THE MIDLANDS AVON AND GLOUCESTER SWANS (MAGS)

SERVING SWANSEA CITY SUPPORTERS IN ENGLAND

THIS PAGE WAS LAST UPDATED:                                                             08 January 2001

MAGS Comment - 08 January 2001

And a Happy New Year to Jacks everywhere from the MAGS.

The season has reached it's halfway point and to be honest it's been a pretty depressing half of a season.  We have won one game in the best part of 3 months and forgetting a couple of FAW results only 5 games all season.  Early exits in the Worthington and FA Cups mean no glory this year and another trip to Bournemouth tomorrow could well mean the end of our participation in the LDV Vans Trophy or whatever you want to call it.

What else has happened this season?  Oh yes, Steve Hamer was sacked bit McClure and Lewis are still here.  So is John Hollins.  Surprises a few to see those 3 names still at the club - will they be here come the end of the season is a different matter.  I can't see McClure or Lewis being here and to be honest nor can I see John Hollins being here.

On the football side, we have Martin Thomas, Jason Price, Stuart Roberts looking to leave and Steve Jones almost definitely going due to a lack of new contracts.

We have had the arrival of Giovanni Savarese and David Romo from abroad.  Both of them signed from John Hollins extensive video collection - all we can hope is that Bob The Builder and Postman Pat don't follow too quickly onto the books at the club!

We all know Hollins' record of signing players isn't magnificent.  No player has signed terms for this club with league experience since he put pen to paper to take over as our manager.  Last season this was accepted as we took the 3rd division championship - when we are struggling at the bottom end of the 2nd division, it is harder to bear.  We need loan signings to boost the squad - look at Jermaine Defoe at Bournemouth, he has turned them round as did Jamie Forrester last season at Northampton.

Maybe John hasn't been given the money?  Why then doesn't he turn round and tell us this?  He would gain more respect this way than keeping on saying that he is looking for the right player.  John, it doesn't take much of a man to tell the truth - let's hear it for a change?

We know things aren't rosy in the background and cynics will point out that the transfer listing of players can be referred to as 'asset stripping'  Mike Lewis paid a signing on fee to one player that did not need to be paid - no-one is going to begrudge the player the fee but if the club is cash strapped can we afford to live with these cock-ups?

We can only hope for much better from the next 23 games than we got from the first 23.  We probably need around 30 points to be safe and despite what some people believe this is all most people expected this season.

The team needs our support like never before and each and every Jack will give this.  Never mistake criticism of the management or board as a lack of support for the team.  We will give this unconditionally.  We always do.

2001 also sees Roger Freestone's testimonial year start and I am honoured along with Keith to be asked to compile his biography 'Another Day At The Office'   Roger's story will be of interest to Jacks and football fans elsewhere.  A man with an incredible talent that has stayed loyal for so long to one club - very rare in this day and age.

Here's to a great 2001 for jacks everywhere and here's hoping that we see second division football throughout the year at the Vetch.  What else we want is up to individuals but a goodbye to 9th floor would be nice as well?

Phil Sumbler 




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