Swansea 0 v 1 Exeter City

The weather hadn't matched the bleak forecast which had promised a miserable time for all, so could the football keep up the spirits of those possibly expecting the worse on the field as well as off.

A somewhat surprising line up with the unexplained absence of James Thomas through apparent injury saw the Swans take the field in front of a magnificent crowd of 9,145 as follows:

There was a clear nervousness about both teams from the start although this seemed to affect the Swans more than Exeter. We seemed to be in a hurry with everything we did, resulting in us clearing the ball anywhere, and losing possession far too often.

Exeter, as the game went on, started to play better football than us, at least having an aim and purpose when passing the ball between themselves, even though they made little progress.

Exeter had the clearest chance to score in the first half when a shot slipped underneath Neil Cutler, and trickled outside of his left hand post for a corner.

The defence was not looking solid, and several arguments erupted during the game between Cutler and his defenders.

The loudest argument however was reserved for John Williams vs the rest of the Swans team – or so it appeared.

A ball down the Swans right, aimed at Williams, saw the striker stand and watch it float over his head (people in the crowd were showing more intention of reaching it than him), and even then he did not move until someone shouted for him to chase it.

The players around him lost patience, but this was long after the crowd had, as his performance today was woeful. Few understood Flynn's persistence with him, or why he was actually in the starting line up in the first place given his inability to last the pace. Even his supporters club on the North Bank seemed unable to muster up a 'Super super super John' for him, a sad reflection indeed.

Whatever the problems were at Orient on Saturday, they seemed to have remained today. Our once masterful midfield has been reduced to one consistent performer – Martinez – with Johnrose and Britton disappointing largely ineffective today. Britton took one knock in the first half and avoided all physical contact thereafter. Surely replacing him with Mumford would have eased his own worries, given the midfield some much needed strength in this encounter, and provided us with the possibility of scoring from a 20 yard shot.

Our lack of creation of scoring opportunities was pitiful. Our tactics are static, and today it was very much clear the ball any which way you can, which meant for a lot of chasing and no results.

We hardly tested their keeper throughout the game, and when we did have 2nd half opportunities from close in, Richards (twice) and Johnrose spurned the chances.

When their goal came, it was as if it was expected. We had played one of our better spells just earlier, and made the Exeter defence look a little ragged, but a cross and a couple of headers later and we were looking uphill yet again in our usual 'must win' match fashion.

Despite our frantic efforts to claw our way back (the Coates and Watkin on for Williams and Howard moves were supposedly designed to assist), it was Exeter that looked more likely to score again, and one excellent clearance off the line by O'Leary with Cutler beaten, saved the fans from having to face the now inevitable outcome for a little while longer.

A hugely disappointing result and performance, but talk of changes and tactics is irrelevant now. We have two games left, and if we are to be certain of survival, then we need to win both.

Throughout this relegation battle, the club directors, managers and players have called for the fans top get behind the team, and help them achieve what we all supposedly want to achieve – survival. 9,145 turned out today to support a team 89th in the football league, play against a team in 92nd place. How much more support can the fans give.

For weeks our home and away support have been superb, and even after today's dire performance, there are people rallying others to go to Rochdale next Saturday to get behind this team.

We often think that if the players had just a fraction of the enthusiasm and passion that the fans have, then we wouldn't be gloomily staring at the Conference, as well as maps on how to get to Forest Green and Farnborough.

Next Saturday the 4 bottom clubs are all away from home, then midweek, Carlisle play Shrewsbury to remove the game in hand that they both have over us and Exeter. On the final Saturday, all 4 teams are home. You couldn't have written it better could you, other than with us having won the Championship 3 weeks ago that is.

Player ratings:

• Cutler - 6 - Got away with one howler first half, but no chance with goal. 
• Jenkins - 6 - Did OK first half, trying to feed John Williams at every opportunity.
• Tate - 5 - Clear up well, but left marking the awkward Flack to O'Leary
• O'Leary - 5 - One brilliant stop on line but lucky not to concede a penalty when handled ball in 1st half. 
• Howard - 5 - At times in the 2nd half we swear he must have been wearing a blindfold
• Martinez - 7- MOM again, we would have been looking at a cricket score without him
• Johnrose - 4 - Anonymous throughout.
• Britton - 5 - Bang on the face 1st half may not have helped but way below par today
• Williams - 3 - Time running out on his League career, thank God.
• Richards - 4 - Missed the only 2 clear opportunities we had
• Nugent - 4 - Tried hard. He's big, awkward but little threat all too often. Subs
• Coates - 3 - Hopeless. Only difference between him and Williams today- one played right one played left. 
• Watkin - 3 - Cameo of his usual performance. Push, shove, back to goal, no goals, no shots.

When the match announcer (we don't know his name and have no wish to be informed of it either thank you) broadcast after the final whistle to repeat the attendance, and followed it up with 'Thank you all for coming, I hope you all enjoyed it', we knew that he'd lost the plot – there were genuine tears in some people's eyes at the end of the game.

There is a saying along the lines of – 'If you can keep your head when all those around you are losing theirs, then you probably don't fully understand the seriousness of the situation'. Someone go and show him a copy of the League table and the remaining fixtures please, and then gradually, but with increasing speed, lower his head down onto you rapidly rising knee. Thank you.

Swansea 0 v 1 Exeter City

It's nearly time to get those A-Z's out. Not having been at the Orient game, but read the comments of lack of effort, we thought that the team would come out today and sweat blood. I don't think you need to read on to know the answer.

Nugent returned from suspension replacing Thomas, and O'Leary came in for the injured Smith.

A packed Vetch of over 9,000 inc approx 500 from Exeter greeted the teams. Swansea fans had yet again done their part in the fight against relegation, it was now down to the team. The first half was very poor footballing wise, but Exeter seemed more 'up for it' as they were much faster into the tackles, and more willing to cover ground. The score remained 0-0 at half time mainly due to two inept attacking teams. The Swans main attacking route was lump the ball forward to Nugent and hope that something would drop their way. It was very evident that after 15mins this ploy would not work as he won very little all afternoon. The only other danger came from the running of Jenkins who set up Williams on the right only for him to tamely attempt crosses, which didn't reach the danger area. Johnrose did in fact have one glorious attempt from a deep cross to the back post, but sent it back across goal well wide of the post

It was a very nervous and tense crowd that greeted half time, with prayers that we must improve in the second half. Our half time chat was that it would be Exeter that would come out guns blazing as there was very little for them to beat. We also hoped for changes as both Williams and Johnrose looked unfit and were mostly passengers. It was not to be as the teams started the second half unchanged.

Exeter again looked the more positive side as we struggled to put any worthwhile moves going. 50-50 balls were being won by Exeter and loose balls were always found by them. The game had 0-0 written all over it, but we actually made a chance which found Richards centre goal inside the six yard box and as the ball came across to him managed to blast it over the bar, when it seemed that he could have just bundled it in. How costly would that miss be? We didn't have to wait long as from the resultant goal kick Exeter found space and Devine headed in past Cutler. A goal that had been coming as for not the first time this season we gave away territorial possession. There seemed no way back as we continued to produce nothing of note. Richards did find himself on the far post and with a defender in close again managed to put the ball over. After not creating anything even any luck was against us. Kris O'Leary kept us in the game with a goa; line clearance as the defence stopped for an offside decision. With the minutes ticking away we did mount hopeful pressure with one low ball being cut across goal missing incoming defenders and attackers, but somehow got a touch for a corner when it seemed a slightest touch would end up in the net.

The final whistle was met with half-hearted boos from a stunned crowd. Only Jenkins and Cutler lead by Tate applauded the crowd, with Todd also applauding the Swans fans before going off to celebrate with his teammates.

• Cutler did not control his area, and was hesitant at crosses. Maybe Rog should return for the last 2 games.
• Jenkins was one of the few who came out of the game with some credit.
• Tate missed Smith alongside although O'Leary did battle against a much taller Flack.
• Howard again came in for barracking from some 'fans'. He again was left unsupported and left marking 2 men on most occasions.
• Martinez did a good defending job but again his distribution let him down.
• Britton was in and out of the game, and did have a couple of mazy runs, but must learn not to want to beat the last player when other options are available.
• Johnrose and Williams offered little and should have been replaced after the first 20mins.
• Richards didn't offer a threat, and missed a sitter.
• Nugent battled but again was ineffective,
• Coates and Watkin as subs didn't offer any hope.

Again we must question, the 4-3-3 formation as we lost the midfield battle and didn't have the right mix on the pitch. The substitutions were too little too late.

We now have to win our two remaining games, how we don't know, as it is very difficult to see where our next goal will come from.

The team apart from one or two players lacked passion today and were content in waiting for things to happen than attacking the ball. That does not win matches

We will be at Rochdale for what looks like our last away game in the league, and also at the Vetch for the Hull game, which on today's performance will be the last in the league.

We don't mind being proved wrong, but it will take a change in the style of play and commitment to do that.

M6 here we come.

Swansea 0 v 1 Exeter City

Swansea demonstrated skill, flair, passion, and composure infront of goal this afternoon, and for long spells looked dangerous going forward, and comfortable at the back. Then, the Swansea City Girls Under 14's game finished, and the so called professionals ran out.

The fans had certainly done their part, 10,000 packed inside the Vetch for this afternoon's game. The people of Swansea had too. Scarves galore for the kids, paid for by local businesses, and of course numerous loan players who, without the help of the fan's donations throughout the season would not even be here. Even the Ice babes, with their dodgy dance routines have braved the cold in recent weeks in order to provide that little something extra that would ensure the survival of the club. Let us not forget the evening post either, with their offers of reduced prices at the last few games, and of course for saving us that point against Wrexham.... (Supposedly)

So it was now down to Flynn, Curtis, Reeves and the playing staff to deliver a performance on the biggest day of the season so far, a performance that the fans deserve, a performance a million miles away from the one they did eventually churn out. Obviously, the word 'performance' is used in its widest possible terms.

Anyway, I can remember very little of the actual game, other than it was crap, if im being honest. I know we forced a few corners and had a few shots early on, but that im afraid was just about as good as it got. Our set pieces, were as usual about as effective as Baghdad's air defences, with Martinez being the main culprit, sending over bad ball after bad ball. Exeter's however, were just as shocking.

Anyway, the rest of the first half was probably spent moaning at John Williams, and debating whether or not to chance going for a Hot Dog at half time. For the record, i didnt bother...

HT 0-0, and we were, to be fair, looking a bit vulnerable.

Second half kicked off, and things just sorta degenerated from there. Well degenerated further if you want to be picky... Soon after, disaster struck. The bloke infront of me had a hot dog. Dripping in red sauce. I was starting to regret my decision not to get one at half time.

What happened next summed up our season a bit. First, Marc Richards, with all the accuracy of a US cruise missile (ooooooh, I've been waiting for the chance to use some of these comparisons for weeks), missed from about two yards. Then, about two minutes later, though i may be wrong as it could have been during one of those periods when nothing much seems to be happening, Exeter went down the other end and scored. I looked, as i always do in these situations at the linesman, and then at the referee, hoping in vain that it would be ruled out for offside, or for a push on the keeper, or simply out of pity for us. Unfortunately, it wasnt.

Next came a few token substitutions from Flynn. The god awful Williams off for Coates, who duly reminded us exactly why we released him 10 months ago, and Watkin who replaced Michael Howard. Watkin's only contribution I think was to concede a free kick for needlessly pushing a defender. Still, it was the most involved hes got since he took a throw in at Hull in December 1999. So, from here, as it quite often does, the game just disappeared like a fart in the wind, and soon after another 1/2 yard miss, this time from the shocking bad Johnrose, the referee blew for full time and another 3 points slipped from our grasp.

To add insult to injury, we were sitting in the car park for an hour. Happy Easter, indeed!

A quick run down on the players...

Cutler - Cant grumble, havent seen the goal properly, when i do, I'll no doubt grumble, until then though, I'll say he did alright
Jenkins - Underrated. Played well today, both defensively and going forward. One of the few to come out of today with any credit, and also the season as a whole.
Howard - Improved since Hylton arrived. Not one of his better performances today. Wasnt helped by a lack of cover.
Tate - Played well first half. Isnt the same without Smith
O'Leary - Cant fault his effort, not much cop at centre back though
Johnrose - Crap, simple as.
Martinez - Played well in patches. In and out of the game too much.
Britton - Decieves. He is a fantastic player. However, always goes that little bit too far. Hasnt scored for us and creates little
Williams - A good for nothing, lazy bastard.
Nugent - Did alright, that was good enough for him.
Richards - Has come on leaps and bounds of late. Didnt do much today though..
Subs...
Watkin - See Williams, John...
Coates - Hmmm... He did seem to try. Reserve judgement til i see him some more

So, there you have it. One more home game in the league to go. During the long wait in the car, questions were asked.... Namely, What has Mumford done so wrong that Flynn simply refuses to bring him on, what purpose do Reeves and Curtis actually serve, and why isnt the bloody traffic moving?????

Its going down to the wire boys (and girls)

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