Calm Before The Storm

My other articles for this site have largely centred around Kenny Jackett, some minor voices who are against him, and my opinion on his suitability for our club. Many said around and before the Rotherham home defeat that he was clueless tactically and unable to change a game or make any brave decisions.

I think our performances and form since that day have proved those supporters wrong. I never bought into the opinion that he was all the above things, but I was equally disgusted by the ineptitude of the players against Rotherham. This though, I blame on the players. The following game saw O'Leary re-installed in the centre of midfield, and so followed a wonder-goal that kept our hopes alive and pushed us back into the play-offs. It was also a game which marked the brave re-call of Kevin McLeod. A smaller man might have let pride get in the way, with what had gone before, but it was a brave decision which paid off in the game and a half before Kevin broke his ankle. In came Shaun McDonald instead of the experienced Adrian Forbes against Southend, Chesterfield and Brentford, and when needed, it was Forbes who replaced the young boy who had done himself proud. Also, the dropping of Magic daps himself, who has scored so many vital goals to get us out of trouble previously, another brave move which could have back-fired. Instead, Leon Knight has fired 5 goals in the 3 games he's played to propel us into the final against Barnsley.So, whatever happens on Saturday, we must remember that Kenny Jackett stood up to the problems we faced with 3 games of the season, and we made it thanks to his brave decisions. It's easy when you are riding a crest of a wave, but he has managed to produce some form from absolutely nowhere.Also, to those of you fans who aren't massive Swans fans and will be experiencing maybe only your second Swansea experience following the Football league trophy Final. Make no mistake; this is going to be far more intense, far more important, and far more tears shed if we lose. Let's turn Cardiff White for the day, stay out of trouble and hope Trundle and Tate have learned a few things. An apology t-shirt would go down a treat I think. This game isn't nearly as important as the one 3 years ago which preserved our league status, so let's remember the hat-trick hero James Thomas, because without his goals that day, none of this would be possible. We must remember where we have come from just 3 years ago, and hopefully on Saturday we will see where we are going....