Match report

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Listers' view - The Famous Five

The Famous Five are Giggsy, Pauly, Jono, Becky & Sophie

And so, the end was near, and now we faced the final curtain. The last home game and the last Nationwide League game of the season was upon us. A bigger than expected crowd was announced at 3,265 although we believe they are still searching for the 1,000 or so supporters who seem to have got in through the turnstiles, but never made it to the seats or terraces. The crowd did seems much nearer to, if not less than the 2,600 who saw the York game, but having said that we're not sure how many can get into the director's box, where today there did seem (from our seats in the East Stand at least) to be a serious attempt at a Guinness Book of Records entry.

Jones
Phillips Sharp O'Leary Howard
Brodie Cusack Mumford Coates
Watkin Sidibe

Freestone Romo Draper Williams Todd

Wasn't it W C Fields that said never work with children and animals? If he were alive today, living in Swansea and sharing our pastimes, he'd be adding another category to that list. I am sure that Nick Cusack knows exactly what he has taken on in accepting the coaching job, but he must see this as a huge uphill task. He was very positive in what he said at last week's Forum, and has a definite vision of what is required of the players under him. He must have made those statements knowing that many of the present squad would not be in his plans.

To say that today's game was of no importance to the season is irrelevant, as the last six or seven have fallen into the same bracket. Unfortunately so have the performances. They have been woeful, and despite an excellent start today when Mumford's superb right foot shot from 25 yards hit the back of the net, and £250 hit Giggsy's pocket, after thirty seven seconds, the promise of a good performance did not materialise. With O'Leary adding a second with a well-taken headed goal on sixteen minutes, some fans were starting to anticipate a repeat to the end of last season when a six-goal bonanza against Brentford brightened up a spring day and a miserable season. For some inexplicable reason we missed that goal feast, and the way this match progressed after we went two up, we started to wish we'd done the same today.

For no apparent reason, things started to fall apart. Jason Jones, who had made one fine save, started to look a little uncomfortable, as did the defence in front of him. Confidence in each other seemed to drain away, and we were suddenly facing a situation where any Torquay attack looked threatening. A shot against the post, some unnecessary corners conceded, a couple of crosses badly judged, and suddenly it was 2-1.

Pic courtesy of Phil Sumbler

Half time arrived, with at least the excitement of one free prize draw and one raffle climax to look forward to. Two F A Cup Final Tickets, and a brand new Kia Rio car from Ken Thorne, all courtesy of the Supporter's Trust made three people very happy, and probably helped them through the second half much as medication would have for the rest of us.

The second half saw Torquay play with the knowledge that they could at least take a point from this game. We had chances, but a Coates right foot shot saw its way up towards the TV lounge in the East Stand and a Willo shot, which went in such a direction that we were convinced it would be a corner, actually beat Coates' effort by 3 rows.

Willo had replaced Sidibe, which was a little surprising as Sidibe was showing some excellent touches, and a better work rate than of late. If Willo had to be brought on then we would have sacrificed Watkin, Coates or Brodie who were all having atrocious games. Distribution, anticipation and understanding were all sadly lacking again today. Again last week Nick Cusack said that time would be spent on footballing skills as well as serious fitness. As fans, this can only be a beacon of light for us all. Some of the through balls today resembled what you see during a stroll in the park. If you've ever watched people throwing balls for dogs to fetch, you'll know that the dog is never exactly sure which way he needs to start running until the ball is released. You only had to see the movement off the ball, or lack of it, to know that the players had little more idea than the dogs, but unfortunately, a lot less in the way of anticipation skills. This is about teamwork, nothing else.

Anyway, the inevitable happened, and Torquay equalised. It was difficult to say from the other end of the ground whether Jason Jones could have got close to the ball, but he had a forlorn look on his face after the event all the same.

We all know that 12 players are out of contract. We all have ideas of who we would want to stay or leave. We are sure that the players also have the same thoughts, but very few out there seemed interested in impressing anyone. What we find difficult to understand, is that even if they themselves are anticipating the end of their stay at Swansea City, why are they not interested in trying to impress other clubs, or is it that they see this as the end of their careers in football altogether? These are professional people, and we all pay serious money to watch them every game, home and away. They would complain about poor service or value for money in something they had vested money, so why don't they see it the other way?

There is little more to say about the game. Craig Draper replaced Cusack after he had suffered a knock, and showed some nice touches. We will add comments to the players' performance marks at the end, and really that is all that can be said of them. It was another very disappointing and frustrating show, nothing more and nothing less.

We hope that Nick Cusack is successful in what he is trying to achieve with the players' attitudes. It will be a long road with the on field success we're sure, but at least, when we come down next season, we may just see 11 players on the field who want to be there, want to do their best, and want the fans to go home thinking that they have. If that part is right, we are sure that the results will come, with the new players that will be brought in. That's all fans ask for, nothing too much really is it, or at least you wouldn't think so.

Everybody has said it already; this has been a long, hard, extremely eventful and bitter season. Let's make it a one-off if we can, and let's all start enjoying the fun that football should be bringing to us all.

Jones – 4 – some good saves, but a very unsure performance overall.
Phillips – 5 – not in his best position at right back
O'Leary – 6 – still not at his best, jaded but a good goal.
Sharp – 4 – contributed to the lack of confidence and understanding with keeper
Howard – 3 – continues on his downward slide. Little contribution to game
Brodie – 3 – Very poor with little contact with man or ball. Always the 'nearly' man.
Coates – 3 – Also very poor. Lacking in basic control, and missing one foot.
Cusack – 5 – Quiet first half, but tried to control. Better 2nd half until he had to go off.
Mumford – 7 – Superb goal, and still the one fighter we have in the team.
Sidibe – 6 – still below par, but a spirited performance until unexpectedly replaced.
Watkin – 3 – prefers facing our keeper rather than theirs, no bite, no fight.

Williams – 4 – much the same as recent games. Little impact.
Draper – 6 – some nice touches, and showed anticipation and speed.