Pool V Swansea

Blackpool will be looking to take another step closer to the play-off with the visit of Swansea to Bloomfield Road.

Vital Quotes:

That defeat means we remain in 6th place but fall 4 points behind Tranmere ahead of us. With Scunthorpe drawing and leaders Nottingham Forest losing, it was a great opportunity on Tuesday night to make up some ground on the teams above us, but we failed to capitalize on those teams dropping points.

Saturday’s match I think is a must-win. Another defeat could see us go out of the play-offs and this will put heavy pressure on us during the busy Christmas period.

At the moment we’re not showing any signs that we’re capable of going one step further than last season and gaining promotional automatically, with the play-off places looking our best bet at the moment.

A few signings in January though could turn things around for us though, just as long as we stay within touching distance of the teams around us.

Adrian Forbes will also be hoping to face his former club tomorrow. The midfielder or striker or whatever the hell he is joined Blackpool after being released in the Summer. This left him furious after being told his contract would be renewed.

He was a good battler for us and scored some key goals when it mattered but wherever he was played, he never looked comfortable. He’s a decent player to have to come on as a sub when you’re chasing the game but he didn’t really have that quality for a side who’s hoping to be in the Championship next season.

Another player to look out for will be former Wrexham and Coventry striker, Andy Morrell – the opposition’s top scorer with 6 goals.

After a poor start to the campaign, the Seasiders have now shown excellent home form to get into the top half, currently sitting in 8th place. They haven’t lost on their own patch since August 12th, and have won their last 3 home games, proving that it’ll be a hard battle at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

To be honest, I can’t see that we’ll win but with Lee Trundle back in the side, I wouldn’t rule it out

Blackpool Team News:

A win on Saturday would take Pool above the Swans in the table they current sit in 6th the last play-off spot.

Simon Grayson doesn`t have to make any changed to the side that beat Cheltenham on Tuesday. Adrian Forbes will start and Grayson will expect a performance from the former Swansea star.

Player to watch: Andy Morrell

4 in 5 for the former Coventry Man, he`s hit form and he`s on top of his game.

Swansea Team News:

Swansea will be able to call upon the services of tricky forward Lee Trundle after he missed the mid-week match at Brighton. Also back in contention is Izzy Iriekpen, hamstring and Shaun MacDonald, sickness.

The Swans will be without Marcos Painter who has returned to Birmingham after a loan spell due to an injury and Darren Pratley lived up to his second name and got himself send off mid-week so he`ll miss the game.

The Swans have had a disappointed start to the season, well that`s what the fans think with expectations in South Wales being set high pre-season. Away from the Liberty they have notched up 4 wins, 1 draw and five defeats.

Player to watch: Lee Trundle

He`s got the skill and the power, he nearly scored a great goal at Bloomfield Road last season only to be denied by a great save by Lee Jones

Match Facts & Stats

Lasts season both teams managed to get home wins, 3-2 at Swansea, Trundle, Akinfenwa, and that Britton goal, Donnelly and Parker with the two.

Pool managed to dent the Swans promotion push with a home win late in the season, Parker with the goal mid-way before the second half.

Ref Watch:

S W Mathieson Cheshire – Games: 17 Yellow Cards: 41 Red Cards: 1
M A Astley and P T Kettlewell

Fourth Official : R C Green

Match Prediction:

Pool 2 – 1 Swansea

Next Fixtures:

Football League One Scunthorpe A 15-12-2006

Swans Vital Site