More Match pictures from Andrew Thomas and Gary Martin.


After 70 days without any 'real' football it's back to business for the Swans with the seasons opener against Cheltenham. The friendlies as usual would have told us little, but there was a sense of great anticipation as the players took the field. Swans included new signings Kevin Amankwaah, Tom Butler and Darren Pratley in the starting line up. Leon Knight partnered Rory Fallon up front with Lee Trundle and Alan Tate both sitting out the game courtesy of the FAW.

An excellent crowd of 15199 were in good voice at kick off to the singing of Daydream Believer, and although we all know it's not politically correct it still sends a shiver down the spine and reminds us of what we've missed over the last ten weeks.

Referee Mr Mathieson, who famously gave us two penalties in the Hull game in 2003, turned aside what looked two good claims for penalties. The second, with Cheltenham defenders standing statuesque looking towards Mr Mathieson, Tom Butler picked the ball up 15 yards out and bent a right foot shot that looked a certain goal but the ball rebounded to safety off the inside of the post.

Swans had an Andy Robinson shot well saved and the same player should have done better with a stooping header that failed to test Higgs in the Cheltenham goal.

The understanding between Rory Fallon and Leon Knight was poor and few of Fallon's flick ons went close to his fellow striker.

Darren Pratley was having a decent game, but was being ignored by several of his colleagues, especially Tom Williams, and it was Williams who received the justifiable verbal backlash from Pratley.

Andy Robinson almost put Swans ahead on thirty three minutes with a beautifully floated free kick that Higgs, at full stretch, just managed to turn around the post.
Despite dominating possession, the Swans failed to break the deadlock in the remaining minutes of the half, and went in 0-0.

The plus points in the first half were the form of transfer seeking Andy Robinson, a decent start by all the new signings and the return of Izzy and Garry Monk as a defensive partnership. On the downside, we were creating very little from central midfield, the poor understanding between Knight and Fallon and the lack of ambition in the full backs in getting forward.

Swans started the second half as if the tea had included tranquilisers. The opening 10 minutes of the second half saw Swans gift Cheltenham two goals and but for a Willy save and some wayward finishing it could have been 4-0.

First Izzy totally lost a cross from the right from John Finnigan, allowing the giant Kayode Odejayi to control the ball on his chest before firing a right foot volley past Willy Gueret. Then Brian Wilson had a great chance from a carbon copy move but fired over with just Willy to beat.

Then on 53 minutes Kevin Amankwaah seemed to be trying to shield the ball back to Willy Gueret. He will soon learn Willy will take little responsibility in these situations and Grant McCann was able to steal in and prod the ball past Willy to put Cheltenham two up.

Kenny Jackett reacted by removing O'Leary, Butler and Fallon and sending on Britton, McLeod and Akinfenwa.

However, despite the changes Swans still incredibly seemed to lack passion and belief and it was Cheltenham that continued to create the better chances.

It was 73 minutes before the Swans created a clear opportunity with a Bayo Akinfenwa left foot drive easily saved by Higgs.

Two minutes later Swans got the lifeline their play hardly warranted. Kevin McLeod showed the flash of genius that has become so elusive. He skinned his defender and send in a cross from the bye line that left Higgs for dead and Leon Knight had the simple task of heading home from just 3 yards out.

Swans pushed the dreadful Tom Williams to midfield, for the last 15 minutes but this meant that there were inevitable gaps at the back.

Bayo created havoc with his rampaging runs, Leon buzzed on the right and Knight finally started to look dangerous, but Swans could find no way through.

One defeat is not the end of any promotion dreams but there were some worrying signs today.

Willy's confidence has not improved over the summer and we can but hope that Andy Oakes can put pressure on Willy. Individual defensive errors were the main reason why we missed out on promotion last year and Izzy and Kevin Amankwaah were the guilty parties today. Finally, Kenny Jackett's decision to start Kris O'Leary and Darren Pratley as his central midfield lacked ambition and surely cannot be right for a home game against what is perceived to be weak opposition.

Gueret 4 – Confidence still lost in France.

Amankwaah 5- One dreadful error but otherwise looked pretty good. Lacked ambition going forward.
Monk 6 – Used to thrive on battles with huge centre forwards. Struggled today.
Iriekepen 6 – Old problem of one dreadful error per game continued and cost us dear.
Williams 2 – Thinks he's Roberto Carlos with some long balls but all too often can not see the most obvious of short passes.

Robinson 6 – Slow to get going and tired again in the last 20 minutes.
Pratley 6 – Fits the Jackett bill perfectly. Excellent engine, tall athletic and will run forever. But creativity?
O'Leary 5 – Poor game. Never makes himself an option for his colleagues.
Butler 6 – Did enough to make you think he may be a decent signing.

Knight 6- Got better as the game went on.
Fallon 5 – Won plenty of ball but didn't use it very well.

Subs-

Britton 6 – Buzzed around and linked well with Pratley but final ball could have been better.
McLeod 6- Super cross and flashes of his old self, but body language and rumours would suggest he will not be around too much longer.
Akinfenwa 7 – Never the prettiest but certainly effective in worrying the life out of the Cheltenham defence.