi'n hollol onest, nid oeddwn yn disgwyl gorfod ysgrifennu'r golofn yma'r wythnos hon. Dwi’n cofio’n glir iawn edrych ar dabl y Bencampwriaeth cyn y gêm yn erbyn Reading nos Fercher a meddwl bod dim gobaith gyda’r Elyrch o gyrraedd y gemau ail gyfle.

Mae gorffen y tymor yn y chweched safle yn llwyddiant arbennig ac mae Steve Cooper a’r chwaraewyr yn haeddu bob clod am eu gwaith caled. Rydw i wir yn gobeithio bod y tymor hwn yn arwydd o’r llwyddiant sydd i ddod i’r clwb. Wrth edrych ymlaen at y gêm heno, mae’n hanfodol bod Abertawe yn cael y dechrau gorau posib yn erbyn Brentford. Dwi wedi mwynhau gwylio Brentford tymor yma ac roeddwn i’n gobeithio y byddai tîm Thomas Frank yn cael eu dyrchafu’n awtomatig oherwydd maen nhw wedi chwarae pêldroed arbennig trwy’r tymor.

Nid oedd Caerdydd, sydd wedi edrych mor gryf ers i’r tymor ail-ddechrau, yn mynd i golli yn erbyn Hull ac roeddwn i yn sicr ddim yn credu y byddai Nottingham Forest yn colli i Stoke. Nid o bedair gôl beth bynnag. Ond efallai roeddwn i ychydig yn rhy besimistaidd oherwydd ni allwn i fod wedi bod yn fwy anghywir, ac mae'r ffaith ein bod ni yma yn y Liberty heno ar fin gwylio Abertawe yn rownd gynderfynol y gemau ail gyfle yn hollol anhygoel.

Ond mae’n edrych fel pe bai ‘The Bees’ wedi colli momentwm ar yr amser gwaethaf posib ar ôl colli eu dwy gêm ddiwethaf. Gallai hyn fod yr amser perffaith i chwarae Brentford. Bydd chwaraewyr ifanc Abertawe llawn hyder ar ôl synnu pawb nos Fercher. Ni fydd ganddyn nhw gymaint o bwysau ar eu hysgwyddau i gymharu â Brentford a gallai hynny weithio o’u plaid heno ‘ma.

Ar ddechrau’r tymor roedd gan Abertawe rheolwr newydd nad oedd wedi rheoli ar lefel broffesiynol o’r blaen ac roedd y clwb newydd werthu gwerth £40m o dalent – gan gynnwys Dan James ac Oli McBurnie. Wrth ystyried hyn, mae’r ffaith bod Steve Cooper a’i staff wedi adeiladu a meithrin tîm o dalent ifanc ac wedi gallu cyrraedd y gemau ail-gyfle yn wyrth yn ei hun. Yn enwedig pan i chi’n cymharu’r cynlleied o arian mae Abertawe wedi gwario i gymharu â rhai o glybiau eraill y gynghrair.

Y siom mwyaf yw bod y cefnogwyr methu bod yma i wylio heno. Ond beth bynnag a ddaw, rwy’n siŵr bydd y tymor hwn yn aros yn y cof am flynyddoedd i ddod.

SWANS v BRENTFORD

FLAGS HANG PROUD AT READING S

upporters may not be allowed into stadiums just yet, but the Jack Army were firmly in Swansea City's thoughts at the Madejski Stadium on Wednesday night.

Flags from fans from all around the globe were sent from the Liberty Stadium to the Madejski and placed inside the Swans' temporary changing room in order to give the players an added show of support.

Steve Cooper's side completed a memorable 4-1 victory against Reading - a scoreline matched by Nottingham Forest's 4-1 loss to Stoke - which meant they claimed the final play-off spot in the final fixture of the regular season.

Whether it was Sandfields or Stateside, your support was hugely appreciated by the squad and coaching staff. And it certainly paid off as goals from Rhian Brewster, a Wayne Routledge brace and Liam Cullen's first senior strike meant it was a night to remember in Berkshire for the Swans.

And the Jack Army were right behind them as they sealed their top-six spot.

SWANS v BRENTFORD

BRENTFORD

FACT FILE CHAIRMAN Cliff Crown

NICKNAME The Bees

STADIUM

TWITTER

Griffin Park

@brentfordfc

WEBSITE

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THOMAS FRANK H

aving taken over from Dean Smith following the former manager 's departure for Aston Villa, Dane Frank overcome a difficult start to make the Bees a real Championship force. Frank studied sports psychology and worked extensively at youth and development level including a spell in charge of Denmark Under-19s - before making the step up to senior level when handed the manager's job at Brondby in 2013. He twice guided them to top-four finishes in the Danish Superliga, securing Europa League qualification in the process, before departing to become Smith's assistant at Griffin Park. He assumed the top job when Smith left for pastures new in October 2018. Frank lost eight of his first 10 games, but they quickly rebounded and have been among the best sides in the Championship all season.

SWANS v BRENTFORD WHAT'S THEIR STORY? The Bees are in their sixth season in the second tier, having secured automatic promotion from League One under Mark Warburton in 2014. They made the Championship play-offs the following season, and have yet to finish outside the top half since their return to the division. The West London club have become renowned for their ability to remain competitive on a budget while producing an attractive brand of football. Arguably the finest spell in their history came during the 1930s when they finished in the top six of the top flight in three consecutive seasons.

HOW'S THEIR FORM?

WHO ARE THE KEY MEN?

Flawless before a late stutter. The Bees were in simply magnificent form following the resumption of the season in June.

In their front three of Said Benrahma, B r ya n M b u e m o a n d O l l i e Wat k i n s – collectively nicknamed BMW – Brentford have an attacking trio to rival any in the Championship.

They won seven games in a row and looked to be on the verge of overhauling West Brom and claiming the second automatic promotion spot.

They have had scintillating seasons, scoring 57 goals between them – with Wakins netting 25 – and adding 18 assists.

However, they suffered back-to-back defeats against Stoke and Barnsley to ensure they missed out and ended up in the play-offs.

Behind them Emiliano Marcondes had a superb end to the campaign, and ended it with seven assists to his name.

Despite those setbacks, they remain a dangerous opponent.

The acquisition of Pontus Jansson from Leeds has provided a big boost to Brentford’s defensive ranks, while they also brought in Blackburn keeper David Raya last summer as replacement for Daniel Bentley, who moved to Bristol City.

SWANS v BRENTFORD

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SWANS v BRENTFORD

PAST MEETINGS We recall previous encounters in the Championship, FA Cup, League Cup and Division Two. Swansea City 3 Brentford 0 Championship – April 2, 2019

Swansea City 2 Brentford 0 League Cup – August 12, 2008

Nathan Dyer’s first league goals for Swansea City in nearly five years set Graham Potter’s men on the way to an emphatic win over Brentford.

A goal in each half from Shaun MacDonald helped the Swans to breeze past Brentford in the first round of the League Cup.

The Swans went into the game off the back of four straight defeats but took just 30 seconds to edge their noses in front, as Dyer slotted home after Daniel James had rounded Brentford keeper Luke Daniels.

The Swans took the lead just past the half-hour mark when Manchester United loanee Febian Brandy’s cross was fumbled by Bees goalkeeper Ben Hamer, and converted at the back post by MacDonald.

Dyer doubled the lead in the 34th minute when he raced onto Kristoffer Nordfeldt’s long clearance, before coolly sliding through the leg of Daniels.

The Welshman doubled his and Swansea’s tally for the night later on, cutting onto his right foot on the edge of the six-yard box before firing into the top corner past the outstretched arm of Hamer.

James put the result beyond any doubt 12 minutes from time as he found the bottom corner after Connor Roberts’ initial effort had come back off the post

Brentford defender and former Swansea man Marcus Bean was given his marching orders in added time for a second bookable offence.

Swansea City 4 Brentford 1 FA Cup - February 17, 2019

Swansea City 6 Brentford 0 Division Two - May 1, 2001

Sensational solo goals from Daniel James and Bersant Celina capped off a rousing second-half comeback as the Swans booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals. Graham Potter's men had trailed to Ollie Watkins' 28th-minute strike, but they looked a side with far more intent after the break with three goals in an 18-minute spell.

Matthias Verschave bagged a brace while Kristian O’Leary, Nick Cusack, Jonathan Coates and Chris Todd were also on target in a thumping victory over the Bees. Less than two minutes were on the clock when Verschave put the Swans in front, before O’Leary doubled their lead just under 10 minutes later.

Celina saw his 20-yard free-kick strike the post and then bounce off the back of keeper Luke Daniels and into the net. James then raced 80 yards to score a stunning individual effort before the Bees were reduced to 10 men after Ezri Konsa hauled down the Wales winger when he latched onto a loose ball and was heading for goal.

Brentford’s defence held strong for the rest of the first half, but Cusack scored early in the second to end any hope of a Bees comeback. The pick of the goals came from Coates on 55 minutes, the midfielder getting on the end of a cross from David Romo – who set up four of the six goals – to hammer the ball home from 20 yards.

It got even better for the hosts as Celina used his trickery to beat two men inside the box before slotting into the far corner, while George Byers added a fourth in stoppage time.

Verschave added his second before the rout was completed on 78 minutes when Todd netted the Swans’ sixth to round off their biggest win of the season.

ONES TO WATCH

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David Raya Age: 24 Position: Goalkeeper

Emiliano Marcondes Age: 25 Position: Midfielder

The Spanish stopper swapped Ewood Park for Griffin Park in July 2019, signing a four-year deal. He made a major impact at Blackburn Rovers and helped them secure a return to the Championship after winning the League One title in 2018. Raya made 41 appearances for Tony Mowbrayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side last season, keeping 10 clean sheets. Raya hit the ground running in West London and has kept 16 clean sheets in 46 appearances this season.

The Danish attacking midfielder spent the first half of the 2019-20 season on loan at FC Midtjylland in his homeland before returning to West London in January. Since his return, Marcondes has racked up 23 appearances, scoring three goals along the way. Marcondes, who joined Brentford from FC Nordsjaelland in 2018, proved instrumental in the Beesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; victory over Preston earlier this month when he set up Watkins for the only goal of the match.

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Bryan Mbeumo Age: 20 Position: Forward

Said Benrahma Age: 24 Position: Forward

Ollie Watkins Age: 24 Position: Forward

A product of the Troyes academy, French winger Mbeumo joined Thomas Frank’s side in August 2019 and has since netted 15 goals, including two against Swansea City this season. Also capped at U17, U20 and U21 level for France, Mbeumo scored 11 goals in 40 appearances after breaking into the Troyes first-team at the start of the 2018-19 season. Mbeumo was handed an opportunity following the injury to Sergi Canos in October and has certainly impressed in his first season in English football.

The pacy winger is a potent attacking weapon and has notched up 17 goals and eight assists in the Championship this season. Benrahma’s glittering season in the second tier has seen the Algerian international become one of the league’s standout players which has attracted Premier League interest. Capable of playing behind the main striker or in a wide attacking role, Benrahma has played a vital role since joining from Nice in 2018.

A graduate of Exeter City’s academy, Watkins is one of the Championship’s brightest attacking talents. After scooping the EFL Young Player of the Year award in 2017, Watkins joined Brentford and has signed a contract extension through to the summer of 2023. The Englishman has netted 25 goals in the Championship this season, meaning only Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored more goals in the division.

SWANS v BRENTFORD

PLAY-OFF CLASSICS

or the seventh time since their introduction in 1986, Swansea City are looking forward to a play-off c ampaign having secured their berth in the Championship semi-finals in a dramatic finale to the regular season on Wednesday night.

provided so many memorable moments over the last 34 years. Here, we look back at some of the Swans finest play-off moments, including a meeting with

The Swans have experienced their own mixture of joy and he ar t ache in a format that has

SWANS v BRENTFORD Torquay United 3 Swansea City 3 Division Four play-off final, second leg May 25, 1988 Swansea had claimed a play-off place in the second year of the new post-season competition under Terry Yorath. They had beaten Rotherham in the semi-finals, and headed to Plainmoor with a 2-1 advantage from the first leg of the then two-legged final against Torquay. The visitors looked to be cruising when a Paul Raynor goal was quickly followed by a Sean McCarthy penalty inside half an hour. But Torquay, inspired by soon-to-be Manchester United winger Lee Sharpe, hit back through a brace from Scottish defender Jim McNichol. Alan Davies restored Swansea’s advantage on the night right on half-time, only for David Caldwell to hit back and set up a nervy finale. But Swansea held on to get the job done.

Swansea City 3 Chester City 0 Division Three play-off semi-final, second leg May 14, 1997 The Swans surged into the Division Three play-off final with an emphatic win over Chester at The Vetch. After a goalless first leg, Jan Molby’s side were wellplaced and they took full advantage with a clinical display in front of goal. Chester’s cause was not helped by a red card for Chris Priest, but the Swans always looked in control. Dai Thomas put them ahead six minutes before the break, with Steve Torpey doubling their advantage before the half-time whistle sounded. Carl Heggs added a third just past the hour mark to seal the win. However, there would be Wembley disappointment for Molby’s men as a late John Frain free-kick condemned them to defeat to Northampton.

SWANS v BRENTFORD

Brentford 0 Swansea City 2 League One play-off semi-final, second leg May 14, 2006

Swansea City 3 Nottingham Forest 1 Championship play-off semi-final, second leg May 16, 2011

Leon Knight scored twice as the Swans secured their place in the League One play-off final thanks to victory at Griffin Park.

This contest ranks right up there with the most thrilling encounters played out at the Liberty Stadium. The stakes could not have been higher when the Swans and Forest met in May of 2011.

Jackett’s men looked to be in a bit of trouble after drawing the first leg of the semi-final 1-1 at the Liberty.

Four days earlier, the first leg had ended 0-0 at the City Ground despite Neil Taylor’s second-minute red card.

But Knight put the Swans ahead in the tie inside 10 minutes in West London, as he lifted the ball over Brentford goalkeeper Stuart Nelson from 20 yards out.

After a supreme effort in that game, the Swans returned home and finished the job on a pulsating night in SA1.

The striker quickly added his second goal, racing onto a pass from Leon Britton before powering home to make it 2-0.

Leon Britton put the hosts ahead with a stunning finish on 28 minutes – it proved to be his last goal in professional football – before Stephen Dobbie quickly doubled the advantage.

Rory Fallon had a great chance to make it 3-0 but his headed effort flew off target.

But Forest fought back in the second half, and put the cat amongst the pigeons when Robert Earnshaw made it 2-1 on 80 minutes.

Goalkeeper Willy Gueret was on top form for the visitors, making a series of spectacular saves to ensure a second trip to the Millennium Stadium following the Swans’ Football League Trophy success.

Anxiety reigned at the Liberty as Forest won a stoppagetime corner, with keeper Lee Camp coming forward as the visitors attempted to save their season. But when the set-piece was cleared to Darren Pratley, he raced forward before steering the ball into the empty Forest net from just inside his own half. Brendan Rodgers memorably raced down the touchline in celebration as the Jack Army erupted.

SWANS v BRENTFORD

Swansea City 4 Reading 2 Championship play-off final May 30, 2011 Swansea City sealed promotion to the top-flight for only the second time in their history with a thrilling victory over Reading.

Dobbie got in on the act with a fine finish five minutes before the break, but the contest was far from over. Joe Allen headed into his own net early in the second half to give Reading hope, then Matt Mills’ powerful header made it 3-2 on 57 minutes.

Scott Sinclair scored a hat-trick at Wembley as the Swans ended their 28-year wait for a return to the top tier of English football.

The Swans were wobbling, and it needed a brilliant Garry Monk block to deny Noel Hunt an equaliser.

The Swans took the lead in the 21st minute thanks to Sinclair’s penalty after Nathan Dyer had been tripped in the box.

But with 10 minutes remaining, Andy Griffin fouled Fabio Borini in the box and Sinclair completed his hattrick from the spot to secure the Swans’ place in the Premier League.

It was 2-0 just a minute later, with Sinclair netting at the far post after Adam Federici parried Stephen Dobbie’s cross.

SWANS v BRENTFORD

CONNOR ROBERTS | CENTURION R

eaching a century of appearances for your boyhood club is special enough, but not even Connor Roberts could have dared imagine bringing up his ton on a night that will go down in Swansea City history.

That debut came about after Alan Curtis – then the club’s loan player manager – recommended Carlos Carvalhal recall Roberts from his loan spell at Middlesbrough with Swansea facing injury and suspension issues at full-back.

The defender and Swans academy graduate played his part at the Madejski Stadium on Wednesday night as a 4-1 win over Reading proved enough to secure a play-off place for Steve Cooper’s side, thanks to Nottingham Forest’s 4-1 loss to Stoke.

It was a chance Roberts desperately wanted, but was never sure it would come his way. Once it did, he grasped it with both hands. “It only seems like the other day that I was running out at Molineux making my debut against Wolves in the FA Cup,” reflects Roberts, who hails from Crynant and was a season-ticket holder at the Liberty.

It was some way to cap 100 outings for the 24-yearold, with that century having come up in just twoand-a-half years since he made his bow in an FA Cup third-round tie against Wolves at Molineux in January 2018.

SWANS v BRENTFORD “Since then I’ve played against some amazing players and teams, and learned a lot too.

While that goalless draw on a freezing cold afternoon in the West Midlands may not have lived long in the memory, it is certainly a day that has stuck in Roberts’ mind.

“A lot has happened in a short space of time, but it’s been great on a personal level for me.

As he looked around the dressing room at a number of players he had cheered on from the stands, he could have been forgiven for being a little awestruck.

“It’s happened very quickly. I’ ve got to 100 appearances in two-and-a-half seasons. “I’ve kept a tally all of the games we’ve played. When I got to 50 I set 100 as the target.

Then, he saw a familiar figure approaching him from across the dressing room.

“No matter what happens for the rest of my career, I can say that I’ve made 100 appearances for Swansea City.

“Before I played for the Swans I was thinking ‘just give me one game to say I’ve played for Swansea City,’ and I’ve done that,” he adds.

“I am a local boy and I wanted to play for Swansea City. Now I’ve made 100 appearances – no-one can take that away from me.

“When I was supporting the Swans I was watching Wilfried Bony in his prime scoring goals for us.

“When I was at Yeovil I was playing alongside experienced players who knew what it took to forge out a career in the professional game. They said ‘if you make 35 games a season then you’ll have a decent career.’

“Before that game against Wolves, he pulled me aside and just said ‘cross it into the penalty spot and I’ll be there.’ “So I went from watching him from the stand to him telling me he wants me to pass him the ball. It was quite surreal.”

“So I thought, okay, if I manage 35 games a season then I’ll have a good career because the Yeovil boys said so!”

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SWANS v BRENTFORD

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SWANS v BRENTFORD

Surreal it may have been, but the impression Roberts made that day meant he was soon sharing a dressing room with Bony on a regular basis, and he would make his Premier League bow off the bench at Newcastle soon after.

what I’m about because I’m not the most technical or tactical player in our squad. “But if I work hard and help my team-mates when we are going forward or defending, then I won’t go far wrong.

His incredible stamina and energy have become a regular fixture down the Swans’ right flank, and he has thrived in the wing-back positions he had taken up following a change of system from head coach Steve Cooper.

"It wasn’t long ago I was watching Nathan Dyer, Wayne Routledge and Leon Britton from the stands – these are players I grew up admiring. “All Swans fans want to see is the boys putting in 100 per cent every time they wear the shirt, and hopefully they see me doing that.”

That effort, commitment and desire is something that resonates with him from his time in the stands watching some players who are now his teammates.

Supporters have come to expect and enjoy seeing that effort from one of their own, and Roberts will be up and down that right flank again tonight as the Swans seek a positive result in the first leg of their play-off adventure.

“When I was playing more and more games, I told myself not to lose my youthfulness,” he says. “I also had plenty of energy, and I had to bring that to every single performance. It’s a massive part of

SWANS v BRENTFORD

JAKE BIDWELL | LOOKING BACK

ake Bidwell is slumped on the Wembley turf watching Yeovil Town’s players celebrate promotion as they lift the League One title.

The winners would be a Championship club. Simple as that. However, there was a cruel twist in the plot.

The pain of that day – Sunday, May 19, 2013 – has never left Bidwell. Neither have the events that led to it.

When the Bees were awarded a last-minute penalty, the champagne was on ice. A debate over who took that penalty ensued, and loanee Marcello Trotta struck the crossbar with his spotkick. Doncaster broke upfield, and James Coppinger completed an incredible finish.

Then on loan with the Brentford, the conclusion to the 2012-13 season was packed with enough drama to rival the ending of the current Championship campaign.

Doncaster were up. Brentford remained in the playoffs.

The Bees, a team that looked on course for promotion to the second tier, ran out of gas as the League One promotion push entered the final furlong.

Further heartbreak followed as, after seeing off Swindon in the play-offs – ironically on penalties – Brentford fell at the last hurdle as Yeovil emerged 2-1 victors at Wembley.

They drew their last two away games – at promotion rivals Sheffield United and relegated Hartlepool – to set up a win or bust clash with Doncaster in their final game.

SWANS v BRENTFORD “What happened in the play-offs was a massive disappointment back then because we had got past Swindon via penalties, though I wasn’t allowed to take one as the loan players were told not to!” reflects Bidwell.

“Cullen scores and we’re thinking we only need one more goal. But, then again, Forest could always pop up and score another in their game. “So, it was just such a big relief when Wayne scores in the dying seconds, and after the final whistle goes in our game we heard that Forest had conceded another and it was over for them.

“Then we played Yeovil in the final at Wembley – a great occasion – but we fell just short. It’s the worst feeling when you’re on the pitch at Wembley having lost. Seeing the other team lift the trophy really hurts.

“How did we feel? Excited, surprised and a bit of relief! “But as soon as we got home, the focus was immediately on the play-offs.”

“But, looking back, it was a very good experience for me. Even what happened in the last league game against Doncaster. You have to learn from every event that you encounter in football, and that’s what I have done.

And, as the footballing Gods decided, it would be Bidwell and Brentford reuniting in the play-offs once more.

“ T he following season we won automatic promotion, so that proves the whole club learned something too.”

With the Bees falling to defeat to Barnsley in their final game, the opportunity of automatic promotion to the Premier League slipped by.

Given his past experiences of last-gasp drama, Bidwell is no stranger to what football can serve up. Just as well with the events from midweek. Swansea City had not sat in the play-offs since beating Wigan in January. Yet they sat sixth in the table in the final minutes of the regular season after seeing off Reading 4-1 on Wednesday on an extraordinary night of action. With Nottingham Forest going down 4-1 at home to Stoke City, the Swans completed mission impossible. Their mid-summer’s night dream had come true. “The outcome on Wednesday was crazy. It sums up the Championship perfectly,” beams Bidwell, who joined the Swans on a free transfer from QPR last summer. “Don’t get me wrong, we were concentrating on ourselves. The gaffer said, ‘win the game, that’s all you can do’. “We did, but after the second drinks break we were aware of Forest’s situation. It was a case of ‘okay, let’s get a few more goals because we could do this!’

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SWANS v BRENTFORD However, Thomas Frank’s side have been hugely impressive this term and are determined to experience Premier League football for the first time.

“But it’s funny that we play them in the play-offs. I have a lot of affection for Brentford, but of course I’ll be doing all I can to help us progress.” Bidwell is enjoying a successful first season under Cooper after swapping Loftus Road for the Liberty.

Bidwell spent five seasons at Griffin Park – the first two on loan before joining permanently from Everton.

He has played in 37 of the clubs 46 league games, and has chipped in with a number of assists down the left flank – including one on his debut in the 2-1 home win over Hull City.

He went on to play 211 times for the Bees, scoring three times, and experienced automatic promotion to the Championship in 2014.

Since football restarted following the coronavirus outbreak, the 27-year-old has been utilised in a left wing-back role, with Connor Roberts on the opposing flank.

Safe to say, it’s a club he knows from the inside out. “What Brentford have achieved in the last few years has been great for the club and its fans,” said the left-back.

It is a move which has given the Southport-born defender licence to really showcase his qualities.

“They’ve really built things up, and from a playing side of things it’s been a great transformation.

His lung-bursting runs and endless stamina have helped re-energise Swansea’s play-off push, culminating in that unforgettable finish at Reading in midweek.

“They buy wisely, develop those players and are now pushing for a place in the Premier League. “I joined them when they were in League One, and I had a really good time at Brentford. It’s a lovely club, and there are still some staff there from my time there.

The positional switch is something Bidwell has felt the benefits of.

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“It’s a lovely place to live here. You can just get out, venture around the area and come across some lovely places. It’s so peaceful and quiet – we really enjoy the city and it’s coastline.”

“Since I came back into the team around February time, I felt I was playing some of my best football since arriving here,” he adds. “Following the break, I’ve played more of a wingback role, which gives me more licence to attack. But I’ve enjoyed the whole season.

Having enjoyed the city and coastline, Bidwell has also enjoyed the campaign. His first year in SA1 could be about to get better.

“I’d like to think Swansea fans know I give 100 per cent in every game.

But, as he explains, the focus in the camp is solely on Sunday’s first leg.

“I’ve always tried to look after myself as best I can. I do everything I can to keep myself in the best condition. It’s years of good habits coming to fruition. I do a lot of yoga with our physio Ailsa Jones, while I do a lot of ice baths, pool and recovery. I leave no stone unturned in that respect.

“I’ve enjoyed the season. I needed a fresh start after three years at QPR,” he adds. “I met the gaffer last summer and I liked everything he had to say. To be fair, everything he said it would be it has turned out like that – the style of play, what we want to achieve, and what Swansea is like as a club and community.

“I played left midfield in my early years at Brentford, while I’ve obviously played a lot more at left-back in recent seasons, so wing-back is a natural position for me.

“It was a long regular season, and it doesn’t matter if we got into the play-offs in the last minute of the season, we are in there after 46 games.

“To be honest, I ran a lot over lockdown to keep my fitness up. Running along the seafront near Mumbles and the city. What better place is there to keep fit while taking in some great views of the sea and beach?

“So, we are all focusing on Sunday. That’s the most important game there is – the next one. "And, when next term kicks off, there will be more responsibility on his shoulders both on and off the pitch.

“I also managed to see a bit more of the coast too – myself and my missus love taking the dog down to Rhossili, while we also discovered Pwll Du beach too, which was great.

SWANS v BRENTFORD

JACK THE LAD A

rather famous football manager once said: “Football, bloody hell!”

If Sir Alex had ever managed in the Championship, I reckon his language would have been considerably stronger. If anyone still needed any evidence that the Championship is in fact totally bonkers, they got in spades last Wednesday night. To be fair, I think we already knew that this division was the most unpredictable in the world before then. But any doubt was emphatically removed as the final round of regular season matches took place on a wonderfully balmy and barmy summer’s evening.

In the programme for the visit of QPR back in February, I wrote: “Any team in the division, no matter what their form or league position, has every chance of beating one of the supposed top teams.”

Winning at Reading wouldn’t be easy, but the way the Swans had played since football restarted meant that a win at the Madejski was certainly within their capability.

And it was the very fact that absolutely anything can happen in the Championship which gave me hope that the Swans could make it into the play-offs.

However, we also had to depend on other results going our way at play-off rivals Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest, who were both firm favourites to win their home matches.

Having been pretty pessimistic about our play-off hopes in the wake of the draw at Nottingham Forest, by the time kick-off came around on Wednesday evening I was at least hopeful.

We had to win and hope that either Cardiff lost at home to bottom club Hull, or that Forest would be beaten by Stoke, with a five-goal turnaround in our favour.

The win against Bristol City and the fact that a play-off place was still possible - even though we would have to depend on other results going our way – had at least given us hope.

From the out side, it didn’ t look good for us. And in any other league in the world, the odds would have lengthened considerably.

SWANS v BRENTFORD B u t i n t h e C h a m p i o n s h i p, unpredictable results are predictable! And that’s the way it turned out. Pretty early in the evening it bec ame clear C ardiff were unlikely to lose their match. So all attention turned to the City Ground in Nottingham, or at least one eye, or one ear! While watching our game on SwansTV, I was also glued to my phone, constantly hitting the refresh button on the C hampionship live s c ore s , flicking over to Twitter for any snippets of news, and texting friends to see if they knew any more than me. Can you imagine how difficult the events of last Wednesday night would have been to keep up with say 30 years ago, before live streaming, mobile phones and social media? I think I experienced just about every emotion it’s possible to feel during those last 20 minutes as goals started flying in at Reading and Forest. I have to admit, I’ve never been particularly fond of Stoke as a football club. I can’t really give you a particular reason why, it’s just one of those clubs I’ve never taken to.

But Stoke City AFC will now forever hold a special place in my heart after Wednesday night! They went to Forest with little to play for, but there could be no suggestion that they “had one foot on the beach” - an accusation often levelled at mid-table sides at the end of a season. But the Championship isn’t like that. Saturday after Wednesday after Saturday after Tuesday, teams battle, fight and very seldom give up. It’s just the way the league is. As well as play decent football, you have to fight to succeed. The Premier League will always be the pinnacle. It’s where every ambitious club will aspire to play. I t h a s m o r e m o n e y, m o r e superstars, more coverage, more glamour and bigger crowds. Hopefully, after tonight’s match we will have taken another huge step towards returning there. But for sheer entertainment, excitement, emotion and, let’s be honest, fun, the Championship takes some beating. Whether we are playing in the Championship next season or not, I will always be a huge fan of the division and what it stands for.

Last Wednesday night, every single match but one had a bearing either on the promotion or relegation situation. That last round of matches encapsulated every emotion that the game generates for all those involved in football. Whether it was the Madejski or the City Ground, Griffin Park, or Elland Road, there was elation, relief, disbelief, despair and any combination of those feelings you care to think of. With the absence of fans, we had to depend on the reactions of the players and managers to convey what the night’s events meant to them. And they didn’t let us down. Perhaps the most jubilant scenes of celebration came from the Barnsley players, who pulled off a hugely unlikely win at Griffin Park to lift themselves out of the relegation places. Their manager could barely contain his emotion at the final whistle. Gerhard Struber could hardly speak as he faced the cameras immediately after the final whistle.

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SWANS v BRENTFORD Struber had to step away and compose himself before saying: "I have no words for my feeling. I am proud of my boys. They fought so hard and made a brilliant game against a big opponent. Now we have the energy for a big party and after that, I must sleep for a week.” West Brom manager Slaven Bilic has seen just about everything there is to see in the game during a career which saw him represent Croatia at the World Cup as well as play and manage in the Premier League. Even he was left shaking his head at the events of not just Wednesday night, but the entire Championship season. “What a season, what a league,” Bilic said after enjoying the celebrations on the pitch as his team clinched automatic promotion. “I was very vocal when I said I would always like to manage in the Championship because it’s especially difficult. I never i m a g i n e d i t wo u l d b e t h i s difficult, this demanding. “It’s exhausting. I didn’t enjoy every minute of it, of course, but with a finish like this, the results at the bottom, the Forest situation, it’s unbelievable.” Fore st ’s he ad c o ach S abri Lamouchi could barely speak after his side’s 4-1 defeat, which helped the Swans achieve their five-goal swing. He told the assembled press: “I’m here because it’s obligatory to be here, but I have no words. It’s a disaster to lose everything in the last game at home.”

Brentford manager Thomas Frank looked genuinely shellshocked after his side’s defeat to Barnsley, which robbed his side of automatic promotion and set up the play-off clash with the Swans. He also summed up the ups and downs of life in this division: “This is football, and this is the Championship, “Football is 90 per cent suffering and 10 per cent joy,” Frank said. “Football is brutal and this is the Championship. When you have that opportunity, and it’s not that often you have that opportunity to go direct (to the Premier League), then it hurts, of course. “Right now, everything is tough but this is football and this is life, things happen sometimes that you can’t explain and you want to find answers. ‘ Why? Why? Why?’ Sometimes there’s not a why. Football and life are never straightforward, this was definitely not straightforward. We need to go again, we need to pick ourselves up.” But while all around him were emotional wrecks, Steve Cooper was probably the calmest manager in the country. “It’s a small pat on the back and ‘well done’ but there’s a bigger prize to go for,” said the gaffer after the Swans 4-1 win at Reading. “I’m sorry if that sounds diplomatic. We’re so happy and I’m probably coming across as a bit boring, but we can’t take our eye off the ball.

“ We’ ve got two, possibly t h r e e, m at c h e s t o g o. T h e Championship is relentless. “We’re in a good place, we’ll stick to how we work, and we’ll be ready.” While all around him were losing their heads, Cooper was keeping his. W hat better charac ter to have in charge in such an unpredictable and emotionally charged situation. I hope Cooper will now get the kind of praise he undoubtedly deserves. At times this season, in some quarters, his results have been compared unfavourably with his predecessor Graham Potter. Well, Cooper can now point to the league table, and the Swans’ place in the play offs. Even in the Championship, the table does not lie. Football is a results business, and Cooper has delivered the results - and no little entertainment and excitement along the way - last Wednesday had enough of that to last a season! Whatever happens in the play-offs, we will always have that wonderfully exciting, entertaining, nail-biting, stomach-churning and ultimately exhilarating 90 minutes in Reading when an unlikely midsummer night’s dream came true. Let’s hope we don’t wake up just yet. C'mon you Swans!

SWANS v BRENTFORD

FULTON | 100 NOT OUT

urn back the clock to January 2014 and Jay Fulton had his hopes set on a solitary Swansea City first-team appearance after initially signing for the club’s development squad.

Putting pen to paper on the final day of the 2014 January transfer window, Fulton was soon to become the first of his family to play in the Premier League after making the switch from Falkirk.

Six-and-a-half years later, the Scot is set to become the latest Swansea City centurion after making his 99th appearance for the Liberty club in Wednesday’s spectacular finale to the regular Championship season at the Madejski Stadium.

It didn’t take long for Garry Monk to see enough potential in a young player with an eye for a pass and a willingness to make a tackle, and give him a chance in the senior side. Fulton’s senior Swans debut came as a substitute in a home win over Aston Villa in April 2014, and his first start followed in the victory at Sunderland in front of a crowd of 45,580 a couple of weeks later.

Fulton, who grew up in a football-mad family in Cumbernauld – just outside Glasgow – is the youngest of three siblings who all went on to become professional footballers following in the footsteps of their father Stephen, a classy midfielder who played for Celtic and Hearts.

“I had three months left on my contract at Falkirk, so it was a case of looking at a couple of options,” says the 26-year-old.

SWANS v BRENTFORD “Myself and Stephen Kingsley came down for a week, trained, had a look around the place and I ended up signing here in the January.

In a bid to get more minutes under his belt, Fulton joined Wigan Athletic on loan for the second half of 2017-18, making five appearances for the Latics.

“The way it happened was crazy. I signed in January from the Scottish Second Division and three months later, I was coming on to make my debut in the Premier League and then making my first start in the Premier League soon after. I couldn’t have wished for it to go any better.”

Following relegation to the Championship, new head coach Graham Potter opted to hand the Swans’ young crop of talent opportunities to shine. It was a decision that certainly benefitted Fulton, who made 37 appearances in all competitions during the 2018-19 campaign, netting three goals along the way.

“It was definitely a different world. Up in Scotland, we had four backroom staff and in Swansea there were great facilities, lots of staff and lots of players.”

“Nobody wants to get relegated from the Premier League and everyone wants to strive to get there like we are doing now,” said Fulton.

Despite his early success in SA1, the Scotland youth international’s journey to 100 appearances has not always been straightforward. The youngster’s progress was hindered the following pre-season after he picked up a knee ligament injury the day before the squad jetted out to America for their twoweek tour. Fulton boarded the plane in a knee brace as he continued his rehabilitation Stateside.

“For a number of the players, if Swansea didn’t get relegated, we probably wouldn’t have experienced that breakthrough into the first-team and we would have had to probably move on somewhere else.

“That pre-season, we came back looking forward to the new season and on the first day back, I did the ligaments in my knee so that set me back from pushing on at that point. “But to have had a taste of playing in the Premier League and playing at the highest level was brilliant.” Fulton managed just one league start in the 201415 season as part of the Swans line-up who chalked up a memorable 1-0 win away to Southampton. Despite an impressive display at St Mary’s, he was soon back on the sidelines with the likes of Jack Cork, Jonjo Shelvey, Leon Britton and Ki Sung-Yueng ahead of him in the midfield pecking order. After continuing to find game-time hard to come by the following season, Fulton joined Oldham Athletic where he made 11 appearances. Upon his return to Swansea, Fulton faced another scrap for minutes and made two substitute appearances in the notable victories over Arsenal and Liverpool in the spring of 2016, before featuring 13 times in the club’s penultimate season in the Premier League.

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SWANS v BRENTFORD

“We’ve got to take positives from it, you look at Oli (McBurnie), Dan (James), Joe (Rodon), Connor (Roberts) and Matt (Grimes) to name a few; if we never got relegated, we might never had got our chance.

Predominantly a defensive midfielder in his early years at the club, Fulton has since proven he is adaptable in midfield and has goals in his game, notably scoring the first hat-trick of his career in a pre-season friendly against Yeovil Town last summer.

“For us, it was just about getting that opportunity and in the Premier League, it’s hard to get that chance when you are a youth player.

“I can be a box-to-box midfielder, if a job needs to be done defensively then I’ll be there and I feel that is high up in my attributes,” he expressed.

“I think the way we dealt with last season as a team and the football we played was brilliant. We could have got closer to the play-offs than we did, but I think we have had a bit more knowhow this season.

“Everybody wants to score goals, if I can place myself to get in the box and nick a few goals over the season then I will, everybody wants that. That’s something I feel I can do and obviously it helps the team if we can get more goals too.”

“I feel as though the boys have grabbed that opportunity with both hands. Dan has moved to Manchester United; Oli’s with Sheffield United in the Premier League and the other boys are doing well here at Swansea.

Fulton carried the momentum from his impressive 2018-19 campaign into this season and has made a further 37 appearances under the guidance of Steve Cooper, playing an integral role in the side’s push to return to the Premier League and has added another three goals to his tally.

“Now us boys at Swansea have got ourselves in the play-offs and we have an opportunity to get back to the Premier League. The last two years have been really enjoyable.

“It has been enjoyable and tough at times with a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes, but I have really enjoyed it,” he added.

“It is a tough league with the amount of games and there are a lot of experienced players, but we definitely have a better understanding of it this season.”

SWANS v BRENTFORD “I’ve scored three goals this season but I probably should have had more, including one against Reading on Wednesday, but you’ve just got to put yourself in those positions.

“The way we played right up until the end on Wednesday and the quality of the goals was amazing, sometimes it just seems as if something was meant to happen,” he added.

“Coming down from Falkirk to Swansea, who were then a Premier League side, I was just looking to get even one appearance.

“We’ve put ourselves in the play-offs so we’ve given ourselves a chance. We’ll prepare for it like any normal game and we’ll give it our all.

“The way I have been going the last two seasons and the way the Championship is with games coming thick and fast, I just want to be involved as much as possible.

“We are playing well so we’ll give it 100% and see where it takes us, like we have done all season.

“Six-and-a-half years seems a long time, but it’s a nice place to live and my family are happy here. It seems shorter because it’s only really the last two seasons where I have properly pulled through into the first team.” It may well be his 100th appearance but there will only be one thing on Fulton’s mind on Sunday evening.

“This season, I think we have been written off a lot of the time, but now we have an opportunity in front of us and anything can happen in these games. It’s one last push. “It ’s a proud achievement getting to 100 appearances, but right now as a team we are focussed on preparing for the play-offs, giving our all and we’ll see where it takes us.”

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ROUTLEDGE REFLECTS

Steve Cooper’s side were level at the break, having led via Rhian Brewster’s 30-yard rocket only to be pegged back by the Royals – who had Yakou Meite sent off – after George Puscas levelled from the spot.

uch was made of the late goals conceded that would surely stop Swansea City’s playoff bid agonisingly short. How apt, then, that they sealed their place with a stoppage-time goal.

Goals conceded in additional time at Hull, Blackburn and Fulham along with others at the Liberty against Reading and Leeds were common topics discussed when debating the Swans’ play-off chances going into their final-day clash with Reading.

Cue a crazy second half. Sub Wayne Routledge, on at the break, started the comeback with a delightful lob before Liam Cullen made it 3-1 with six minutes remaining.

But football, and the Championship as we’ve seen so many times this season, can be unpredictable.

With Forest also trailing 3-1, Steve Cooper’s men needed just one more goal to sneak into the playoffs.

Nottingham Forest and Swansea City fans were given another dose of that on Wednesday night.

And it was that man Routledge, a 2011 signing from Newcastle United, who completed the job when he uncharacteristically headed home Conor Gallgher’s cross in the 91st minute.

The Swans needed to beat Reading and hope either Cardiff City lost or Nottingham Forest were beaten by Stoke with a minimum five-goal swing. Unlikely ? You’ ve not paid attention to the Championship!

SWANS v BRENTFORD Another Stoke strike, this time on a breakaway as Forest went in search of a much-needed goal, in injury time at the City Ground confirmed the Swans’ play-off spot as the management and squad celebrated wildly at the Madejski Stadium.

“There were a lot of stipulations before the game but we had to do our job and we did it. That is the most pleasing thing for me and the boys. If someone asks you to do a job you do it and we did it.” That incredible night in Berkshire has set up a twoleg semi-final play-off with Brentford.

No more talk of last-minute woes during the regular season, for Swansea had not been in the top six since beating Wigan in January.

And Routledge is hoping the Swans can accomplish something “pretty epic.”

Talk about leaving it until the last minute.

“It was some game, it will probably go down in memory for a while,” said the 35-year-old. “In the end we got the job done and now we’ve got two, possibly three games to play.

“It’s nice to be part of a team that never gives up,” said super sub Routledge. “You see it with Erwin’s saves, you see it with Marc not giving up when the guy is one on one and really should score and he won’t let it go. I think that is what the team is about now.

“It was almost a bit surreal to be honest, you go through loads of emotions in a game like that. “We’ve got to where we needed to get to, it doesn’t matter how we got there in the end, we got there. Now we have two games to get where we want to be again.

“Before the game I said that there is something the boys have that they will never give in. The amount of games the boys have been playing and the quick turnaround and they still don’t give in.

“There is a belief going through the team that we have got to where we needed to get to, we worked our socks off to get there and now we’ve been rewarded with a chance of doing something that is pretty epic. But now it is down to us to try and do it.“

“If they’re tired they still don’t give in, they’re running through walls and they give their all. It might not be enough but they are always going to give all they’ve got. “It’s nice to score, it’s nice to win and it’s nice to do good things but I think this was a moment that none of the boys are going to forget for a long time.

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THE BIG QUIZ ROUND

ROUND

TODAY’S

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VISITORS

1. Who was Brentford’s top scorer during the regular Championship season? 2. And how many times did he find the net? 3. In what year did the Bees achieve promotion to the Championship as League One champions? 4. And who was their manager at the time?

TWO 1. Who scored Swansea’s consolation goal in their 3-1 defeat at Griffin Park in December? 2. What was the score in Brentford’s favour when the sides met at the Liberty last October? 3. Who scored twice in the Swans’ 2-0 victory over Brentford in the second leg of their 2006 League One play-off semi-final showdown? 4. How many times did Matthias Verschave find the net in Swansea’s 6-0 rout of the Bees at the Vetch in May 2001?

ROUND

THREE PLAY- OFFS 1. Prior to this season, how many times had Swansea appeared in the play-offs since their introduction in 1987? 2. Scott Sinclair scored a hat-trick for the Swans in their 2011 Championship playoff final victory over Reading. Who got the other one? 3. In what year did Swansea beat Torquay United over two legs in the Division Four play-off final? 4. Who guided the Swans to the Third Division play-off final in 1997?

Round One: 1) Ollie Watkins. 2) 25. 3) 2014. 4) Mark Warburton. Round Two: 1) Andre Ayew. 2) 3-0. 3) Leon Knight. 4) Twice. Round Three: 1) Six. 2) Stephen Dobbie. 3) 1988. 4) Jan Molby.

ONE

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SKYBET CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE Pos Team

Pts

Leeds United

46 28

West Bromwich Albion

46 22 17

Brentford

46 24

13 80

Fulham

46 23 12 11 64

Cardiff City

46 19 16 11 68

Swansea City

46 18 16 12 62

Nottingham Forest

46 18 16 12 58

Millwall

46 17 17 12 57

Preston North End

46 18 12 16 59

Derby County

46 17 13 16 62

-2

Blackburn Rovers

46 17 12 17 66

Bristol City

46 17 12 17 60

-5

Queens Park Rangers

46 16 10 20 67

-9

Reading

46 15 11 20 59

Stoke City

46 16

22 62

-6

Sheffield Wednesday

46 15 11 20 58

-8

Middlesbrough

46 13 14 19 48

61 -13

Huddersfield Town

46 13 12 21 52

70 -18

Luton Town

46 14

23 54

82 -28

Birmingham City

46 12 14 20 54

75 -21

Barnsley

46 12 13 21 49

69 -20

Charlton Athletic

46 12 12 22 50

65 -15

Wigan Athletic *

46 15 14 17 57

Hull City

46 12

87 -30

25 57

Correct as of July 25, 2020

* Wigan Athletic deducted 12 points subject to appeal.Â

SEASON 2019-20 FIXTURE

Match Statistics

Key

Goal = ●

Captain = C

Sub = 2 (number denotes player replaced)

Booked =

DATE

ATT. TEAM

Hull City H W 2-1

Sat, Aug 3, 3pm

15,741

Woodman

Roberts

v.d. Hoorn ●

Rodon

Bidwell

Fulton

Derby County A D 0-0

Sat, Aug 10, 3pm

27,337

Woodman

Roberts

v.d.Hoorn

Rodon

Bidwell

Fulton

N'ton Town (CC R1) H W 3-1

Tues, Aug 13, 7.45pm

8,058

Nordfeldt

Naughton C

Cabango

Wilmot

John

Byers ●

Preston North End H W 3-2

Sat, Aug 17, 3pm

15,250

Woodman

Roberts

v.d.Hoorn

Rodon

Bidwell

Fulton

QPR A W 1-3

Wed, Aug 21, 7.45pm

12,287

Woodman

Roberts

v.d.Hoorn

Rodon

Bidwell

Fulton

Birmingham City H W 3-0

Sun, Aug 25, 12pm

17,277

Woodman

Roberts

v.d.Hoorn

Rodon

Bidwell 1

Fulton

Cambridge United (CC R2) H W 6-0

Wed, Aug 28, 7.45pm

8,763

Nordfeldt

Naughton C 2

Cabango

Wilmot

John

Byers ●

Leeds United A W 0-1

Sat, Aug 31, 3pm

34,935

Woodman

Roberts

v.d.Hoorn

Rodon

Bidwell

Fulton

Nottingham Forest H L 0-1

Sat, Sep 14, 3pm

17,102

Woodman

Roberts

v.d.Hoorn

Rodon

Bidwell

Fulton

Bristol City A D 0-0

Sat, Sep 21, 3pm

22,885

Woodman

Naughton

v.d.Hoorn

Rodon

Bidwell

Fulton

Watford (CC R3) A L 2-1

Tues, Sep 24, 7.45pm

8,903

Nordfeldt

Roberts

v.d.Hoorn

Cabango

John

Byers

Reading H D 1-1

Sat, Sep 28, 3pm

16,036

Woodman

Roberts

v.d.Hoorn

Rodon

Naughton

Fulton 3

Charlton Athletic A W 1-2

Wed, Oct 2, 7.45pm

15,741

Woodman

Roberts

v.d.Hoorn

Rodon

Naughton

Fulton

Stoke City H L 1-2

Sat, Oct 5, 3pm

16,612

Woodman

Roberts

v.d.Hoorn

Rodon

Naughton 1

Fulton 2

Barnsley A D 1-1

Sat, Oct 19, 3pm

12,424

Woodman

Naughton

v.d.Hoorn

Rodon 1

Bidwell

Carroll

Brentford H L 0-3

Tues, Oct 22, 7.45pm

15,875

Woodman

Roberts

v.d.Hoorn

Rodon

Bidwell

Fulton 1

Cardiff City H W 1-0

Sun, Oct 27, 12pm

20,270

Woodman

Naughton

v.d.Hoorn

Wilmot ●

Bidwell

Byers

Wigan Athletic A W 1-2

Sat, Nov 2, 12.30pm

9,080

Woodman

Naughton

v.d.Hoorn

Wilmot

Bidwell

Byers

Sheffield Weds A D 2-2

Sat, Nov 9, 3pm

23,073

Woodman

Naughton

v.d.Hoorn

Wilmot ●

Bidwell

Byers

Millwall H L 0-1

Sat, Nov 23, 3pm

16,840

Woodman

Naughton

v.d.Hoorn

Wilmot

Bidwell

Byers

Huddersfield Town A D 1-1

Tues, Nov 26, 7.45pm

20,062

Woodman

Roberts

v.d.Hoorn 1

Wilmot

Bidwell

Fulton ●

Fulham H L 1-2

Fri, Nov 29, 7.45pm

16,024

Woodman

Roberts

v.d.Hoorn

Wilmot

Naughton

Fulton 2

West Brom A L 5-1

Sun, Dec 8, 12pm

22,927

Woodman

Roberts

v.d.Hoorn

Wilmot

Naughton

Fulton

Blackburn Rovers H D 1-1

Wed, Dec 11, 7.45pm

14,162

Woodman

Roberts

v.d.Hoorn

Cabango

Bidwell

Carroll

Middlesbrough H W 3-1

Sat, Dec 14, 3pm

14,625

Woodman

Roberts

v.d.Hoorn

Cabango

Bidwell

Byers 1

Luton Town A W 0-1

Sat, Dec 21, 3pm

10,062

Woodman

Roberts

v.d.Hoorn

Wilmot

Bidwell

Byers

Brentford A L 3-1

Thu, Dec 26, 3pm

11,848

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Wilmot

Bidwell

Byers 3

Barnsley H D 0-0

Sun, Dec 29, 3pm

17,097

Woodman

Naughton

Cabango

Wilmot

Bidwell

Fulton

Charlton Athletic H W 1-0

Thu, Jan 2, 7.45pm

15,352

Woodman

Roberts

v.d.Hoorn 1

Cabango

Naughton

Byers

QPR (FA R3) A L 5-1

Sun, Jan 5, 2.01pm

6,712

Nordfeldt

Roberts

Cooper

Bidwell

John

Fulton

Cardiff City A D 0-0

Sun, Jan 12, 12pm

28,529

Woodman

Naughton

Cabango

Wilmot

Naughton

Byers

Wigan Athletic H W 2-1

Sat, Jan 18, 3pm

15,659

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Wilmot

Naughton

Byers 1

Stoke City A L 2-0

Sat, Jan 25, 3pm

22,593

Woodman

Roberts 1

Cabango

Guehi

Bidwell 3

Byers 2

Preston North End A D 1-1

Sat, Feb 1, 3pm

12,502

Woodman

Naughton

Guehi

Rodon

Bidwell

Byers 1

Derby County H L 2-3

Sat, Feb 8, 3pm

16,230

Woodman

Roberts

Guehi

Rodon

Naughton ●

Byers 1

QPR H D 0-0

Tues, Feb 11, 7.45pm

14,778

Woodman

Roberts

Guehi

Rodon

Naughton

Gallagher Fulton 1

Hull City A D 4-4

Fri, Feb 14, 7.45pm

9,757

Woodman

Naughton ●

Guehi

Wilmot

Bidwell

Huddersfield Town H W 3-1

Sat, Feb 22, 3pm

15,148

Woodman

Naughton

Cabango

Rodon

Bidwell

Fulton ● 2

Fulham A L 1-0

Weds, Feb 26, 7.45pm

17,626

Woodman

Naughton

Cabango

Rodon

Bidwell

Fulton 2

Blackburn Rovers A D 2-2

Sat, Feb 29, 3pm

13,099

Woodman

Naughton

Cabango

Rodon

Bidwell

Fulton

West Brom H D 0-0

Sat, Mar 7, 3pm

16,788

Woodman

Naughton

Cabango

Rodon

Bidwell

Fulton

Middlesbrough A W 0-3

Sat, Jun 20, 12.30pm

N/A

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Wilmot

Bidwell

Fulton 2

Luton Town H L 0-1

Sat, Jun 27, 12.30pm

N/A

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango 3

Wilmot

Bidwell

Fulton 2

Millwall A D 1-1

Tues, Jun 30, 5pm

N/A

Woodman

Naughton

Cabango

Wilmot 2

Bidwell

Byers

Sheffield Weds H W 2-1

Sun, Jul 5, 12pm

N/A

Woodman

Roberts

Bidwell

Guehi

Naughton

Fulton

Birmingham City A W 1-3

Wed, Jul 8, 6pm

N/A

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango ●

Guehi

Naughton

Bidwell

Leeds United H L 0-1

Sun, Jul 12, 1.30pm

N/A

Woodman 5

Roberts

Naughton

Guehi 2

Cabango

Bidwell 4

Nottingham Forest A D 2-2

Wed, Jul 15, 6pm

N/A

Mulder

Roberts

Naughton

Guehi

v.d. Hoorn 1

Bidwell

Bristol City H W 1-0

Sat, Jul 18, 3pm

N/A

Mulder

Roberts ●

Cabango

Guehi

v.d. Hoorn 1

Bidwell

Reading A W 1-4

Wed, Jul 22, 7.30pm

N/A

Mulder

Roberts

Cabango 3

Guehi

v.d. Hoorn 1

Bidwell

Brentford H

Sun, Jul 26, 6.30pm

Brentford A

Wed, Jul 29, 7.45pm

Sent off =

CC = Carabao Cup

FA = FA Cup

Correct as of July 25, 2020

SUBSTITUTES Grimes C

Dyer 2

Byers 1

Celina

Nordfeldt, Naughton 2, Wilmot, Dhanda, Peterson 1, McKay, B-Richardson

Borja ●

Grimes C

Dyer 1

Celina

Kalulu 2

Borja 3

Nordfeldt, Naughton, Wilmot, Dhanda 2, Byers, Peterson 1, Surridge 3

Dhanda 3

Routledge

McKay 2

Peterson 1

Surridge

Mulder, Cooper, Rushesha, De Boer 3, Garrick 2, A. Ayew 1●●, Cullen

Grimes C

Dyer 1

Celina

Kalulu 2

Borja 3 ●●

Nordfeldt, Naughton, Wilmot, Byers 2 ●, A. Ayew 1, Peterson, Surridge 3

Grimes C

A. Ayew 3

Byers 1

Celina ●

Borja 2 ●

Nordfeldt, Naughton 3, Wilmot, Byers, Kalulu, Garrick 1, Surridge 2 ●

Grimes C

A. Ayew

Celina ● 2

Dhanda

Borja ●

Nordfeldt, Naughton 1 ●, Wilmot, Byers 3, Routledge, Garrick 2, Surridge

Carroll 3

Garrick ● 1

Routledge ●

Peterson ●

Surridge ●●

Nordfeldt, Rushesha 2, Cooper, Evans 3, Dhanda, McKay 1, Cullen

Grimes C

A. Ayew 3

Dhanda 2

Celina

Borja 1

Nordfeldt, Naughton, Wilmot, Byers 3 , Garrick, Routledge 2 ●, Surridge 1

Grimes C

A. Ayew

Celina 1

Routledge 3

Borja 2

Nordfeldt, Naughton, Wilmot, Byers 1, Dyer 3, Peterson, Surridge 2

Grimes C

A. Ayew

Byers 2

Celina

Borja 1

Nordfeldt, Roberts 2, Cabango, Dhanda, Dyer, Routledge, Surridge 1

Grimes C

Dyer 3

Dhanda 1

Peterson 2

Surridge ●

Mulder, Cooper, Carroll, McKay 2, Garrick 3 Routledge 1, Borja

Grimes C

A. Ayew

Byers

Celina 2

Borja 1 ●

Mulder, Wilmot, Carroll 3, Dhanda, Dyer, Garrick 2, Surridge 1

Grimes C

A. Ayew ●

Dhanda 1 ●

Celina 2

Borja

Mulder, Wilmot 2, John, Carroll 1, Routledge, Garrick, Surridge

Grimes C

A. Ayew ●

Dhanda

Celina 3

Borja

Mulder, Bidwell 1, Byers 2, Carroll, Routledge 3, Garrick, Surridge

Grimes C

A. Ayew ●

Byers

Celina

Surridge 2

Nordfeldt, Roberts, Wilmot 1, Routledge, Peterson, Garrick 3, Borja 2

Grimes C

A. Ayew

Dhanda 2

Peterson

Borja 3

Nordfeldt, Naughton, Wilmot, Byers 1, Celina 2, Routledge, Surridge 3

Grimes C

Dyer 1

Celina

Routledge

A. Ayew

Nordfeldt, Roberts, Cabango, Fulton, Peterson, Borja, Surridge 1

Grimes C

Dyer 1 ●

Celina 3

Routledge 2

A. Ayew

Nordfeldt, Roberts 1, Cabango, Fulton 3, Peterson, Borja, Surridge 2 ●

Grimes C

Dyer 1

Celina 2

Routledge 3

A. Ayew ●

Nordfeldt, Roberts 1, Cabango, Fulton 2, Peterson, Borja, Surridge 3

Grimes C

Dyer 2

Celina 3

Routledge 1

A. Ayew

Nordfeldt, Roberts, Cabango, Fulton, Peterson 1, Borja 2, Surridge 3

Grimes C

Ayew

Celina 2

Peterson 3

Borja

Nordfeldt, Naughton, Cabango 1, Byers 2 , McKay, Dhanda, Surridge 3

Grimes C

Ayew

Byers ●

Peterson 1

Surridge 3

Nordfeldt, Bidwell, Cabango, Carroll 2, McKay 1, Celina, Borja 3

Grimes C

Ayew 3

Byers 2

Peterson 1

Surridge ●

Nordfeldt, Bidwell, Cabango, Carroll, McKay 2, Dyer 1, Kalulu 3

Grimes C

Ayew ●

Byers

Celina 1

Surridge

Nordfeldt, Naughton, Wilmot, Fulton, McKay, Kalulu 1, Borja

Grimes C

Ayew ●●

Dhanda

Nordfeldt, John 3, Naughton, Fulton 1, McKay 2, Kalulu, Borja

Grimes C

Ayew

Carroll

Grimes C

Ayew

Carroll 1

Grimes C

Ayew

Carroll

Celina

Surridge 2

Nordfeldt, John, Roberts, Byers 1, McKay, Routledge 2, Borja

Grimes C

Ayew

Dhanda ●2

Routledge

Borja 3

Nordfeldt, John, Wilmot 1, Fulton 3, McKay, Celina 2, Kalulu

Carroll

Dyer 3

McKay 1

Peterson 2

Kalulu

Mulder, Naughton, Cabango, Byers 2 ●, Dhanda, Celina 1, Borja 3

Grimes C

Routledge

Ayew

Celina

Brewster

Nordfeldt, Bidwell, Guehi, Fulton, Dhanda, Kalulu, Borja

Grimes C

Ayew ●

Gallagher

Celina

Brewster ● 2

Mulder, Bidwell, Guehi, Fulton 1, Dhanda, Routledge 2, Borja

Grimes C

Ayew

Gallagher

Celina

Brewster

Grimes C

Ayew

Gallagher

Celina

Brewster ●

Grimes C

Ayew

Gallagher

Routledge 2

Brewster

Mulder, Bidwell, Wilmot, Fulton, Dyer, Dhanda 1 ●, Cullen 2

Grimes C

Ayew

Dhanda 1

Celina

Brewster

Mulder, Bidwell, Cabango, Fulton, Routledge, Kalulu 1, Cullen

Grimes C

Routledge●2

Gallagher

Celina 3

Ayew

Mulder, Roberts, Cabango, Dyer, Dhanda 1, Garrick 3 ●, Brewster 2 ●

Grimes C

Ayew ●

Gallagher

Kalulu 1

Brewster 3

Mulder, Roberts 3, Wilmot 2, Dhanda, Celina, Garrick 1 ●, Cullen

Grimes C

Ayew

Gallagher

Kalulu 1

Brewster

Mulder, Roberts 2, Wilmot, Dhanda, Celina, Garrick 1, Cullen

Grimes C

Ayew ●

Gallagher 2

Garrick

Grimes C

Ayew

Gallagher

Kalulu

Grimes C

Ayew ●5

Gallagher 4

Kalulu

Grimes C

Ayew

Gallagher

Kalulu 1

Grimes C

Ayew

Gallagher

Grimes C

Routledge

Grimes C

Fulton ●

Grimes C

Fulton

Grimes C

Fulton 2

2 1 1

Celina 3

Surridge ●

Celina 3

Borja 2

Nordfeldt, Cooper, Naughton 3, Fulton 1, McKay, Kalulu, Routledge 2

Celina

Surridge 2

Nordfeldt, Naughton, Fulton, McKay 3, Routledge, Kalulu 1, Borja 2

Mulder, Rodon 1, Wilmot, Fulton, Dhanda 2, Routledge, Borja 3 2

Mulder, Cabango, Wilmot, Fulton 1, Routledge, Dhanda, Cullen 2

Brewster ●

Mulder, Roberts 1, Wilmot 2, Dhanda, Celina, Kalulu, Cullen

Brewster

Mulder, Roberts, Wilmot, Dhanda, Dyer 1, Cullen

Brewster ●●3

Mulder, Naughton, Guehi, Byers 2, Dhanda 3, Dyer, Routledge 3, Garrick 1, Celina 3

Brewster

Mulder, Naughton, Guehi, Rodon, Byers 2, Dyer, Routledge 3, Dhanda, Garrick 1

Dhanda 1

Brewster

Mulder, Roberts, Guehi 2, Fulton, Dyer, Routledge, Celina 1, Kalulu, Cullen

Ayew ●

Gallagher 2

Brewster ●2

Mulder, Cabango, v.d.Hoorn 1, Byer 2, Dhanda, Dyer, Celina, Kalulu, Cullen 3

Ayew

Gallagher

Brewster ●1

Mulder, v.d. Hoorn, Byers, Dhanda, Dyer, Routledge 1, Celina, Kalulu, Cullen

Ayew

Gallagher

Ayew ●

Gallagher

Brewster 3

Brewster ●4

Mulder 5, v.d. Hoorn, Byers 3, Dhanda, Dyer, Routledge 1, Celina 2, Kalulu, Cullen 4 Gould, Cabango 1, Byers 3, Dhanda, Dyer, Routledge, Celina 2, Garrick 4, Cullen

Grimes C

Fulton

Ayew

Gallagher 3

Brewster 2

Gould, Rushesha, Dhanda 3, Celina, Dyer, Routledge 1 , Kalulu, Garrick, Cullen 2

Grimes C

Fulton 2

Ayew

Gallagher

Brewster ●

Gould, Rushesha, Dhanda 2, Celina 4, Dyer, Routledge 1 ●●4, Kalulu, Garrick, Cullen 3 ●

SWANS v BRENTFORD

SWANSEA CITY BY STEPHEN BANFIELD

FACT IS STRANGER THAN FICTION THE SWANS IN PLAY OFF POSITION HAVING TO RELY ON OTHER SCORES MATCHES PLAYED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. PANDEMIC SOCCER HAS BEEN INDIFFERENT THEY EARNED THEIR SPOT ON GOAL DIFFERENCE COOPER'S CYGNETS THEY DID HATCH WINNING THE SEASON'S VERY LAST MATCH. BRENTFORD NEXT THERE’S NO MISTAKING THE FUTURE IS OURS FOR THE TAKING A PLACE IN THE FINAL WOULD BE UNREAL I’M CONFIDENT THE SWANS WILL SEAL THE DEAL.

SWANS v BRENTFORD

THE TEAMS

SWANSEA CITY HEAD COACH: STEVE COOPER XI SB GS 2 4 5 6 8 10 12 15 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 32 33 41 44

BRENTFORD HEAD COACH: THOMAS FRANK XI SB GS

Marc Guéhi Joe Rodon Mike van der Hoorn Jay Fulton Matt Grimes Bersant Celina Nathan Dyer Wayne Routledge Aldo Kalulu Rhian Brewster Ben Wilmot Yan Dhanda André Ayew Connor Roberts Jake Bidwell Erwin Mulder Kyle Naughton Freddie Woodman George Byers Liam Cullen Conor Gallagher Jordon Garrick Ben Cabango

David Raya Dominic Thompson Rico Henry Dru Yearwood Ethan Pinnock Christian Norgaard Sergi Canos Mathias Jensen Nikos Karelis Said Benrahma Ollie Watkins Kamohelo Mokotjo Patrik Gunnarsson Josh Dasilva Marcus Forss Joel Valencia Emiliano Marcondes Pontus Jansson Bryan Mbeumo Halil Dervisoglu Henrik Dalsgaard Julian Jeanvier Tariqe Fosu Ellery Balcombe Shandon Baptiste Luke Daniels Mads Bech Sorensen Jan Zamburek Luka Racic Mads Roerslev

THE MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE: KEITH STROUD ASSISTANT REFEREES: ANDREW FOX AND MARK RUSSELL FOURTH OFFICIAL: DAVID WEBB OFFICIAL MAIN SPONSORS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 28 29 31 32 35