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A draw means this is the first post match magazine we have put together and not morned a loss.

The midfield looks to have settled, Leon being Leon allows Ki to create further forward, he looks very energetic.

It means well keep going a bit longer, even if the poor run has left us a bit disheartened hense our later issue.

I think its time to give Luke Moore a chance who really does looks the business to me this year. Danny Graham isn’t on fire at the moment

Goals change matches and our perception of them and yesterdays game shows this more than most. We had more chances and more efforts than our 5-0 win v QPR and our 3-0 win v West Ham and in both those matches our keeper had to pull off more saves than he did v Reading.

The fact is we could and probably should have won the game comfortably and it was a very assured and good performance.

There were positives all over the place. Ashley Williams looked far better and assured, Chico looked slightly less mental and Ben Davies continues to impress, the whole defence looked solid.

and sometimes the best thing you can do for a player is drop him.

Week off for stupid internationals and we could probably do with it. I didn’t think I’d be assured by a draw at home to a side who will surerly go down but that I am.

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Sw�n�e� 2 - 2 Rea��n�

By Matthew Jacob

Two points dropped, or a point gained?

Swansea City produced a battling performance to come from two goals down to grab a late equaliser against struggling Reading. Goals from Miguel Michu and then Wayne Routledge rescued a point for the Swans following goals from Pogrebnyak and Hunt for the visitors. I must admit I was a little disappointed to only come away with one point from a game I felt we could have won, and won easily, such was the Swans dominance in the first half.

The Royals arrived at the Liberty still seeking their first win this season, and it was their first visit since that day in London. '4-2 at Wembley' chanted the East stand before kickoff, and I suspect many fans felt that this game was a real opportunity for us to get back on track with a win and pile misery on Reading, who have endured a tough start to life in the top flight. Brian McDermott is a man I have always viewed as someone with excellent knowledge of the game and wants his team to play 'the right way'. To bounce back after the defeat at Wembley by winning the championship shows good mental strength and spirit, Reading will need both of those if they are to survive this season.

With all due respect to Reading they are not a fantastic side, however they do have some real talents in Pogrebnyak and Kebe (and their young goalkeeper it seems!, more on him later). At the back they look a little suspect, and the midfield was unable to cope with our passing style early on and in the second half and if I'm completely honest it looked like they

missed Mikele Leigertwood in the centre.

They invited us to pressure them even though they went two nil up and you simply cannot afford to do that in the Premier League, even the top sides like Chelsea and Manchester United will continue to attack whether they are one up or four up. Much like ourselves they have lessons to learn from this game and they will need to take the experience forward into future games.

And so, to the game itself. Laudrup opted to start the game with the same eleven that opened at Stoke with Pablo Hernandez was on the bench. Swansea raced out of the blocks and pushed Reading right back into their 18 yard box. Danny Graham has been under fire of late due to his lack of form, the big striker has looked jaded in recent weeks and he should have done much better with his header from a Routledge cross early on, although it was the first of a string of fine saves for McCarthy in the Reading goal. Routledge then became the guilty party as he wasted a golden opportunity to put us ahead as he latched onto a through ball but could only shoot straight at the keeper. You'll always pay for wasting chances, and we were made to moments later as a hopeful ball arrived at the feet of Reading's Pogrebnyak, his shot was tame and Michel Vorm won't want to see that one again as the ball squirmed under him and into the net.

One down despite our dominance, yet the howls of frustration soon died down under the realisation that we were still well on top and could push on and equalise. That became less likely however just before half time as a defensive mix-up allowed Noel Hunt to crash a volley into the far corner past Vorm for the visitors

Half the Spaniard skied theSwansea rebound. Sw second. second.

Half time, andtime, you and couldyou feelcould the feelSpaniard then skiedthen the rebound. despair, how had we managed to find managed to squeeze in the despair, how had we managed to find managed to squeeze in the obligatory obligato ourselves in this position? 'heart in mouth'as moment, as Vorm ca ourselves in this position? 'heart in mouth' moment, Vorm came for a cross and missed it, leaving Ash for a cross and missed it, leaving Ashley Laudrup will have been upset with the Williams to clear Jay Tabb's header off Laudrup will have been upset with the Williams to clear Jay Tabb's header off the team went behind, line.whistle The final whistle manner manner in whichin hiswhich teamhis went behind, line. The final blew; and blew; it left and it left but whatever hethem said at tohalf them at half Laudrup time, Laudrup and the players but whatever he said to time, and the players with plentywith to plenty it worked.

He swapped Luke Moore for think about going into the internatio it worked. He swapped Luke Moore for think about going into the international Danny Graham and it almost paid break.

Danny Graham and it almost paid break. dividends straight away as the striker dividends straight away as the striker great pace to get away the most The most important thing about com showedshowed great pace to get away from the from The important thing about coming centre but was his shot wasaway turned away back in that fashion was that we 'stop centre back butback his shot turned back in that fashion was that we 'stopped by the goalkeeper. , a run of four successive by the goalkeeper.

MomentsMoments later he later hethe rot', a the run rot' of four successive defeats defea deniedagain Moore as he somehow going intogoing into the international break wo denied Moore as again he somehow the international break would managed to tip the striker's goal bound have been by no means fatal, managed to tip the striker's goal bound have been by no means fatal, but it givesbut it g header onto the post.

Those two chances the players something build on be header onto the post. Those two chances the players something to build ontobefore inspired believe not only in the players but the next game and then tough inspired believe not only in the players but the next game and then tough encountersenco and there werechances further chances withand Chelsea and Manchester City to the fans,the andfans, there were further with Chelsea Manchester City to forRoutledge Ki and Routledge before finally, the for Ki and before finally, the come. come. breakthrough as Routledge's cross A specialfor mention forgoalkeeper Reading goalke breakthrough as Routledge's cross A special mention Reading deflected off a defender and bounced Alex McCarthy, who I was familiar wi deflected off a defender and bounced Alex McCarthy, who I was familiar with perfectly for Michu to plant a diving after a string of fine performances in perfectly for Michu to plant a diving after a string of fine performances in the header past McCarthy.

Game on. championship for the Royals last yea header past McCarthy. Game on. championship for the Royals last year, but he was outstanding and his team-ma he was outstanding and his team-mates introduced Hernandez frayhim aowe him a huge for the sa LaudrupLaudrup introduced Hernandez to the frayto the owe huge thank you thank for theyou saves and hetobegan showofflashes of what hekeep made to keep them ahead, somet and he began show to flashes what he hehe made to them ahead, sometimes can to our side, his technical you to just have totake applaud, can bring to bring our side, his technical ability ability you just have applaud, your take your and movement is superb and I have no medicine and move on,isand and movement is superb and I have no medicine and move on, and that whatthat is w doubt he can become an important player Swansea City must do now. doubt he can become an important player Swansea City must do now. Our next Our next It other was the other substitute whogame seesgame sees us faceAthletic a Wigan Athletic s for us. Itfor wasus. the substitute who us face a Wigan side impressed me the and I think most thata pushed a very good Everton impressed me the most andmost I think most that pushed very good Everton team all tea will agree that he made a great the way yesterday, the way yesterday, be stiff op fans willfans agree that he made a great and will beand stiffwill opposiimpact on the game, and it was Luketion maketion make no mistake. impact on the game, and it was Luke no mistake.

Moore who played a perfectly weighted There were lots ofaspects pleasing aspects a Moore who played a perfectly weighted There were lots of pleasing about through ball for Routledge to race onto the performance on Saturday, through ball for Routledge to race onto the performance on Saturday, particularlyparticu and smash his shot past the keeper for the fight tointo get the back into the and smash his shot past the keeper for the thethe fight to get back game, if wegame, i equaliser, bedlam at the Liberty, and no can cut out the sloppy mistakes and equaliser, bedlam at the Liberty, and no can cut out the sloppy mistakes and we deserved our perforcontinue tothat attack in that we less thanless wethan deserved given ourgiven perforcontinue to attack in fashion, wefashion, can manceWith overall. the comeback go one hundred go oneper hundred per cent mance overall. theWith comeback cent match last match last complete there was still time for controseason finish comfortably in the complete there was still time for controseason and finishand comfortably in the versy when Hernandez felt Shorey had league. versy when Hernandez felt Shorey had league. withMike a hand, Mike Dean the international blockedblocked his shot his withshot a hand, Dean Enjoy the Enjoy international break, backbreak, Chris back C ignored the penalty shouts, but the and the boys! ignored the penalty shouts, but the and the boys!

Pl���� Ra��ng� � Rea��n� Vorm: 5/10 Was clearly at fault for the first goal and had no chance with the second. Its always difficult for a keeper to suddenly be involved in a game when not touched the ball for nearly half an hour but he will be disappointed with his role in their opener. He’s not mr dependable this season but I’m sure he’ll come good.

Davies: 6/10 Got forward well and dealt with their threats with ease. An accomplished performance without ever being overly involved. I got excited while he stood over a free-kick which looked ideal for a left footed screamer but he left it for Ki to cross.

Rangel: 6/10 If I was to be harsh he maybe could have been closer to the big Russian (with the name I wont even attempt to spell) for their first goal but in reality he strolled through the game and was a constant outlet.

Williams: 7/10 A much more assured performance, could of had a goal or two to really cap it off. A vital header late on kept us with the point but all in all a far more complete performance by the new Welsh captain

Chico: 7/10 The jury is still out for me but a very good performance today, he looked strong and comfortable on the ball. Went on a mazy run late on and I could see him scoring a screamer at the end, but it never came.

Good solid performance

Ki: 8/10 Man of the Match once again, he looks dangerous both with his passes and his shots. Unlucky to see his shot saved onto the post after a good run, he ballooned a couple but another top performance. Cemented his place in the side

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Britton: 7/10 400 not out and he seemed to enjoy his mile stone game. A couple of turns and showboat moments which you don’t see from him every week but controlled the tempo of the game with his short and tidy passing which we do see week in week out.

Michu: 7/10 He always looks like he has a goal in him. He definitely is more of a forward than a third midfielder but his goal scoring record is quality for any striker. Thats 5 for the season now. He took it well, diving headers always look good and it skipped up to him so a good finish.

Dyer: 6/10 Not Nathans best game but did nothing wrong, it just didn’t come off for him. I’d like to have seen him dropped to right back when Hernandez came on. 2-0 down, I think him and the Spaniad would be terrifying if your defending a lead.

Routledge: 7/10 Missed a good chance early on which would have made for a very different game. He made up for that with a great finish with the goal.

Wanted the ball as ever and looked lively. Deserves his starting place at the moment.

Graham: 5/10 Not at the races, not the same player as he was last season and I think he needs to be dropped. His work rate doesn’t even seem as impressive as last year. Is he happy? Drop him, give Moore a run and let him fight for his place.

Subs:

Moore: Changed the game as he has in the last few games when he’s come on. He looks dangerous, nearly scored with his first touch, saved onto the post with another header, set up the equaliser. Why is he still starting on the bench??

Hernandez: Should have scored the winner and with his future brother-in-law watching it would have been a nice moment. He’s getting there, expectations still WAY too high.

JDG: Didn’t get long enough to make too much of an impact although had a few shots in that time. A poor effort with his weaker foot and a good volley which hit the 9 side netting.

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Fr�� ��� Sw�n�1�0 �r�����: The most famous clash between the two clubs, from the Swans’ point of view, was in 1964. On 15th February, Swansea Town met Stoke at the Victoria Ground in the FA Cup 5th Round.

Despite Stanley Matthews opening the scoring, the game ended in a 2-2 draw. This was in fact the great Stan’s last ever goal before he retired. Matthews had also scored in an FA Cup game at the Vetch, nearly 30 years previously in 1935.

In the replay, Swansea went through 2-0 with goals from Todd and McLaughlin, (and went on to beat Liverpool away in the quarter-final!).

100 years ago: The closest game to the next upcoming fixture 100 years ago was a home Welsh League game against Merthyr Town on 28th September 1912. The reserves were away at Milford Town on the same day.

History against Stoke: Stoke and the Swans have played each other 58 times in competitive games. The overall record is P58, W19, D18, L21. Their first League match was on Christmas day 1925, which ended 1-1 at the Vetch. However, Swansea have played Stoke City 6 times in the FA Cup, and Stoke have never won. The only draw was in the famous 1964 Swansea run to the semi-final, and the Swans triumphed in the replay (see above). Stoke have won the two League Cup ties played between the clubs.

Images (below and overleaf ): Programme covers from 1964 FA Cup games x 2; Programme cover from 1952; team selection from 1981

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Adrian Forbes will forever be fondly remembered by Swansea City supporters for a number of reasons.

There are those who will remember him for his impact on the side following his move from Luton Town, bringing his experience and pace to Kenny Jackett’s side in that memorable campaign which was our last at the Vetch. Perhaps some will point to his honest, energetic, and hard-working performances every time he pulled on the white shirt. I think for many though he will be remembered for scoring two very important goals in the clubs history. The first coming in the final league game at the Vetch field to not only take the chase for promotion down to the final day that season, but gave the Vetch the best possible send off. The second goal stands out as my own everlasting memory of him in Swansea colours.

It came on May 7th, Bury v Swansea City, and the final game of the 2005 season. I was lucky enough to be one of five thousand Jacks who made their way to Bury knowing that if we could win and third placed Southend United failed to take three points away at Grimsby, then it would be enough to snatch the final automatic promotion spot in League two that season. An incredible atmosphere began to build before kickoff, and it was not long before the travelling support had something to celebrate.

After just 25 seconds, a long ball from the defence bounced in front of midfield dynamo Adrian Forbes , who controlled the ball brilliantly with his forehead before smashing an angled volley past Glyn Garner in the Bury goal; cue pandemonium, and the first of two pitch invasions that afternoon!. That goal was to be the winner, and when news came through that Southend had drawn at Grimsby, our promotion was confirmed. It could be argued that it was that sunny afternoon in May over seven years ago that marked the beginning of an incredible journey to the very top of the football pyramid, and Adrian Forbes played his part in that rise.

The Greenford born midfielder played for a number of clubs during a playing career that spanned fourteen years. He began at Norwich City, where he spent six years and established himself as a first team regular. He then moved to Luton Town before spells at Swansea, Blackpool, Millwall and Grimsby.

He spent a short time with non league Lowestoft town before retiring as a professional footballer in May 2012. During his time at Swansea he scored eleven goals in almost seventy appearances for the club and became a firm fans favourite. His release in 2006 following defeat to Barnsley in the league one playoff final was a disappointing end to what had otherwise been a great period for him and the club.

This year Swansea City celebrates it’s 100th birthday, so I sought out the man affectionately known as ‘Forbsey’ by the Jack Army, to see what he made of our rise to the Premier League, his part in it all, and what he remembers from his days at the club.

ESV: Hi Adrian! Following your departure from Luton Town in 2004, what persuaded you to move to South Wales?

When I knew I had to leave Luton Town due to them having financial trouble I set about trying to find a new club. I had quite a bit of interest but narrowed it down to Yeovil town or Swansea. I went to

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Yeovil first and had a good look around and had a good chat with Gary Johnson. Myself and my agent left Yeovil and drove straight to Swansea and from the moment I met Huw Jenkins and Kenny Jackett my mind was made up. Their characters and vision for what they wanted to do long and short term for the club made me realise quite quickly this was the place I wanted to be and I genuinely feel I made the right decision.

ESV: What are you best memories of your time with Swansea?

My best memories must be the atmosphere at the Vetch and of course scoring two rather important goals. The last league goal at the Vetch and the promotion clinching goal a week later.

ESV: What do you make of the progress of the club in recent years?

The progress the club has made in recent years is amazing but no real shock to me. As I said in my previous answer, I knew the vision the club had several years ago and to see them achieve it is superb and now the next vision must be to become an established premier league club for several years to come.

ESV: Was there a feeling that Swansea could reach the top during your time there?

I also felt the club was going places with the building of the Liberty stadium and just missing out to Barnsley at the Millennium stadium to stop back to back promotions, but you just knew the club was going to continue to rise and grow and I believe the rest of the squad felt that way as well. We weren’t wrong.

ESV: You scored the last league goal at the Vetch (V Shrewsbury Town) and against future England goalkeeper Joe Hart. What are your memories of that day?

I’ve got great memories of the day I scored the last league goal at the Vetch. It was a must win game for us to stay in contention for automatic promotion so the pressure was really on, that coupled with what was obviously going to be a very emotional day for everyone watching made for a truly amazing afternoon. To get a goal at a packed Vetch was always amazing but to score a goal like that past the future England number one and on such a special occasion was just magnificent ESV: Following promotion at Bury where you again stole the headlines with another winning goal, what was the mood like in the club at that time? A new stadium, promotion, the club must have been a great place to be at that time?

After winning promotion up at Bury in front of 5000+ crazy jacks/ Willy getting arrested and what can only be described as the most amazing /hilarious trip back to Swansea just made life at the club amazing. We knew the club would be playing league one football in the beautiful Liberty stadium in front of 20000 people each week. The city as a whole was a superb place to be, as the success on the pitch seemed to lift everyone. Confidence and belief was certainly high going into that season.

ESV: Many of the players you played alongside are still at the club, the likes of Gary Monk, Alan Tate, and Leon Britton. Did you ever imagine you’d see them lining up against the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool at the top of English football?

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To see Britts/Monks and Tatey playing in the premier league is brilliant. Would I have loved to still be alongside them?well yes of course. To see them playing against the best players in the world at some of the best grounds in the world is a pleasure and I couldn’t be happier for them. They are a credit to themselves and the club that they are still there from league two to the premier league. So serious dreams have come true there.

ESV: Who was the best player you ever played alongside at Swansea?

I was very fortunate to play alongside several superb players in my time at Swansea. Andy Robinson, Leon Britton, Sam Ricketts, Gary Monk, and Alan Tate to name but a few. I have to say Lee Trundle was superb. His ability on the ball was just outstanding and some of the things he could do with a football were just ridiculous. I’m sure many a defender went home and had sleepless nights after playing against Trunds!

ESV: You scored around eleven goals for Swansea, two of which were very important. Is there one that sticks out in your memory in particular? And why?

Obviously the goals against Shrewsbury and Bury speak for themselves and nothing gets close to those two for importance and timing, but a goal I scored against Nottingham Forest away is also very memorable. I was playing out on the right wing and made a run in field between their two centre backs. Roberto Martinez played a perfect pass over all the defenders I then jumped and met the ball in mid air to lob the keeper from just outside the area. The Jack army went mad. To score a goal like that at a ground like that was amazing.

ESV: The 05-06 season was to be your last at the club, and it ended with playoff defeat to Barnsley.

Following your release, you said at the time that it left ‘a bitter taste in the mouth’. What was the most disappointing aspect about not being kept on at the club, despite being a firm fans favourite?

The most disappointment thing about leaving Swansea was purely the fact that I loved all aspects of my time there. The club was a great play to play and the fans were amazing and a joy to play in front of and I was never really given the chance to say a proper goodbye to them all. I also had my two young boys settled and going to school in Killay and we all loved living there. I was offered a new contract at the club and everything was agreed and it just needed to be signed, however every time I asked for it so I could sign it and different excuse was made ESV: Where do you think Swansea can realistically finish this season? What can the club achieve with a football legend in Michael Laudrup as manager?

The start Swansea have made this season has been a dream but we are only a month into the season and there’s a lot of hard work ahead. The clubs first thought must be to retain Premier league status for next season. With a manager like Michael Laudrup in charge they will hopefully improve on last season’s finishing spot, which would be a superb achievement.

ESV: Finally, what plans do you have for the future?

I am currently coaching at Norwich City and loving being back where it all started for me. It’s the perfect start on the coaching ladder for me with superb facilities and other very good coaches for me to learn from. My long term plan is to become a coach in the premier league as I never had the chance to play there and I intend to work my socks off to hopefully someday achieve that. Could that happen at Swansea I wonder?? Well I would love the opportunity to one day be back at the Liberty in a coaching capacity and pick up where I left off, especially as I feel that I have unfinished business there.

Time will tell whether I’m fortunate enough to have that dream come true. At the moment I’m very fortunate to be working with some superb players at a superb club.

Adrian Forbes ensured his name will forever be remembered in the annuls of Swansea City with his contribution to this football club. He is a true Swansea legend in every sense of the word. And for those who were not fortunate enough to be at Bury seven years ago? Have a look at this… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul3s6QbVYjI

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Well, despite 100 years of history, THE game against Reading will always be the Play-off Final at Wembley on 30th May 2011. This epic game led to the Swans’ triumphant return to the top flight after 29 years in the lower divisions. The Swans100 website has some great fans’ stories about this historic event: The incredible tale of how Steve Meredith and his son ended up with a 60-foot picture of themselves on the side of Wembley Stadium: http://scfcheritage.wordpress.com/fans2/stories-from-the-fans/the-face-of-swansea/ And one person’s report on the game: http://scfcheritage.wordpress.com/historicgames/swansea-city-4-reading-2/ Very little in the history of the club can compare with the roller-coaster ride of racing to a 3-0 lead, only to be pegged back to 3-2, and finally, finally coming through with that 4th goal and the promised land of the Premier League beyond....

100 years ago: Nearest game 100 years ago was a Southern League fixture against Mid-Rhondda on 5th October (reserves away to Llanelly Reserves). Mid-Rhondda was a club based in Tonypandy, founded in 1912 after a delay caused by violent industrial unrest over the preceeding years, which culminated in the Tonypandy Riots of 1911. They were a very well-supported club and won the Southern League Second Division Championship in the 1919-1920 season. That summer, the existing First Division, including the Swans, was absorbed into the Football League as Division Three, and The Mushrooms promotion was not enacted. After that the club fell apart, and was finally wound up in 1928. The crippling industrial decline of the Rhondda coalfield, and the resulting poverty of the fans did not help, and it was mainly financial pressures which brought the club down.

History against Reading: Swansea’s first Football League match against Reading was on 25th March 1921, the Royals losing a Division 3 (South) game 2-1 at the Vetch.

Billy Hole and Jimmy Edmundson scored the goals, in the Swans’ first season in the Football League.

Including that game the teams have played 64 times, with the Swans’ record W29, D13, L33. 11 of these have been cup games in various competitions, and of course the knock-out Play-off final in 2011.

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