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Friday, December 06, 2002 'Don't get carried away' says Swans' Button

Western Mail SWANSEA CITY supporters are confident that there is light at the end of the tunnel for their beleaguered club after their escape from the relegation zone last weekend. But secretary of the supporters club John Button believes Swans fans should not get carried away too soon. He said, "The future is a bit brighter now. It was very gloomy down at the bottom there though. "It was nice to get a win and we jumped up the league when all the other teams around us lost." Swansea beat Shrewsbury 2-0 in the Nationwide division three clash at The Vetch and also won their previous home battle, beating Macclesfield 1-0. Button said, "I don't think our league position really reflected the team well. I'm not saying we are play-off material, but you don't like to think of your team as bad enough to be at the bottom. "There's light at the end of the tunnel, but we must not get carried away. We have won four games so far this season and it's halfway through. "We don't want to go through the second half of the season winning only another four games, but at least the pressure is off everyone for the moment. "Football has a way of kicking you in the teeth when you least expect it. "It's a shame now that we haven't got a game until December 14, but then we play another bottom side when we travel to Exeter and then we are home on December 21." Button says the supporters have been impressed with manager Brian Flynn so far in bringing in the likes of new loan signings Craig Steins and Leon Brittan. He said, "He wouldn't be a very good manager if he wasn't doing anything. Ever since he has come in he has changed the team slowly to what he wants it to be. "There were seven or eight games gone in the season when he arrived and there was a backlog of problems that he inherited from when Nick Cusack was manager." The Swans fans are now hoping their side's recent run of home league form will attract crowds back to The Vetch. Button added, "We have been getting crowds of about 3,600 and that's quite good. There's a hardcore of around 3,000 so maybe that will grow now."

Friday, December 06, 2002 Swans director slams plan to halve clubs

Western Mail SWANSEA CITY director Hugh Jenkins last night launched a scathing attack on Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon's suggestion that the number of professional clubs should be halved. Kenyon said only 40 of the current 92 league clubs should remain professional while the rest should turn semi-professional because of the current financial state of football. His controversial remarks came on the day Second Division club Port Vale applied to go into voluntary administration with debts of £2.4m, while players of cash-strapped First Division club Bradford agreed to defer a percentage of their wages until next summer. But Swans director Jenkins said Kenyon's comments were "ill-timed" and said Premiership clubs could help the cash-flow of clubs in the lower divisions by buying their best players instead of acquiring foreign players. "Any suggestions to help lower division clubs are always welcomed," Jenkins told The Western Mail. "There is talk of regionalising the lower leagues and that is something that will help a club like Swansea financially. "But this suggestion of reducing the number of professional clubs appears to be a case of a minority number of clubs looking to take the maximum amount from the pot. "Peter Kenyon's comments are very ill-timed. They have come at a time when all the Football League clubs are looking to put their financial house in order. "We are agreeing to moves such as the long-overdue introduction of salary capping which will go a long way to stabilising clubs." The Swans have their own financial problems and last March creditors voted in favour of Company Voluntary Arrangement to wipe out most of a £1.7m debt that threatened to bankrupt the Third Division club. Added Jenkins, "It will be more helpful if the Premiership clubs were more encouraging to the Football League clubs by investing in their best young players rather than spending fortunes on so-called overseas superstars. "If they bought our players then money would be retained in this country and the League would not be in the state it's in now." Kenyon, chief executive of a club with a stock market value of £260m, said yesterday, "Quite clearly, I don't think you can have four divisions of professional footballer any longer. "I think there are too many clubs. That's not to say that they can't exist but they can't all be professional and that has to be reviewed. "I can't see much beyond the first two divisions being fully professional and then a third division being semi-professional." Cardiff City manager Lennie Lawrence said it was inevitable that some league clubs would be forced to go part-time. "I think there will be a divide between the top two flights and it will happen over the next two or three years, although I don't agree with a divide," he said. "But if there is a split then we will be in the 40 that stay professional. "If you look at the First Division now there are only four or five small clubs in that division and my definition of a small club is one with an average gate of less than 10,000." Ian Todd, chairman of the Football Supporters Federation, savaged Kenyon's proposal that English football should be restructured. "It's a disaster for football. It's greed again," said Todd.

Friday, December 06, 2002 SWANS HIT OUT AT KENYON'S PLANS

Evening Post Swansea City have joined in the condemnation of Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon's claim that English football can only sustain 40 professional clubs. The Old Trafford supremo branded the current total of 92 in the top four divisions ''too many'' in light of the recent ITV Digital crisis. His future blueprint retained full-time clubs only in the Premiership and Division One, with the Second Division going semi-pro. Division Three, where Swansea currently play, was written off all together - much to the annoyance of Vetch Field director Huw Jenkins. ''Any good suggestions which might help the clubs in the Football League are welcome,'' he said. ''But we feel this is possibly a case of self-interest - where the minimum number of clubs are trying to keep the maximum amount of the pot. ''It would be more helpful if the big clubs were more encouraging to the rest of the Football League. ''By that I mean investing in youngsters rather than spending fortunes on overseas 'superstars'. ''Everyone's interests would be best served if money could be retained in the UK game, and it's fair to say the Football League wouldn't be in the state it's in now but for the flow of cash out of Britain.'' Added Jenkins: ''These comments are particularly ill-timed coming when Football League clubs are trying to put their houses in order with the long overdue decision to introduce a wage cap, which will help ensure they don't overstretch.'' Former Swansea boss Nick Cusack, now working full-time as chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association, also voiced his concerns over Kenyon's comments. ''We believe that beyond players' livelihoods, the Swanseas, Shrewsburys and Macclesfields of this world are very important to their local communities,'' he said. ''We want to keep them within the league pyramid.''

Friday, December 06, 2002 SWANSEA City secure funding

Evening Post SWANSEA City have secured funding which will safeguard youth development at Vetch Field for the next four years regardless of the club's Football League status. There had been fears that Swansea's youth set-up could be seriously damaged should the club be relegated to the Conference. But youth development officer Wayne Powell has moved to ease any worries following negotiations with the Football League and Sport England. Funding deals with the league's 72 sides are up for renewal at the end of this season, with each club required to submit a four-year plan to the Football League. ''As Swansea are a currently a member of the Nationwide League, we are eligible for funding for 2002 to 2006,'' Powell explained. ''This grant will remain in place until 2006, thus safeguarding the youth department and the youth structure irrespective of what league we are playing in. ''Our mission at Vetch Field is to maintain an environment conducive to best practice and development and provide the best facilities for the centre of excellence. ''That will enable us to produce quality, local-based players with the ability to play eventually for Swansea City in the Football League. ????''The structure will continue to develop, giving all players the opportunity to progress as footballers. ''The department's aim is to maintain continuity in all aspects of the centre of excellence, with all staff having specific roles within the context of a structured development programme.'' The centre of excellence this week agreed partnerships with the Swansea Junior League and Rhondda Cynon Taff Council, with more tie-ups planned as further finance becomes available.

Friday, December 06, 2002 ANOTHER BOOST FOR TRUST - AND ONE FOR YOUTH

Evening Post A former Swansea City player has backed his old club's Supporters' Trust's loan appeal - and is hoping to generate more cash for them. Tony Guard, who made his one and only appearance for the club in a 1-0 defeat against Blackburn in October 1983 - the game which prompted John Toshack's resignation as manager - now runs a utilities brokerage company and he has linked up with the trust to hopefully raise extra cash. Guard's company, Energy Spy, is an internet-based firm which seeks to find customers deals for electricity and gas supplies. His firm have already donated the £375 needed to pay a month's wages for a loan player. But Guard wants to go a step further and raise more money to help the trust more. He is offering the trust a percentage of the profits made for all customers in the SA1 to SA15 postcode area who sign up to Energy Spy. No figures can be given on how much the trust could obtain from the scheme but it could be a substantial amount, depending on how many customers switch. ''I played for the Swans some years ago,'' said Guard, who went on to play in Australia, Singapore, Finland and in the Conference before retiring. ''But I have some great memories of my time there. ??''It's great to be able to help the club and especially the trust. ''Hopefully this new scheme will benefit both the trust and our firm in the long run. ''I read about the Welsh Tartan Centre giving their cash and wanted to do the same. ''Let's just hope that this is the catalyst for more firms to help.''

Tuesday, December 03, 2002 Boston say no to fixture switch

Evening Post Swansea City have failed in an attempt to bring forward their bottom-of-the-table fixture with Boston United to Saturday. With neither club in FA Cup second-round action at the weekend, Swansea boss Brian Flynn came up with the idea of switching the league game from Tuesday, March 4. But Boston, who took over from Swansea at the bottom of Division Three after defeat by Leyton Orient last Saturday, have said no to the plan. ''We tried to rearrange the game but they declined the offer,'' Flynn explained. ''We are due to play on a Tuesday night in March and because both sides have a free week I thought this could be an option.'' He continued: ''It's frustrating that we're not still in the FA Cup. We want to play, so I've arranged the game with Aston Villa's reserves tomorrow. ''It means we can have a look at the two boys we have on trial. They both trained well yesterday and I had a chance to look them in the eye and see if they are up for a fight at the bottom of Division Three. ''They were both very positive, and all being well they will both join us.'' Leeds United youngster Craig Stiens, originally from Port Tennant, is set for a one-year loan switch to his hometown club, while West Ham's Leon Britton should sign a one-month deal next week. ''I'd love to stay here for a year as it would be a great experience for me and would really help my development,'' said 18-year-old Stiens, who played for Swansea between Under-12 and Under-14 level before moving north. ''I'm hoping that if I get a chance then I'll score a few goals, but I can also play in midfield on the right or left. ''I'm nippy and I like playing off a big man - playing off James Thomas would be ideal.'' Britton, 20, joined the Hammers from Arsenal for £400,000 as a 16-year-old but is yet to make the first team at Upton Park. ''If you look at the Premiership, apart from the odd one like Wayne Rooney, there are not a lot of young players coming through right now and it's hard,'' said the 5ft 5in central midfielder. ''There seem to be a lot of foreign players in the way and it'll do me good to get some games on loan and try to make an impression. ''I'm comfortable on the ball. I like to pass it about or try to take people on. Because I'm quite small, I'm not going to go bruising it and battling it. I like to try to play.''

Tuesday, December 03, 2002 DIGGING IN FOR A LONG, HARD GRAFT TO SURVIVAL

Evening Post Swansea City chose Australia's Ashes-clinching weekend to hint that Poms wearing white and half-centuries may sometimes go together. Brian Flynn asked for 50 points on the eve of Shrewsbury's visit to South Wales, and his players responded by chipping away at the target with their best performance of the season. And while the wanted-tally remains a long way off - Swansea have just 18 points at the moment - a rare wave of optimism made its way round Vetch Field after Shrewsbury were seen off in some style on Saturday. Welsh smiles lit up a gloomy night as another paltry crowd made its way home just before five o'clock. ''Matt Murphy gave us something we haven't had all season,'' said one gleeful fan, ''Alan Tate was class,'' added another and ''(Andrew) Mumford's back to his best,'' said a third. The grins grew broader as word spread of results elsewhere - Carlisle, Boston, Exeter and Bristol Rovers had all lost to see Swansea jump four places to 20th in Division Three. They now face two of the sides they leapfrogged - Exeter and Rovers - as well as Leyton Orient, who are just above, and mid-table Lincoln in what could be the critical month of the season. The trip to Sincil Bank three days after Christmas marks the turn for home in the Nationwide League season, by which time Flynn wants 25 points on the board. On this season's form, not something to put your mortgage on, but perhaps worth a pound from the present fund after Saturday's confidence-boosting display. ''Without a doubt that's the best performance over 90 minutes since I came here,'' said a delighted Flynn. ''It's very pleasing because we dominated most of the game and there were some very good points to come out of it. ''We were composed and solid at the back, inventive in midfield and we tried to play properly on a difficult surface. ''James Thomas played slightly out of position on the left and did well and Matt Murphy and Marc Richards were a handful up front. We did not allow Shrewsbury into it.'' Dejected Shrews boss Kevin Ratcliffe could not argue with his former Welsh international colleague. ''It must have been the easiest day of Roger Freestone's career,'' he moaned. Indeed, Swansea's goalkeeper could have spent the whole of a rainswept afternoon holding an umbrella, for his hands were not required to repel the visitors. Half-time substitute Steve Jagielka was the only player to give Freestone a fright when his 54th-minute mishit spun over the bar. And that was it. Ratcliffe must have been wishing the match had fallen foul of the miserable weather, which an hour before kick off had left referee Brian Curson considering his options. Flynn will still be giving thanks that the Leicestershire official pressed ahead, for his side raced out of the soggy blocks and never eased up. Andrew Mumford sent in the first of many fine crosses only for Marc Richards's crisp volley to cannon off David Artell in the first quarter hour. Within 60 seconds, the rejuvenated midfielder had Shrews keeper Ian Dunbavin scrambling to save his 35-yard free-kick and Jason Smith spurned a great chance from the resulting corner. Already it was looking like win No. 3 of Flynn's stay at the Vetch, though he would have been a little concerned that the scores were still level as half-time approached. He thought Swansea were in front when Matt Murphy, the makeshift striker who is fast making the position of line-leader his own, rose high to meet another Mumford set-piece. The former Oxford man's header thudded against the bar and it seemed there would be no repeat of his goal at York four days earlier. Oh yes there would, it's that time of year. Three minutes before the interval, Mumford whipped the ball in from the opposite flank and Murphy made no mistake. With on-loan Manchester United defender Tate winning the fans over o n his home debut and Jason Smith standing tall alongside him despite a Terry Butcher-esque bloodied face and shirt, Swansea had the platform on which to base more forward probes in the second period. Murphy was disappointed not to notch his second from Thomas's cross, while Richards might have scored his first Swansea goal three minutes earlier than he did. As it was, the on-loan striker met another centre from former Blackburn team-mate Thomas and the points were sealed with 20 minutes to play. ''This win will give us confidence,'' added Flynn. ''We said we were not going to change things overnight but gradually we can see things coming together. ''The players are starting to believe in us, and if they can implement what we know is right then we will get results and consistency.'' A good day, then, but with 32 points still to be found from 26 matches, many more like these are required. There's a long way to go before Swansea can kiss the badge and take the plaudits.

Tuesday, December 03, 2002 'Leon can emulate Lampard' - says Flynn

Western Mail SWANSEA CITY'S director of football Brian Flynn believes prospective new loan signing Leon Britton can go on to emulate Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard. The Swans will sign the 20-year-old West Ham midfielder on a month's loan next week in time for him to play in the crunch league match against Exeter at St James Park. And Flynn hopes Britton follows in the steps of another West Ham youngster who came to the Vetch to kickstart his professional career. Lampard, now at Chelsea, was 17 when Bobby Smith - then Swansea manager - brought him to the Vetch on loan during the 1995-96 season. The teenager made his league debut in a 2-0 home win over Bradford and went on to make 10 appearances for the Second Division Swans before returning to Upton Park. Lampard went on to become one of the Premiership's most promising young players and in June 2001 he moved across London to join Chelsea in an £11m switch. "Coming from West Ham, Leon has had an excellent education in football and I'm sure he will do well for us," Flynn said. "Look at the players who have come out of West Ham. There are almost too many to mention - Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard. "Lampard, in fact, made his league debut with Swansea. This club helped his career to get going and I hope the same thing happens with Leon." Lampard has won seven England caps, the first against Belgium in 1999 and the last against Paraguay last April. "Leon is small in stature - he is 5ft 5in - but he loves having the ball and he's keen to make it in the game. I believe he's got the ability to become a Premiership player. "This is what bringing in players on loan is all about - it benefits the club and it also benefits the player himself. "Like Lampard when he came here a few years ago, Leon needs first-team experience which he isn't getting at West Ham." Apart from Britton, Flynn - who saw his side move off the bottom of the Third Division on Saturday following a 2-0 home win over Shrews-bury - will also be bringing Leeds striker Craig Stiens to the Vetch. Flynn will sign the 18-year-old, a product of Swansea's youth system before he joined Leeds four years ago, on loan for 12 months. "Craig is coming up to 19 and he's younger than Leon. He's been frustrated at Leeds. The opportunity hasn't been there for him," explained Flynn. "I'm not saying he's going to start every game for us but I'm sure he will be involved. "Having two new faces in the dressing room will give it a lift. That's not the reason I'm bringing them here - I'm bringing them here to improve the squad - but it's a bonus you get from signing them." Both Britton and Stiens will feature for the Swans in a reserve match at Aston Villa tomorrow. Former Arsenal trainee Britton told the club's official website yesterday, "If you look at the Premiership, apart from the odd one like Wayne Rooney, there's not a lot of young players coming through right now. "There seems to be a lot of foreign players in the way. It will do me good to get some games on loan and try and make an impression. He added, "You can play so many reserve games and you can do well, but at the end of the day it's not the same as playing in the Football League. "If you can do well when you are playing lea gue games then it's going to make people notice you more than if you're playing for the reserve team."

Tuesday, December 03, 2002 Flynn recruits two more loan players

BBC Online After seeing his side claw their way out of the relegation zone on Saturday, Swansea City Director of Football Brian Flynn will bring two more loan players to the club this week. Flynn has recruited Leeds striker Craig Steins and West Ham midfielder Leon Britton. Britton, a classy 20-year-old midfielder, joined the Hammers for £400,000 from Arsenal when he was just 16, but is yet to make his senior debut. Steins, originally from the Swansea area, is a member of the Wales Under-19s team. Flynn told the club's official website: "We're going to take a look at him for the next fortnight and if we like what we see we could keep him for the whole year. "He's a big strong lad with a good pedigree. If he comes here it will be to further his career and help his development." One of the major reasons for bringing Flynn to the Vetch was his renowned ability to operate on a limited budget and make shrewd loan signings. The money to bring the youngsters in has been donated by the long-suffering Swans fans. The benefits were clear to see in the 2-0 win over Shrewsbury, where on-loan Marc Richards and Alan Tate played leading roles. Flynn's bold 4-3-3 tactics were also widely praised, and it seems that the former Wrexham supremo is finally putting his mark on the Swansea squad. Unfortunately, Swansea face a long wait before they can hope to build on Saturday's victory. Their next game is not until December 14 when they visit Exeter City. Flynn has organised a game with Aston Villa behind closed doors at Villa's training ground on Wednesday. He also hopes to arrange another game for the following week. Flynn has stated that sought-after youngster Jamie Rewbury must stay at the Vetch. The 16-year-old striker was a £250,000 target for Portsmouth. The 6'2" Welsh Schools international has been with the club since he was 11 and signed scholarship forms in the summer.

Monday, December 02, 2002 SWANS ON THE WING

Mirror SWANSEA manager Brian Flynn hailed his side for "the best performance since I came here" as they finally hauled themselves off the bottom of the table. The Swans, in fact, climbed four places to 20th in the Third Division - their highest position for more than two months. They made light of appalling conditions, with driving rain making the surface treacherous, to demolish a side unbeaten in their previous eight games. "It was a day when we did everything well. We were solid, sharp and incisive up front," said the delighted Flynn. Shrewsbury boss, Kevin Ratcliffe - like Flynn a former Welsh captain - took a swipe at his own team when he said: "Good luck to Swansea, but this was our worst display of the season. "We just never got going at all. We didn't create a single chance and could have lost by more." Swansea dominated from the start. Midfielder, Matt Murphy, playing in an unaccustomed striker's role, responded with his third goal in four games to put the Swans on their way to victory after 42 minutes. Murphy had already seen one header hit the crossbar but this time he met Andrew Mumford's cross perfectly to head home. Welsh Under-21 striker, James Thomas, hit a point-blank shot straight at Shrewsbury keeper, Ian Dunbavin but it didn't matter as Swansea sealed victory 21 minutes from the end. Marc Richards, making his home debut on loan from Blackburn, joyfully headed in Damian Lacey's cross.

Monday, December 02, 2002 Tate stars in Swans' season-best show

Western Mail A TORRENTIAL downpour before kick-off threatened to halt this game before it had even started. Luckily a pre-match inspection by referee Brian Curson confirmed the pitch at the Vetch was up to it . . . and rarely can Swansea City manager Brian Flynn and his players have been more grateful. This was perhaps the Swans' best performance of the season as goals from Matt Murphy and Marc Richards gave them their biggest win since the 2-0 victory over Bournemouth back in August. Flynn's men were transformed. They looked sharp and dangerous. Despite the wet conditions, they passed the ball around with an assured confidence which made a nonsense of their bottom-of-the-table status. Not that they are bottom any more after this, climbing in fact to 20th in the table. On-loan Manchester United youngster Alan Tate typified the new-look Swans. His composure on the ball was superb, his passing from the back giving the Swans an option they have lacked this season. For the second game running, the Man Utd youngster was the Swans' best player. He looks a terrific capture and the more Flynn can keep hold of him, the better for the Swans. Flynn did say, when he took over as manager, that he would utilise his close friendship with Sir Alex Ferguson to secure United youngsters. So far he has been as good as his word. With Tate supplying the lead, the rest of the Swans' players took up the mantle. In the end, only a mixture of poor finishing and great goalkeeping kept the score down to 2-0. Not that Flynn will care about that too much. Three points, not how many goals they get, is what matters to the Swans. By their own standards, the Shrews were poor. It was their first defeat in nine games and only the second time this season that they have failed to score. Manager Kevin Ratcliffe admitted that this was his side's worst performance of the season and he backed Flynn's men to beat the drop "We didn't play well and deserved to lose the game," admitted Ratcliffe. "You can't come to a place like the Vetch and expect an easy time as they are battling for their Football League existence. "We weren't organised and if we continue to defend like that we will continue to concede goals and lose games. "But credit to Swansea. They played well and if they can keep up that level of performance then they won't be worrying about relegation any more." With 30 minutes gone Welsh under-21 star Andrew Mumford curled in a ferocious free-kick which Murphy headed against the bar. But Murphy soon made amends, this time managing to nod Mumford's set-play past keeper Dunbavin. It was Murphy's third goal in four games and came just before the break. Great timing. However, with 20 minutes remaining the Swans made the game safe when Richards nodded home Murphy's superb cross.

Monday, December 02, 2002 Premiership loan signings set for Swans

Western Mail BRIAN FLYNN is preparing to strengthen his Swansea City squad by signing West Ham midfielder Leon Britton and Leeds United striker Craig Stiens on loan. Britton, who cost the east London club £400,000 when he joined from Arsenal at the age of 16, arrives at the Vetch today and will spend four days training with the Swans. But with no fixture at the weekend, the 20-year-old midfielder - yet to make a first-team appearance for the Hammers - will not sign until next week. Stiens, 18, a former Swansea City schoolboy from Port Tennant, will spend two weeks at the Vetch with a view to joining on a 12-month loan. The Wales Under-19 cap is a regular member of the Elland Road reserve team but his progress has been hindered by the number of strikers at Leeds. "Craig is a big, strong player with a good pedigree and, being a local lad, we know there would be no problem with him settling in Swansea," said Flynn. "We'll have a good look at him and if he comes here, it wouldn't be for a holiday - it would be to further his development." Having strengthened his de-fence by signing Alan Tate on loan from Manchester United and bolstered the attack with the arrival of Marc Richards from Blackburn, Flynn believes Britton can beef up the midfield. And the director of football said there could yet be more additions to the squad as the Swans seek to build on Saturday's emphatic 2-0 victory against Shrewsbury Town. "It's possible that there could be more strengthening," said Flynn, whose side climbed out of the Third Division relegation zone with the win. "Assuming he signs, Leon's arrival will be another building block in what we're trying to achieve here. "He's a young midfield player who is keen to come to Swansea, which is an important factor." Should Britton sign for the Swans, he would become the third young Hammer to have a loan spell at the Vetch. In 1994 Matthew Rush had a successful three-month stay at Swansea, making 18 appearances for the club and helping them get to Wembley for the first time in the Autoglass Trophy. And 18 months later a then-un-known Frank Lampard enjoyed an impressive loan spell at the Vetch, scoring twice in 10 appearances.

Monday, December 02, 2002 Flynn recruits two more loan players

BBC Online After seeing his side claw their way out of the relegation zone on Saturday, Swansea City Director of Football Brian Flynn will bring two more loan players to the club this week. Flynn has recruited Leeds striker Craig Steins and West Ham midfielder Leon Britton. Britton, a classy 20-year-old midfielder, joined the Hammers for £400,000 from Arsenal when he was just 16, but is yet to make his senior debut. Leon Britton profile Steins, originally from the Swansea area, is a member of the Wales Under-19s team. Flynn told the club's official website: "We're going to take a look at him for the next fortnight and if we like what we see we could keep him for the whole year. "He's a big strong lad with a good pedigree. If he comes here it will be to further his career and help his development." One of the major reasons for bringing Flynn to the Vetch was his renowned ability to operate on a limited budget and make shrewd loan signings. The money to bring the youngsters in has been donated by the long-suffering Swans fans. The benefits were clear to see in the 2-0 win over Shrewsbury, where on-loan Marc Richards and Alan Tate played leading roles. Flynn's bold 4-3-3 tactics were also widely praised, and it seems that the former Wrexham supremo is finally putting his mark on the Swansea squad. Flynn has stated that sought-after youngster Jamie Rewbury must stay at the Vetch. The 16-year-old striker was a £250,000 target for Portsmouth. The 6'2" Welsh Schools international has been with the club since he was 11 and signed scholarship forms in the summer.

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