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Super Stu - Jack Abroad


Hello and welcome to a one-off edition of Robbo's column. I was asked the other day if I could write a column to give you an update of my progress, so I agreed.

It was back in April when I last wrote for www.scfc.co.uk, and how things have changed since then.

Everyone was looking forward to the new season back in July when Nick Cusack was in-charge as Swansea were fancied by many as promotion candidates after so many new signings.

What a disastrous season it has been so far with the swans fighting for survival in the football league. Nick Cusack's signings have under achieved along with some other players and for the supporters it must be very difficult to watch at times. Lets hope results change quickly.

Since writing the last column, plenty has happened to myself and the other players at Wycombe.

I spent the majority of the summer back home in Llanelli, travelling back to Wycombe just 2 days a week for extra training sessions to build up on strength and stamina on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For 6 weeks we trained at our local training ground on weights and running and it wasn't easy :-)

As the weeks progressed so the weights increased and it was amazing to see the difference in the weights lifted by the end of the programme. July the 7th came and it was the end of our holiday period and it was back to the hard work.

We spent 2 weeks at our training ground increasing our fitness levels, i.e. running for fun, all day long, then we departed on our pre-season tour to Scotland.

We played Ayr and Dumbarton and I was fortunate to score in both games as we beat 1st division Ayr 2-0 and then lost 3-2 to 2nd division Dumbarton which is hard to believe.

Everyone was excited about the new season and it finally arrived. Good things were expected of us but unfortunately we've struggled to click in the first 24 games and we are playing catch-up with the teams above us.

For myself, I was involved in every game until October 21st when we played at Ninian Park. I started the match and got a fair bit of stick (usual stuff). Right on half time I slipped while trying to cross near the by-line and damaged my ankle ligaments badly.

I was devastated and found myself out of action for 9 weeks. Living away from home is tough when your on crutches for 3 weeks, as I found out :-(

Below is the rehabilitation programme I went through.

  • Week 1 + 2 - non-weight baring. Spent the first 2 weeks on crutches, just icing the ankle several times daily for 30minute periods. Kept the ankle elevated as much as possible to drain the swelling. Carried on with upper body weights programme right through the injury.
  • Week 3 - towards the end of the week I saw a sports consultant and he was concerned at the damage but let me off the crutches and gave me the green light to start very light training.
  • Week 4 - spent week 4 stretching the ankle and calf to get some movement back. Started ankle exercises e.g. trampoline work in gym, to build up the ligaments.
  • Week 5 - started light jogging, and continued ankle work.
  • Week 6 - stepped up the jogging and towards the end of the week started kicking a ball gently. Continued with ankle work and weights.
  • Week 7 - running full pace by now and kicking a ball but still weak when striking ball with power.
  • Week 8 - Increased the running and kicking exercises and now in final phase of rehabilitation.
  • Week 9 - joined in with the squad again for training on day to day basis.
  • Week 10 - finally returned to first team action against Bristol City.

A long 9 weeks and it was a great relief to play again. Of all places to get injured it had to be Cardiff, hopefully I will get my revenge on March 29th when the enemy visit Adams Park.

I returned to action just in time for the Xmas period, the only game we could win was against port vale in mid December and that was our last of the year.

A cracking 2-1 home win against Bristol City on New years day eased the pressure and took us within 7 points of the play-offs.

Then came the unbelievable game at Northampton. I started the game on the bench but came on in the 33rd minute for the injured Jonny Dixon as we led 1-0. Then Michael Simpson scored a free kick to double the lead just before half time.

The second half was only 15 seconds old when I finally scored my first goal for the club and the celebrations began. Then late on in the game I grabbed my second and third goals to cap off a great result, not a bad day then scoring your first goals and keeping the match ball.

A great day, a great feeling and the goal drought is finally over.

Back to Swansea and the position they find themselves in is very worrying and they're game with Bury on Tuesday is a must win game. If you are to have a chance of survival you must win your home games and Swansea must do that starting against Bury.

The next 4 months are enormous and it will determine the future of the great club. Finally, I would like to wish everyone concerned with the club the very best of luck in the quest for survival.

Lets hope that next time I write another column then the swans would have guaranteed their survival in the 3rd division. C'mon City.

All the Best,

Once a Jack, Always a Jack,

Robbo.


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Read Stu's Previous Columns
Read Stuart's column from 12/04/02 Read Stuart's column from 05/04/02
Read Stuart's column from 28/03/02 Read Stuart's column from 21/03/02
Read Stuart's column from 14/03/02 Read Stuart's column from 06/03/02
Read Stuart's column from 28/02/02 Read Stuart's column from 21/02/02
Read Stuart's column from 15/02/02 Read Stuart's column from 07/02/02
Read Stuart's column from 30/01/02 Read Stuart's column from 23/01/02
Read Stuart's column from 16/01/02 Read Stuart's column from 09/01/02
Read Stuart's column from 02/01/02 Read Stuart's column from 27/12/01
Read Stuart's column from 20/12/01 Read Stuart's column from 12/12/01
Read Stuart's column from 05/12/01 Read Stuart's column from 26/11/01
Read Stuart's column from 19/11/01 Read Stuart's column from 12/11/01
Read Stuart's column from 05/11/01 Read Stuart's column from 24/10/01
Read Stuart's column from 18/10/01

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