Cotterill owes Swansea a favour

Last updated : 21 April 2010 By BBC Sport

Winger David Cotterill admits he "owes" Swansea City a favour after ending their play-off hopes last season.The Wales international scored the only goal from the penalty spot as Sheffield United beat the Swans in the penultimate fixture of last season.

But Cotterill returns to Bramall Lane on Saturday as a Swansea player hoping to keep the Welsh side in the Championship play-offs.

"Last year I was concentrating on what I could do for Sheffield Utd," he said.

"This year, hopefully I will be on the other foot and if I'm stepping up to take a penalty or have a chance to score, it will get those vital three points for the team."

Last season, United were in contention for automatic promotion - eventually losing in the play-off final to Burnley.

The Swans were among the play-off chasing pack before Cotterill put an end to that.

This year however, the Swans are in the play-off spots and lead chasing Blackpool by two points, while United have no chance of going up.

A win at Bramall Lane will clinch a play-off place if Blackpool fail to beat already relegated Peterborough.

But the last time the Swans won there in the league was in March 1939 and four-goal Cotterill, who joined the Liberty Stadium side permanently in the January transfer window for £500,000 knows former boss Kevin Blackwell will not let them turn up and just take the points.

"Kevin will not accept anything and he will want a result and he will want the team to build for next season," said Cotterill, who found chances limited during his 18 months in Yorkshire.

If we don't beat Sheff Utd and then Doncaster, we don't deserve a place in the top six

Pluck it out and score

"He will want to see what players are fighting for their positions and they will want to fight for every last second.

"So it's important we go there and stay focused because they won't take their foot off the gas even though they've missed out on the play-offs."

Swansea go into their final two games of the regular season on a run of three wins in 11 - their worst run of the season.

But back in September, the Swans beat United at the Liberty Stadium to claim only their second win of the season in nine attempts.

That game was seen by manager Paulo Sousa as the turning point which helped them to an 11-match unbeaten run and eventually a place in the top six where they have stayed since Christmas.

"It proved to be a very good result and it's really kicked on the team's performances," said Cotterill who was on the losing side that day.

"We are in the driving seat now and if we can play like we can do, I'm sure we will be there at the end of the season."

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport