Swansea face Brian Laws? Scunthorpe side for the first time this season as Kenny Jackett and his side hope to maintain their place at the top of League One while The Iron hope to get their season back on track after falling to 15th place after a decent start to the season.
A crowd of around 16,000 is expected at the Liberty Stadium tomorrow night with a travelling support of no more than 100.
Vital Quotes:
Andy Robinson:
If I get my chance I know I’ve got to take it,” explained Robinson. ‘The Rushden game proved that there are 20 good players in the squad and nobody’s shirt is safe if they don’t perform.
‘We’ve got a busy fixture schedule ahead of us and it’s important we build up a points cushion to take into the New Year.
‘It might seem a tall order, but we’ve got to be aiming at a maximum 21 points from the next seven games.”
Kenny Jackett:
”I’ve got to make a decision in central midfield, where I’m pleased with the three stroke four options I have,” added the Swansea boss.
”Owain (Tudur Jones) gets forward and can score a goal, Kris has a bit of everything and is a very strong ball-winner and Roberto’s technique is terrific. Then we have Shaun MacDonald, a 17-year-old we are bringing on.
”Roberto will have a big part to play this season in the team and in the club.”
Swansea Team News:
The two players who changed the game at Tranmere 10 days ago look as if they?ll be back in the starting line-up.
Martinez and Robinson were brought on at the start of the second half as the Swans went in search for an equaliser and it was Robbo who got us a point with a late goal 2 minutes from time.
He also scored a brace in the LDV Vans Trophy win against Rushden and will replace Kevin McLeod on the left wing who?s out with a groin injury.
Player to watch: Lee Trundle
No goals for the top scorer last week but he?s scored 17 goals so far this season and Scunthorpe will need to mark him closely to give themselves a better chance of getting a result tomorrow.
Scunthorpe Team News:
There?s no new injury worries for our visitors either and manager Brian Laws has midfielder Jim Goodwin back after missing the FA Cup game against Aldershot on Saturday because of suspension.
Peter Beagrie came through Saturday?s match unscathed after returning from a month out on the sidelines. Andy Keogh is likely to partner Sharp up front, a partnership that has scored 22 goals between them so far this season.
Player to watch: Billy Sharp
Just behind Trundle in the goal scoring charts, he?s netted 15 times in the league this season in 16 games.
Match Facts & Stats
The Iron started the season well, going top at the end of August but four defeats in a row saw them drop to 10th. They?ve also lost the last 3, 3-1 against Brentford, 2-1 against Tranmere (both at home) and a heavy 5-2 defeat away at Blackpool.
Last season we narrowly lost to Scunthorpe 1-0 at Glanford Park and then won the home tie 2-1.
The last time The Iron beat us at home was in 1998, we lost 2-1. Since then we played them 5 times on home soil, winning 3 and drawing 2.
Ref Watch:
Paul Armstrong (Berkshire)
15 Games
30 Yellows
2 Reds
Match Prediction:
Although Scunthorpe have lost their last 3 and have dropped down to 15th in the table, we shouldn?t under estimate them as they have some good players that could cause us some problems, most obviously being their top scorer, Sharp with 15 goals. I think the Swans will edge this one 2-1.
Next Fixtures:
December?s Fixtures:
Sat 10th:
Colchester (h)
Tues 13th:
Peterborough (h) (LDV)
Sat 17th:
Doncaster (a)
Mon 26th:
Brentford (a) (1pm)
Wed 28th:
Gillingham (h) (7:45pm)
Sat 31st:
Swindon (a) (12:30pm)
The match against MK Dons at the Liberty Stadium has been re-scheduled from Saturday 7th January to Tuesday 10th January. This is because MK Dons are in FA Cup action that weekend.
The FAW Premier Cup Quarter Final match was expected to be played on Tuesday 10th January but the date will need to be re-scheduled.
