Swansea will be looking to continue their excellent recent run of form with three more points against Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday, knowing that if results happen to go their way, the South Wales Club could find themselves shooting to the top of the league. The Swans have won four of their last five games and have the best defensive record in all three football leagues - yet have never beaten Rushden in a league fixture. So can Jackett's barmy army continue to produce the goods or will Ernie Tippett's provide too stiff an opposition to overturn?
After promoted as Third Division champions in 2003, last season saw Rushden
suffer a horrendous post-Christmas run that eventually lead to immediate relegation back to the basement league. Amongst rumours of financial difficulties and the withdrawal of one of their main benefactors, Rushden offloaded a number of star names prior to the transfer deadline, including Onandi Lowe, Paul Hall, Paul Underwood and Marcus Bignot. The remaining players could not hold on to their league status and their poor end-of-season form condemned them to "League Two".
Rushden are hoping for a change in fortunes this season, with a new manager and a fresh batch of players attempting to fight their way back into League One. The Diamonds' side contains a wealth of League One experience - in from Tranmere came Graham Allen, Sean Connelly and Alex Hay while Lee Worgan, Rob Gier and Peter Hawkins were all signed from MK Dons. Added to established Rushden goalkeeper Billy Turley, top scorer Kevin Braniff (currently on loan from Championship side Millwall), veteran Northern Irish International Barry Hunter and the capable Stuart Gray, son of Leeds legend Eddie, it appears that the arrival of Saturday's visitors cannot be taken too lightly.
However, the Diamonds' start to this new campaign has been distinctly average and they currently lie in 12th position in the table. Rushden started the season with a 0-0 home draw with lowly Kidderminster, before losing 1-0 at bookies favourites Northampton. Back to back victories over Lincoln (3-1) and Grimsby (1-0) restored confidence in the squad before a poor run saw them without a win in their next five matches and scoring just twice. Saturday finally saw them end this run with a 1-0 home win over Cheltenham, with the goal coming from loanee Kevin Braniff. The Diamonds will be hoping to build upon last weekend's result by taking something from the Vetch on Saturday.
Rushden will definitely be without Gareth Seddon, Daniel Talbot and captain Gary Mills, who looks set to miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a horrible injury in their 0-0 draw at Oxford. Midfielder Stuart Gray also remains a major doubt for Tippett as he nurses a bruised foot.
Swansea manager Kenny Jackett is himself sweating on the fitness of Izzy Iriekpen and Paul Connor, while Lee Trundle is expected to return to return to the starting line-up after a one week absence. Andy Robinson has also recovered from a minor knock sustained in Saturday's victory over league leaders Wycombe. Definitely out are the injury-crocked Leon Hylton and James Thomas.
So can Swansea make it 5 wins in their last 6 and force their way into the automatic playoff places with a win over Rushden? Could Ernie Tippett mastermind a brilliant "hit and run" at the Vetch and score against the best defence in all three football leagues? Swans MAD will bring a full match report and pictures after the game!!
After promoted as Third Division champions in 2003, last season saw Rushden
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Rushden are hoping for a change in fortunes this season, with a new manager and a fresh batch of players attempting to fight their way back into League One. The Diamonds' side contains a wealth of League One experience - in from Tranmere came Graham Allen, Sean Connelly and Alex Hay while Lee Worgan, Rob Gier and Peter Hawkins were all signed from MK Dons. Added to established Rushden goalkeeper Billy Turley, top scorer Kevin Braniff (currently on loan from Championship side Millwall), veteran Northern Irish International Barry Hunter and the capable Stuart Gray, son of Leeds legend Eddie, it appears that the arrival of Saturday's visitors cannot be taken too lightly.
However, the Diamonds' start to this new campaign has been distinctly average and they currently lie in 12th position in the table. Rushden started the season with a 0-0 home draw with lowly Kidderminster, before losing 1-0 at bookies favourites Northampton. Back to back victories over Lincoln (3-1) and Grimsby (1-0) restored confidence in the squad before a poor run saw them without a win in their next five matches and scoring just twice. Saturday finally saw them end this run with a 1-0 home win over Cheltenham, with the goal coming from loanee Kevin Braniff. The Diamonds will be hoping to build upon last weekend's result by taking something from the Vetch on Saturday.
Rushden will definitely be without Gareth Seddon, Daniel Talbot and captain Gary Mills, who looks set to miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a horrible injury in their 0-0 draw at Oxford. Midfielder Stuart Gray also remains a major doubt for Tippett as he nurses a bruised foot.
Swansea manager Kenny Jackett is himself sweating on the fitness of Izzy Iriekpen and Paul Connor, while Lee Trundle is expected to return to return to the starting line-up after a one week absence. Andy Robinson has also recovered from a minor knock sustained in Saturday's victory over league leaders Wycombe. Definitely out are the injury-crocked Leon Hylton and James Thomas.
So can Swansea make it 5 wins in their last 6 and force their way into the automatic playoff places with a win over Rushden? Could Ernie Tippett mastermind a brilliant "hit and run" at the Vetch and score against the best defence in all three football leagues? Swans MAD will bring a full match report and pictures after the game!!