SWANSEA CITY beat the big freeze by training on the beach yesterday. But tomorrow’s Second Division match against Brentford at the Vetch Field could fall victim to the winter weather.

Swans manager John Hollins took his squad for a work-out on the sands at Swansea Bay yesterday.

There was no snow on the Vetch Field pitch but the ground was frozen solid.

“At present the pitch is dangerous. A thaw is needed to make it playable on Saturday but more frost is fore-cast,” said Peter Owen, the club’s communications officer.

Hollins will be disappointed if the bad weather denies his players the opportunity to build on their confidence-boosting 3-l Boxing Day victory over second-placed Walsall - the Swans’ first win in 12 league games.

“We played like a side capable of establishing itself in this division, which is what I have always believed,” he said.

“Winning was the important thing. If we can do it against a good side which has come down from the First Division, we should be all right.

“We showed we could compete at this level by defeating another strong side, Stoke City.

“But we must be more determined to beat sides further down the Division Two table.

“Our fans were terrific against Walsall. Even after we went a goal down in the third minute, they stayed behind the boys.

“Conceding that early goal seemed to make us more determined to get the ball down and concentrate on turning them round which we did.

“We scored a terrific equaliser and built on it.

“But we have got to lift the fans by continuing to make things happen for ourselves.

“Things are looking up and I would like to think we can do the same against Brentford, weather permit-ting.”

Swansea City boss John Hollins paid credit to his players today for remaining totally focused over the Christmas period.

Hollins was still savouring their 3-1 Boxing Day victory over Second Division high-flyers Walsall which ended a run of 12 games without a win.

"There were some funny four and five-goal results about on Boxing Day," explained Hollins.

"That's what can happen with all the Christmas distractions.

"But I've got to give my players credit because they have remained focused throughout.

"There was nothing strange about our result because we thoroughly deserved it.

"We trained on the Sunday after Wycombe and even on Christmas Day.

"That's how determined we were to end our run and I think it showed, especially in the second half."

Hollins did give his players a deserved day off yesterday, but they were back with their feet firmly on the icy ground this morning in preparation for the visit of Brentford to Vetch Field on Saturday.

"We are certainly not getting carried away," added Hollins.

"Walsall was only one game and we've still got a hell of a lot to do."

The Swansea manager will be without Martin Thomas for the Brentford battle after the midfielder sustained an ankle injury at Wycombe which forced him to watch the Walsall win on crutches.

It was first feared that Thomas had broken his ankle, but fortunately X-rays revealed severe swelling and bruising instead.

"He's walking a lot better today," revealed Hollins.

"Knowing Tommo he'll want to play on Saturday, but I think it will be another four or five days yet."

Meanwhile, Swansea's official travel club, FOSCFA, have a few £20 seats available for the New Year's Day trip to Colchester, picking up at Morriston Cross (7am) and the Quadrant (7.15am).

For further details, tel: 01792 462584 or 01792 413423.

Swansea City claimed their first league win in 12 matches when they came from behind to beat promotion chasing Walsall and take the pressure off manager John Hollins.

Brett Angell had given Walsall the lead after three minutes but Swansea were level after 19 minutes when Giovanni Savarese turned in a David Romo cross. It stayed all square until the 55th minute when Swansea went ahead with a goal from Steve Jones. Ryan Casey floated in a free kick and Jones rose to send a looping header over goalkeeper James Walker.

Swansea sealed matters in the 76th minute when Steve Watkin headed home a Jones free kick and Walsall's misery continued two minutes from time when Tom Bennett missed a penalty awarded for a foul by Jones on Darren Wrack.

It took a long time coming, but it was well worth the wait. Swansea City had lost the feeling, the winning feeling. That is until this Boxing Day cracker lifted the relegation gloom that had settled over Vetch Field.

If John Hollins was aware of it, he wasn't letting on, but his Swansea side were just 90 minutes away from writing their names in the Vetch Field record books.

They did it last season with a record-breaking run of clean sheets and consecutive wins, but this time it would have been for all the wrong reasons.

It was way back in the 1937-38 season that Swansea went a record 12 League games without a win. The current Swansea class of 2000 were already on 11, plus a FA Cup defeat, and another League fall against second-placed Walsall would have blackened the names of a squad that brought the first championship back to Vetch Field last season.
It looked to be heading that way when Walsall powered into a third-minute lead in-front of a festive following that were already preparing themselves for another disappointing afternoon.

Even before Swansea had settled, defender Jason Smith misjudged a long clearance from Andy Tillson and Brett Angell found himself latching onto a poor back header to hammer beyond a stunned Roger Freestone.

"There was a shout from somewhere behind me, it might have even been one of them,'' explained Smith. "But it was a hopeless header anyway.''

"The crowd died a death when that went in so early on,'' added Matthew Bound. "You could hear them thinking, 'oh no here we go again'.''

There was little to suggest otherwise early on as Angell and, in particular, Darren Byfield, posed a constant threat as Swansea's back-four gave them far too much room and respect. But slowly Swansea regained their composure as Ryan Casey, making his first Vetch Field start in over a year, made an impressive opening with a superb run and cross which Giovanni Savarese just failed to meet ahead of goalkeeper James Walker.

Casey's early showing, which was only thwarted when Walsall doubled up on the 21-year-old, lifted Swansea as they pulled back Angell's opener in the 19th minute.

It was a goal of international quality. A quick throw from Welsh goalkeeper Freestone found English-born Michael Howard. From there Ireland's Casey took it on down the left before Frenchman David Romo beat his marker to whip in a superb cross which Venezuelan hit-man Savarese forced home from close range.

It was Savarese's eighth goal of the season so far - and arguably just as important as the other seven.

You could feel the expectation level rise, both on and off the field, as Savarese ran on to a Jason Price flick only to see Swansea's penalty appeal for handball against Ian Roper waved away.

And when Tom Bennett met a Zigor Aranalde free-kick with a goalbound header in the 31st minute, Swansea knew their luck was in when Angell decided to needlessly help it in with a header which was ruled out for offside.

Hollins had bemoaned his luck in recent weeks as everything the opposition touched flew into the back of the Swansea net. This time Lady Luck was not kicking Swansea where it hurts most.

Five minutes after the restart and Darren Wrack headed a great Byfield cross over the bar from a glorious position, while Pedro Matias fired into the side netting after a defence splitting pass from Gabor Bukran.

Swansea took full advantage when Howard swung in a 56th minute cross which the outstanding Jones met with a strong goalbound header which somehow managed to creep in at the near post with what looked like a slight touch from Steve Watkin.

"That's the first time in a long while we've scored what I call a luvky goal,'' pointed out Hollins.

Watkin celebrated, as all good strikers should, but it was Jones who was eventually credited with the goal.

"Of course I'm claiming it,'' declared Jones who celebrated his 30th birthday on Christmas Day.

"I didn't touch it,'' admitted Watkin. "Anyway he doesn't score many and it is Christmas after all!''

If Swansea's equaliser had lifted expectations, their second lifted a huge weight off the shoulders of everyone at Vetch Field. After all, the last time Swansea tasted victory was way back on October 14 when they beat Stoke 2-1.

Watkin could have added a third in the 70th minute when he latched onto a good ball from Price only to try a cross instead of a shot.

But it was soon forgotten as Jones was felled by Aranalde seven minutes later. Casey delivered a perfect free kick to the far post and Watkin lost his marker to plant a diving header past Walker.

Savarese applied a finishing touch on the line, but there was no way Watkin was giving this one away.

"That was definitely mine,'' declared Watkin. "It was over the line before Gio touched it.''

"It doesn't matter who scores the goals as long as we win,'' replied Savarese diplomatically. "I don't know if it was over the line before I touched it, but perhaps we can have half a goal each.''

Swansea, whose committed second-half performance was typified by the spoiling display of skipper Nick Cusack, were in no mood to throw it all away at such a late stage.

Referee Tony Leake tried his best to spoil Swansea's Christmas in the last minute when he found Jones guilty of bringing down Wrack inside the area.

It was a controversial decision which would not have stood up in-front of a jury, although the punishment eventually fitted the crime when Freestone pulled off a superb penalty save from Bennett which prevented a nervous two minutes of injury time.

"I couldn't see why he gave the penalty,'' added Holins. "Perhaps the magnificent save from Roger was justification for what to me was not a penalty.

"In fact, I thought overall we got what we deserved - a very good win.''

Swansea City: Freestone, Jones (S), Howard, Smith, Bound, Price, Cusack, Romo, Casey, Watkin, Savarese. Subs: Jenkins for Casey (88mins). Not used: O'Leary, Lacey, Roberts, Mounty.

Walsall: Walker, Brightwell, Tillson, Bukran, Bennett, Matias, Wrack, Roper, Angell, Byfield, Aranalde. Subs: Ekelund for Byfield (72mins), Leitao for Matias (72mins). Not used: Emberson, Keates, Gadsby.

Ref: Tony Leake (Lancashire).

Score summary: Walsall; Angell (3mins). Swansea; Savarese (19mins), Jones (56mins), Watkin (77mins).
Bookings: Walsall; Aranalde (foul), Bukran (foul).
Att: 5,795.

Star choice: Steve Jones.

Swansea City's long wait for a victory finally came to an end when they delivered a knockout Boxing Day blow to high-flying Walsall at Vetch Field.

Goals from Giovanni Savarese, Steve Jones and Steve Watkin ended a run of 12 games without a win and lifted them out of the bottom three.

The 3-1 win was the perfect Christmas present for John Hollins whose managerial position could have been called into question on the back of yet another defeat.

Chairman Neil McClure, voted this week in a Radio Five poll as the second most hated chairman in British football behind Aston Villa's Doug Ellis, may not have been there to see it, but Swansea's rousing second- half performance brought a huge smile to the face of Hollins, his squad and their success-starved fans.

"We are on our way," said Hollins. "I'm not saying we are back, but three points makes one hell of a difference.

"We all love the winning feeling, even though it's taken us a bit of time to feel it. We've got blood on the nose and kicks on the shin against a very good team, but it's a great feeling because I thought we deserved it.

"We've taken a bit of stick and a few hammerings from teams in recent weeks, but to come back and win 3-1 takes some guts."

The victory — the first since they beat Stoke 2-1 on October 14 — moved Swansea above Port Vale and into 21st place.

Another win over Brentford on Saturday and Swansea could find themselves out of the bottom four and within touching distance of mid-table.

"If we want to go up the table, we've got to do it all over again against Brentford and week in, week out after that," warned Hollins.

Walsall boss Ray Graydon — the defeat equalled their heaviest of the season — was not impressed with Swansea's victory, blasting: "In footballing terms, Swansea are not in the same league as us."

Walsall manager Ray Graydon has delivered a shape up or ship out ultimatum to his unhappy travellers.

Graydon has warned he is prepared to undergo a New Year shake-up unless there is an improvement in fortunes away from Bescot.

The Walsall boss didn't try to conceal his annoyance and frustration after seeing his side crash to a 3-1 reverse at struggling Swansea yesterday - a setback that left Saddlers reflecting on a run of one draw and four defeats from their last five away games.

Walsall take that disappointing sequence to Oldham with them on Saturday with Graydon admitting he will consider personnel changes if his promotion hopefuls continue to under-achieve on the road.

"If we continue doing what we are doing on the road then we won't win promotion," said Graydon.

"There is one way I can change things and that is to change the players. That is the ultimate decision, to get rid of some and get some more in.

"That will be the next stage because I have done everything else.

"We have a great pattern of play and a good squad of players, but we are not defending well enough as a group.

"I have worked and worked and worked on our defending away from home, but in the end it comes down to mentality.

"We are going away to Oldham on Saturday and obviously I am not going to do any business between now and then.

"But after that I will be looking at changing things if there isn't an improvment. By that I mean getting some players in and getting some out."

Graydon, who made one enforced and three further alterations yesterday to the side that beat Cambridge 3-1 at the weekend, was far from impressed with his team's defensive work but stressed that had nothing to do with his decision to rest players.

"It had absolutely nothing to do with making changes," added Graydon.

"It was the same old story. We had our chances, looked the better side and then gave the opposition a goal.

"We are making too many individual mistakes and as a group and not defending as stoutly and strongly as we should. The goals we gave away were awful.

"When the ball needs kicking in Row Z, it should be kicked in Row Z."

SWANSEA CITY gave their manager John Hollins the perfect Christmas present when they registered their first win in 12 league matches with a 3-1 victory over Walsall at The Vetch.

A delighted Hollins said, “It’s a nice feeling - I had almost forgotten what it was like. But now we must build on the success and follow it up with another good performance against Brentford on Saturday.

“We showed a lot of courage and character to come back from conceding that one goal and deserved victory against a good Walsall side.

“I could see why they are up there near the top, but we also played well once we forced our way back into the game. ” Swans’ defender Matthew Bound said, “This was a massive win for us. We needed it badly. We went 1-0 down but no-one gave up.

“We stuck to the task and in the end we turned it round and we beat them quite emphatically. Our equaliser was a brilliant goal and from then on we went from strength to strength. I don’t see why this shouldn’t be the springboard for the rest of our season.

“The only people talking about us going down are the press and a few of the fans. In our position I suppose they have every right to say that.

“But nobody within the camp, players or staff believes that we are going to go down. We will stick at it and hopefully get out of trouble.”

Walsall boss Ray Graydon has a full squad available as he prepares his men for their to trip Swansea.

The Saddlers, who suffered a 2-0 defeat against Millwall last week, will be looking to build on Saturday's 3-1 win against Cambridge.

The star of the match was Hungarian international midfielder Gabor Bukran who scored two magnificent goals and often ran the show, particularly in the first half.

Graydon was obviously delighted with the win but insists his side must be more ruthless in front of goal.

He said: "We scored three goals at home and yet we have had anxiety. The problem is we are creating so many chances, and we should have been sitting comfortably having a brandy and a cigar in the second half."

Swansea manager John Hollins is likely to stick with transfer-listed duo Jason Price and Giovanni Savarese for his side's home clash with high-flying Walsall.

Both players were selected for the Swans' clash at Wycombe on Saturday, but they were unable to prevent the Welsh outfit losing 2-1.

But the club are hopeful that Hollins' men can again rise to the occasion when Ray Graydon's high-flying side visit Vetch Field.

A spokesman said: "It's going to be tricky but some of our best performances have been against the top teams.

"It seems to bring out the best in the players, we will hopefully have a big crowd and the players have done well in front of the big crowds."

Swansea manager John Hollins is likely to stick with transfer-listed duo Jason Price and Giovanni Savarese for his side's home clash with high-flying Walsall.

Both players were selected for the Swans' clash at Wycombe on Saturday, but they were unable to prevent the Welsh outfit losing 2-1.

But the club are hopeful that Hollins' men can again rise to the occasion when Ray Graydon's high-flying side visit Vetch Field. A spokesman said: "It's going to be tricky but some of our best performances have been against the top teams. "It seems to bring out the best in the players, we will hopefully have a big crowd and the players have done well in front of the big crowds."

Walsall boss Ray Graydon has the pleasure of selecting from a full complement of players. The Saddlers, who suffered a 2-0 defeat against Millwall last week, will be looking to build on Saturday's 3-1 win against Cambridge.

The star of the match was Hungarian international midfielder Gabor Bukran who scored two magnificent goals and often ran the show, particularly in the first half.

Graydon was obviously delighted with the win but insists his side must be more ruthless in front of goal.

He said: "We scored three goals at home and yet we have had anxiety. The problem is we are creating so many chances, and we should have been sitting comfortably having a brandy and a cigar in the second half."

SWANSEA City chief Neil McClure has been dubbed British footballs second most disliked chairman, according to a Radio Five poll. McClure came second only to Aston Villa chief Doug Ellis.

The unofficial poll was part of a debate on what makes a good and bad football chairman on the Ian Payne afternoon show. A number of callers rang in to make complaints about Ellis. But it was McClure, rather than any other Premiership chairman, who then seemed to be the most disliked, according to presenter Payne.

Swans fans contacted the radio station to voice their feelings. Among the points they made was the fact that McClure is an Arsenal season-ticket holder, and that he supports Norwich City. McClure, who was unavailable for comment last night, will probably shrug off the criticism.

He knows being chairman of a football club, more often than not, does not win you any popularity contests. But clearly Swansea fans are unhappy about the predicament the club have got into and seem to put most of the blame at the door of McClure and his much-criticised sidekick at the club, managing director Mike Lewis.

Some rumours suggest there might even be a fans' protest at the Boxing Day clash with Walsall at the Vetch, should the Swans lose the game. To compound matters, Wales's leading bookmaker, Jack Brown, has made the Swans 2-1 ON to be relegated at the end of the season.

And the bookies believe the boardroom bust-up which led to Steve Hamer being abruptly dismissed as chairman. Is the No 1 reason for the club's dramatic slide towards the bottom.

"When you have boardroom squabbles, it filters down the football club," said Jack Brown spokesman Karl Williams. "I've seen it happen at other football clubs and, to be honest, we don't hold out much hope on the Swans keeping their Division Two place.

"The team seem to be in disarray and some players have been put on the transfer list.
"If Swansea fans do think the club can avoid relegation, you can back them at 6-4."
If Swans fans fancy a couple of whacky bets. Jack Brown is offering a couple of Christmas specials. They are offering 100-1 on McClure and Hamer kissing and making up by sharing a Yuletide drink.

And they are also offering 1,000-1 on Cyril the Swan being knighted in the New Year's Honours list.
"Although I think we can probably make that one million to one and we still wouldn't lose," smiled Williams.

WYCOMBE kept up the pressure on the play-off pack thanks to a first-half brace from leading scorer Andy Rammell. Rammell bagged his first when he gleefully deflected Thompson's curling shot past goalkeeper Freestone.

With Swansea in disarray, Rammell added his second when he superbly volleyed home after fine work from Carroll and Thompson.

Roberts drilled a powerful shot home, but it was not enough for Swansea, who were made to pay for being caught cold by Rammell.

JOHN HOLLINS enters probably the most critical week of his Vetch stewardship hoping that a first victory in 10 league matches will reignite Swansea City's ailing season.

The Swans have plunged to third from bottom of Division Three after collecting only five points from the last 30 and Hollins is hoping his play-ers reverse the trend today at Wycombe Wanderers.

"One win would change the face of things," said the Swansea manager, remaining upbeat despite his team's disappointing run of results.

"Something needs to spark, and I think a win will spark things off."

Wycombe are a competitive, tough-tackling side. Not surprising since their manager, Lawrie Sanchez, was an original member of Wimbledon's "Crazy Gang."

Currently in eighth spot, Wycombe are chasing a play-off place but their cause has been hit by injuries. Top scorer Sean Devine is out for the season and talented winger Jermaine McSporran is also currently sidelined.

"It will be a very tough game. They've done very well and spent a bit of money on players. They're a team that deserves respect," said Hollins, whose side also have festive home games with third-placed Walsall and Brentford.

"We've lost a few players through injury, like Steve Jones and Jason Smith, and we've had to change our style, play in different ways.

"But that's not the reason why we've not been doing well. Some of the finishing by our opponents has been excellent.

"We're being punished for making mistakes. In a lower division we probably wouldn't have been punished for making those mistakes, but we're in a higher division now.

"Last season we won games relatively easily but now we're being tested.

"We've come up against strikers who have cost £500,000, £1m or - as was the case last week at Bournemouth - someone (Jermaine Defoe) valued at £1.6m.

"But these players have still got two arms, two legs and one head. Certain individuals can change a match but you can't beat terrific teamwork. That won us the Third Division championship last season.

"Teams in the Second are better all-round. The defenders are better, the midfielders are calmer with the ball and then you've got the strikers. We have to adapt."

Hollins can pick virtually his strongest side for the clash at Adams Park, striker Giovanni Savarese is back to full fitness and defender Mathew Bound has completed his three-match suspension.

"It's all about getting that consistency. In the Second Division the players have got to think a lot more.

"We were a strong team last season and we're still a strong team. To put all your effort in getting halfway up the table is a hard thing but it's a lot easier than winning a championship.

"To win a championship, as we did last season, you have to be sharp every week."

Strangely, Swansea's barren run began after they recorded one of their best results of the season, a 2-1 home win over Stoke on October 14.

Admittedly, Hollins's men have not had the rub of the green. Deflected goals and dubious penalties have played their part, but the Swans'manager refuses to cite bad luck as an excuse.

"We've been pretty solid but the first goal is killing us off," added Hollins. "That was certainly the case at Bournemouth. We've got to come back if we concede the first goal.

"We did that at Cambridge. We were 3-0 down at half-time and drew 3-3. That shows the character that's in the side.

"All the material is there. We've got to start putting it together. We need something to spark and a win will do that. Winning is terrific and losing can get you down.

"There have been some good points this season. We won at Notts County and beat Luton 4-0.

"We need to make something happen during matches and create more chances. We've got to have that confidence to push forward.

There is pressure on Hollins to draft in new faces but he believes he has a squad that can finish in mid-table.

"I'm never happy with the squad, but we're OK at the moment," he explained.

"The morale and spirit here is very good. We've had a Christmas party. Everybody has to have relaxation. You can't push people all the time."