Keith Haynes: Manager under pressure - shock horror!

Supporters make mistakes too - shock horror! 

The last time I wrote about Michael Laudrup the situation wasn't that much different at Swansea City FC as it is today. Last June it was clear there was a board split in support of the manager and his approach to club dealings - sound familiar? Michael Laudrup's off-field involvements seemed to annoy a few folk, and his agent's continued participation too close to The Liberty made for a sticky time. However, with thoughtful management of the situation by the board the rift as it was seemed mended. But of course it would always return. That much was always clear.

Now it is issues on the pitch which once again have prompted a cry for the removal of Michael Laudrup by some, and the media love nothing more than to jump on board this type of fan disaffection. Only a small handful of reporters have the inside track on this latest Swansea development, and as ever London's tabloid journalists are making inaccurate stabs at the situation. They openly and ignorantly report with such vigour that a number of  their readers will believe their inept ramblings, and SKY TV are just as bad - recently to such an extent that the club Chairman Huw Jenkins saw fit to speak to the media to reassure the managers situation on Sunday night. 

Whichever way this current situation at the top of the Swansea tree resolves itself there is another far more concerning situation developing right in front of us that we as supporters can resolve in a heart beat. The situation I speak of is you, and you alone - The Swansea City supporter. I have never minded the length of stay a person makes as a Swansea follower, be that for the Premier League, for now - or for life. We support because it is our own free choice, nobody forces us in to this situation, and we can leave just as quick, and for no good reason if we wish - without seeking any permissions.

It is clear to me today, and to many of you I am sure, that what we do and say as we support The Swans in difficult times openly affects many things - and I mean far more than Huw Jenkins, the Swansea board or Michael Laudrup, his agent, tactics or life itself. Since Swansea City beat Newcastle United in a home game the week after winning the League Cup last year and qualifying for Europe things have slipped. In the minds of some so dramatically they are arguing in pubs and in work, on football forums and anywhere they can about the reasons why. This is healthy football debate, and football thrives on it. 

Most of the time.

Certain fans are blaming other fans, people are being sought out and identified as blameworthy and others for some reason or other are shouting blindly 'Support the team' - we as football fans may not be the brightest of intellects in the minds of certain folk, and unfortunately some of the stuff I have read of late confirms this, no matter your side of the fence. I have been alarmed at the degree of hate directed towards fellow Swans supporters. For the first time in a long time too. It's unhealthy, and no matter whether you are being positive or perceived negative, it doesn't help. 

It is the type of hate too that I for one would not accept from anyone regardless of the subject. Sadly it seems to have come to this. 

So what can we as supporters do come Saturday, because it is Saturday that matters first. Just what can you affect? And how hard will it be? First of all, and this has been said many times, The Liberty needs a vociferous upgrade. A louder mix of throat lozenge needs taking pre match to increase the volume from the stands. When a Swansea move does go wrong or breaks down, the cheering must not subside in to moans and groans, it somehow has to increase. We must not now settle for a quieter life and a 'suck it and see' strategy from all four sides of the stadium on Saturday. This is crucial. The atmosphere at The Vetch Field was a solid punch in the face (at times) and this has rarely been reproduced at our new stadium. 

On Saturday this must change.

There is a rallying call for us all to take up. No matter your age you can add your own degree of noise come 5.30pm on Saturday, and this needs dragging forwards as we seek those thirteen or so points that may mean Premier League safety in 2014. If you want to punch something, punch the air, if you want to shout loudly do so towards the away end and roar at them with an intensity they have not felt before at a football ground. In fact two fists is better. Many people say you can't change what you can't change, and this is true. Getting stressed over uncontrollable matters is pointless. However, there are things firmly within our Swansea fandom grasp. Noise levels is one, a defined and aggressive, but lawful noise level intimidates to hell. You can do that. 

These things are easily obtained and delivered, and it is the intensity of that delivery that will see immediate results. Your attitude and behaviour from the stands will make the significant difference on Saturday, that much is so, so true. I spoke to a Swans player the day before yesterday, they made it very, very clear to me that they immediately pick up on discontent from the paying public. Their words ' You have no idea how impactive it is when the crowd turn against you as an individual or team'. As a player they went on to explain they have had their game totally affected by barracking from the stands at the Liberty, and recently too. Equally then we as supporters must realise how positive it is when the volume hits ten and the roar gets so painful it changes the whole dimension of a game. Regardless. 

This is the ingredient we can all bring to the derby game on Saturday evening.

We are in uncertain times at Swansea. The boardroom and the management (including some players) are fighting for their own and the clubs immediate future. And some feel isolated. There is little if anything any of us can do about that in the main, but what we can do is increase the pressure on the opposition, their fans and entourage, so much so that they feel so uncomfortable it puts them off their game. And I mean so uncomfortable that they look round and feel incredibly unsure. So much again, and I mean this -  that they question their ability to match us. They must feel inadequate. We need them to feel so lost and so hopeless that they feel they cannot compete.

They need to look at us with envy, and in turn our pride as a collective group of supporters, I assure you - will return. 

This much we can achieve from The Liberty stands. This isn't about raising our game, this is about sheer people impact. The many hours spent in division over things that are beyond our control is lost time and wasted energy. What we can achieve for our club is what matters now, and it only takes a change in mindset to do so.

On Saturday we need to feel so exhausted post match it hurts, and the players need to feel that Swansea City love again. Just look what we as a club has achieved over the recent past - surely what we need to do now is just a natural response to our current plight ? 

It is very much down to us all. And remember - your mindset, your club, your future, your voice, your choice.

Increase the pressure. This is Swansea !

Keith is a published author and you can buy any of his books by clicking the link at the top-left of the page, or you can follow him on Twitter: @_KeithHaynes

Keith Haynes: The worst thing I could do now...

...would be to write about the derby game

There are folk far more intelligent than I who would say 'Oi Keith, leave it alone mate, not now' - and by that I mean writing anything deconstructive or otherwise about a 1-0 derby defeat to the team in red up the road. However, I am going to do it, and there are several reasons why. In recent times I have suffered within my own mind, contemplating the game and revisiting the issues. On this occasion I feel I have to share them openly on The Swansea Way. You will love me more for it. Honestly.

So what are these 'several reasons'? Well, one of those reasons is that I think it is about time our highly rated footballing side get some long awaited personal feedback. Laudrup and all. Falling back on the Europa League excuse for poor performances isn't good enough either. I wont go there. We all know that our Swansea side are very well paid, in some cases £30,000 a week, thats £120,000 a month, and for me in any job thats absolutely obscene, but not my point. 

It seems that no Swans fan is able to criticise at any level the performance or endeavours of the side without a barrage of abuse and at least over the top criticism. Ive seen many social network sites demolish some decent viewpoints in recent weeks. Accusing some folk of not even being true Swansea supporters. Apparently we have to ' Get behind the boys ' at all costs. Well, I think we all do. Personally for me, I get involved to the tune of a few grand a year, and others I travel with to games commit far more. So it gives me  (and others) the right to voice some concerns.

A second thought. Overall, the team tactic of possession of the ball is welcome, and it is what we do very well, but to retain that sharp methodology we need to be able to switch the tempo when in the top third of the field quickly. To do that we need a proportionate intensity from the likes of Bony, and a little bit more fluidity and thought from a more enthusiastic midfield, especially De Guzman, Shelvey and yes - Leon Britton. This season, and as was highlighted in the derby game, we rely upon the same downbeat approach to the top third that we apply to the first third of the pitch - and it really isn't good enough.

Cardiff were clever, their tactic at the start of the game of allowing us to move through our slow and sluggish passing gears played in to their hands. As the game moved onwards they slowly pressurised our key players, moving in on us rather cleverly, and at the start of the second half they went for the throat. It was what I expected at the start of the game, a Cardiff side rushing us in to mistakes, but that wasn't the case. They carefully managed us and struck after wearing us down from the start of the half. Fair dues to Malky for that, and it resulted in the desired response we all wanted to going one down just not happening - in fact the response was nothing more than pathetic. 

Thirdly, I am not happy that we have players who are cruising through these pre-Christmas weeks picking up thousands in a white shirt, and giving little or in some cases - nothing in return. I want to see our side harness some of the passion we all want to see as paying customers, and deliver it as best they can. We are asking top dollar for games that shouldn't be so highly charged for, so delivery on the pitch is crucial, and we are not seeing it. The team didn't hit it hard in Cardiff, and they didn't do it in Southampton either, nor at home to West Ham, no excuses needed. And okay - lets be honest, we completely embarrassed ourselves in Birmingham. 

There is a mundane, treacly approach to our build up play at the moment, and players are going missing. I am not seeing solid marshalling of opposition players, firm and positive reactions to situations...and to see Vorm on a mental mission to throw away any hope we had in Cardiff was cumbersome - ill thought out and not ..... The Swansea Way. Players like Chico, Williams, and Taylor need to have a good look in the mirror, they are the supply line to a thoughtful and adventurous midfield, but they are not at the moment. We miss Ben Davies here.

Routledge I am afraid has lost all course, as has a once delightful Nathan Dyer. Both suffer regularly as does Pablo who it seems has found the Beattie bug and turns out hardly ever, and when he does he is so unfit he fails to deliver. We cant rely on a battling Michu all the time, recent games has seen two impactive injuries, and he appears to need a rest, but how can he be rested with a sluggish Bony and a clearly out of tune Vazquez the only goal scoring options up front - and no, Donnelly is not an option as much as Vazquez isn't either.

So. We round on my final area of concern. The man who steers the ship, Michael Laudrup. He stated once that we will have many bad days, weeks, even months - but this was before he assembled a squad of well paid, highly motivated players. Sadly, the squads form since winning the league cup has been relegation form, and that is a fact. If we don't recover quickly, this side will be fighting it out to stay in the league come April. Now its not all doom and gloom here, we know what we can do as a club, and we know what can be delivered. Don't get me wrong, I do see a side more than capable of getting out of the state we are in, but I want to see it sooner rather than later, we all do. 

Laudrup, however, is also the key. Whatever he is doing it isn't working at the moment. and he needs us to at least look like a successful side, as he has made it clear he will move on in May. He needs if nothing else a successful conclusion to his time with us. If we reflect back on his recent managerial tenures, they haven't always ended positively. He needs this one to do so. 

What needs correcting isn't a win, draw or whatever in Russia on Thursday. The correction fluid needs pouring all over the team that is picked for Stoke at home on Sunday. This is the pick me up game, before once again we have two weeks off. We do need to win this game...we have to win this game. Its imperative, totally imperative. 

If you are a Swansea player and you value what you have achieved at our club, be that financially, personally, developmentally or whatever then there is a message for you. We all have mirrors at home, and please, go and have a look in yours, and do the usual Q&A with yourself. Your nicely manicured lives need to be placed aside, and you have work to do. In particular Mr Laudrup, you are about to embark on some definitive times at Swansea City. We all know you have the ability, but knowing and showing couldn't be as far apart as they are today.

This day is the day Swansea City went to Cardiff and let us all down. Yes they did - they failed to show, they failed to perform or even come close to being able to hold their heads up high. No effort or endeavour means the public of Swansea and the thousands of fans in and outside the city have been let down today, and not one player or member of staff deserve anything other than a stern warning. We don't accept that attitude at Swansea - the club isn't built on millionaires, its built on sweat, and that sweat I can assure you came from a few fine souls who never once waned from the cause. 

That is The Swansea Way, but you let us down badly today, and you did it of all places in Cardiff, and it wasn't good enough.

There is one word, and one word only - unacceptable. 

Now, I can move on. 

Keith is a published author and you can buy any of his books by clicking the link at the top-left of the page, or you can follow him on Twitter: @_KeithHaynes

Cold weather, boots, braces and smiley faces in a cauldron of pure football hatred

Keith Haynes looks back to a time when the footballing authorities made even more absurd decisions than they currently do...

Swansea City v Crystal Palace

Monday January 14th 1980

FA Cup Third Round - 2nd Replay

The authorities who govern the game we all love have made many mystical decisions, and indeed I would say some pretty decent ones as well over the years. The formation of the Premier League would be one, three points for a win another. Notwithstanding recent times and the wonderful environment we all watch our football in, there were other, let's say less tasteful days, when even more bizarre decisions were made by our football governing bodies. For me, as a Swans' fan all those years ago the decision to replay an FA cup tie on neutral territory after two drawn games v Crystal Palace was one such case, it seemed to be the way back then. Penalties were seen as a foreign way of concluding games, thus many a cup tie went on and on until open play brought matters to an end.

It seems so crazy today that this would happen, but happen it did, and one Swansea game as mentioned went to the "neutral" ground of Ninian Park, Cardiff on a winters night thirty three years ago. Back then I was a slightly Leftfield, punk rock driven, Swansea supporting skinhead who clung to the back of the Swansea north bank with a clenched fist raised in defence of our club. Northampton Lane, and a pub called 4J's was our domain pre and post match. Punk music blasting through the pub speakers and local bands and spiky tops all mingled as one, the Swansea scene was buzzing, especially on matchdays. The 4J's gave us all quick access out on to the main drag and a clear 'run' down to the Vetch Field. 

Back in 1980 I couldn't believe the FAW would sanction such a ridiculous decision by the FA to play this FA Cup game in Cardiff. We had already seen quite extreme bouts of violence just two weeks before as Swansea beat Cardiff at The Vetch by a  2-1 scoreline on New Years day, so to offer the hooligans another crack at each other seemed a very odd decision indeed. The initial cup game against Palace ended 2-2 at Swansea, and the replay 3-3 at Selhurst Park, with a certain David Giles excelling for the Swans against a club he would later play nearly a hundred games for. 

The scene for a cracking cup tie replay was set and we travelled east, first from Haverfordwest to Swansea, then by train in to Cardiff. The trains were rammed packed full of Swansea supporters, and they had been all the way from Pembrokeshire; hundreds and hundreds in standing room only compartments rattling towards a night that would change some peoples lives forever. And, in one case, end it completely.

It is really difficult to reflect now on a sixteen year old kids' mindset of the time. We had stood up to all manner of governmental changes, strikes, cultural differences and conflict for at least three to four years previously; they even turned the lights out and talked about three day working weeks.  Music had smashed down the barriers all over the UK and British music in particular was impacting in every corner of everyone's day - both personally and politically.  As a full on Swansea North-Banker I had some trepidation in my mind as to what this fixture in Cardiff would bring. I mean, I had witnessed first hand the bloody New Years Day battles across Swansea only two weeks before, and nobody could be blamed for feeling the same way. 

The burning hatred that filled the night was tangible. The Cardiff v Swansea rivalry was pretty new, but I felt a huge rush of adrenalin as thousands of Swansea fans headed from the main station to the ground. Yes, there were many, many skirmishes and sirens filled the cold Cardiff night, our small group of maybe twenty just a small part of the black mass of Swans fans cheering and running in to the night. The streets were full of many, many protagonists urging each other forwards and punches were being thrown between the people of Swansea and Cardiff - in the name of what I have never been able to work out. People far more intelligent than me have tried to explain this rivalry, but I have heard nothing sensible on the subject and even less sense from people who have no idea of football culture or mentality. 

Sadly, it just happens.

That night we would form a part of a crowd at Ninian Park that's officially recorded at just under 24,000. News reports at the time estimated some 19,000 in the crowd were Swansea City supporters - an incredible support away from home. The rest? Well, obviously Palace brought a number of fans to the game, and then there were the locals who, well, they wanted their say as well. Swans fans dominated the Bob bank and all parts of the ground, as the side won a stirring nights' football 2-1. Cold weather, boots, braces and smiley faces all together in a cauldron of pure football hatred, it's the only way I can describe it. 

Hatred. 

At a football match.

Before, during and after the game three sets of fans clashed - the Palace supporters generally just looking to get home safely, but one or two took matters far further than any football divide should go. They took a life. Sadly, that night outside the ground Swansea fan David Williams was killed, knifed by a Palace fan named Barry Rondeau who was aged just twenty. Another supporter survived a knife attack and ten months later Rondeau was sentenced to life for murder. He killed himself at HMP Long Lartin ten years later - I read recently in a moronic book of 'Legends' he was a friend of lunatic inmate Charles Bronson. A tragic tale of total sadness that often surfaces in my mind when I see our beloved Swans taking on Palace, and one which needs retelling so that our new generation of most welcome fans know a little bit more about our history, and most importantly recognise and respect that football, like everything else, is not worth a life, nor is there ever going to be any justification for the cold blooded killing of another human being because they support a different view - no matter your colour, creed or nationality.

Nowadays we mingle freely together at Premier League matches, not always comfortably it has to be said, with the bubble trips between Swansea and Cardiff the only exception, and this will need to be reviewed at some point in the future I am sure - but not now. The cold and heartless behaviour that came out of the seventies and flourished in the eighties may well be played out by smaller groups  these days, and indeed in different locations, but we must be mindful of protecting the game we all love. 

After one of the most breathtaking weeks in my Swansea supporting life we once again go to Crystal Palace, a team that are newly promoted and healthy in their respect for our club. In Ian Holloway they have a manager whose whole football philosophy changed when he saw 'The Swansea Way' for the first time -putting it in to place seems to be a bit of a problem for him though. 

Sunday sees another great fixture between two clubs steeped in football history and two sets of fans will support their sides as the world watches on. Much has changed over the past thirty three years, no cold chill greets any of us in the brave new premier world, but at all times we should remember and respect what has gone before. How we got here may be the stuff of glory or some film makers dream (indeed, the forthcoming film entitled Jack to a King serves to emphasise that point) however anyone who's witnessed the harshness at the other end of the scale will tell you that that too needs remembering. And recording. Those that have passed on deserve at least that.

The bright, bright sunlight of our fantastic new dawn spreads such warmth amongst us all now, and I like you feel that anything is achievable, and that there is still much more to come. I will remember also, and thank my lucky stars, that I have witnessed so much since our club was nearly stolen from us by the known, and not so known, faces from Swansea City's history. 

Football has never felt so good, maybe because football has never offered so much good to so many people.

But we must never forget.

Ever. 

STID.

Keith is a published author and you can buy any of his books by clicking the link at the top left of the site. You can follow him on Twitter @_KeithHaynes

Keith Haynes: One man's viewpoint

The Swansea Way's Chief Football Correspondent returns with his take on recent international goings-on

In a week where the media tell us that footballers don't earn enough to survive after their retirement (barring the top 5%, apparently) and of course once again the Wales national side fell at every hurdle, optimism returns! It returns in the form and shape of Swansea City taking on Liverpool at The Liberty on Monday night (8.05pm KO) as the SKY cameras once again beam Swansea football to the world. 

A number of Swans fans bemoan the international breaks we all endure, the most recent one a point in case, and don't think its over folks! No, no, because next month there is another one as the final World Cup qualifiers are played out, and in November we'll endure another blank weekend of non fixtures as well. I don't blame any supporter for wanting more and more of the success and glory the Swans have achieved over the past eleven years or so though, the momentum gathered has been relentless, and season after season of non-stop glory is one hell of a drug. Those players not involved in these international breaks and blank fixture weekends are at least, I would hope, getting some fiscal advice -  so they at least know how to go to the bank and open up a savings account. 

Now and again I have a listen to our friends at Talk Sport - a station which employs a certain type of person, with a certain type of viewpoint, about a certain international football team. We all know which team that is - they're called England. Regardless of the presenter's nationality the script is always the same - they spend hour after hour analysing, de-constructing and criticising an international team that I think would struggle to get a draw against our beloved Swans (or indeed the majority of Premier League clubs!). Mark Saggers is a decent enough sports journalist, only one of a few at the station though. I recall his very lucid reporting of the 1993 grand national failed start, a reporters dream no doubt, but professionally done. He got an award for it I understand, but what's more he had his own viewpoint on whatever he found himself reporting on.

Unlike some of the stations presenters he hasn't served a prison term or been arrested and charged with criminal offences, which I suppose gives him a professional head start. I do give more credibility to a reporter with a professional background that doesn't include drug supply, drink driving, assault, criminal damage or animal cruelty. Mind you the station employing Andy Gray and Richard Keys after their pathetic and bullying comments on SKY for me, endorses anything I think of them as a media outlet and its reputation - and I haven't mentioned their employees being sacked for on air verbal abuse yet! Do you recall ex-QPR player Simon Stainrod on Talk Sport? He was employed by the station to manage a football phone in, but sadly for Simon his ability to understand the words football and phone in meant he was relieved of his duties on air. Not the brightest or shiniest of stars.

Saggers recent moaning about England's 0-0 draw in the Ukraine reflected the stations very clear agenda. It's a national radio station reporting on one country (England) and wherever possible focusing on the south east - and I mean wherever possible. If this isn't possible then it has to be one of the top 6 clubs, and most certainly sod the rest. Even in a relatively successful period for England (who are top of their group) Saggers found time to criticise them in the midst of World Cup qualification. Mind you he did have Tony Cascarino as a guest, a man who played eighty odd times for the Republic of Ireland before admitting he didn't have any ancestry to do so - In his own words "Im a fake Irishman, I should never have played".

So, another chap who fits the Talksport profile perfectly, but we wont talk about his private life here. Overall the programme bemoaned how England didn't have the guile and skill of more competent countries like Spain, for example. One news hack stated 'Yeah, but tippy tappy football wouldn't be acceptable to England fans' - the arrogance that oozes from Talksport couldn't have been more obvious than in this comment. This foolish person genuinely felt winning world and european cups as an international side should be done the 'English way' (off the bar with a dodgy linesman?), but personally if I want to see a team win any competition or game I would rather they did it 'The Swansea Way'.

Many people say to me 'I don't listen to Talk Sport' ..... Well I do, as I do to many things I don't rate that highly. We all have opinions, but surely to have one we need a little bit of experience? It's on this final point that the word 'experience' becomes subjective. Many England commentators and so called pundits hate the way their international side play, and more competent players like Matt Le Tissier (when he's not trying to assist a spread bet on putting the ball out of play in a premier league game) asked recently 'Why cant England just pass it to each other and build play from there?' I had to laugh when I heard this; poor old Matt, always looking confused, and still trying to put the ball out of play. He made this comment after two seasons of Swansea football and three years  of Premier League stats endorsing a club which do just that. 

And so it passes, the pun continues - as the so called clever people look at their top six, their south east teams and news reports amid their own agenda they don't see the players who could maybe help their international side. I'm not endorsing they should pick a player with better passing stats than Messi, or a player scoring the most goals or with top ten assists over every game he plays. Or indeed a player now finding his feet now he's out of the sights of Steven Gerrard. All I'm saying is the world of football, is just that; a world of football...but not at the English FA, and many a Swans fan will be thankful for that as well.

This is why Spain are the dominant force in the world game when it matters. Like Germany in tournaments, they always produce due to personal style and ethics, but of course, if it's about ethics and indeed ethical practices, then England will never aspire or succeed. Their mindset is such that it isn't allowed to - ego defeats common sense every time. With prejudiced views surrounding their game from those that write about it to those that played it they haven't got a chance, and never will have.

The thing is they cant see it, and nor do they care, because if it means their own prejudices being exposed they will never learn or develop. At media level, at club level and at international level, like a repeat offender the national side of England is riddled with an arrogance that is difficult to explain, but very clear and visible in its practice...and I haven't even mentioned Greg Dyke yet - the new man in the frame, the new voice that must be listened to. 

Go on pick a year, any year .....

See you under the bright lights of The Liberty on Monday folks!

Keith Haynes

Follow Keith on Twitter at @_KeithHaynes, and check out his latest books by clicking the link at the top left of the site.

The REAL Swansea Way

Keith Haynes makes his literary debut for The Swansea Way, with his take on Swansea's impending season

The opening game is always the favourite game of the season for most football fans. The expectation is always there, no matter who you support you can dream of all sorts of possibilities, and those possibilities are endless. Then of course there is the new kit, those home and away choices, and indeed the bright and gleaming newly manicured pitch and crafted stadium. That bright and dark green surface that you could flick a subbuteo player on and get a result rises before you as you enter the stadium. Like it does now at the Liberty and like it did back at the old Vetch Field.

A new season does bring a clean and bright hope, and for many fans of many clubs at the end of the first ninety minutes, some of those hopes are dashed. Think how those QPR supporters felt last season as the rejoicing Swansea hoards left Shepherds Bush noisily celebrating a 5-0 away victory. That season starter, followed by a main course of a Swansea League Cup win and the dessert of European qualification could never have been predicted by even the most prophetic and positive Jack.

But it happened.

This week we see the Premier League champions visit Swansea, one Manchester United, their star spangled stars, and worldwide support visiting our club. And that club (our club) could not be any further removed from the ethos that drives the spirit at Old Trafford. They may think they witnessed hard times in the seventies when relegated by a Denis Law back heel for Manchester City, but hard times as we know go far deeper than that. 

My first real experience of hard times at Swansea would have been my first experiences of following the team. For a youngster pre-1977 was as dismal a time to follow the Swans as any. The brief respite of John Toshack and Malcolm Struel followed by years of false hope thereafter set the mould for me as a Swansea City fan. I expect nothing more than defeat, so the past few seasons, in fact since we moved to the Liberty have been difficult to manage. Success of this sort in my football watching life is not in the script.

How many of you at 3-0 up with five minutes to go in a game still worry about defeat? 

I'll admit that at 4-0 up at QPR I was still wishing for a fifth, just to finish matters.

This is the Swansea Way as well, to expect the unexpected, no matter how it unfolds before you or how comfortable it is for others, you expect the worst. I expected the worst after our supporters club met in a Bristol hotel with Leigh Dineen etc prior to the fans take over of Swansea City. I expected the very worst after a home defeat to Exeter City at Easter in 2003, and indeed at 4-2 up against Hull City too that same year. I most certainly expected the worst at Wembley at half time when 3-0 up against Reading in the play offs.

So when I hear our new breed of fans talk of top half finishes in the Premier League It doesn't correlate that well with what I know and feel as a life time Swans fan. But then we as a club are there, at the top of our game again. And this time we are in to a third season and cup holders to boot as well.  Things have never been so rosy or so bright. But of course that means one thing to me as a football fan. 

There could well only be one way to go after so much success.

But my positivity gene is improving, it is being raised now on the success of the last seven years. To be truthful it's been on an upward curve ever since those fans walked off our rich Vetch Field terraces in 2002 and ran a football club to the top of the world game. From that small acorn the club has grown into a strong but determined sapling, a young pretender amongst the giants of the forest. Still not being taken seriously by the media, and ignored (through ignorance?) by the majority of the country's sports writers. Whilst this continues we have hope. It's only when we have everyone's expectation of victory, and not just the new Jacks of nowadays that I fear we may be in trouble. 

And the worst may then become the norm again.

But how can that now be the case? Wilfried Bony in a bright and shiny stadium, Michu too (it seems - although I remain cautious for how long) could well form a partnership with the man from Bingerville, Ivory Coast. In the midfield JonJo Shelvey is looking striking and will score goals from all angles.  JDG agreed to stay on because Laudrup did the same. The additions of Pozuelo and Canas the dog tamer linking with England hopeful Routledge and the guile of Britton is exciting. Nathan Dyer has recently committed to a new contract too, and with that signed he can concentrate on his football. After finding the net in pre-season, hopefully we'll see him turn some more games on their heads.

I could go on. The Emirates, Ash etc etc etc...

Yes, I am more hopeful now, and why not? I Paddy Powered a few free bets and SkyBet helped as well, so now I predict a top six end to the season and a top four goal striking finish for Bony at 50/1. As I explained the bookies like the media are still ripe for a Swansea taking. My positivity is now sky high, and like everyone else it will remain so regardless of the seasons outcomes. I mean lets be honest to stay in the Premier League and do this all again in twelve months time is the hope.

And as long as I keep on recalling how I made the journey to hope from hopelessness as a Swans fan, I think my outlook and future in reality may stay bright and rosy too.  Well I hope so, I mean there's doubles to be done, more victories to celebrate, more records to set, and we know - being first at this football lark makes the seconders go green.

Yeah, that's the point. It's victory and it's winning, and this habit we now have at Swansea is one I hope we never give up on. 

Because winning feels just fine. 

Twitter : @_KeithHaynes

Keith also writes for SOS fanzine

www.sosfanzine.com

Available around the ground.

Big thanks to Keith again for contributing to the site. Looking forward to your next post already!