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Press cuttings |
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Saturday, September 21, 2002 Hartlepool stand as example of what Swans can achieve |
| Western Mail SHOULD Brian Flynn need an extra crumb of comfort ahead of his first game in charge of Swansea City today he would do well to consider the position Hartlepool were in this time last year. Twelve months ago the north-east club were in the same position as Swansea: rock bottom of the Football League after collecting only six points from their opening nine games. But Hartlepool staged a dramatic about-turn, reaching the Third Division play-offs by virtue of finishing seventh following an extraordinary mid-season run. While it may be optimistic to think Swansea can do the same, it would not be foolish of Flynn to respond to the doom and gloom merchants by holding Hartlepool up as an example of how things can change. "That just shows what can be achieved," said Kevin Reeves, Flynn's No 2 at the Vetch. "Yes, Brian and I take over with Swansea bottom of the league, but it's not all doom and gloom because it's still fairly early in the season. "But, at the same time, we have to be realistic about the situation. If we take the attitude that there is plenty of time left, that could work against us. "That's not to say the situation is critical, but we need to start getting points on the board. We do not want to be cast adrift at the bottom." Flynn and Reeves have named virtually a full squad for the visit of Torquay United, although Alan Curtis, who is staying on to form a new three-man coaching team, will have a major say in team selection. "Although it's lovely to be back involved, the first couple of days have been hectic for Brian and myself," said Reeves. "It's often a case of just getting through when you first start. "We haven't had much chance to work with the players, so we have lent very much on Alan for guidance and advice. The players were very lively at our first training session and will hopefully raise their game against Torquay - as often happens when a new manager comes in." Things can scarcely get any worse for the Swans. Thumped 4-0 by Wrexham in the Welsh derby last Saturday, the Third Division side then slid to 92nd in English football's pyramid for the first time after a 1-0 defeat at Boston in midweek. That game marked the end of Nick Cusack's six-month spell in charge and the former player-coach leaves the legacy of a side that has leaked 19 goals in nine games. "Brian and I are aware of the areas that need strengthening," said Reeves. "We need to stop conceding goals, though we're realistic enough to know we're not going to work miracles. It may take a little time to sort things out. "But the players need to believe in themselves and, hopefully, with a new management team in place they will all be keen to impress and start afresh. "The most important thing is how they react to the defeat at Boston. And, as professional footballers, they shouldn't want to spend much time at the bottom of the Football League. "In a sense, all games are must-win games if you're down the bottom. But, to be sensible, we are not going to win every game. There will be some bad results along the way." The new management duo are missing Andrew Mumford through illness and long-term injury victims Jason Smith (groin) and Neil Sharp, who is expected to be out for another month with ankle ligament damage. Leroy Rosenior's Torquay - un-beaten in six games and 2-1 victors at Shrewsbury Town in midweek - will include former Cardiff City midfielder Jason Fowler. Midfielder Kevin Hill (ankle) and defender Lee Canoville (thigh) face late fitness tests. |
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Saturday, September 21, 2002 Cusack turns to PFA after Swans' offer |
| Western Mail NICK CUSACK looks certain to pursue a career within the Professional Footballers' Association after rejecting Swansea City's offer to stay on as a player. Cusack's six-month spell in charge of the Swans ended on Thursday when the Third Division club appointed former Wrexham manager Brian Flynn as director of football and Kevin Reeves as first-team coach. And yesterday 36-year-old Cusack, who succeeded Colin Addison in the Vetch Field hot-seat in March, brought the curtain down on his five-year Swansea career by deciding not to carry on playing. The former player-coach, released from the remaining eight months of his contract, is unlikely to seek re-election to the post of PFA chairman in November as he would need a playing contract to do so. But The Western Mail understands Cusack, who is held in high regard by the union's chief executive Gordon Taylor, will spend a few days a week working for the PFA and could be offered a permanent post within the organisation. Taylor's deputy, Mick McGuire, travelled to Swansea yesterday to speak to Cusack and the former Leicester and Oxford player could start work for the union as soon as next week. Yesterday Cusack, who had been at the Vetch since arriving from Fulham in October 1997, declined to comment about his future. But, in a statement released through the club, he said, "It is very disappointing and extremely regrettable for all concerned that my time at Swansea should have come to an end the way it has. Having said that, football is a results-driven business and I can under-stand and appreciate why the changes have been made. "I would like to thank the board of directors for allowing me the opportunity to manage the club and even though it hasn't worked out as we all would have wished, I will always be grateful for the chance they gave me. "In addition, I would like to say a big thank you to the supporters who have stood by me all the way. We have been through such a lot together during my time at the club - good and bad - and that means I'll always hold them and the club close to me. They are passionate, committed and loyal and they deserve a successful football club." Cusack also praised his former assistant, Alan Curtis, who has accepted Flynn's invitation to work alongside him and Reeves. "I'm delighted that Brian has asked me to stay," said Curtis, set to have an "all encompassing" role in the new Vetch regime. "Before I could make a decision, I had to speak to Nick because I didn't want to be seen to be leaving him in the lurch, but he was delighted for me in fairness." Flynn took training for the first time yesterday and aims to get his Swans career off to a winning start when inform Torquay United visit the Vetch today. The former Wales midfielder must halt a slide that has seen Swansea slip to the bottom of the Football League for the first time in their 90-year history. |
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Friday, September 20, 2002 Flynn is new Swans chief |
| Western Mail Swansea City have unveiled Brian Flynn as director of football at the Vetch Field. Kevin Reeves has also been appointed as first team coach but no decision has been made on the futures of player-manager Nick Cusack and his assistant Alan Curtis. The Swans have been on a downward spiral since winning the Third Division title in the 1999/2000 season. They were relegated the following season as they battled to stay in existence. Last season they finished a lowly 20th in the Third Division and have now slipped to the bottom of the Football League for the first time in their 90-year history following last night's 1-0 defeat against Boston United at York Street. Swansea have won just one out of nine league games this season and former Wales winger Flynn, who spent 12 years in charge at Wrexham, becomes the fourth boss in the last 12 months for the Swans. The 46-year-old must now try and lift his new charges for Saturday's clash with Torquay United at the Vetch Field. A statement from the Swansea board of directors read: "Brian's successful career in football to date both as a player for Leeds United and of course for Wales, and as manager of Wrexham is well documented and respected and everyone at Swansea believes that he will play a major role in bringing success to the club in the future." |
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Thursday, September 19, 2002 Swansea unveil Flynn |
| BBC Online Swansea City have confirmed the appointments of Brian Flynn and Kevin Reeves. Flynn has been installed as the club's director of football with Reeves taking over as first team coach. The future roles of former player-manager Nick Cusack and his assistant Alan Curtis remain unclear. Discussions are ongoing with Cusack, 36, to determine whether he will keep playing for the club. It is unlikely he will continue with any coaching duties. Curtis, though, could still be a part of the coaching set-up. "Everyone will know that Nick has given 100% commitment both on and off the pitch during the latter part of last season and the early part of this season," Swansea said in a statement. "He has made a number of important signings for the club in the close season and in all respects has led by example from the front. "Despite his own personal efforts, however, the team has not got off to the sort of start which the board, Nick and everyone else involved with the club were anticipating." Swansea first tried to bring Flynn to The Vetch last April, only for the deal to fall through at the last minute. The stumbling block seemed to have been Flynn's insistence that Reeves, his assistant at Wrexham for eight years, would come with him. Swansea's 1-0 defeat to Boston United on Wednesday night has left them rock bottom of the Third Division. Neath-born Flynn has been out of soccer since ending his 12-year reign at The Racecourse in September 2001. He won 66 caps in a career which saw him play for Burnley, Leeds, Cardiff City and Wrexham. Flynn's managerial reign at Wrexham saw him win a promotion and establish the north Wales club as an FA Cup giant-killing side. But Flynn decided he needed a break from the game after leaving The Racecourse and did just that apart from occasional coaching sessions at Burnley. |
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Thursday, September 19, 2002 OVER - AND OUT |
| Evening Post Nick Cusack last night hinted that the imminent appointment of Brian Flynn as new Swansea City manager would bring the curtain down on his five-year Vetch Field career. With Flynn due to be unveiled alongside former Wrexham No. 2 Kevin Reeves at a press conference this afternoon, the outgoing player-boss indicated that his association with Swansea would come to an end. "I have got to sit down and talk with certain people, but if a new management team are going to come in obviously that's going to undermine any role I will have at the club, " Cusack said. "And I do not think anybody can criticise me for wanting to go in a different direction." It is understood Cusack learned of his fate by phone a couple of hours before kick-off in last night's 1-0 loss at Boston, a reverse which made it two league wins in 17 attempts during Cusack's brief spell at the helm and left Swansea bottom of the Football League for the first time in their history. The 36-year-old was expecting a managerial shake-up after meeting with Vetch director Huw Jenkins on Monday, but nothing was confirmed until last night. Cusack added: "People have decided with the run of results that things are going to change and that's out of my control. They have put money into the club and that's their prerogative. "I still think it's early in the process to make a change. It does take time to gel new players and you have to be given time to get key players back from injury. But that's what happens in football and I'm not bitter." There had been a suggestion Cusack could remain at the Vetch as a player, but the former Fulham, Motherwell and Leicester midfielder now looks set to hang up his boots. "I have enjoyed every minute of my career but I am going to be 37 soon, and you have to look at the circus of going to Hartlepool, Darlington and Carlisle and ask 'Where does it lead?' "As a manager, I looked forward to the challenge, but it's not worked out for me and that's happened to hundreds of others and that's the way it goes." Flynn, who has been out of work since parting company with Wrexham last autumn, said before last night's defeat: "Kevin Reeves will be with me and I really cannot wait. "It has been great to have a break, but it's been 12 months now and we are itching to get back into the game. We have got to get back to winning games soon." Cusack added: "I hope and pray that the person who comes in will get success for Swansea City because the fans deserve it. They are tremendously loyal, have tremendous passion and I desperately want to see the club succeed. I will be hoping and praying every week we can get three points to move up the table." The future of current assistant manager Alan Curtis remains unclear, while Professional Footballers' Association chairman Cusack is already being linked with a career at the players' union. On a night of high drama Boston caretaker player-manager Neil Thompson also quit his position. |
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Thursday, September 19, 2002 IT'S NOW UP OR OUT FOR SORRY SWANS |
| Evening Post Brian Flynn took over the reins at Swansea City today knowing the only way is up - hopefully. The former Wrexham boss, who was due to be unveiled as Swansea's new manager at a press conference this afternoon, watched on from the stands last night as his new club slipped to the very bottom of the Football League for the first time in their 90-year history. The man who worked miracles in his 12-year stint at The Racecourse must now pull a few rabbits out of the hat to lift a Swansea side who reached new lows last night. Led for the final time by outgoing player-boss Nick Cusack at York Street, the visitors produced another abject display to leave them propping up the rest of the Football League. There was no lack of effort from Swansea, but they rarely looked like taking the points from Boston on a night tinged with sadness for the 200-or-so travelling fans. It was almost fitting that 'The Final Countdown' should be played on the Tannoy as the teams came onto the field. The hardy away support made their views clear with songs backing the current man in charge, but right from the start the long journey to Lincolnshire seemed to be the end of the road for Cusack's Swansea. It remains unclear whether the players knew of their boss's fate before kick-off, with Cusack rumoured to have heard by mobile phone just a couple of hours beforehand - hardly ideal preparation for a basement battle. Such timing would not be the smartest move made by the men in charge at the Vetch, and the very decision to remove Cusack nine league games into the new season will be viewed as a little premature in some outsiders' eyes. Club captain Kristian O'Leary had rightly pointed out during the speculation-filled build-up to the game that both Jan Molby and John Hollins had steered Swansea to similarly slow starts in recent years before going onto greater things come springtime. Ten new signings - of Cusack's choice - were sanctioned in the summer as the man installed in April was backed all the way by the club's board. Yet less than seven weeks into the new campaign, Cusack has become the first managerial casualty of 2002-03. There is a hint of panic about such a change of direction. Those in favour could cite last night's reverse in their defence, as Swansea failed to frighten a team playing non-league football just a few months ago. After Jamie Wood's touch had let him down when through on goal, Boston went ahead nine minutes before the break to liven up a dour contest. A long-range free-kick was easily flicked on by Steve Burton, and Simon Weatherstone was allowed all the time and space required in the box to smack past Roger Freestone. Here was another example of the sleepy defending which characterised Cusack's time in charge. "I have got a good relationship with the players and to be fair they have worked hard for me in the majority of games, " said Cusack. "It's just been stupid, sloppy defending that's cost us. We have played some decent stuff at times but our Achilles heel has been conceding goals and it's something we've not been able to remedy." But for a couple of hopeful James Thomas efforts in the second half, Swansea did not come close to equalising the all-too-simple opener. In fact, only a couple of miscues and a brilliant save from Freestone from Weatherstone's spot kick - after Dave Theobald had stuck out a leg in the box - denied Boston a greater winning margin. The dismissal of Wood for what appeared to be an elbow on Matt Hocking rounded off a sorry night. At the end, Cusack paid an emotional tribute to Swansea's followers. As well as the usual round of applause above the head, he walked the length of the pitch to hug a number of fans in what looked an emotional farewell gesture. And as the 36-year-old returned to the tunnel, a handful of Cusack's team-mates stayed on the field to shake the hand of a man who has served Swansea well since joining from Fulham in October 1997. "It was quite moving, " added Cusack, "it's disappointing to come here and lose and go bottom of the table and it really does hurt. "But the results have been poor and that's my responsibility - I can't hide behind them. "I was given the chance to manage a club I love, and all I can say is that I tried to give it my all." A sad end, then, to a short spell in charge. Today marks the start of another new dawn, with Flynn and assistant Kevin Reeves the fourth management team at the Vetch in just over a year. Cusack will probably be among the first to wish them the luck they require as Swansea's turbulent recent history begins a new chapter. Things, surely, can only get better. |
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Thursday, September 19, 2002 Swansea unveil Flynn |
| BBC Online Swansea City have confirmed the appointments of Brian Flynn and Kevin Reeves. Flynn has been installed as the club's director of football with Reeves taking over as first team coach. The future roles of former player-manager Nick Cusack and his assistant Alan Curtis remain unclear. Discussions are ongoing with Cusack, 36, to determine whether he will keep playing for the club. It is unlikely he will continue with any coaching duties. Curtis, though, could still be a part of the coaching set-up. "Everyone will know that Nick has given 100% commitment both on and off the pitch during the latter part of last season and the early part of this season," Swansea said in a statement. "He has made a number of important signings for the club in the close season and in all respects has led by example from the front. "Despite his own personal efforts, however, the team has not got off to the sort of start which the board, Nick and everyone else involved with the club were anticipating." Swansea first tried to bring Flynn to The Vetch last April, only for the deal to fall through at the last minute. The stumbling block seemed to have been Flynn's insistence that Reeves, his assistant at Wrexham for eight years, would come with him. Swansea's 1-0 defeat to Boston United on Wednesday night has left them rock bottom of the Third Division. Neath-born Flynn has been out of soccer since ending his 12-year reign at The Racecourse in September 2001. He won 66 caps in a career which saw him play for Burnley, Leeds, Cardiff City and Wrexham. Flynn's managerial reign at Wrexham saw him win a promotion and establish the north Wales club as an FA Cup giant-killing side. But Flynn decided he needed a break from the game after leaving The Racecourse and did just that apart from occasional coaching sessions at Burnley. |
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Thursday, September 19, 2002 THOMPSON QUITS AFTER BOSTON WIN |
| Sporting Life Boston's acting manager Neil Thompson quit just moments after watching his side vacate bottom spot in the Third Division with a 1-0 win against Swansea. Thompson left himself out of the side for the clash in which Simon Weatherstone scored the winner to condemn their Welsh opponents to the foot of the table. Thompson had inherited the caretaker role at York Street in June after the suspension of manager Steve Evans pending an FA hearing into contract irregularities. Thompson said: "My position has become untenable. It has got nothing to do with the playing side. "I have my dignity and I leave the club having got them off the bottom of the league despite our summer points deduction." Swansea player-boss Nick Cusack is also expecting to be parting company with his club as former Wrexham boss Brian Flynn is poised to take over from him on Thursday. He said: "I don't know fully what is happening, but let's say I expect to go in for a meeting and hopefully things will be conducted in a dignified way. "But what I do hope is that someone comes in and gets success for Swansea City." |
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Thursday, September 19, 2002 Cusack's brief reign ends at rock bottom |
| Western Mail BRIAN FLYNN will today inherit a Swansea City side languishing at the bottom of the Football League for the first time ever as Nick Cusack hinted his days at the Vetch could be over. The Third Division club were remanining tight-lipped about the managerial situation last night after defeat at Boston United left them 92nd in English football's hierarchy for the first time in their 90-year history. But Swansea have scheduled a press conference for this afternoon at which Flynn is expected to be unveiled as the club's fourth manager in 12 months. The former Wales winger should be joined at the Vetch by Kevin Reeves, his old Wrexham No 2. Flynn's arrival, as revealed in The Western Mail yesterday, leaves a huge question mark over the future of player-coach Cusack - appointed only six months ago - and that of assistant manager Alan Curtis. Cusack, 36, who could decide to take a role with the Professional Footballers' Association, will discover today whether Swansea want him to stay on as a coach or simply a player for the remaining eight months of his contract. But, in a night of high drama at York Street, an emotional Cu-sack said it may be an appropriate time to hang up his boots. "I've played in the First Division and the Scottish Premier League, I've had promotions and enjoyed every minute of it," said Cusack, who was hugged by players and fans after the game. "But I'm going to be 37 soon and I have to wonder whether I now need the circus of going to places like Hartlepool, Darlington and Carlisle. Certainly as a manager I look forward to it, but as a player what benefit would it have for me personally? "I've got to sit down and speak to people at the club, but if a new management team is going to come in, that would undermine any role I'll have. I don't think anyone would criticise me for wanting to take a different direction." Cusack, who succeeded Colin Addison in March, admitted he was disappointed not to have been given more time to improve Swansea's poor run of results but he insisted he felt no bitterness towards the board. Asked about Flynn's arrival, Cusack said, "Things haven't worked out - that's happened to hundreds of managers, it's the way it goes - but I'm not bitter about it. "I went into this job with my eyes wide open and I know there will be other things that will happen in my life, certain career paths that I will follow, that I will go on to enjoy." Cusack admitted the news of Flynn's arrival had disrupted preparations for the game. "Speculation was growing before the match and that's fair enough, but it was difficult to prepare for a game in which you want to avoid going bottom of the Football League. "The players aren't stupid, they knew what was going on." Flynn saw his new charges in action at York Street last night and will now have to prepare them for the visit of Torquay United on Saturday. "It has been great to have a break, but it has been 12 months and I'm itching to get back involved," said the 46-year-old. "I can't wait to get started." |
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Thursday, September 19, 2002 Swans sink to bottom for the first time ever |
| Western Mail SWANSEA CITY are rock bottom of the Football League for the first time in their 90-year history after Nick Cusack's six-month spell in charge ended in sadness at Boston United. The Third Division strugglers swop places with the Pilgrims and prop up Division Three following a dour York Street encounter that was comprehensively overshadowed by events taking place back home. Just as last autumn the football proved incidental to Tony Petty's controversial and ill-fated take-over at the Vetch, so last night's sixpointer against the Third Division newcomers was superceded by today's arrival of former Wrexham pairing Brian Flynn and Kevin Reeves. Flynn will be the fourth man to take charge at Swansea in little more than 12 months. It was September 12 last year that the club dispensed with John Hollins's services and swiftly appointed Colin Addison as his successor. Addison lasted only six months, he and No 2 Peter Nicholas receiving their marching orders in March and Nick Cusack, initially alongside goal-keeper Roger Freestone, taking over. The current board of directors, dismayed by the Swans' poor start to the season, will today appoint their second manager in the space of six months, having afforded Cusack the briefest of times to dismantle and re-construct a side capable of achieving success in Division Three. The player-coach, who is still chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association, will doubtless feel he hands over the reins having done only half a job. Whatever the verdict on Cusack, it can't be denied that he worked tire-lessly over the summer and brought in 10 players he believed would provide a better return than the dismal string of defeats that brought down the curtain on last season. But, as he painfully acknowledged ahead of last night's game, football is a results-driven business and Swansea haven't been in the business of achieving many results recently. Swansea's failure to win more than one league match from nine this season and concede 19 goals in the process has triggered the board to take decisive action and Cusack paid the price. It's a safe bet that preparations for the meeting of the Football League's two bottom clubs will not have been perfect against the backdrop of Flynn's arrival, though it is unclear whether the players were aware of developments back home. The 200 Swans fans who made the long trip to Lincolnshire may have been better informed, though they faithfully provided one last rendition of "Cusack's barmy army" from their perch behind one of the York Street goals. As for the match itself, Swansea showed more spirit and resolve and defended better than in Saturday's 4-0 defeat at Wrexham, but Boston nonetheless proved too strong for them. Cusack had switched from the striking position he has favoured in recent matches to a more commanding role in the centre of defence alongside David Theobald and Kris O'Leary. The Swans carved out their first opening in the 25th minute when Michael Howard spotted Jamie Wood surging into the 18-yard box and delivered a pinpoint pass. However, Wood's first touch was poor and goalkeeper Paul Bastock was able to smother his shot. Boston, breathing down Swansea's necks before the game after hauling back the four points they were deducted for financial irregularities, went in front nine minutes before the break. It happened when Steve Burton provided a flick-on and Pilgrims striker Simon Weatherstone rippled the back of the net with a spectacular half-volley from just inside the box. The second half was mind-numbing stuff, with neither side creating anything that could be described as entertaining. As if things weren't bad enough, the sad Swans had Jamie Wood sent off in the 77th minute for an ugly-looking clash with Matt Hocking. Boston had the chance to put the game firmly beyond Swansea five minutes later when Theobald tripped Jamie Cook in the box and the home side were awarded a penalty. But Freestone made a marvellous save, leaping to his right to block Weather-stone's spot-kick. |
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Wednesday, September 18, 2002 Flynn on his way |
| Evening Post Brian Flynn is on the verge of becoming Swansea City manager - five months later than originally planned. The Evening Post understands the former Wrexham manager could be unveiled as early as tomorrow as the Vetch Field board bid to reverse an alarming start to the new season. Port Talbot-born Flynn refused to comment on the speculation last night but could take up the reins alongside his No. 2 at The Racecourse, Kevin Reeves. The 46-year-old's desire to bring Reeves with him was the chief stumbling block when Swansea courted Flynn back in the spring. The club insisted then that he work alongside Nick Cusack, but with last place in the Football League looming, Swansea appear to have come round to Flynn's demands. The impending arrivals must cast major doubts over the futures of playermanager Cusack and assistant Alan Curtis. Cusack may be offered a new coaching position or a return to a full-time player's contract, though whether the Professional Footballers' Association chairman would view either role as tenable in the circumstances is questionable. The future of Curtis, who rjoined Swansea only in April having been sacked with John Hollins 12 months ago, is also unclear, with financial constraints the possible deciding factor. Swansea's six-man board have turned to Flynn - a good friend of Vetch Field director Huw Jenkins - after just one victory in eight league games this term. They would be bottom of Division Three now but for the four-point penalty incurred by Boston because of financial irregularities. However, a victory for the Nationwide League new boys against Swansea tonight would see them leapfrog Cusack's side and put Flynn in the worst possible starting position. The former Burnley and Wales midfielder was widely regarded as a miracle-worker after steering Wrexham from the Football League basement to the verge of the First Division on a tight budget during 12 years in North Wales. Since leaving The Racecourse last autumn, Flynn has been keen on a return to football management and has been linked with a series of vacancies, most recently at Tranmere. He first contacted Swansea the day after Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas were shown the door back in March. A press conference to unveil him then was arranged, before the move collapsed at the 11thhour. The club accused Flynn of holding them to ransom. He hit back claiming their stinging statement was untrue. Flynn's imminent arrival puts Cusack in an unenviable position at Boston tonight, when he leads Swansea for what looks like the last time. |
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Wednesday, September 18, 2002 We are to blame, not manager - Reid |
| Evening Post Swans midfield man Paul Reid says it's the players who are to blame for the club's perilous league position, not manager Nick Cusack. The 34-year-old tough-tackling midfielder knows the performance at Wrexham on Saturday was simply not good enough and that now is the time to put things right. "All the players are behind Nick, " said Reid, who played with Cusack at Leicester City earlier in his career. "But we all have to start proving that on the pitch. Nobody performed in the Wrexham game and the manager had some harsh words to say to all of us. "He was right to do that and everyone's taken it on board. "We worked hard on Monday and yesterday and in a practice match we looked strong and solid and didn't look like conceding goals. "But we have to transfer that into the games. It's no good doing it just in training." Reid has been an ever present in Cusack's line-up this season and says there have been some good performances, though they have been few and far between. Tonight's game at bottomplaced Boston is the time to get it right. "It's come to the stage now where all the players have got to look at themselves, me included as one of the more experienced in the side, " said Reid. "We all have to look at ourselves and ask: 'Are we all doing our jobs?', 'Can we do any more?'. "I think we have all got to be together on that. We have all had a weekend to think about Saturday's game and the performance. "It's good that we are playing a side who are below us. "It's a crunch game not just for ourselves but for the club in general." Reid added: "Nick is doing everything he can, " he said. "The preparation has been right all the way through pre-season and beyond that. "The training has been good from the first day. It's hard on him being a young manager because people say he's too young to do the job. "But we all believe he can do it. At the end of the day it's players who go out and play badly who cost managers their jobs. "The onus is on us to go out and put in the performances. I know Nick has been playing himself but it's down to the rest of us to go out and prove what we can do. "It's early in the season to say tonight's game is a six-pointer, but we certainly need the win and it's down to us to go out and get it." |
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Wednesday, September 18, 2002 The final fling for Cusack? |
| Evening Post Nick Cusack leads Swansea City into tonight's bottom-of-the-table battle with Boston (7.45) for probably the last time. Speculation about Cusack's future soared after the dismal 4-0 defeat at Wrexham last Saturday, and in a frank interview the fledgling player-boss revealed his desperation for a win. "Football's a results business and they are the only thing that's going to resolve the situation for me, " he said. "If that does not occur, I will expect the board to take the action they will inevitably take. "The results have been appalling - I can't argue with that. What I have to do now is draw a line in the sand and get some better ones. That's what I desperately need." He continued: "People are speculating about my job but I am not going to worry about that. "I came into the job with my eyes wide open and I'm not stupid. I knew that ultimately if the results didn't go my way, this would be the outcome. "If things don't pick up and the powers that be do go in a different direction in terms of management then that's life and I will just have to get on with it. "Boston's a must-win game, and after that it's up to them to decide where they want to go." Cusack added: "It's just down to me to keep doing the job, and however long I'm in it - who knows how long it will be - I'll keep working hard. "I am confident we can turn things round. Being at the bottom does not look good on my CV or the players' CVs and it would be difficult to go anywhere from there. "But I have brought players here who might otherwise be on the dole now, and if they want to stay in football they should relish games when the pressure is on." Defeat at York Street would see Boston leapfrog Swansea and leave Cusack's side bottom of the Nationwide League for the first time in the club's 90-year history. Cusack looks set to shuffle his pack as he seeks to avoid that unwanted tag, with Matt Murphy, Damian Lacey and Dave Theobald all in line for recalls. He could also switch himself from attack to defence in a bid to shore up his leaky backline. Andrew Mumford did not travel because of a stomach virus. |
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Wednesday, September 18, 2002 No need to panic, insists skipper O'Leary |
| Evening Post Skipper Kristian O'Leary knows from experience Swansea City can recover from their sluggish start to the season. The 25-year-old defender has been there before at the Vetch under previous bosses and believes the side has the ability to put things right as it did in the past. As Swansea prepared for tonight's basement battle at York Street, O'Leary reflected on previous seasons under Jan Molby and John Hollins for some reassurance. Defeat at York Street will see Swansea sink to 92nd in the Nationwide League for the first time in their history, a position they would already be in had last season's Conference champions not started the season on -4 points, due to financial irregularities. "It's not nice reading the newspapers and looking at the tables at the moment, " he said, "but we (the players) are the only people who can put it right. "We've got to start doing that as soon as possible, a couple of wins and things will look a lot better but we've got to get those wins. "It's not the time to start panicking yet. "I've been involved in sides under Jan Molby and John Hollins that got off to bad starts and we weren't far off the foot of the league - a lot later into the season than we are now - and we managed to turn it around. "We did it then and we can do it now." O'Leary, who missed three league games through suspension at the start of the season, admitted that avoiding defeat is paramount. "As the manager said on Saturday, all the games are going to be big at the moment, " he said. "But tonight's game in particular is a huge one." He added: "We've got to go up there in a positive frame of mind, and we've got to get something out of the game. "We just can't come home with nothing." |
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Wednesday, September 18, 2002 Cusack admits he is feeling the pressure at The Vetch |
| BBC Online Swansea player manager Nick Cusack says he is determined to turn the club's fortunes around amid specualtion over changes in the management team. Pressure has mounted on Cusack's shoulders following Saturday's 4-0 derby defeat against Wrexham. The result leaves the Swans just one place off the bottom of the Third Division. They would be bottom of the pile if Boston United had not been deducted four points at the start of the season because of financial irregularities. Cusack's record of just two win in his 16 matches in charge has fuelled rumours that he may be on the way out. Newspaper reports have linked Peter Nicholas with a return to the Vetch, although he has quickly rubbished such suggestions.
But BBC Wales Sport understands it could be third time lucky for Brian Flynn. The former Wrexham manager has twice been linked with the Swans, only for the deal to fall through at the last minute. An appointment is expected before the end of the week, with Flynn's former Wrexham assistant Kevin Reeves possibly included in the deal. How Cusack and his assistant Alan Curtis would see that development remains to be seen. But whatever happens, Cusack is aware his time at the club will be limited unless results begin to change. "We seem to be a Jackal and Hyde team at the moment, and as manager I have to take responsibility for that," Cusack told BBC Wales Sport. Nobody said it would be a five minute operation to turn things around "But I'll keep smiling, keep getting on with the job. Yes, there's pressure, but that's been with me throughout my career and I'm never going to walk away from a fight. "I'll be up there fighting now, and don't let anyone be under any illusions - I'll turn things around. "That's the defiant message I'm sending out to people." Having leaked 18 goals in their eight league matches, it is pretty easy to see where Swansea's major problem lies. Cusack has hinted he will play himself at the back in Wednesday game against Boston to tighten things up. A defeat at York Street Stadium will take Boston level with Swansea, and Cusack realises the speculation about his successor would then intensify. I'll keep working hard and I'm positive I can turn things around "It's up to the football club what they're going to do about that," Cusack added. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm here to do a job. Nobody said it would be a five minute operation to turn things around. "We had massive problems last season. We haven't got the results we've been looking for. "We've been slightly unfortunate but we've shot ourselves in the foot on far too many occasions and that's something I need to remedy. "But like I said, I'll keep working hard and I'm positive I can turn things around. "To be able to that that will give me a great deal of satisfaction." The Swansea City board refused to make any comment on Tuesday.
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Wednesday, September 18, 2002 Cusack plans changes for Boston match |
| Western Mail Swansea manager Nick Cusack has promised to ring the changes for his side's basement battle with Boston. The Swans were roasted 4-0 by Welsh rivals Wrexham on Saturday and could sink to the bottom of Division Three if they lose again. Several changes have been forced on him. Neil Sharp is ruled out with knee ligament damage and is not expected to return for a month, Andy Mumford should return to training this week after a stomach virus but will not be back in time. And Jason Smith faces four weeks on the sidelines with a groin injury. Boston's Mark Clifford has been ruled out of the match with Swansea with a hamstring injury. Clifford suffered the blow during the 3-1 defeat by Oxford on Saturday and will be sidelined for two weeks. Mark Angel has a suspected stress fracture in his foot and could be out for four weeks. Tom Bennett is recovering from a groin strain but remains doubtful after missing the Oxford game. Ben Chapman is ruled out with knee ligament damage. |
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Wednesday, September 18, 2002 Pilgrims Clare issue proves a distraction |
| Lincolnshire Echo
The on-going issue of Daryl Clare's transfer-listing is proving a diversion to Boston United's preparations for a crunch clash, writes Barbara Singleton. |
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Wednesday, September 18, 2002 Cusack warns players about futures |
| Western Mail SWANSEA CITY players have been warned that their futures will be left hanging in the balance if the Third Division club's disastrous run of results fail to improve. The Swans have won only one match this season and slipped into the Division Three relegation zone following Saturday's dismal 4-0 defeat in the Welsh derby at Wrexham. They will go rock bottom for the first time in their 82-year league history if they lose by two clear goals in tonight's must-win match against newcomers Boston United at York Street. Nick Cusack's future as player-coach was in doubt last night with The Western Mail learning Brian Flynn is on the verge of being appointed manager at the Vetch. And yesterday Cusack said it wouldn't only be his future in doubt if Swansea failed to start improving results and performances. "Certain individuals haven't performed this season and it's about time they did," said Cusack. "They need to consider their own futures. Any Third Division footballer knows you need to produce the goods or there's nowhere to go. "They need to do something about it before it's too late. They need to go up to Boston and play like they've never played before." Cusack, who is still missing Neil Sharp and Jason Smith through injury and Andrew Mumford through illness, is expected to play in de-fence at York Street. Beleaguered Boston caretaker-manager Neil Thompson has described tonight's relegation dog-fight as a "massive" game for his Football League newcomers. Thompson is under pressure because the rock-bottom Pilgrims have conceded eight goals in their last two games - including five to Cardiff City in the Worthington Cup last week. A certain section of the Boston crowd want suspended manager Steve Evans to be reinstated and have attacked Thompson for placing striker Daryl Clare on the transfer list after he refused to sit on the bench against Oxford on Saturday. "I don't regret what I did," said Thompson. "Sometimes things are said in haste and I've offered Daryl a bit of an olive branch but he hasn't taken it up. That's up to him - the ball's in his court. "We need a win to move off the bottom for the first time this season and there's no better time to start than tonight. Psychologically, it would be brilliant but it's going to be tough because Swansea are desperate for points as well. We've got to get on the front foot and be positive. "We've got a few players out injured including Ben Chapman, Tom Bennett and Mark Clifford. It's not been easy with the baggage of the four-point penalty for contract irregularities and the £100,000 fine but the crowd can play a big part tonight. "They were a bit discontented on Saturday but people have got to rise above personal abuse and the only way to answer criticism is by getting results. If we're to have a successful season, everybody's got to be singing from the same hymn sheet." |
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Wednesday, September 18, 2002 Swansea swoop for tight-lipped Flynn |
| Western Mail SWANSEA CITY are about to appoint Brian Flynn as their new manager, The Western Mail can exclusively reveal. The former Wrexham manager, who almost joined Swansea in March before the move collapsed, would not confirm last night whether he has agreed to take charge of the struggling Third Division club. But The Western Mail understands 46-year-old Flynn will be officially unveiled tomorrow after the Swans face Boston United in a bottom-ofthe- table clash at York Street tonight. Former Swansea assistant manager Peter Nicholas was in line for a return to the Vetch, but events took a sensational twist yesterday with the club making a firm move for Flynn. It is believed the former Burnley and Wales midfielder, desperate to resume his managerial career after leaving the Racecourse 12 months ago, will be allowed to bring in his former Wrexham assistant Kevin Reeves as No 2. Flynn's desire to appoint Reeves was one of the sticking points over his move to the Vetch in March, with Swansea insisting they wanted him to work alongside current player-coach Nick Cusack. With the path now clear for both Flynn and Reeves to join, there is a big question mark over Cusack's future who, if invited to work alongside the new management duo, may feel his position is untenable. There is obvious uncertainty, too, over the future of current assistant manager Alan Curtis who only re-joined Swansea at the end of the 2001-02 campaign. The Swans have swooped for Port Talbot-born Flynn after a poor run of results that has seen them slide into the Third Division relegation zone after recording only one win this season. Swansea, beaten emphatically in Saturday's Welsh derby at Wrexham, could go rock bottom of the Football League for the first time in their 82-year league history if they lose at Boston tonight. Flynn, who had been linked with the managerial vacancy at Tranmere Rovers before caretaker Ray Mathias was handed the job, will need to arrest the slide as well as plugging the gaps in a defence that has conceded 18 goals in eight league matches this season. Swansea, who signed 10 new play-ers before the start of the campaign, have no money to spend on bolstering the defence so Flynn will have to work with the resources at his disposal. But, during his 12 years at Wrexham, Flynn became something of an expert at developing youth players while operating on a wafer-thin budget and will find it a familiar situation at the Vetch. Ironically, Cusack acknowledged yesterday that his time as player-coach could be nearing an end if results didn't improve. "Whatever happens, will happen," said the 36-year-old. "If results don't pick up and they (the club) go in a different direction in terms of management, then that's life. "The powers-that-be may decide to take some course of action and that's up to them. I accept I'm in a results business and I need to get results." It remains to be seen whether Cusack, who joined Swansea from Fulham in October 1997, would beinvited to stay on as a coach or see out the remaining eight months of his contract as a player. Cusack took charge of first-team affairs, initially alongside goalkeeper Roger Freestone, in March when Colin Addison and Nicholas were dismissed. The former Leicester, Oxford and Darlington player was officially appointed player-coach in April on a 12-month contract, his first match the humiliating 7-1 defeat at Hartlepool. |
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Wednesday, September 18, 2002 Business as usual |
| Evening Post Swansea City player-boss Nick Cusack went about his business as usual today amid mounting speculation about a managerial shake-up at Vetch Field. Rumours are rife that an experienced figure could be brought in before Saturday's home clash with Torquay either to work alongside Cusack and assistant Alan Curtis or instead of the current men in charge. Former Vetch No. 2 Peter Nicholas was the first to offer a hand, while ex-Swansea player and scout Leighton James also put his name forward on radio last night. Both those options are thought highly unlikely, with Dean Saunders, John Aldridge and Brian Flynn - who nearly came in alongside Cusack last spring - other names being linked. Cusack held lengthy meetings with chief executive Don Goss and director Huw Jenkins yesterday, but the club insist they were scheduled and had nothing to do with the 36year-old's future. "We will only say something when there is something to say, " said Vetch Field communications manager Peter Owen, "and we have got nothing to say at the moment." Cusack was due to take training at Fairwood this morning as normal, then hold a scheduled press call ahead of tomorrow's trip to Boston. Former Welsh international midfielder Nicholas, the current Llanelli boss, branded Swansea's board "wheeltappers a shunters" after he was made redundant with Colin Addison back in March. But after performing a remarkable u-turn, he said: "As long as it's okay with Llanelli I'd be happy to help Swansea out. "If I'm asked to give a hand at Swansea I would do so. I don't hold any grudges against the club for what happened earlier in the year. I criticised them at the time but I was emotional because of what happened, but that's all history now. It's all over and done with. I don't like seeing Swansea in the situation they are in at the moment. It's not good for Welsh football." Whether Swansea's six-man board would view the Nicholas spat as 'over and done with' is doubtful, though managerial changes are possible after last weekend's humiliating 4-0 thrashing at Wrexham left the club one place above Boston at the foot of the Third Division. Defeat by last season's Conference champions at York Street tomorrow night would would put Cusack's side bottom of the Nationwide League for the first time in their history. They would be in last spot now but for the fourpoint penalty given to Boston in the summer because of financial irregularities. |
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Wednesday, September 18, 2002 Unlucky Smith given a boost |
| Evening Post Swansea City defender Jason Smith has had some welcome news in his battle to get fit. The 28-year-old has been troubled by a groin injury since the trip to Bury almost a month ago . Now, after a visit to a specialist, he could be back sooner than expected, according to Swansea physio Richard Evans. Smith saw a specialist who has treated many Premier League players, to undergo an MRI scan to assess the extent of the troublesome injury. And, following a session with consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dai Rees, he was given a boost. "There was some tightness in the muscle and the tendon that is pulling on the pelvic bone, " said Evans. "But in Dr Rees's opinion it is very mild. With proper rest and treatment he is confident that we will see Jason back in action in a month or maybe sooner." There was also some good news for the club's youth department with seven players selected in the latest Welsh squads. Five will be involved in an Under-19s training camp at Llanelli later this month ahead of a Uefa mini tournament in Northern Ireland in November. The five are goalkeeper Simon Cole, defenders Geraint Frowen, Stuart Jones and Lee Surman and striker Mark Pritchard. Matthew Roberts and Jamie Rewbury will join up with the Wales Under17s for a tournament in Luxembourg where they will take on the hosts, Norway and Bosnia between September 2429. Meanwhile, Swansea City Supporters Trust has been named runners-up in the Trust of the Year awards. Singer Billy Bragg made the presentation, together with a cheque for £200, to Trust board member Richard Lillicrap at the Supporters Direct conference in London. The winner was AFC Wimbledon, which has been forced to launch its own fans-owned club after Wimbledon FC were granted permission to move to Milton Keynes. Swansea fans looking to travel to Boston for tomorrow's game with the official supporters' travel club should contact the club shop on 01792 462584 or Ugo Vallerio on 07876 133428. The cost is £19 and the bus leaves from Morriston Cross at 11.30am and the Quadrant at 11.45am. |
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Tuesday, September 17, 2002 Crunch for Cusack after derby disaster |
| Evening Post
Nick Cusack faces the biggest test of his short managerial career as he tries to comes to terms with Saturday's disastrous Third Division derby defeat at Wrexham. |
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Tuesday, September 17, 2002 Nicholas denies Swans return |
| BBC Online Former Swansea coach Peter Nicholas has denied being in talks with the club about a return, but says he would be willing to listen to offers. The struggling Swans, with just one win from eight league games, could go bottom of Division Three if they lose at Boston on Wednesday. The club are understood to have been discussing ways of strengthening their management team under player manager Nick Cusack. Nicholas is currently coaching at League of Wales side Llanelli after he was sacked by Swansea along with manager Colin Addison as part of a cost cutting exercise last season. He says he does not want to undermine Cusack in any way, but would be willing to listen to any offer. "I woke seeing I was making this shock return, but I know nothing about," said Nicholas. "I am at Llanelli Town but I am not on a contract. The situation is that if a league club came in I could move on." Swansea are expected to make a statement on Tuesday afternoon on a possible addition to their management team.
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Tuesday, September 17, 2002 Nicholas poised for return to Vetch |
| Western Mail FORMER Swansea City assistant manager Peter Nicholas is on the verge of a sensational return to the Vetch Field. The Third Division club's five-man board are considering asking Nicholas, controversially sacked along with former Swans manager Colin Addison last March, to work alongside player-coach Nick Cusack. Cusack, under pressure after a dismal start to the season that his seen his Swans slip into the relegation zone, missed training yesterday because he was locked in talks with directors for three hours, first with club chief executive Don Goss and then Huw Jenkins. It is understood that there will be no changes to the Cusack-Alan Curtis coaching team before tomorrow's crucial match at bottom club Boston but Nicholas might be installed for Saturday's home match against Torquay at the Vetch. Whether Cusack will find his position untenable following the arrival of another coach remains to be seen. It will also raise questions over the future of Curtis , Cusack's assistant. If 42-year-old Nicholas, currently in charge of League of Wales club Llanelli, does return to Swansea it would herald a remarkable U-turn for the former Wales international midfielder. After he and Addison were shown the door for financial reasons he blasted the Swans board as "wheel tappers and shunters". But the former Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Chelsea player said he would consider rejoining the Swans. "As long as it's OK with Llanelli I'd be happy to help Swansea out," he said. "If I'm asked to give a hand at Swansea I would do so. "I don't hold any grudges against the club for what happened earlier in the year. I criticised them at the time but I was emotional because of what "But that's all history now. It's all over and done with. I don't like seeing Swansea in the situation they are in at the moment. It's not good for Welsh football." The Swansea board are looking to recruit a new face on the coaching staff following a torrid start to the 2002-03 campaign despite Cusack signing 10 new players during the summer. This season two clubs from Division Three will be relegated to the Nationwide Conference - and Swansea currently occupy one of those positions. Former Wrexham manager Brian Flynn has been linked with Cusack's job, so too has former Tranmere manager John Aldridge, former Wales striker Dean Saunders and former Swansea favourite Leighton James. After Saturday's 4-0 defeat at Wrexham the Swans could go bottom of the Football League for the first time in their 90-year history tomorrow if they lose by two goals at Boston. Since Cusack took over first-team affairs six months ago he has won only two of the 16 matches he has taken charge of. The club's directors refused to make any comment yesterday but an announcement could be made after a board meeting later this week. Llanelli chairman Bob Jones last night said he did not want to lose Nicholas but would not stand in his way if Swansea formally approached him. "I don't want to lose Peter. He's doing an excellent job for me at Llanelli. "We've got a good understanding and he's building a young team that is starting to gel," said Jones. "I've got an arrangement with him that if a club from a higher division comes in for him then I won't stand in his way, especially if it's Swansea because I've supported them all my life. "I don't think Peter will go back to Swansea because he's very happy at Llanelli but I've been in football long enough to know that nothing is certain." |
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Tuesday, September 17, 2002 Morrell earns manager's praise |
| Western Mail WREXHAM manager Denis Smith last night heaped praise on Saturday's two-goal hero Andy Morrell. The Doncaster-born striker netted a brace in the 4-0 demolition of Swansea City and seems to be relishing life at the Racecourse after stepping out of Craig Faulconbridge's shadow. Morrell had a frustrating 2001-02 campaign - used mainly as a substitute he scored twice in 25 league outings for the Red Dragons. But Morrell was handed his chance after Faulconbridge left the Race-course in the summer and the 27-year-old, with five goals to his name, has already overtaken last season's tally. "Andy's attitude last season was superb even though Faulconbridge was keeping him out," said Smith. "He wasn't getting a lot of starts but his attitude remained first-class and that's what got him a new contract with Wrexham. "He's proving a point at the moment and I'm delighted for him. I wish there were more players like him in football. "Andy was very unfortunate on Saturday because he could have had four goals. We should have had a couple of penalties and Andy is our penalty taker." Smith's message to his players before tonight's home clash against Exeter City will be, "Repeat Saturday's performance." He said, "People are saying Swansea didn't play well but I'd like to think that was down to us. I'm in no position to judge Swansea but my players did the job I wanted them to do. "We've played as well as we did on Saturday in other games but haven't always got the results we deserved. People have got to remember I'm still without three important play-ers - Lee Jones, Brian Carey and Wayne Phillips. "But fair play to Andy, he's doing the business and Hector Sam is looking sharp and the two Edwardses, Carlos and Paul, are both quick. There's pace throughout the side." And tonight Smith will watch his defence combat Exeter's 36-year-old striker Don Goodman - a player he signed for £900,000 when he was manager of Sunderland in December 1991. |
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Monday, September 16, 2002 Little sign of light at end of very long Swans tunnel |
| Western Mail NICK CUSACK must have spent yesterday pondering whether he has any other option but to call time on his stint as player coach at Swansea City. After Saturday's catastrophic 4-0 defeat in the Welsh derby at Wrexham Cusack pledged to "work really hard to put things right", but there appears to be little else he can do. Walking away after only six months in charge may be deemed a failure, but where is the light at the end of Swansea's tunnel? What is there to suggest the defenders who Cusack berated for the umpteenth time at the Racecourse are going to stop shipping so many goals? Questions Cusack must be asking himself, not to mention the Vetch Field board of directors who will wonder how things are going to improve with the status quo. The statistics have been splashed about liberally but they bear repeating. The struggling Swans have registered only two wins in 16 league games since Cusack took charge in March. Of more concern is the fact they have this season conceded 18 goals in eight league games and now find themselves in the Third Division relegation zone with the prospect of going rock bottom if they lose at Boston on Wednesday. The only possible alternative to Cusack stepping down is Swansea signing a couple of experienced defenders, but what chance the club sanctioning that given the fact he has already made 10 new signings? They arrived after Cusack promised wholesale changes at the end of last season - most notably following the 7-1 humiliation at Hartlepool - but the changes appear to have been made in the wrong areas of the pitch. Instead of bringing in so many midfielders and strikers, the player-coach should have concentrated on beefing up his back-line during his summer recruitment campaign. He made no attempt to hide his anger at the defensive shortcomings that afflicted his side towards the end of the 2001-02 campaign, yet on Saturday his back four consisted entirely of players who were at the Vetch last season. Even more puzzling is why Cusack does not play himself in defence. As Cusack has repeatedly said, James Thomas and Jamie Wood have looked dangerous in attack this season, mustering a reasonably healthy five goals between them. Cusack has been influential up front, but it is at the back that his experience and nous is needed most and, if still in charge, it would be staggering if he didn't play there at Boston. As for Saturday, it is hard to find words that accurately convey how awful Swansea were. Aside from the "calamitous" defending, the Swans had absolutely no shape about them. They lacked width and fluency and, as has been the case all season, kept knocking the ball long up the pitch more in hope than anticipation. By the time Wrexham striker Andy Morrell scored his second goal after 12 minutes following Hector Sam's neat lay-off, the match was over as a contest. Morrell had opened the scoring when he headed in Darren Ferguson's free-kick, Swans goalkeeper Roger Freestone getting caught in no man's land, for which he received rare criticism from his manager. "It didn't help that we conceded a goal so early on," said Cusack. "The goalkeeper called for it when he had absolutely no chance of getting it and as a result we're a goal down straight away. "Our defending was chronic once again, but it's difficult because the personnel are not available to us at the moment. Neil Sharp is out and it's about time Jason Smith was back." Swansea fell three behind just before the half-hour mark when Freestone again misjudged a cross and Sam profited with a far-post strike. Cusack gave Damien Lacey his first start of the season and also brought on David Theobald but they couldn't prevent Swansea conceding a fourth goal after 56 minutes. In truth, someone should have prevented it because Carlos Edwards was allowed to score one of the best goals anyone will see at the Racecourse this season. The Trinidad and Tobago international picked up a loose ball on the halfway line before skipping round four Swansea players, rounding Freestone and slotting home.
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Monday, September 16, 2002 Cusack drinking in last-chance saloon |
| Western Mail SWANSEA CITY face Boston United in a bottom-of-the-table clash on Wednesday knowing defeat could spell the end of Nick Cusack's six-month reign as player-coach. Cusack's future at the Vetch is in serious doubt after Swansea slipped into the Third Division relegation zone following a humiliating 4-0 defeat in the Welsh derby at Wrexham on Saturday. Swansea, who could go rock bottom for the first time in their 82-year league history if they lose at Boston, have now conceded a staggering 18 goals in eight league matches this season and recorded only one win. Overall, Cusack has led the Swans to only two victories in his 16 league matches as player-coach. Club directors, who declined to comment on the managerial situation after the Wrexham game, were yesterday understood to be considering Cusack's position and could make a statement today. Should Cusack remain in charge at Boston, defeat at York Street would surely represent the final straw for the board who are anxious to see a return on their investment in 10 new players. South Wales bookmakers Jack Brown have already started taking bets on who should succeed Cusack if he leaves the Vetch, with the previous regime of Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas installed as joint 2-1 favourites, along with current assistant manager Alan Curtis. Bryan Flynn is at 3-1, though the former Wrexham manager has also been linked with the managerial vacancy at Boston, followed by Leighton James 4-1 and Dean Saunders 6-1. Boston, meanwhile, have put their star striker Daryl Clare on the transfer list for refusing to sit on the bench on Saturday. Clare's 25 goals in 41 starts swept The Pilgrims to the Nationwide Conference title last May but he's only scored once this season as Boston have struggled to recover from a four-point deduction imposed by the FA for contract irregularities. After missing the 5-1 thrashing by Cardiff City in the Worthington Cup last Wednesday with a knee injury, Clare expected to be recalled for the home game against Oxford United at the weekend. But when caretaker-manager Neil Thompson announced his side, the former Grimsby striker was named as one of the substitutes. Clare refused to take his place on the bench and after the 3-1 defeat he was placed on the transfer list. "He trained on Friday and looked as if he had got over his injury," said Thompson. "But to be fair, the forwards did quite well against Cardiff and I decided to put him on the bench. Daryl wanted a word with me but when I said I'd speak to him after the game, he said he didn't want to be substitute. "I feel that was totally disrespectful to everyone at the club - especially his team-mates - and when everything had died down after the game, I decided to put him on the list. "As long as I'm in charge, he won't play for the club again. It just leaves you with a sour taste because no one is bigger than Boston United." It's understood Clare was upset about the way he was treated rather than by the decision not to include him in the starting line-up. "I'm shocked to hear about the statement that I'll never play for the club again," he said. "I'll be sitting down with club officials to discuss my future over the next few days." If Boston beat Swansea by two clear goals on Wednesday, the Lincolnshire club will move off the bottom of the table for the first time this season. As well as the four-point penalty, Boston were fined £100,000 for the contract irregularities. The second part of the FA hearing into the behaviour of suspended manager Steve Evans and former chairman Pat Malkinson which was due to start on Wednesday has now been postponed. |
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Sunday, September 15, 2002 Addo and Flynn link as heat turns up on Cusack |
| Wales on Sunday THE pressure was mounting on under-fire Nick Cusack last night as his Swansea City side slumped to within ONE spot of the bottom of the Nationwide League. Welsh bookmakers Jack Brown moved to take bets on who the next Swans manager would be, should something happen to Cusack. Jack Brown installed the previous Vetch regime of Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas as joint 2-1 favourites. They also make Alan Curtis a 2-1 shot, followed by Brian Flynn 3-1, Leighton James 4-1 and Dean Saunders 6-1. Vetch chiefs declined last night to speak to the media about the Cusack situation after the Swans crashed 4-0 at Wrexham. Cusack didn't say anything either about his immediate future in charge, other than to admit that he was `going away to have a think about things.' But Cusack's record of just two wins in 16 games as manager has sent the Swans plummeting downwards. If they lose at Boston on Wednesday night, they will be rock bottom. |
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Sunday, September 15, 2002 Smith smiles - but is it the end for Cusack? |
| Wales on Sunday
WREXHAM.............................4 SWANSEA CITY......0 And while Denis Smith can justifiably start plotting a real assault on promotion for his buzzing Wrexham outfit, Nick Cusack can prepare for the pressure to increase on him yet more at the Vetch Field, not to mention speculation that Brian Flynn could be heading south sooner rather than later. Cusack would say nothing about his immediate future in charge after yesterday's match only that he would "have to go away and have a long think about things." And members of the Swans' board of directors also beat a hasty retreat from the Racecourse refusing to comment on the managerial situation. But surely it won't be too long before the music is faced because the statistics don't lie. Of the 16 league games Cusack has presided over since taking the reins last season, Swansea have won just two, and in nine competitive matches this term their defence has leaked 21 goals. Sobering figures indeed. If they lose to basement club Boston on Wednesday night, there could well be a swift change in personnel at the top. "I'm not standing here for too long discussing that,"Cusack blasted at the end. "It speaks for itself. "This was a Welsh derby and you look for something extra from the players. But our defending was schoolboy standard." The sombre mood from their dressing room could not have been more different to that in Wrexham's. And it's a shame for them that Swansea's awfulness will probably hog the headlines. "That sort of performance has been coming," beamed midfield playmaker Darren Ferguson. "We have put together stuff like that in spells already this season but this time we got the goals. The game was over after half an hour. I won't say we will be promoted, but on that form we must have a very good chance." Ironically, the Swans looked the more determined in the opening five minutes. But even though they ran First Division Wolves close in midweek, any confidence they had taken from that was to be smashed to smithereens in the opening half-hour by a Wrexham team buzzing themselves after their own Worthington Cup shot in the arm, a 2-1 slaying of Bradford City. It took Denis Smith's side just nine minutes to open their account - and the goal came from a Darren Ferguson free-kick after full-back Terry Evans had been booked for tugging back Hector Sam. Ferguson whipped the ball into the box and Morrell got in front of the stranded Roger Freestone to flick a header into the empty net. Cue the floodgates - and the cruel unravelling of all the frailties that have lurked behind Swansea's failure to record more than one win in the league all season. Wrexham began passing the ball neatly and Ferguson and his henchmen revelled in the space and time they were given by their opponents. None of it was rocket science, just simple pass and move, not to mention a desire to be first to the ball. And Swansea had no answer. David Moss and Gareth Phillips were forlorn figures in the Swans' engine room, forced to chase shadows for much of the first half as Cusack's men lost all shape. Just three minutes after the opener Morrell had his brace, and it was brilliantly crafted, Ferguson chipping a clever one over two defenders, Sam squared and Morrell, plucked from non-league obscurity two seasons ago, side-footed clinically into the bottom corner. Hector Sam did make it 3-0 on the half hour and more than the earlier two, it was a strike that summed up Swansea's appalling dithering at the back. Carlos Edwards centred from the right, Whitley nodded back and the Trinidadian striker encountered a slow and physically powder-puff response from the away de-fence to bang a left-foot shot into the top corner. Heaven only knows what methods Cusack employed during the half-time team talk to try and spark a Swansea revival. He's refused to criticise his players publicly this season, despite poor results, but he must have had a cursory glance at the teacups. By the 55th minute Wrexham were further in credit when Carlos Edwards claimed a wonderful solo goal. There was nothing particularly mesmerising about the way he ran the ball into the net from 45 yards, great run though it was. No, it was yet another example of Swansea defenders freezing when they were called to duty - and yet again they paid the ultimate price. As for the closing stages, well, Wrexham probably created more chances than they had done the entire season so far. They must ensure this is a springboard to success. Swansea just need to improve - and fast. |
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