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Press cuttings |
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Saturday, August 03, 2002 Swans are outclassed |
| Evening Post BRIAN Talbot probably did not lose too much sleep last night ater watching Steaua Bucharest outclass Swansea City at Vetch Field. Talbot, who looked on from the directors' box, brings his Rushden & Diamonds side to South Wales a week tomorrow for the game everyone is now waiting for - the Third Division opener. And he will not have seen a great deal to worry him in what was fairly dismal spectacle. But as he plans his assault on Swansea next week, he may look back on his trip west to see this contest as something of a fruitless exercise. Like Vetch player-boss Nick Cusack, he could not have learned much, other than that Steaua, crowned champions of Europe just 16 years ago, are on a different, far higher level than Swansea. Once again in what has been a testing pre-season campaign, Cusack's men faced up to opponents with footballing qualities which they simply will not encounter at the bottom rung of the Nationwide League. "It's difficult to get close to teams with such ability, " admitted Cusack afterwards. Swansea didn't. It was both amazing and unjust that with 86 minutes on the clock last night, the scores were level. In the end, it took Roger Freestone's fumble from a Marian Aliuta cross to give Steaua a richly-deserved win - Adrian Neaga stroking into the empty net. Earlier, the Romanians had missed a hatful of chances as they cut the home defence apart time after time. Twice they were denied the lead by tight offside calls, with the decision to rule out Catalin Lita's 55th-minute header particularly suspect. Swansea, who for long periods did not get so much as a sniff of the ball, not surprisingly created little. Jamie Wood came the closest after James Thomas scooped Paul Reid's 32nd minute corner back into the danger area, but the former Manchester United striker could not get sufficient power on his header to trouble visiting goalkeeper Eugen Nae. Substitute Michael Howard blazed over from close range prior to Steau going ahead, before Andrew Mumford - who had been replaced but came back on for Jason Smith with no other outfield players left on the bench - saw a last-minute free-kick comfortably saved. "Their touch was excellent and it's difficult to live with teams like that, " added Cusack. "There's a chasm really in standards, but this will be a great benefit for us when we start playing for league points. It was a certainly a good fitness exercise. "We did not create much, and home supporters want to see a lot of goalmouth action from the home side, but it's always going to be difficult against Steaua Bucharest. "We only conceded one goal and we did have a couple of chances near the end. "It could have been different if one of those had gone in." Had Swansea scored, the result would have been grossly unfair. Steaua were worthy winners. At this stage, Cusack is, quite rightly, not unduly concerned about a pre-season which has featured only one win compared to three defeats. The worries will only start if his side, which at times looked a little short of ideas going forward last night, misfire when Division Three is off and running. Swansea will send a mixture of youth and reserve team players to Haverfordwest for a friendly tomorrow (3). |
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Saturday, August 03, 2002 Cusack: just be patient |
| Evening Post Nick Cusack has told Swansea City fans to judge him on the club's Third Division performances after suffering a second pre-season defeat in six days at Vetch Field last night. After Crystal Palace's 2-0 success last Friday, Steaua Bucharest ran out worthy winners thanks to Adrian Neaga's 88th-minute strike. The Romanian giants, who beat Barcelona to win the European Cup in 1986, were denied a greater margin of victory by two tight offside decisions and some slack finishing. But Cusack, whose remoulded squad have managed only one pre-season victory so far, believes preparations for the new Nationwide League season are right on course. "I would say be patient, we will be ready on August 10, " said Swansea's playerboss. "I understand the situation as a football manager. You are judged on results, and you can start judging me when the Third Division season starts. "Everybody wants to see wins in pre-season, and had we played against League of Wales sides we probably would have scored three or four in every game. "But we've had no mean pre-season. We've played Peterborough, Leicester City, Den Haag, Crystal Palace and now Steaua Bucharest. I have deliberately made it difficult and the players appreciate that. "If we meet sides of Steaua's quality in Division Three, then it's time to go home, so the results are pretty meaningless." He added: "The guys have worked hard and applied themselves well. They stayed the course against Steaua, and that's all I can ask. "It's all shadow boxing, a dress rehearsal at the moment, and I'm confident that they will not let me down when it really matters. "I'm not worried about pre-season results.I fully expect us to do well when the season starts. "With the standard of opposition in Division Three, I think we have the makings of a decent side." Two key members of that team, Jason Smith and Roger Freestone, looked to be struggling with injury last night, but Cusack played down any concerns. "Jason came off with a dead leg, but he is fine. Roger has got a few aches and pains, but when we need him he will be there." |
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Thursday, August 01, 2002 Steaua players are out to impress |
| Western Mail IT won't simply be Swansea City players aiming to make an impression when former European Cup holders Steaua Bucharest bring their brand of free-flowing football to the Vetch tonight (7.45pm). Two members of the Romanian side's touring squad - Moroccan international goalkeeper Driss Benzekri and former Bordeaux defender Gerard Roland - plan to use the glamour friendly to showcase their talents in the hope of finding a new club. Benzekri and Roland want to leave Steaua - famed for clinching the European Cup in 1986 after defeating Barcelona on penalties - to fulfil ambitions of playing for a British team. Not that team manager Oiaroiu Cosmin wants to let too many players slip through his hands. He is aiming to construct a side capable of winning the Romanian national league next season and, in the longer term, challenging for more success on the European stage. "I am trying to build a team for the future," he said. "We have a lot of young players in the squad and I want to hang onto what I have." Three years after their momentous victory against Barcelona, Steaua reached the European Cup final again but lost out 4-0 to AC Milan. Steaua - a virtual production line for Romania internationals at one point, including the likes of Gheorghe Hagi, Dan Petrescu and Ilie Dumitrescu - then experienced something of a slump during the 1990s. They are keen to recapture former glories, but Cosmin admits it is becoming increasingly difficult to make progress in Europe. "It is getting harder for clubs like ours because Fifa and Uefa try to keep the stronger, wealthier clubs involved in the Uefa Cup and Champions' League," he said. "Those teams enjoy greater protection. They have lots of money to spend on players from clubs across Europe and that is the big difference between them and us. "But Steaua do not have any financial problems now and, hopefully, we can compete with the bigger teams and succeed in Europe again." Steaua continue preparing for their new domestic campaign - which starts on August 17 - against Nick Cusack's side after thrashing Newport County 5-1 on Monday. "I was more or less pleased with how we did against Newport," said Cosmin. "It was pleasing to score five goals, but I was more interested in the performance. "Swansea should provide us with a different game. They will be stronger than Newport, but I feel we can do well against them." Swans midfielder Andrew Mumford is the only first-team player likely to miss tonight's clash. The 21-year-old confirmed yesterday he has broken a bone in his hand after falling heavily during the Crystal Palace match last Friday. Swansea City (from): Freestone, Jenkins, D Smith, O'Leary, J Smith, Theobald, Mumford, Murphy, Thomas, Watkin, Reid, Marsh, Wood, Jackson, Keaveny, Moss, Evans, Phillips, Williams, Howard, Sharp, Lacey, De-Vulgt, Cusack |
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Thursday, August 01, 2002 Young Swans shine |
| Evening Post Hednesford 1 Swansea City 1 A COUPLE of teenage heroes emerging through the mists of battle - it was the stuff of a Hollywood blockbuster in the Black Country last night. Swansea's sixth pre-season warm-up provided the perfect stage to provide fans with 24carat hope for the future in the form of teenagers Simon Cole and Jamie Rewberry. The duo, with a combined age of just 34 between them, were the stars of this friendly which always had the edge of a Third Division encounter. Veteran David Moss had finished off an excellent Steve Watkin-Jon Keaveny move to put Swansea ahead on 18 minutes before Hednesford's Mark Jones bludgeoned a spectacular equaliser six minutes later. But this was just the aperitif to a tasty main dish. Goalkeeper Cole, 18, on for the brave Andy Marsh, who departed proceedings with a knock on 56 minutes, staved off the raging Pitmen with superb handling, courageous dives and a wonderful stop from former Cardiff loan man Paul Ware. Rewberry, 16, who only left school in June, replaced Kris O'Leary 60 seconds after the hour and proceeded to show just why Swansea were overjoyed to have signed him as a first-year trainee despite competition from Premiership Bolton plus First Division Forest. But assitant manager Alan Curtis warned: "Patience isn't a virtue in football, but we won't be rushing the progress of any of our good youngsters. In Simon's case, he was an absolute hero tonight. "The boy took a couple of knocks, but I don't know what we would have done if he'd have been forced off. "He got clattered twice and needed attention from physio Richard Evans but never bottled it." And ex-Welsh international Curtis was piling the praise on Rewberry, too, declaring: "He played for the last half hour, but showed real class with either foot. "The boy is still raw and a baby, of course. But he has a tremendous physique on him. It's frightening to think what he could be like in a couple of years time." On the face of it playermanager Cusack, who gave himself a rare start at Keys Park, and Curtis have a couple of nuggets to replace the likes of Craig Draper, Stephen Healey, Chris O'Sullivan, Chris Todd and James Fox - youngsters axed in May. Curtis added: "Lads like Rewberry are a tribute to our youth system because they chose Swansea over Bolton and Forest. "His potential is there for all to see, but we'll not be rushing any of our young talent at the Vetch. The Third Division is very unforgiving." "There's been so many players in the past who have never fulfilled their potential." After the disappointment of last Friday's 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace, Curtis handed starts to Watkin, Keaveny, Moss and Mike Jackson at Hednesford. A 1-1 draw with the Dr Martens Premier League outfit means the Swansea management will be looking for a step up in tomorrow night's clash with Steau Bucharest at the Vetch. Said Curtis: "I was a little dismayed by certain individuals. Places are still up for grabs. Both Nick and myself will be looking for more in the Bucharest game." Swansea (4-4-2): Marsh (Cole 56), Phillips, Howard, O'Leary, Theobald, Sharp, Cusack, Keaveny, Moss (DeVulgt), Watkin, Jackson. Subs: Jones, Thompson. |
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Wednesday, July 31, 2002 Moss gathers share of the high-octane spoils for Swans |
| Western Mail Pre-Season Friendly: Hednesford Town 1 * Swansea City 1 A FIRST-HALF strike from David Moss gave the Swans a share of the spoils in a high-octane friendly at misty Keys Park last night. Mark Jones's quickfire reply robbed Nick Cusack's side of victory, but it was exciting Vetch youngsters Jamie Rewberry and Simon Cole who took centre stage in the misty Black Country. The duo - both plunged into this battle after the restart - stood out like beacons in the gathering gloom. Goalkeeper Cole, a particular hero, as he spiked the Pitmen's guns with a clutch of heroic late stops. Swansea player-manager Cusack gave himself a first start of the campaign in the centre of midfield - his team's sixth pre- season warm-up. There were also places for five summer signings - including ex-Brenton defender David Theobald. Former Cheltenham link-man Mike Jackson slotted in too - as did rookie 'keeper Andy Marsh, veteran Moss and 21- year- old Jonathan Keaveny in attack. Hednesford, who play in the Dr Martens Premier League, fielded a side studded with Nationwide League experience. Towering ex-Birmingham hitman Kevin Francis was at the cutting edge, ex-Cardiff City loan player Paul Ware and former Sheffield United full-back Richard Lucas also came on. And the men from Staffordshire were firing a goal warning on three minutes as Jones's 18- yarder flashed wide. But it was Swansea who were roaring ahead in the 19th minute with a strike of real quality. Keaveny and Steve Watkin conjured the move in the inside left channel - Moss squeezing an angled drive under 'keeper Mark Gayle. The Swans should have doubled their lead soon after as Keaveny pulled his shot wide of a gaping net. The former Pontardawe player then looked on in dismay as the Pitmen drew level with a rip roaring equaliser on 24 minutes. Leaping Theobald cleared the initial danger as Francis muscled in, but Jones's blistering right-footer whistled past Marsh from 25 yards. Hednesford continued to ask questions after the break and Swansea lost goalkeeper Marsh before the hour as he bravely snuffed out the charging Jones. Cole, just 18, immediately replaced him and the stopper excellent as he diverted Ware's vicious free kick with his right hand. But the youngster - trailed by First Division Leicester months back - needed urgent attention from physio Richard Evans eight minutes from time after an appallingly late challenge on Hednesford substitute Derek Rae. |
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Tuesday, July 30, 2002 Young Swans have chance to impress |
| Western Mail SWANSEA CITY'S youngsters will be handed the chance to impress tonight when the Third Division club travel to Dr Martens Premier League side Hednesford Town (7.45pm). Second-choice goalkeeper Andrew Marsh will start his first game for the Swans, while youth team products Simon Cole (goalkeeper), Jay Thompson and Stuart Jones (defenders) and Jamie Rewbury (utility player) will all be involved. The trip to Staffordshire and next Monday's final warm-up clash at Woking also provide last chances for the fringe players to sneak into the squad for the opening game of the season against Rushden & Diamonds on August 10. Player-coach Nick Cusack didn't mince his words about the performance of some of his first-choice players in Friday's 2- 0 defeat against Crystal Palace and tonight could be the ideal time for others to put themselves back in the picture. "What disappointed me against Palace was the contrast between our first-half performance and how we played against (Dutch side) Den Haag last Tuesday," said Cusack, who may give himself a game against Hednesford. "I won't name names - they know who they are - but certain players were poor on Friday. "They had better be careful because we have got competition in every position now and, as far as I'm concerned, if they can't play I will bring someone in who can. "Sure, these are only pre-season games but the players know what I expect every time we play. They need to meet the standards and they need to get the winning feeling." Swansea squad: Marsh, Theobald, O'Leary, Sharp, Howard, Jackson, De-Vulgt, Cusack, Phillips, Moss, Watkin, Keaveny, Cole, Thompson, Jones, Rewbury. |
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Monday, July 29, 2002 Wood's first-team beliefs |
| Teamtalk Striker Jamie Wood believes his "physical presence and strength" can earn himself a first-team place for The Swans after signing on Friday. The former Manchester United striker, who played for doomed Third Division side Halifax Town last season, has been training with the club since the beginning of pre-season training in the hope of earning himself a permanent move. And following a number of impressive performances for the Swans in their pre-season campaign manager Nick Cusack decided to sign the 23-year-old on a permanent basis. And now Wood says he is concentrating on his football and believes his physical strength and eye for goal will win him a first-team place although he does admit that there are no guarantees. "I want to get my head down, consign last season to the history books and hopefully do well at Swansea," he told the club's website. "I'll bring some physical presence and strength to the forward line, a bit of pace and I'll score some goals. As long as I'm doing that everyone will be happy." Boss' friendly warning Swansea boss Nick Cusack warned his squad they are playing for their futures following a poor display in Friday's 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. Gareth Williams and Danny Butterfield were on target for the visitors, with both goals arriving in the first half at The Vetch. Cusack left his players in no doubt that he had been unimpressed by the performance. He told the club's website: "Certain players didn't help their cause out there. I won't name names, they know who they are, but they'd better be careful. "As far as I'm concerned, if they can't play I'll bring someone in who can." |
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Monday, July 29, 2002 Evans puts himself back in the picture |
| Western Mail TERRY EVANS admitted he feared for his Swansea City place when a broken jaw forced him to miss the final three months of last season. An elbow in the face from Leyton Orient midfielder David Partridge during the Third Division clash at Brisbane Road in February left the defender with a double fracture of the jaw and the frustration of having to watch from the sidelines. But, over the summer, the 26-year-old defender has battled resolutely to be available for next season - to the point where he hopes to cement a place in Nick Cusack's preferred eleven when First Division Crystal Palace visit the Vetch tonight (7pm). "I'm pleased with the progress I've made," said Pontypridd-born Evans, who joined Swansea from Barry Town last October and was ever-present until the injury curtailed his season. "I've had to work hard since suffering the broken jaw. I still wince when I think of the challenge. I saw the player's elbow coming towards me, but I couldn't get out of the way and I was conscious through it all. "The player (Partridge) was sent off, but he should've had more than a three-match ban because I believe the elbowing was intentional. "You can accept being forced out of action with a broken leg or something like that. But you don't expect to be out of football with a broken jaw. "I was worried I might struggle to get back into the side, which was frustrating considering I had played every game since joining." The former Wales Under-21 international, a consistent performer during his six years at Jenner Park, has put the injury nightmare behind him this summer to concentrate on pinning down a place in Cusack's much-changed side. Having successfuly switched from right-back to sweeper, Evans looks to have done just that. "Sweeper is not my preferred position, but I feel I've coped well with the change and, to be honest, I'm just glad to be in the side," said Evans, who returned to action against Peterborough a fornight ago and was outstanding on the Swans' tour of Holland. "I've had Jason Smith and Kris O'Leary alongside me to win the majority of the headers and I'm sure I will get used to the position." Evans is expected to feature in tonight's tough-looking friendly, with the rest of the starting line-up unlikely to alter radically from that which beat FC Den Haag 2-1 in The Hague on Tuesday. Cusack, who is still mulling over the possible signings of trialists Jamie Wood and David Theobald, has told his players he wants a repeat of the slick passing and movement which produced that morale-boosting victory. Palace have named a 17-man squad for their visit, though highly-rated striker Clinton Morrison - a target for Premiership newcomers Birmingham City - is not included. The south London club, who have based themselves in Cardiff this week, beat Cheltenham Town 3-1 on Tuesday en-route to Wales. Admission to the Vetch tonight is £5 each in all parts of the ground. Swansea City (from): Freestone, Evans, D Smith, J Smith, O'Leary, Jenkins, Reid, Murphy, Mumford, Moss, Thomas, Wood, Theobald, Cusack, Williams, Marsh, Howard |
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Monday, July 29, 2002 £50,000 out of Sky for Swans clash with Wolves |
| Western Mail SWANSEA CITY are in line for a £50,000 windfall after Sky Sports announced plans to televise live the club's mouthwatering Worthington Cup clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Of Wales's three Football League clubs, Swansea had the pick of yesterday's draw when they were handed a first-round home tie against the First Division promotion favourites. To accommodate Sky, the money-spinning encounter will be switched from September 10 to Wednesday, September 11, but plans to move it to the Thursday were blocked when Wrexham refused to push back the first Welsh derby of the season to Sunday September 15. "It is fantastic that we are playing Wolves at home and even better news that Sky have chosen to televise the match," said player-coach Nick Cusack last night. "It has added extra spice to what is already a potentially mouthwatering occasion in front of our own supporters. "And I'm sure the board of directors will be delighted with the financial boost the game will provide." Swansea, who last played in front of Sky's cameras when they thumped QPR 4-0 in an FA Cup clash at the Vetch last November, confirmed the fixture after returning from their pre-season tour of Holland last night. "Drawing Wolves in the cup vindicates our decision to go to Holland and play against top-quality opposition," added Cusack. "It should be a great occasion for our supporters and Wolves will not relish coming to the Vetch." Cusack has the perfect opportunity to assess Dave Jones's side - who threw away promotion to the Premier-ship last season - when Wolves face Cardiff City in a pre-season friendly at Ninian Park next Wednesday. Cardiff City will travel to either Football League newcomers Boston or Severnside rivals Bristol Rovers for their first round of the Worthington competition. Boston, last season's Nationwide Conference champions, and Rovers, who finished last but one in the Third Division, will be involved in a playoff match on August 20 for the right to play the Bluebirds. City manager Lawrence said he would prefer to play the Bristol club. "It's not too far for us to travel and Bristol Rovers would be a game our fans would relish," he said last night. "But whether it's Rovers or Boston, we fancy our chances." Promotion is the No 1 priority at Ninian Park this season - but Lawrence insisted that the Bluebirds will be taking this competition seriously. "We're looking to win every game this season and we're not going to go through the motions just because it's the Worthington Cup," he said. "We've got a squad big enough to cope with a cup run. I've got a first-team squad of 22 players." A date with Boston would mean Lawrence meeting up with one of his former players, their striker Daryl Clare. "I had him for a couple of years at Grimsby. He never really broke through but I always felt he could do a job in the Second or Third Division," he said. "He decided to drop into the Conference with Boston and I'm sure he'll be licking his lips if his team have to play Cardiff. He'll want to prove me wrong." Like Swansea, Wrexham drew a home tie against First Division opposition with cash-strapped Bradford visiting the Racecourse in September. |
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Sunday, July 28, 2002 . . . But Swans lack the killer punch |
| Evening Post
Nick Cusack yesterday completed his summer rebuilding work with two more signings, then watched his reshaped side slip to a 2-0 defeat in their first preseason game at Vetch Field. |
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