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Press cuttings |
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Friday, October 04, 2002 FLYNN: KEEP DALE BOSS QUIET |
| Evening Post
Brian Flynn has urged his players to keep his opposite number quiet when high-flying Rochdale come to Vetch Field tomorrow (3pm). |
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Friday, October 04, 2002 Curtis leads tributes as Coleman calls it a day |
| Evening Post Swansea City coach Alan Curtis today led the tributes to Chris Coleman after the former Vetch Field defender announced his retirement as a player. The Swansea-born Welsh international has finally admitted defeat in his gruelling 21-month fitness battle after a serious car crash. And Curtis, who played alongside a young Coleman for Swansea, has hailed the 32-times capped Welsh international as one of the city's finest. "Without a doubt he is one of the very best footballers Swansea has produced in recent times, " he said. "He has been a superb player and a great ambassador for our city. "He is a hell of a nice guy, a typical Swansea boy - always ready for a laugh and a joke. "And as a player you could see even when he was 18 that he would go onto be a Welsh international." He added: "I've got bags of admiration for the way he has tried to get back from horrific injuries. "But having spoken to Chris and seen his scars after he played a Fulham reserve-team game at the end of last season, I think deep down he knew he was going to struggle to recover." Fulham skipper Coleman said: "I've reached a stage where I'm not getting any better. "I didn't want to reach the stage where I had a limp by the time I was 40. "After the accident I was lucky to be alive, let alone think of playing football again, but it was still a difficult decision to retire." Coleman joined Swansea from Manchester City in 1987 and made 160 league appearances for his hometown club before signing for Crystal Palace in the summer of 1991. The deal was initially worth £275,000, but a sell-on clause meant Swansea eventually banked around £1.2 million for a player they signed on a free transfer. A £2.8million move to Blackburn Rovers followed in 1995 before Coleman joined Kevin Keegan's Fulham in a £2.1million deal in 1997. The powerful centreback made 478 league appearances before shattering his right leg when his Jaguar left the road and hit a tree in January 2001. The 32-year-old underwent extensive treatment and physiotherapy and returned to reserves football, but the lack of movement in his ankle and constant pain in his knee forced doctors to tell him to hang up his boots. A two-minute appearance in Wales's 1-0 win over Germany last May proved to be his last at senior level, and Coleman looks set to for a career in coaching after being offered a role with the Cottagers. "It was too difficult for Chris to play again and I've explained to him that my door is open if he wants to work with me, " said Fulham boss Jean Tigana. "He can start with the under-15s and under17s and with me. "He's a good man and has the possibility to manage at a high level, now he has to work on it." Coleman, who will take his UEFA coaching badges next summer, added: "It really is fantastic I've been given the opportunity to stay at Fulham in this new role. |
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Friday, October 04, 2002 'Judge us after 10 games,' says Flynn |
| Western Mail SWANSEA CITY take on high-flying Rochdale at the Vetch Field tomorrow with the Swans' new director of football Brian Flynn saying, "Judge us after 10 games." The former Wrexham manager, who replaced Nick Cusack just over a fortnight ago, is still waiting for his first win since taking control of the struggling Swans, who are one place off the bottom of the Third Division. Flynn's bow in the Vetch dugout ended in a 1-0 defeat against Torquay, but last week's 1-1 draw at Hull hints for the first time of a recovery under the former Wales midfielder. And Flynn said, "There's going to be a bedding-in period. My message to everyone is to judge us after 10 games. Then you'll get a fair idea of how well we're doing. Flynn, who brought Kevin Reeves, his assistant at Wrexham, to the club, added, "The players have to adapt to what we want, but we've told them to trust us, to trust what we're telling them. "Kevin and I have been in this situation before at Wrexham. The players must-n't panic. If they listen to us, it will happen for them." Flynn said he will bring in a couple of players on loan in the near future. "I've got a bit of scope to bring in some new faces on loan. I can bring in two players. "I think I've got the basis of a good side here, but what we need at this club is a bit of pace. Every successful club has pace - look at Arsenal and Manchester United. "If you look at the squad we've got no width whatsoever in terms of attacking options. "John Williams has played wide for us in the last two games but he isn't a wide player, he's a striker. "We got a point at Hull and I'd like to think we're turning the corner, but we've got some difficult games coming up. Rochdale are playing well at the moment and it's going to be a tough match." Paul Simpson's side are currently second in the Third Division, behind leaders Hartlepool only on goal difference. "It has been a tough introduction at Swansea fixture-wise, but that's the way it is," said Flynn. "You're going to have tough games week in, week out. "We've got to deal with that. But I'm really enjoying it here. To be out on the training ground with players again is really refreshing. "The bottom line is there is still plenty of time to turn things round here. We're not even a quarter of the way through the season yet." For the Rochdale clash Flynn will be without Damien Lacey and Dave Theobald (both foot), and Williams (thigh), but recent absentees Andrew Mumford and Jason Smith are in contention for starting places. Smith looks to have shaken off an ankle injury, while last season's player of the year Mumford has recovered from a respiratory virus he picked up last month after returning from Wales Under-21 duty in Finland. "I started feeling unwell for a day or two after returning from Finland and I missed the Worthington Cup game against Wolves," said Mumford. "I had a bad chest and felt like I was going down with the flu, but then I got an upset stomach as well." Mumford, who can play in defence or midfield, added, "It was only last week that I was able to come back and start light training. "I'm still not 100 per cent, but I'm breathing easier and I've been able to step up my involvement in training over the last few days without any problems. "I've got to prove my fitness as soon as possible. I want to be involved against Rochdale. "I want to get my Swans shirt back on and help the club move away from the bottom of the league." |
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Thursday, October 03, 2002 Coleman retires after losing injury battle |
| Western Mail WALES defender Kit Symons said Mark Hughes had lost "his best defender" after close friend Chris Coleman announced his retirement from football after losing his 1-month battle against injury. The 32-year-old Fulham star ever fully recovered after breaking his right leg in a near-fatal car crash in January 2001 and yesteray began a new career with the Premiership club as a coach. The former Swansea, Crystal Palace and Blackburn defender returned to reserve team football and even made an emotional last-minute appearance for his country in the friendly against Germany ast May. But despite undergoing extensive physiotherapy doctors advised him to stop playing because of the lack of movement in his ankle and constant pain in his knee. Symons, who played alongside Coleman at Fulham and for Wales and who is best friends with Cookie", said, "Wales have lost their best defender. It's a crying shame because Chris was at his playing peak when the accident happened. "He was playing so well. I remember the game out in Poland (in October 2000) when we drew 0-0. Chris was brilliant, absolutely outstanding. "Mark (Hughes) was asking to play left-back and I don't think Chris had played left-back since his Swansea days. I'm sure he'd rather have played centre-half but he did the job and he did it extremely well. "As a player he was getting better and better. He is a massive loss to both Fulham and Wales. He would have played a huge part in the Euro 2004 qualifying games. "He was the best captain I've ever played for. He was an excellent leader on the pitch and I'm sure he would have been one of the first names on Mark Hughes's team-sheet. "He was also a very important character to have in the dressing room. He liked to have banter and he made players feel relaxed and at ease." Coleman joined Fulham in December 1997 when they were languishing in the Second Division and the £2.1m the Cottagers paid for him is still a record fee for the division. The Swansea-born player won 32 caps, his first against Austria in 1992. Crystal Palace defender Symons added, "Chris retiring is very sad but it has been coming for a while. "I will say this - he retires with a clear conscience. I never saw anyone work so hard in training to get back to fitness as Chris did after the car crash. He's done everything possible to come back. "I'm immensely proud of what he's done. A lot of people wrote him off straight after the accident but he got back to playing reserve football and even came on as a substitute against Germany. "A lot of players would have fallen by the wayside but he coped brilliantly after what happened to him. His attitude during the rehabilitation was top class. He always remained positive and he gave it his best shot. "Chris was a major influence at Fulham. He took a massive gamble when he left Blackburn to join a Second Division club but it was an educated gamble," said Symons. "Just when Fulham were about to make it to the Premiership and his gamble was about to pay off he had that accident. He was never able to reap the rewards of all the work he put in at the club." |
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Wednesday, October 02, 2002 MUMFORD OUT TO MAKE MARK |
| Evening Post
Andrew Mumford is desperate to impress the new man in charge of Swansea City after shaking off a nasty stomach virus. |
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Wednesday, October 02, 2002 SWANS OFFER TICKET REDUCTIONS |
| Evening Post
Swansea's board are offering significant reductions on tickets for the home games against Rochdale, Southend and Kidderminster this month - if all three are bought before 2pm on Saturday. |
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Tuesday, October 01, 2002 THEOBALD INJURY GIVES FLYNN A DEFENSIVE HEADACHE |
| Evening Post
Central defender Dave Theobald has given Brian Flynn a big injury headache ahead of Saturday's clash with Rochdale. |
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Tuesday, October 01, 2002 Swans have injury worry over Theobald |
| Western Mail SWANSEA CITY were last night sweating on the fitness of David Theobald after the defender needed an X-ray on a foot he injured during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Hull. Fearing he may have broken a bone in his foot, the 23-year-old centre-half missed training yesterday to go to Morriston Hospital in Swansea for an examination. With Jason Smith and Neil Sharp still out injured, the Third Division strugglers can ill afford to lose another defender, but Theobald was keeping his fingers crossed he would be fit for the visit of Rochdale on Saturday. "My foot's a bit swollen on top so I needed an X-ray to check that there wasn't a break there," said the former Brentford player. "It happened when one of their players stood on my foot and although it didn't cause me problems during the match, it was very uncomfortable on the way home. "But I'm hopeful the X-rays will give me the all-clear and that the foot is just bruised." Swans director of football Brian Flynn has continued his policy of keeping the squad active by lining up a friendly at League of Wales outfit Port Talbot Town tonight (6.30pm). The match, which follows a 2-2 draw against Neath last week, is aimed at giving Flynn an extra opportunity to assess his new squad in action as well as getting the players familiar with his preferred 4-3-3 system. Theobald said Flynn's enthusiasm was already having a positive effect. "The new management team are very enthusiastic in training and it is starting to rub off on the lads," said the Cambridge-born defender. |
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Monday, September 30, 2002 NOW FOR NEXT GOAL FLYNN TARGETS FIRST WIN AND A RUN OF RESULTS |
| Evening Post Brian Flynn's Swansea City are setting their sights on Rochdale after hitting their first target at Hull over the weekend. |
| Monday, September 30, 2002 Thomas sets his sights on 20-goal tally |
| Western Mail JAMES THOMAS scored a priceless equaliser to lift Swansea City off the bottom of the Third Division - then set his sights on smashing the 20-goal barrier. The former Blackburn striker declared his aim after netting a 52nd-minute leveller against Hull City that ended Swansea's dreadful run of four successive defeats and 369 minutes without a league goal. With the proviso that he receives good service from mid-field, Thomas is convinced he can further reverse the club's disastrous start to the season and score enough goals to put significant distance between Swansea and the Nationwide Conference. And the fact no Swans player has passed the 20-goal mark since Bob Latchford fired in 34 in the 1982-83 season is an added spur for Thomas, whose tally for the current campaign now stands at four. "I'm not one to set targets, but if it's the case that Swansea haven't had a scorer of 20 goals for some time, I'd like to go on and do it," said the former Wales Under-21 international. "To reach 20 would be fantastic because I've never been the perfect goalscorer. There have been times where I haven't scored as many goals as I would have liked. "Hopefully, that will change. Having said that, the most important thing is that the team does well. It's a bonus if I can get as many goals as possible." Thomas, finding his feet at the Vetch after an unsuccessful loan period at Bristol Rovers last season, has been one of the most impressive of Swansea's 10 summer signings. On and off the pitch, the 23-year-old exudes a confidence that suggests he should indeed by hitting a regular 20 goals a season. "If we keep creating chances, I'm confident I can score plenty of goals to help take us up the league," said the Swansea-born striker. "But the key for me is getting the right service - you don't score goals otherwise. Strikers get praise for scoring but they don't come without good service. "I'm finding the 4-3-3 system helps a lot. Playing John Williams wide on the right gives us the chance to get crosses into the box which are vital to score goals." Thomas's work-rate at Boothferry Park deserved reward and it came following a long Williams throw - arguably one of Swansea's most dangerous attacking weapons. Fifty two minutes had elapsed when defender David Theobald flicked on from Williams and Thomas, with his back to goal, headed over former Port Vale goalkeeper Paul Musselwhite, who possibly should have caught it. Swansea had replied to Hull's earlier effort which came on 27 minutes when midfielder Stuart Green played in striker Phil Jevons - on loan from Grimsby Town - whose low left-foot finish beat the sprawling Roger Freestone. Brian Flynn's side could have scored much earlier than they did, most notably in the 26th minute when Musselwhite collided with Justin Whittle, Steve Watkin played the loose ball square to Thomas and his 18-yard effort was hacked off the line by a well-placed John Anderson. Then, six minutes before the interval, Theobald directed a superb header towards goal that Musselwhite, atoning for his earlier clumsiness, palmed away with a brilliant one-handed save. If Hull had edged the first-half, Swansea - more robust, more organised than in recent matches - just about shaded the second. It wouldn't have been illdeserved had the visitors snatched all three points when the three strikers combined in the 83rd minute. Thomas crossed deep from the left, Williams played it back in and Watkin's first-time shot was heading for the back of the net until Musselwhite got his body in the way. "We put in a much more solid performance than in recent weeks and were disappointed not to win the game," said Thomas. "But the fact we've moved off the bottom is a great psychological boost which we must build on against Rochdale on Saturday. "Having got the draw, we want a win in the next game. We have another free week which will give the new manager more time to express himself and pass on his ideas." Flynn left without talking to waiting reporters, but first-team coach Alan Curtis agreed with Thomas's assessment that Swansea were unlucky not to record their second victory of the season on Humberside. "Make no mistake, this is an important result," said Curtis. "It's great to stop the rot and nice to pick up the first point since Brian and Kevin (Reeves) came in. "But the feeling immediately after the game was one of disappointment, which is a great sign considering our current situation. "We felt we should have had all three points, though we would have settled for one point before the game." Curtis said Swansea's three-man management team had gone through a "tremendous list" of players who could possibly join the club on loan. "Brian's been on the phone all week trying to sort something out," said Curtis. "It's a question of bringing the right people in. "We've had the OK from a lot of players, but rather than take people on recommendation we want to see them play." |
| Monday, September 30, 2002 HAS FLYNN INHERITED THE WORST SWANS SIDE IN HISTORY? |
| Wales On Sunday IF BRIAN FLYNN wants some tips on how to drag Swansea City out of their current crisis, he only has to turn to one of his right-hand men. Alan Curtis, Flynn will discover, has been there, seen it and done the rescue act before - even if it was 27 years ago. Curtis and Robbie James came in as local teenagers to help pep-up Harry Gregg's Class of 1974-75, the team many Swans fans dub the worst in the club's 90-year history. The efforts of Curtis and James - who each went on to become Vetch legends - eventually helped the Swans finish three off the bottom. Although they had to apply for re-election to the League, they earned a reprieve. Three years on John Toshack took over as manager - and the Swans' march began from bottom to the very top. Roll on 27 years and some Swans fans are already making comparisons between the side of 1974-75 and the team Flynn has inherited. They feel the class of Roger Freestone and James Thomas stands out a mile in the current side. They are key figures Flynn can work with. They argue defender, Michael Howard, and local triers like Lee Jenkins, Gareth Phillips Lee Jenkins are also squad men Flynn can work on. But, those aside, they acknowledge the new manager definitely has his work cut out as he tries to revive the Swans' fortunes, in the way Curtis and James managed on the pitch 27 years ago. Those two helped the Swans earn a few unexpected wins back then during an era when things were arguably even worse off the field. Back then only 612 season tickets were sold - the lowest post-war total - prior to the opening game with Darlington on August 17, 1974, which the Swans lost 3-2. The average attendance for the year was 2,070, gates never rose above 3,501 for a Boxing Day match, and stringent economies had to be made. To help ease their financial position, the Swans sold their Vetch Field ground to the local council for £50,000, plus a grant of £150,000 which could only be used to discharge the overdraft. Within a few months, a local estate agent would value the Vetch at £1m. That little lot inevitably led to major problems on the pitch. Gregg could hardly delve into the transfer market. Thus, on December 6, his substitute against Southport was Nigel Dalling - the youngest player to appear for the Swans at the age of 15 years and 10 months. Gregg tried to make up for his lack of resources by urging his side to play in an aggressive manner. But this only served to compound matters because it meant his Swans had the poorest disciplinary record in the club's history. By the end of September, Gregg's men had only eight points from 11 games. By mid-November that became 15 points from 21 games. In January, Gregg left to become Crewe manager and Harry Griffiths took over in a caretaker capacity, while still retaining his position of physiotherapist. Three directors resigned but let their financial investment remain in the club. Griffiths chose to go down the local route. Hence Curtis and James began their magnificent careers. The Swans eventually managed 15 wins and 6 draws - which, under the modern three-points-for-a-win rule, would have given them 51 points. The Swans still had to plead to the power-brokers to remain as a Football League club. But they got their way.. With two automatic relegation places to the conference this season, Flynn won't have such a luxury. It's a hard grind and there is a lot of rebuilding of confidence, and the team itself, to be done. But I will guess one thing. Flynn - and Curtis - will be more than happy if his team can reach the 51-point tally the side of '74-'75 would have managed under the current system. |
| Monday, September 30, 2002 Molby suprised Cusack rushed his Vetch rebuilding programme |
| Western Mail FORMER Swansea City manager Jan Molby admitted he was surprised that Nick Cusack brought 10 new players to the Vetch in the summer. Molby, whose Hull side were held to a 1-1 draw against the Swans on Saturday, suggested former player-coach Cusack may have rushed his squad rebuilding programme. "I was very surprised - I think everyone was - when Swansea signed that many play-ers, not least because I was led to believe the club was in financial difficulties," said Molby, who managed the Swans for 18 months from February 1996. "It's up to the manager to try to put a new squad together, but it takes time - something I've learned here at Hull. "Interestingly, it seems Brian (Flynn) has come in and gone back to players who are a bit more tried and trusted in the Swansea cause." And the irony of Cusack's massive summer recruitment campaign was not lost on Molby, who took charge at Hull towards the end of last season. Of those who started Saturday's match, six - Roger Freestone, Lee Jenkins, Kris O'Leary, Gareth Phillips, Damien Lacey and Steve Watkin - were either signed by or played under the former Denmark international. "I'm surprised one or two of them are still at Swansea," said Molby. "I thought they might have moved onto bigger and better things - particularly Lee Jenkins, who is a player who will give you everything. "But, to be fair, he's had a few gaps in his career with injuries. Now it appears he's being used as a utility player which is a shame because he's a very good central midfielder." Swansea lifted themselves off the bottom of the Third Division with a point at Hull and Molby is convinced Flynn will drag them clear of the danger zone. "I'm not saying that Cusack wouldn't have got it right, but Brian is an experienced man who will get them playing football," said the former Liverpool star. "Against us, they didn't play like a bottom club. I'm not saying there were outstanding performances, but they showed a lot of energy and worked hard for the cause. "If that is to continue, I'm sure they will gain some confidence and momentum and, come the end of the season, be long gone from the bottom two places." After being dismissed by Swansea, Molby enjoyed success at Kidderminster Harriers, taking the club back into the Football League in 2000 in his first full season in charge. He warned that relegation into the Nationwide Conference could prove disastrous. "It would be an understatement to say getting out of the Conference is tough - it's mission impossible. "But I honestly don't think it will happen to Swansea. There are enough grafters and people who can play in the team." |
| Monday, September 30, 2002 Cyril the Swan finds Mascots' Grand National is tough going |
| Western Mail SWANSEA City's Cyril the Swan failed to fly high in the annual soccer club Mascots' Grand National yesterday. But at the least the nine foot tall "bad boy" of the mascot world behaved himself at the event held in Huntingdon Race Course in Cambridge. A year ago Cyril's run to the finishing line ended with a run in with the police. After last year's race the Cambridgeshire force was called in when a woman dressed as a dog complained that Cyril pushed her over, damaging her ankle. No action was taken following an investigation. Cyril, a firm favourite at Swansea City's Vetch Field, has had a number of brushes with the footballing authorities in Wales and even appeared before the WFA charged with bringing the game into disrepute over a pitch invasion. He was also once accused of kicking the head off a wolf mascot. Yesterday however, Cyril stayed out of the limelight, contenting himself with a place in the also-rans at the Mascot Grand National which attracted a long list of runners. They included West Bromwich Albion's Baggie Bird, Shaggy the Sheep of Merthyr, Wandle Womble of Wimbledon, Scunny Bunny of Scunthorpe and Sammy Saint of Southampton. The winner yesterday was Chaddy the Owl (28-year-old Kev Williams) of Oldham Athletic. The win was not without its controversy as Scunny Bunny complained to the event organisers that Chaddy's boots were not "mascot sized". After an inquiry however the result stood. In second place yesterday came Harriet the Hornet (Ian Neave, 20) while third place when to Phony Pony of the Yorkshire Dales Trekking Centre. Cyril the Swan was one of 90 mascots in the Ladbrokes-sponsored race. Over four years the event has raised £20,000 for charities such as the NSPCC, and Noah's Ark Children's Hospice. |
| Monday, September 30, 2002 Readers Letter |
| Evening Post When Peter Nicholas was sacked along with Colin Addison, he commented the club was run by individuals, akin with the wheeltappers and shunters club. The way the club has treated Nick Cusack and Alan Curtis and the way they went about it I would suggest they contact social services, for the purchase or loan of a wheelchair, put whoever is running the club in it and apply to he Football League to change the name of the club to the Phoenix Club AFC. These people were on Swansea Sounds' Swansea Till I Die programme at the beginning of the season, begging the supporters to give the new dynamic management team time and not to panic because like all new management teams, especially inexperienced ones, it would take time and mistakes would be made as this would be a learning process. Then after less than 10 games into the season they turn around and sack the manager one hour before a critical game at Boston - an absolute "disgrace". This was done to a man who, since the first day he arrived at Swansea, has never given less than 100 per cent on the pitch and conducted himself off the pitch in a truly professional way. Nick Cusack probably did more than anyone to keep the playing side of the club alive when Tony Petty was trying to strangle the club and without his and also Alan's input, Swansea City may well have gone under. In the 30 years or more that I have followed this club, I don't think I have felt such shame and disgust at the way the club has acted towards two of the most well-respected individuals to work for the club. Yes, I would agree that things were not going well on the field and perhaps Nick needed a bit of help. This could have been done, perhaps with a role reversal with Alan, or taking on board help which had been freely offered by the likes Leighton James and Peter Nicholas. But to bring in a manager who has openly fallen out with the club, alienated a lot of supporters by his previous criticism of the club and has only taken the job because he has failed to find any other club since leaving Wrexham is certainly not the answer. If the board think the new team will increase the crowd attendance, I think they are sadly mistaken. I think the reverse will happen. I personally have nothing for or against Brian Flynn and time will tell if he is the manager to turn the club into the success we all want as fans. But, I for one, will never forget or forgive the way the club has treated Nick and Alan and would sincerely wish both men all the best for the future in whatever they do and to tell them they will never be forgotten by the real fans for what they did for our club on and off the field. J. C. Nicholas |
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Sunday, September 29, 2002 Swans get boost off the bottom |
| Wales on Sunday Swansea manager Brian Flynn didn't say anything at all. But goal hero James Thomas did all the talking for him. Actions speak louder than words and the Welshman's priceless 52nd minute equaliser gave Swansea their first league goal in 369 minutes, and more importantly moved them off the bottom of Division Three in the process. This change was positive psychological boost a fact that was not lost on Thomas. Said the ex-Wales under 21 international: "This draw has stopped the rot. Not that I thought we were playing badly, it's just we weren't getting the results." The ex-Blackburn striker is convinced that Flynn can spark a Swansea renaissance. He said: "It's always difficult when a new manager comes in because it takes time for him to get his new ideas across to the players. "At least now we have a free week before we play Rochdale at home next Saturday. "This is an important period to familiarise ourselves with what the gaffer wants." Flynn kept the same side that had lost at home to Torquay seven days earlier against a Hull side who are under-achieving at Boothferry Park. The Humber men have rattled up just two league victories on their own patch since March. The Swans were looking to smash a hoodoo of their own – the last time they tasted victory on the road was February 23. A big gate of 8,000 fell silent as the Swans almost grabbed the lead in the sixth minute. Steve Watkin cleverly released John Williams on the right but his whipped cross was narrowly missed by Lee Jenkins at the far post. But Jan Molby's Tigers should have been in front on 15 minutes. Ryan Williams played in Stuart Green, the on loan Newcastle player blazing wide of a gaping net. And Green's glaring miss was nearly magnified seconds later. A terrible mix –up between Hull keeper Paul Musslewhite and Justin White forced John Anderson to nod off the line from Thomas. But Hull took the lead three minutes before half-time through Phil Jevons, the striker spinning past Michael Howard and Kris O'Leary before finishing emphatically from 18 yards. Swansea pulled level seven minutes into the second-half. Williams long throw did the damage, David Theobald touched on and Thomas looped into the net at the near post. Rejuvenated Swansea were sniffing the kill as the clock ticked down, Jenkins and combative ally Gareth Phillips making a string of crucial challenges, Watkins and Thomas almost grabbing late glory. Hull were looking rattled and their frustration grew as Ian Ashbee headed straight at Roger Freestone from point blank range. The Tigers were at last showing their claws and the outstanding O'Leary was booked as he halted the menacing substitute Lawrie Dudfield on the left edge of the area. The Wales B cap back in the action moment later as hacked clear from Jevons but Swansea refused to wilt and they stood firm to the end. |
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Sunday, September 29, 2002 SWANS TAKE OFF |
| Sunday Mirror SWANSEA scrambled off the foot of the table to give new manager Brian Flynn a boost in only his second match in charge. The Swans, who have never before been at the foot of the football league pile, showed plenty of signs of better things to come. Jamie Thomas earned them a point with a header early in the second half - to end his team's 369-minute goal drought. Dave Theobald flicked on Lee Jenkins' long throw-in and Thomas headed it over keeper Paul Musselwhite. The Swans should have scored long before - but Jenkins got tangled up in front of goal when John Williams picked him out and Thomas saw a drive headed off the line by John Anderson. Swansea's despair at the goal-line clearance was compounded as Hull raced to the other end for Phil Jevons to guide the ball past the advancing Roger Freestone. But Swansea took the game to Hull again and it took a great Musselwhite save to keep out a Theobald header. After Thomas' equaliser, Swansea took control for long periods although Kristian O'Leary saved them from defeat with a clearance off the line from Simon Johnson. But the last chance feel to Swansea when Steve Watkin was foiled late in the game by Musselwhite, who smothered his shot on the line. |
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