Issue 32 by Jack Swan

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That’s going backwards, that’s going back to our last manager and the Spurs game was a typical Laudrup performance. We battered them, absolutely dominated the game and yet we thoroughly deserved to lose! People will say that is harsh but you cannot concede goals that poorly I just feel that we are better than a mid-table side and expect to win a football match at this level. this year or at least incredibly close to being better You cannot ask Bony and co to score three goals than that. Man United are currently flying in third and to come behind twice just to win a football match. and they are a very poor side, this table is wide open and I feel angry to be honest because we The good news is that it is January and we can aren’t far away from being there and yet we are bring in some fresh faces. We are desperate at full miles away and it s becoming increasingly likely that we are going to be facing another mid-table back, really desperate and I would hope to see a different face on both flanks here. The problem we season. are soon going to face is that the African Cup of It is insane that I can be sad and downbeat about nations will see Bony leave for a few games and at present, he is the only player who looks like he can this which clearly shows what a remarkable job stick the ball in the back of the net. the club has done in recent years. The fact that survival is totally taken for granted shows that we have progressed insanely. Us fans have been spoilt All gloom and doom maybe although I you will all have cheered up when you read our feature on and are now throwing our toys out of the pram the academy in this issue. Without building it up because we are not getting what we want! too much but if we don’t win the Champions League in the next six years then someone needs But that’s what football fans do, that is football, sacking!!! take ambition away from the game and there is little left. I had a lot of faith in Monk (and I still do100%) and one of the main reasons that I had that Merry Christmas. faith is that I didn’t think he would allow us to concede the types of pathetic goals that we did against Spurs and West Ham. Some goals can not be avoided but nobody should get a free header from a corner, let along Harry Kane and Andy Carroll.

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I must confess that I am disappointed. Maybe, I was guilty of getting carried away; building a side up just to knock them back down: Maybe I’m getting better at my job? That is after all what the ‘big media’ companies do.

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Sw�n�e� Ci�� Aca��

Being on the ball as I always am with Jack swan, I hadn’t been to the new training academy since its opening. I popped down there to have a chat with academy manager Nigel Rees. Here is what he had to say. I wanted to look right at the start at how we recruit youngsters. Are we sending scouts out locally in the old fashioned way or is it different? A mixture, the best thing for us this year has been having the pre-academy in Cwmdu because in the past, we didn’t have the facilities to develop the real younger ones and I’m very keen that everything stays under the umbrella of Swansea City. What we were finding was that we wasn’t keeping the under 6s and 7s as we had nowhere to put them and so they were going to Cardiff or wherever. But now we see them early, we have soccer camps but now we have avenues to keep them here and develop them.

about recruitment every week. I’m told that I like a meeting. We have meetings where we discuss every single player in detail, they have individual plans and we come to an agreement as to the best way to go forward. I meet with the chairman twice a week. He is brilliant; I can’t speak highly enough of him from an academy basis. We have developed a clear strategic pathway. So say for argument sake we needed a left back in the under 18s; if we have a quality left back in the under 15s then I’m not going to bring a new left back to the club as it will block his pathway. So rather than bring someone in then we will bring him in. It happened last season at centre half. When we recruit; we know exactly where we are.

We obviously have scouts, they look at players generally, if they see a good player but as they get older, we may be looking for a specific position. We meet as an academy every Thursday morning where we talk

How young would you play a player? If you have a 15 year old, would you play them in the under 18s? Yes. Our thinking at the moment is that we play at least two or three players up an age group a week. We have had an under 16s playing in the under 21s this season because he was good enough, he only came on for 20 minutes and nearly scored. It is a constant flow of trying to get players into challenging positions. Cat1 (category 1 academy) will give us that as you end up playing the bigger teams. Is it hard not offering player’s contracts?

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South Wales Leading Fencing Suppliers & Installer Yes. It’s the hardest part of the job. Every player has a review every 6 weeks. Twice a year, mid-term and end of season they have the retain/release time. I don’t let the coaches do that: I do that as it is difficult for the coaches as it can become personal. It can be the nicest part to give them a contract but to actually tell a player that you are sorry but you are releasing them is really tough. They are all good players here but as an academy we are looking to produce elite players and so there are good players but I need to ask ‘are they good enough to play for Swansea City?’ and that level is getting higher and higher to achieve. We run training camps over the boarder into Bristol over the summer? How did that go? When I came in we had 3 development centres and we now have 14. I worked in the Rhondda for 14 years and there is a hot-bed of talent up there and there is a lot of Swansea City supporters up there and we have never done anything up there. So I said to the chairman that I wanted to put a development centre up there and so we opened up in Treherbert, we got 42 boys attending there. We have one in Bristol, Aberystwyth, Cardigan, Haverfordwest, Swansea obviously.

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Ireland?

Yes we are. We go out there once a year and set up soccer camp but what you will find is that we are go to have strategically places so camps out there and we will w with some clubs out there as w We are hoping to develop mo a presence in America. We hav American academy twice a ye and deliver soccer camps out there. It’s giving us a presence there and so we start getting phone calls from there. It isn’t about the football but also ge the brand out there as getting brand out there will bring the footballers as people begin to you and pick the phone up to We aren’t a faceless organisati got in excess of 30-32 staff on time basis and 60 part time coaching staff so as an organis tion we are really pushing out there and I am really precious the badge. The brand is impor and the club is important and very proud to wear the badge

Is it difficult for poorer paren I’m just wondering if there is support there, it sounds like there is a lot of travelling involved.

With the day release programme, we send a minibu to Bridgend, Haverford west, we have pick up point there. Unfortunately geographically there will alwa an element of travelling but I have ideas as to how

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Yes. It’s the hardest part of the job. Every player has a review every 6 weeks. Twice a year, mid-term and end of season they have the retain/release time. I don’t let the coaches do that: I do that as it is difficult for the coaches as it can become personal. It can be the nicest part to give them a contract but to actually tell a player that you are sorry but you are releasing them is really tough. They are all good players here but as an academy we are looking to produce elite players and so there are good players but I need to ask ‘are they good enough to play for Swansea City?’ and that level is getting higher and higher to achieve. We run training camps over the boarder into Bristol over the summer? How did that go? When I came in we had 3 development centres and we now have 14. I worked in the Rhondda for 14 years and there is a hot-bed of talent up there and there is a lot of Swansea City supporters up there and we have never done anything up there. So I said to the chairman that I wanted to put a development centre up there and so we opened up in Treherbert, we got 42 boys attending there. We have one in Bristol, Aberystwyth, Cardigan, Haverfordwest, Swansea obviously.

Ireland? Yes we are. We go out there once a year and set up a soccer camp but what you will find is that we are going to have strategically places soccer camps out there and we will work with some clubs out there as well. We are hoping to develop more of a presence in America. We have an American academy twice a year and deliver soccer camps out there. It’s giving us a presence out there and so we start getting phone calls from there. It isn’t just about the football but also getting the brand out there as getting the brand out there will bring the footballers as people begin to trust you and pick the phone up to you. We aren’t a faceless organisation. I got in excess of 30-32 staff on a full time basis and 60 part time coaching staff so as an organisation we are really pushing out there and I am really precious of the badge. The brand is important and the club is important and I’m very proud to wear the badge.

Is it difficult for poorer parents? I’m just wondering if there is support there, it sounds like there is a lot of travelling involved. With the day release programme, we send a minibus out to Bridgend, Haverford west, we have pick up points there. Unfortunately geographically there will always be an element of travelling but I have ideas as to how we

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really. The Premier League wants 22 elite academies a by elite they want everything to be permanent so permanent classrooms as against porter cabins whic lot of the other academies do. You have to have evetrthing on the one site to get category 1 but som the other clubs have promised that they would do st in order to get cat 1 and nothing has been done abo it.

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So what the Premier League have done now said that you have to h everything there first. They are desperate for to get involved becaus as a club, everything which we do is what th want, we have a very c philosophy as you kno If you see the under 6s and 8s then you will se that the same philosop is there as with the firs team. They will come down and check that

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01792 865560 01792 865560 really. The Premier League wants 22 elite academies and by elite they want everything to be permanent so permanent classrooms as against porter cabins which a lot of the other academies do. You have to have evetrthing on the one site to get category 1 but some of The Digs, is that with another family? the other clubs have promised that they would do stuff in order to get cat 1 and nothing has been done about It is yeah. Under 18s can’t stay on their own. So even if I • No Hassle - book a no obliga on appointment with one of our expert local consultants atit.a me that suits you, wanted to put and weekends even evenings them up in a So what the Premier • No Fuss hotel then -I from survey to installa on, our professional local team will take care of everything for you. League have done now is • No Worries all our products have industry leading guarantees, some even for life. So that’s one less thing to couldn’t. said that you have to have worry about. everything there first. How many They are desperate for us category 1s are WEEKENDtoSPECIAL get involved because there? everything Pontardawe astoa club, Swansea which we do is what they £15 One Way - Car 22 in Britain. Man want, we have a very clear United, City, £20 One Way 8 Seater philosophy as you know. MORRISTON HOSPITAL Chelsea, Arsenal, Before 11pm Only If you see the under 6s, 7s Stoke. The last £25.00 RETURN and 8s then you will see SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. BOOKING WILL BE two to come in that the same philosophy ESSENTIAL. WE WILL TRY AND ACCOMMODATE wereNEATH Derby and PORT TALBOT HOSPITAL is there as with the first EVERYBODY’S NEEDS, HOWEVER SOME TIMES WOULD Brighton but orthey SINGLETON HOSPITAL team. They come HAVE TO BE FLEXIBLE DUE TO SCHOOLwill CONTRACTS have gone in and check that £35.00 RETURN UNIT BUSINESS PARK SWANSEA SA7 9FZ down Tel: 01792 701293 slightly early2 PHOENIX can support that a bit more. We do it now, one of the boys lived away and so we put him in digs, he goes to Cwmtawe school now and comes to us everyday.

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12 Sw�n�e� Ci�� Aca�� what we say is happening. 9 times of 10 they will say to me that there is no point in them staying as they can see that we are doing everything which we say we are.

hours, under elevens 8 ½ hours a week and then it starts to kick up. Some young players actually get 13 ½ hours a week.

They like us as they know where we have come from, we don’t give them any trouble, if they want something off us then we will accommodate them in any way we can where as some of the older cat1 clubs want to do it their own way and they have the clout so its difficulty for the Premier league.

One thing I did when I started and I was adamant about it was that the education had to be spot. So the first thing I did was the day release programme which was set up in September. We have a maths teacher and an English teacher who come here for an hour in the morning and afternoon on Tuesday and Wednesdays, so say the under 15s come in, they have breakfast, then education, then train for two hours, then lunch, then education and then train and then get released at 4 o’clock.

Is that the FA doing that? No it’s the Premier League. Totally different; If you are in the Premier League, then they look after you. You can still be a cat1 club in the Championship but the football league will look after you even though it is the Premier League who categorises it. That’s our aim, that’s our goal. I spoke with the chairman at the start of the year and we want to be a cat1 club. We effectively run it as a cat1 club. Our timetable, contact with players etc... Everything is run as though we are cat1.

We have also introduced a full time education programme. I have 7 boys who come here every day:

How much time and what age are kids coming here? We have the new pre-academy in Cwmdu, so we work up there with 5, 6, 7 and 8 year olds but the official academy structure is under 9s to under 21s. We have to deliver x number of hours in every age group to get your categorisation, under 9s get 6 ½ hours. Under tens get 7

Every afternoon. To get cat1 you have to work directly with one school. We use Cwmtawe, the reason we use them is because it is ten minutes from here. Their

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timetable is perfect for us as they have four lessons in the morning and so the boys get all of their maths, English and science in the morning in school and they only lose one lesson a day which is usually an optional subject. The school has excellent inspections, 99% get 5 GCSEs and so as a parent myself I thought that I would only move my child if I thought that the education was going to be at least as good. I thought we may have two or three who would be interested in doing it but I had eleven asking me if they could do it.. 8 with Cwymtawe and the others are doing their GCSEs this year and so I thought it wouldn’t be right to move their school. 2 boys are in digs, at 16 which we have never ever done that before but the education is brilliant. One of the biggest successes that we have is the full time programme. We work with them in detail, individual plans; the whole thing is becoming a science. The chairman said to me a while back, why is it that the players that we are playing against seem to be two years physically further developed. I said one might be that as a nation we are small but secondly I think that the other clubs have stepped ahead of us with strength and conditioning and so we invested in new staff and the two we have are brilliant. Our under 18s now are already showing a marked difference. The last few games, we are physically strong and scoring goals for

fun, we beat QPR 7-2 and Brentford 4-1 and Brentford are top of the league and a lot of it is down to this. Do you think that you have to install a mental attitude of learning to win?

What we say to the boys is that winning isn’t everyth but wanting to win is. As a coach if you come off the field and lost 3-2 then I want the individual performa es that we have been working on in the week but I al want to see those players who want to win. If they co off and they haven’t won, you can’t win every game b as you said, you want to see certain mental strength. isn’t all about the winning but I want to develop that winning instinct. I don’t want them beating themselv up when they have lost as I don’t want fear with the boys, I want them to go out there with confidence an try things, back flicks or whatever and if they think th may get a row then they won’t. We need to install int them that winners never give up: they may be on the

14 Sw�n�e� Ci�� Aca�� timetable is perfect for us as they have four lessons in the morning and so the boys get all of their maths, English and science in the morning in school and they only lose one lesson a day which is usually an optional subject. The school has excellent inspections, 99% get 5 GCSEs and so as a parent myself I thought that I would only move my child if I thought that the education was going to be at least as good. I thought we may have two or three who would be interested in doing it but I had eleven asking me if they could do it.. 8 with Cwymtawe and the others are doing their GCSEs this year and so I thought it wouldn’t be right to move their school. 2 boys are in digs, at 16 which we have never ever done that before but the education is brilliant. One of the biggest successes that we have is the full time programme. We work with them in detail, individual plans; the whole thing is becoming a science. The chairman said to me a while back, why is it that the players that we are playing against seem to be two years physically further developed. I said one might be that as a nation we are small but secondly I think that the other clubs have stepped ahead of us with strength and conditioning and so we invested in new staff and the two we have are brilliant. Our under 18s now are already showing a marked difference. The last few games, we are physically strong and scoring goals for

fun, we beat QPR 7-2 and Brentford 4-1 and Brentford are top of the league and a lot of it is down to this. Do you think that you have to install a mental attitude of learning to win? What we say to the boys is that winning isn’t everything but wanting to win is. As a coach if you come off the field and lost 3-2 then I want the individual performances that we have been working on in the week but I also want to see those players who want to win. If they come off and they haven’t won, you can’t win every game but as you said, you want to see certain mental strength. It isn’t all about the winning but I want to develop that winning instinct. I don’t want them beating themselves up when they have lost as I don’t want fear with the boys, I want them to go out there with confidence and try things, back flicks or whatever and if they think they may get a row then they won’t. We need to install into them that winners never give up: they may be on their

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having a look in whereas now sometimes even the

Do you get frustrated when you see players like Josh Sheehan not getting regular first team football?

When their chance comes then it is down to them to take it. I always look at Jazz, he has had a couple of ye where he wasn’t being picked but he’s been a really good pro, he’s trained hard, he’s a good bloke, we haven’t had any trouble out of him and his chance ha come and he is in. Ben was the same, Tayls got injure and he was in.

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The best thing for us at the moment is that the under 21s train very closely with the first team and so I am confident now that all of our players have an opportunity to train with the first team. 4 or 5 of our under 21s are regularly training with the first team and then they come back to play for us. So for me, once we have got them into that environment then it is down to the player. The frustrating thing for me was before as I had players who I knew could get in there but they wasn’t

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16 Sw�n�e� Ci�� Aca�� last legs but they keep going.

having a look in whereas now sometimes even the under 18s are involved.

Do you get frustrated when you see players like Josh Sheehan not getting regular first team football?

When their chance comes then it is down to them to take it. I always look at Jazz, he has had a couple of years where he wasn’t being picked but he’s been a really good pro, he’s trained hard, he’s a good bloke, we haven’t had any trouble out of him and his chance has come and he is in. Ben was the same, Tayls got injured and he was in.

The fact that the players are getting to there is a good feeling for us as it means that we are obviously doing something right. We have a couple of young players coming through which you are going to see in the next

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18 Sw�n�e� Ci�� Aca�� couple of years who we think have a really good chance and from 14s up, we think that we have players really coming through. You say that it has changed now, what has made that change, is it the facilities or is it the change in manager? When Garry came in. Straight away it was different. I’m not having a go at Laudrup, everybody works differently but Laudrup had his squad and that was it: where as with Garry and Kris and Pep and Javier the goalkeeping coach as he is here basically every day. Kris O’learly is here for every under 21s game and so again there is that constant communication and Garry has made it perfectly clear that what he wants is players coming through and that there is a pathway there. When I speak to the other academy managers, us as a club, our players have got a better chance at getting into our first team than the other clubs. They know that they will get a fair crack of the whip here. It must have been frustrating not seeing players getting the chance? It is the same with a number of clubs, they are under so much pressure to get results. But as Garry has come through the club he understands the philosophy he has been great.

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Is our biggest skill as a club, the club itself, the way we are behind scenes with players etc..? Yes. I agree 100%. As I said to you with the coaches here; the perception that people have of us at the club is very, very important to us as it is a community club. People in Swansea feel a part of the club. I think that we don’t always appreciate what the players go through, I know that it looks glamorous and there is that side to it but you take over Christmas, they will be training Christmas day, they will play Boxing day and they will be in after and so they get all the money and the nice things but it isn’t always that glamorous. When we were in the Europa league it really hit me. They would be playing abroad, come off the bus, come into training, back home, in the next day because they were away in London. It isn’t always that glamorous life; don’t get me wrong I would love to do it: I would bite your hand off if I was good enough. Does it take a while to get a good reputation as the place to develop your skills? I think it takes a while to get one but easy to get knocked down and so what we have to make sure of is that we build solid foundations. In fairness to Cardiff over the years they have always been more attractive to

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youngsters then us but now, when you look at this place Repair Specialists Huw Jenkins seems to have many attributes that (Landore) and you look at whatWindow they have and with no makes him a great chairman but I think that his e disrespect to Treforrest but it’s not owned by Cardiff for putting the right people in the right places is City, it is a part of the university which they train on. greatest skill. We have seen it time and again wit his managerial choice and from what I saw with m As an academy you can see that we are moving on. We short time at the academy, he has played a blind can’t do things overnight but you can see the progreshere. I’m seriously excited about what can come sion. We have development plans as to what we want to info@mrdemister.co.uk • www.mrdemister.co.uk from this academy and it looks in very safe, see over 1, 2 and 3 years. My philosophy is that the local organised and incredibly detailed hands. A mass boys get the first chance. As a supporter, I want to see thanks to Nigel for meeting up with me and to th local boys in the team. You can’t always do that in the staff there. premier league but if we can have two or three out there every time then I would be absolutely chuffed. That’s the goal. They say that a picture can say a thousand words and the picture below really amazed me. It’s the clubs future in a photograph; nobody knows how I got totally blown away during the conversation many of these players will get to wear the senior with Nigel Rees. The place is out of this world but the passion and excitement that Nigel has for the place shirt but it is really exciting to think that every si one of them has a fantastic chance to! and for the academies future was even more exciting than the facilities. It was a real eye opener as to how far the club has come forward and to the potential of the clubs future.

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20 Sw�n�e� Ci�� Aca�� youngsters then us but now, when you look at this place (Landore) and you look at what they have and with no disrespect to Treforrest but it’s not owned by Cardiff City, it is a part of the university which they train on. As an academy you can see that we are moving on. We can’t do things overnight but you can see the progression. We have development plans as to what we want to see over 1, 2 and 3 years. My philosophy is that the local boys get the first chance. As a supporter, I want to see local boys in the team. You can’t always do that in the premier league but if we can have two or three out there every time then I would be absolutely chuffed. That’s the goal. I got totally blown away during the conversation with Nigel Rees. The place is out of this world but the passion and excitement that Nigel has for the place and for the academies future was even more exciting than the facilities. It was a real eye opener as to how far the club has come forward and to the potential of the clubs future.

Huw Jenkins seems to have many attributes that makes him a great chairman but I think that his eye for putting the right people in the right places is his greatest skill. We have seen it time and again with his managerial choice and from what I saw with my short time at the academy, he has played a blinder here. I’m seriously excited about what can come from this academy and it looks in very safe, organised and incredibly detailed hands. A massive thanks to Nigel for meeting up with me and to the staff there. They say that a picture can say a thousand words and the picture below really amazed me. It’s the clubs future in a photograph; nobody knows how many of these players will get to wear the senior shirt but it is really exciting to think that every single one of them has a fantastic chance to!

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Wh� �� y� ��n� G�r�� M��?

I don’t know about you but I haven’t really got a clue. We seemed to be feeling quite smug about our staff at one point, it seemed that we had it all planed out and that our backroom staff signings were as exciting as those on the pitch. It all seem to have gone a bit quiet and so I thought I’d have a look. Assistant Manager - Josep Clotet AKA Pep It seems like the Spanish clear out didn’t reach as far as Garry’s assistant manager. Whether it was to ensure that he wasn’t branded an Anti-Iberian racist or not I do not know but Pep was officially appointed as Monks assistant in May. He had very little of a playing career as injury cut it short and so he concentrated on coaching from a relatively young age. At 26 he held a UEFA Pro-License and he joined Espanyol and looked after their under 17s squad. He moved on to the under 19s and won the Spanish championship with them before being promoted to the reserves. In 2010 he moved to Sweden as an assistant manager with Malmo and won the league that year. He stayed in Sweden the following year and joined Halmstads, this time as head coach, he didn’t stay there long and tried his luck in Norway before returning to Spain with the reserves and talent developer with Malaga. Pep boats an impressive CV and has helped develop and nurture some real quality players from across Europe. He did play a part in Vasquez’s career though!!!!! First Team Coach - Alan Curtis People come and go but legends always remain. He seems to just always be, give him whatever title you like, He is highly regarded among players new and old, I always think that it is important to keep hold of such characters and legends. I think Man United have done a great job in keeping bobby Charlton, no matter what Wayne Rooney does: he has done more and it is the same here, Curts is king. Never hear a bad word about the man. I don’t need to tell you anything about him.

To Whom It May Concern: “We would like to express our gratitude for the advertisement we had in the magazine – “Jack Swan”. We have had many enquiries by this advertisement and the enquiries have turned into sales. We would recommend any business to seriously think of putting an advert in “Jack Swan” and hopefully your sales will increase just as ours have. From The Clothes Clinic (2007) LTD. Morriston.

HYDRODIPPING OTHER SERVICES Head of Sports Science – Jonny Northeast ENGINE COVERS SANDBLASTING This is getting silly now. Head of Sports Science?? What next hey?? His name is Jonny and hes’ from Newscastle RIFLES CUSTOM SPRAYING (I don’t know that: it’s a guess) WHEELS CUSTOM EXHAUSTS Head of recruitment – David Leadbeater BIKESWell I missed this! Isn’t this what managers complain about? REMAPPING He came here in 2010 after 16 years at Middlesboro (explains the Marvin Emnes transfer: dodgy????) He has played some professional football and FAIRINGS STAINLESS WELDING coached at lower levels. A decent and yet unspectacular CV. I struggle to see what he and Laudrup spoke AND MANY MORE...... ALLOY WHEELS about.

So that’s that. You may know something which you didn’t or you may pay more attention to these things than I do and it is all common knowledge: Either way, there you are!

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Wh� �� y� ��n� G�r�� M��?

Coach - Kristian O'Leary He was a proper footballer. One who wore his heart on his sleeve and made the absolute most of his limited talent. It was 1992 that Kris joined the Swans as a 14 year old school boy and he’s seen some very good and some very dark times here. He came back to the club in 2012 after a spell managing Neath, He’s currently head coach as well as looking after the under 21s. Performance psychologist – Ian Mitchell Is this a real job I hear you ask? Apparently it is! It’s a new role. I think we may just be struggling to spend all the money that we have. He is an ex professional footballer who quit his job as a lecturer in Cardiff uni to take up this position. He has an incredible CV in fairness which boasts a masters degree and PHD, plus UEFA coaching badges as well as over 300 games for Merthyr Tydfil. He also holds the same position for Wales. I get the feeling that he may have just invented a job and decided that he’s the only one that can do it! Head of Sports Science – Jonny Northeast This is getting silly now. Head of Sports Science?? What next hey?? His name is Jonny and hes’ from Newscastle (I don’t know that: it’s a guess) Head of recruitment – David Leadbeater Well I missed this! Isn’t this what managers complain about? He came here in 2010 after 16 years at Middlesboro (explains the Marvin Emnes transfer: dodgy????) He has played some professional football and coached at lower levels. A decent and yet unspectacular CV. I struggle to see what he and Laudrup spoke about. So that’s that. You may know something which you didn’t or you may pay more attention to these things than I do and it is all common knowledge: Either way, there you are!

11 MAZDA 2 1.6 DIESEL 5DR,SILVER,ALLOYS,PAS,R/C/L,FSH,28K 8,295 57 FORD GALAXY 1.8 SPORT, TDCi(125) ZETEC,GREY,PAS,ALLOYS,A/C,C/L,S/H,79K ££7,995 10 AUDI CITROEN NEMO DSG 1.4 HDi LX,SENSODRIVE,GREY, 5DR,PAS,R/C/L,9K ONLY £7,495 £ 5,995 06 A3 2.0TDi S LINE, 3DR,BLACK,18” ALLOYS,H/LTHR,FSH,88K 09 VW POLO 1.4 TDi MATCH, 5 DR,SILVER,PAS,ALLOYS,C/L,E/W,56K,FSH £ 5,995 08 VW PASSAT 2.0TDi SE,SILVER,ALLOYS,PAS,R/C/L,A/C,FSH,133K,MOT £4,995 57 VW GOLF 1.9 TDI SE(105) ESTATE, BLACK,ALLOYS,A/C,E/W,FSH, 93K £ 4,995 54 BMW 318Ci SPORT CONVERTIBLE,AUTO,BLACK,ALLOYS,FSH,74K ONLY£ 5,495 54 MITSUBISHI L200 D/CAB PICK UP,BLACK,PAS,ALLOYS,LTHR,117K,FSH £4,995 06 AUDI A4 AVANT TDI (115)SE, BLUE,ALLOYS,PAS,A/C,FSH,118K,MOT APR £ 4,995 08 VW PASSAT 2.0TDi SE,SILVER,ALLOYS,PAS,R/C/L,A/C,FSH,133K,MOT £ 4,995 06 MAZDA 5 2.0 TD TS, GREY, PAS,R/C/L,E/W, 7 SEATS,84K,FSH ,46 MPG £4,695 05 LANDROVER FREELANDER TD4 SE,SILVER,ALLOYS,H/LTHR,101K,FSH £ 4,795 54 MERCEDES C220 CDi, BLUE,ALLOYS,PAS,A/C,H/LTHR,FSH,106K 05 VW GOLF 1.9BENZ TDi SE, GREY,PAS,ALLOYS,R/C/L,E/W,72K, FSH,MOT MAY ££4,495 4,995 59 RENAULT RENAULT TWINGO 1.2 EXTREME, RED,PAS,R/C/L, 16K ONLY, 1 OWNER ££3,995 4,295 06 MEGANE 1.6 CABRIOLET,SILVER,PAS,ALLOYS,C/L,E/W,49K 06 MAZDA 5 2.0 TD TS, GREY, PAS,R/C/L,E/W, 7 SEATS,84K,FSH ,46 MPG £ 4,695 01 LANDROVER DISCOVERY TD5 XS,BLUE,ALLOYS,PAS,7 SEATS,122K 56 YPEUGEOT 207 1.4 HDi S, 5 DOOR,MET BLUE,PAS,R/C/L,E/W,63K ,FSH ££3,995 3,695 08 RENAULT CLIO 1.2 EXPRESSION,3 DR,BLACK,PAS,ALLOYS,C/L,72K £3,695 07 VAUXHALL ASTRA 1.4i CLUB,5 DR,BLACK,PAS,R/C/L,E/W, 48K ONLY £ 3,295 07 SKODA SUPERB 2.0TDi ,BLUE,PAS,ALLOYS,E/W,A/C, 117K MOT FEB14 £3,495 06 CITROEN C2 1.4 HDi, 3 DR,YELLOW, PAS,R/C/L,E/W,A/C, £30 TAX, 55K £ 3,295 08 RENAULT EXPRESSION,3 DR,BLACK,PAS,ALLOYS,C/L,72K 3,695 56 FORD KA CLIO 1.3i 1.2 COLLECTION, BLACK,PAS,C/L,E/W,CD,39K,FSH,NEW MOT ££2,495 55 FORD TOYOTA AVENSIS T2 3 D-4D, GREEN,PAS,R/C/L,E/W, FSH,90K,NEW113K MOT ££2,495 2,995 54 FOCUS ST170, DOOR,BLUE,ALLOYS,PAS,R/C/L,E/W,FSH, 07 SKODA SUPERB 2.0TDi ,BLUE,PAS,ALLOYS,E/W,A/C, 117K MOT FEB14 £ 3,295 03CITROEN SUZUKI JIMNY RED, PAS,C/L,E/W, 61 K,FSH , MOT 2,695 54 C3 1.4 1.3 LX, JLX, 5 DR,GREY, PAS,R/C/L,E/W, FSH,92K, NEW APRIL MOT 15 ££1,995 56 FORD KA 1.3i COLLECTION, BLACK,PAS,C/L,E/W,CD,39K,FSH,NEW MOT £ 2,495 03 RENAULT CLIO 1.5 DCi DYNAMIQUE,3DR,BLACK,ALLOYS,101K, £20 TAX £1,995 54 CITROEN C2 1.1 SX,MET.BLUE,PAS,R/C/L,E/W, 69K, FSH, MOT SEPT 15 £ 2,195 54 FORD FOCUS ST170, DOOR,BLUE,ALLOYS,PAS,R/C/L,E/W,FSH, 113K ££1,795 2,495 03 RENAULT CLIO 1.2 3 DYNAMIQUE,3DR,BLACK,ALLOYS,PAS,C/L,107K,FSH 99 V LANDROVER FREELANDER XDi, 3 DR,GREEN,PAS,ALLOYS,99K, MOT £ 1,795 CLIO DYNAMIQUE,3DR,BLACK,ALLOYS,101K, 1,995 03 RENAULT SEAT AROSA 1.01.5 S, DCi BLACK,ALLOYS,PAS,R/C/L,E/W, 79K,NEW MOT £20 TAX ££1,795 54 KIA CERATO 1.6 LX AUTO,5DR,MET.BLUE,PAS,R/C/L,E/W,37K ONLY,MOT £ 1,695 02 VAUXHALL CORSA CORSA 1.2 1.2 ELEGANCE,5 ELEGANCE,5 DR,RED,ALLOYS,PAS,C/L,97K,MOT DR,RED,ALLOYS,PAS,C/L,97K,MOT £1,695 02 VAUXHALL £ 1,495 54VW DAEWOO MATIZ 1.0 EXTRA COOL, RED,PAS, E/W,MOT 59K,FSH,MOT SEPT 15 ££1,695 1,495 04 CADDY SDi VAN, WHITE, PAS,C/L,E/W, 110K, FEB 14,TAX JAN 52 RENAULT CLIO 1.6i DYNAMIQUE,3DR,BLACK,PAS,134K,RECON ENGINE £ 1,395 03 CITROEN DISPATCH 1.9D VAN,WHITE,PAS, 6 DOORS,130K,MOT FEB 14 £1,695 03 SEAT LEON 1.6 S, MET,BLUE,PAS,ALLOYS, C/L,E/W, 107K,FSH,NEW MOT £ 1,495 54 FORD FOCUS TDi ESTATE,WHITE,PAS,ALLOYS,E/W,C/L,167K,MOT FEB £ 1,295 52 RENAULTPASSION CLIO 1.6i DYNAMIQUE,3DR,BLACK,PAS,134K,RECON ENGINE 52 SMART SOFT TOUCH AUTO,RED/BLACK,PAS,ALLOYS,C/L, 72K ££1,395 1,495 02 PEUGEOT 206 1.6 XSi,3 DR,BLUE,17” ALLOYS,PAS,CL,136K,NEW MOT £ 1,195 54 FORD FOCUS TDi ESTATE,WHITE,PAS,ALLOYS,E/W,C/L,167K,MOT FEB £1,295 04 RENAULT CLIO 1.2i EXPRESSION,3 DR,MET.BLUE,PAS,C/L,E/W,132K 1,295 02 PEUGEOT 206 DR,BLUE,17” MOT£30 ££1,195 51 RENAULT CLIO1.6 1.5XSi,3 DCi, 5 DR,GREEN, ALLOYS,PAS,CL,136K,NEW PAS,C/L,E/W,131K,MOT/TAX £ 1,195 03RENAULT MAZDA 6CLIO TS2 1.5 TD ESTATE, MET.BLUE,PAS,R/C/L,ALLOYS,148K,MOT £ 1,295 51 DCi, 5 DR,GREEN, PAS,C/L,E/W,131K,MOT/TAX £30JUNE £1,195 51 RENAULT CLIO DCi EXPRESSION,5 DR,GREEN,PAS,R/C/L,MOT/TAX 2015 £ 1,195 BARGAIN BASEMENT:

BARGAIN BASEMENT: 06 FORD 1.3i PURPLE,PAS, RADIO/CD, MOT SEPT 2014,108K £ 995 04 MG ZSKA 1.6 4 STYLE, DOOR,MET.GREEN,ALLOYS,PAS,C/L,CD,S/H,71K,NEW MOT £995 BARGAIN BASEMENT: ££995 995 51 RENAULT RENAULT MEGANE MEGANE 1.6i 1.6i CLASSIC, CLASSIC, 44 DR,BLUE,ALLOYS,PAS,C/L,87K,MOT DR,BLUE,ALLOYS,PAS,C/L,87K,MOT 06 YFORD KAFOCUS 1.3 STYLE, PURPLE, PAS, LOW INS, 108K, NEW MOT ISSUED ££995 995 01 FORD 1.8 ZETEC, MET.RED, PAS,ALLOYS,R/C/L,115K,MOT/TAX 01 Y FORD FOCUS 1.8 ZETEC, MET.RED, PAS,ALLOYS,R/C/L,115K,MOT/TAX £ 995 54 W DAEWOO 75K,MOT JUNE 15 ££995 995 00 JAGUARTACUMA S TYPE 1.6i, 3.0 5V6DR,MET.BLUE,PAS,R/C/L,E/W, AUTO,SILVER,PAS,ALLOYS,97K,MOT OCT 2014 99 T FORD FOCUS 1.8 ZETEC, 5 DR,BLACK,ALLOYS,PAS,C/L,109K,NEW MOT £ 795 98 S SAAB 93 CONVERTIBLE AUTO,BLUE,ALLOYS,PAS,LTHR,115K.MOT JULY £495 52 RENAULT CLIO 1.6i DYNAMIQUE,3 DR,BLACK,ALLOYS,C/L,134K,NEW MOT £ 995 03 ROVER 45C70 1.4 IMPRESSION, 5DR,BLUE,ALLOYS,PAS,C/L,88K,MOT JAN 14 ££695 695 99 V VOLVO 2.5 GS T, BLACK,PAS,ALLOYS,C/L,E/W,124K,MOT FEB 14 53 FORD FIESTA 1.4 TDCi LX, 5DR,BLACK, PAS,R/C/L,E/W, 171K,MOT SEPT 15 £ 995 99 VROVER VOLVO45C70 GS T, BLACK,PAS,ALLOYS,C/L,E/W,124K,MOT 695 03 1.42.5 IMPRESSION, 5 DR,BLUE,ALLOYS,PAS,C/L,88K,MOTFEB JAN1414 ££695 54 FORD FOCUS 1.8 TDCi ESTATE, WHITE,PAS,R/C/L,E/W, 173K,MOT FEB 15 £ 695 95 N VOLVO TOYOTA 850 CELICA 2.0 AUTO GT, RED,ALLOYS,PAS, C/L,E/W, MOT MAY FEB14 2014 £250 95 M 2.0 GLT ESTATE, BLUE,PAS,C/L,E/W,MOT £ 295 95 N MAZDA 626 1.8i LX, 5 DOOR,WHITE,PAS,C/L,ALLOYS, 92K MOT JULY 15 £ 295

�Ic��e� � �� M�n�� Top Left: Future number 9, James Stevens. Bottom Left: Tezza 2parra is back. Bottom Right: Birthday wishes for Alwyn. 77 years a Swans fan. Top Right: Amelia at her first Swans game. Bottom: What can you say Tim?

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We will always ask questions when a 25 year old dies but the general consensus within the cricketing community has been that Phillip Hughes suffered a freak accident which is incredibly rare and that there are no real major concerns or questions to be asked. Fair enough. Or is it? We are all going to die. That is inevitable, whether you believe in some higher being or not, you will still acknowledge that at one stage, you will cease to exist in your current form. But surely we should avoid premature deaths like this at any cost, if it is one death from a billion bouncers then surely that is one too many. Isn’t it? I remember seeing an American guy on BBC Breakfast once talking about wanting to ban heading in football until the age of 16. My first reaction would be exactly what you would have just thought: ‘Man up you idiot!’ but then he went on to talk about how fragile the human brain is in the adulterant ages and that a bang to the head can cause serious long term damage, the man himself suffered some sort of injury (can’t remember what). Again, this same question must be asked. How many thirteen year olds will we allow to develop brain damage just to allow heading to be included in football for the under 16s? For the development of football in the UK, some would argue that forcing kids to keep the

ball on the floor would be of an advantage. Surely any teenager developing brain damage is too many? Isn’t it? I’m getting quite philosophical about this and to be honest, I can’t really answer my own thoughts on it. Death is quite a bad thing, its not very good by all accounts; it is something which it would be nice to put off for a while. Can you really compare sport to a life? Would you ban all sports to save one life? Twenty lives? A thousand lives? Your Childs life? When does it become an issue and who decides? But then, cars kill thousands of people every year. Nobody ever asks if they are worth it and to be honest, I don’t know if they are either. There has to be a point where we do think, actually it is wonderful being able to go to Tesco with the car but one person in my village will die this week because of it? Is that worth it??? I have absolutely no idea and it is hard for anyone to have any idea in reality. If bouncers become band in cricket then I can’t see that as the ‘wrong decision’. I love seeing an aggressive bowler roughing up a batsmen but my love for cricket isn’t worth another mans life- not to the family of that person anyway. I know this is a bit of a ramble and there isn’t much point to it either, maybe to start off a pub debate where you can label me an idiot but it is always tragic for a life to be taken away so young and I suppose it makes us all think…… and ramble on.

Networking in a pub?

Have you ever been to an official networking doo?

It is awful! People pay a fortune a year to join a networking business, dress up and pretend to be someone that they are no so that they can speak to other people pretending to be people that they are not just so they can give each other business

Am I missing something here? How about a pint? Anyone? Introducing ‘Jack Swan Networking!!!’

Basically, we will go to a different pub each month, speak to fellow business owners and ‘network’ without paying anybody anything (apart from for your pint) and without getting dressed up or pretending to be anyone that we are not.

Doesn’t that sound more like it?

First one is in the St George on Walters Road, Wednesday 8th January at 4pm – turn up when you can.

Any questions call 07880 369545

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It seemed a fitting way to assess how our new manager was doing by looking at how he performed at the very place that got his predecessor his marching orders. Back then, Kevin Nolan helped himself to a brace while our back four allowed his striking partner to do whatever he wanted to in our six yard box. Surly there must have been improvements? Arguably not but there was no clear and emphatic answer in fairness. It seemed that after 3 managers and 4 seasons in the top flight: we still have no answer for Andy Carroll. Our pathetic attempt at stopping him steam rolling over us in this campaign was vaguely better than that which gave Laudrup his marching orders but he will still be looking forward to facing us after Christmas and expect to be back in the goals once more. We did learn some things from that woeful day in February. Our defensive line seemed to be higher however in fairness; it was a different West Ham to that of last season. A side with more to its armoury than route one and a side who could find themselves in the Champions League places come May (I know, I’m hedging my bets). So tactically it wasn’t as easy to set up as under Laudrups tenure as they had more than one way to hurt us. They passed the ball across the back four and into the midfield and looked a very good side all over the park.

They had pace out wide and so there was only so far that we could push up and they pressed us well on the rare occasions that we had the ball. But we still had no answer to the Geordie man despite our own mammoth in Kyle Bartley. And it was still unclear exactly what our answer was to him; I don’t think that we were man marking him; if we were then we did a terrible job of it although it can be safe to assume that he was supposed to be picked up at the set piece for the second goal. Our higher line did mean that Carroll was hurting us less frequently. This is hardly something that Monk can be proud of though as any idiot knows that you can’t drop as deep against West Ham as we did back in February. Something which Monk can take some credit for though was that we were a lot quicker to the second balls but we never got hold of the big man which was disappointing. It was a very poor performance right across the park, the result never really seemed in doubt even when we took the lead and it highlighted once again that we are crying out for fresh blood in our defensive flanks. I saw a stat recently that Fabianski has caught and punched more crosses than any other keeper. Impressive you may think or you may ask the question as to why are we facing so many crosses.

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And the answer to that is very simple: our full backs are not up to scratch. Jazz Richards was far from the worse player on the pitch in London and fingers will be pointed at our two centre backs as to how Carroll was left out jumping Rangel for their first goal but the cross was far too easy to get in. Jenkinson is a decent full back and the delivery was out of this world but he isn’t blessed with skills and trickery which should hurt a fellow full back and yet he managed to make room for the cross with total ease and it simply wasn’t anywhere near good enough. But this has been the case all season, on both flanks, regardless of whom we play or play against and it has to be addressed in January as a major matter of urgency. We have the makings of a very good side and one that could sneak that forth place but we have to bring in two full backs. I would really love us to splash out and make a mark here. Spend £15 million on two players who are fit to be in the same side as Wilfried Bony and Jefferson Montero. I love Rangel and I have no issues in the slightest with Taylor or Jazz but the fact is that they are not anywhere near the same standard as the rest of the team and it showed once again here. Having said that, there is another issue which we have never addressed and that is our central midfield options. I make no secret of my total admiration for Leon, the man should have a

statue sooner rather than later in my opinion- why wait until he hangs up his boots! But he was poor a Upton Park in a midfield which was a battle zone. A Song and Kouyaté were beasts and we were left bullied once again and unable to mix it up and kic back.

I know we play ‘The Swansea Way’ and we all love i and we can’t have everything but I do want an enforcer as an option for when we come up agains sides like that. We have good players in central midfield but I wouldn’t say that we had good optio Jonjo is a very different player to Carroll, Leon and (who are all pretty similar in their styles) but he isn one to break up play and out muscle the powerho es of the Premier League.

There are few players of that stature who are able t play our style of play and so I can understand why may have struggled to bring in that option. Genera monstrously big footballers aren’t blessed with the best feet in the world or are worth however much Yaya Toure is.

Overall, we are clearly heading in the right directio but we still don’t have all the answers. We will neve get all the answers but we are starting to know wh the most pressing questions are and the most vita question for me is ‘Can we bring in two quality full ba in January?’

If we can then it will make big difference to our seaso and will help in our next struggle at Upton Park but still seem a long, long way from being able to get thre points there in my opinion

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Builder And the answer to that is very simple: our full backs

are not up to scratch. Jazz Richards was far from the worse player on the pitch in London and fingers will be pointed at our two centre backs as to how Carroll was left out jumping Rangel for their first goal but the Building Contractors DÄ&#x17E;ĹľÄ?Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152; Ĺ˝Ä¨ Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; &Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x;Ĺ˝Ĺś Ĺ˝Ä¨ DÄ&#x201A;Ć?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152; ĆľĹ?ĹŻÄ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ć? cross was far too easy to get in.

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he managed to make room for the cross with total Â&#x2021; www.fisherandroberts.co.uk ease and it simply wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t anywhere near good enough.

Cleaning But this has been the case all season, on both flanks,

regardless of whom we play or play against and it has to be addressed in January as a major matter of 0845 678 9972 urgency. We have the makings of a very good side and one that could sneak that forth place but we have to bring in two full backs.

I would really love us to splash out and make a mark here. Spend ÂŁ15 million on two players who are fit to be in the same side as Wilfried Bony and Jefferson Montero. love Rangel and I have no issues in the Email: Iinfo@dnagroupservices.co.uk slightest with Taylor or Jazz but the fact is that they www.dnagroupservices.co.uk are not anywhere near the same standard as the rest of the team and it Drains showed once again here. Having said that, there is Dragon Drains 24hrwhich Emergency another issue weCall Out NO CHARGE have never addressed and that 01792 is our561522 central / 07888 071570 551913 / 07875 990965 midfield 07976 options. I make no secret of my total admiration for Leon, the man should have a

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I know we play â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Swansea Wayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and we all love it and we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have everything but I do want an enforcer an option for we come/upTurfing against Lawn asCutting / when Bedding sides like that. We have good players in central Planting / Hedge Trimming midfield but I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say that we had good options. 831741 Jonjo is a very 07842 different player to Carroll, Leon and Ki (who are all pretty similar in their styles) but he isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t one to break up play and out muscle the powerhousPainter es of the Premier League.

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There are few players of that stature who are able to play our style of play and so I can understand why we ESTGenerally 1987 may have struggled to bring in that option. monstrously big footballers arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t blessed with the best feet in the world or are worth however much Yaya Toure is.

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The Saga of the Christmas LoserFunny Christmas story Late home after a night out, a youngster attempted to climb into his home down the chimney. He did not to want to wake other residents in the Judson Center social services agency; also he had broken his curfew and wanted no trouble. In best Santa Claus mode he climbed onto the roof and let himself down the chimney; unfortunately he was too large, and he became stuck. The 17 year old began moaning and was heard and rescued. Fire fighters and police officers from the City of Royal Oak, Michigan, USA, had to pull him out. The youth suffered from minor scrapes and bruises. How They Forecast a Cold Winter One day in early September the chief of a Native American tribe was asked by his tribal elders if the winter of 2011/12 was going to be cold or mild. The chief asked his medicine man, but he too had lost touch with the reading signs from the natural world around the Great Lakes. In truth, neither of them had idea about how to predict the coming winter. However, the chief decided to take a modern approach, and the chief rang the National Weather Service in Gaylord Michigan.Christmas Funny Stories and Jokes 'Yes, it is going to be a cold winter,' the meteorological officer told the chief. Consequently, he went back to his tribe and told the men to collect plenty of firewood. A fortnight later the chief called the Weather Service and asked for an update. 'Are you still forecasting a cold winter?' he asked. 'Yes, very cold', the weather officer told him. As a result of this brief conversation the chief went back to the tribe and told his people to collect every bit of wood they could find. A month later the chief called the National Weather Service once more and asked about the coming winter. 'Yes,' he was told, 'it is going to be one of the coldest winters ever.' 'How can you be so sure?' the chief asked. The weatherman replied: 'Because the Native Americans of the Great Lakes are collecting wood like crazy.' The latest cold spell which has brought chaos to parts of the UK has its funny side also. Heard on BBC Radio was an announcement which said, 'The Open Air Winter Wonderland Show in Cardiff, Wales, has been closed because of the snow. Freddie and John were fortunate enough to have a season ticket to watch Chelsea. They could not help noticing that there was always a spare seat next (B14) to them and they had a friend who would love to buy a season ticket, especially if all three could have seats together. One half-time Freddie went to the ticket office and asked if they could by buy the season ticket for B14. The official said that unfortunately the ticket had been sold. Nevertheless, week after week the seat was still empty. Then on Boxing day, much to Freddie and Eddie's amazement the seat was taken for the first time that season. John could not resist asking the newcomer, 'Where have you been all season'. Don't ask he said, the wife bought the season ticket back last summer, and kept it for a surprise Christmas present.

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I thought that I would speak with a ‘new fan’ and find out what attracted them to the club. Vince Hotten started life as a Spurs fan before moving onto Ipswich Town and joined the Swans supports when they reached the Premier League, this is what he had to say on the subject. First of all I want to find out how plastic you are. So what position do these players play in?

them in the pub and watch the games there. Whilst they are in the Premier league I can watch them in the pub. I suppose that if they were to drop down, I may be able to get tickets and will probably watch them in the ground then. When a lot of other plastics would have left! Haha, yeah you could say that.

Dorus De Vries Goalkeeper

So what drew you to Swansea?

Kevin Austin Central Midfield. I haven’t a clue

The style of play had a lot to do with it. If they had an Andy Carroll up front and they just lumped it up to him then I wouldn’t really have any interest in it. But they play lovely football and that’s what I want to watch.

Sam Ricketts he was midfield Mark Gower He was definitely midfield Rory Fallon He was a striker Matthew Bound I like to think he was a centre half but I might be getting him mixed up with the Arsenal one. Go on, I will go for centre half! Michael Howard: Midfield

Do you really think that. Do you think that if we were pushing for Champions League and every game was exciting, that you wouldn’t watch it? Maybe but the level that they are at at the moment is brilliant and what really attracts me is that they are a really attractive team to watch. I’m not convinced. I think the influx of supporters has nothing to do with the football. Football fans are fickle, we want to win and that’s it.

When will you stop supporting Swansea? I probably won’t. I live here now and that’s a part of switching allegiances. There is the local coverage and what have you. I don’t go to the game hardly at all, I follow

There is truth in that. Obviously Martinez was the first one to bring in the possession football and quick passing and crowds increased then although we were winning matches as well.

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The Premier League is the most watched league in the world. We generally accept that the very best players are currently playing in La Liga: Barcelona and Real Madrid remain the elite in terms of attracting players and they generally poach the top players. The last few players of the year from the Premier League have ended up in Spain. But what makes the Premier League so great is our depth……… Isn’t it? This is an extension from a pub argument I had a few weeks back and I can’t buy into the fact that we somehow have this enormous depth which other countries fail to have. Where is the proof in this? We do have incredible depth to our supporters. In recent years the German Bundasliga has taken over the Premier League as the league with the highest average attendance but the English Championship has been the league with the forth highest average

attendance in Europe. Showing that the depth to our interest in football is far greater than abroad. It is also true that our money in the top flight is far more evenly distributed which allows our lower Premier League clubs to purchase top quality players from all across the World but I still don’t believe that we have superior depth. Moving down a level and 70.5% of our Championship players are British. I don’t know whether you have noticed or not but British footballers aren’t as good as the Spanish or the Italian or the German. So it would be a safe bet to assume that our second tier of football (which is predominantly British) is worse than the Spanish second tier (which is predominantly Spanish) or the German second tier (which is predominantly German): You get the idea! And the further down the leagues we go, then this must become more apparent. I

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an entertaining we attract attention the figures the percentage of foreign are an are entertaining leagueleague and weand attract attention from fr cannotcannot find thefind figures but thebut percentage of foreign the over worldbecause over because but also because we h will decrease the further down the pyramid the world of this of butthis also because we have playersplayers will decrease the further down the pyramid herethe from the over. worldWe over. We allslightly have slightly so understand I can’t understand why someone playersplayers systemsystem we go we andgo soand I can’t why someone here from world all have more suggest that ourtier forth tier in England and is Walesinterest is interest Real Madrid now there our leag would would suggest that our forth in England and Wales in Realin Madrid now Bale is Bale thereisand ourand league consists 60 different nationalities than thetier forth tier in There Spain.may There be more consists better better than the forth in Spain. bemay more of overof60over different nationalities and soand it is so it is inevitable thatisthere great interest in itthese from these inmay it. We maymore havesupporters more supporters we aren’t interestinterest in it. We have but webut aren’t inevitable that there greatisinterest in it from countries. asat good at football and is generally how we gage countries. as good football and that is that generally how we gage quality.quality. Wea have a fantastic in this country We have fantastic leagueleague set-up set-up in this country but webut don’tthe have the greatest at any of our pyra is my argument as to why ourleagues lower leagues So thatSo is that my argument as to why our lower are aredon’t have greatest qualityquality at any part ofpart our pyramid. What wedefinitely most definitely doishave is the greatest pyram to the Spanish and German which brings inferiorinferior to the Spanish and German leaguesleagues which brings What we most do have the greatest pyramid. Our league is something be pro meour onto top‘La flight. great it’shorse a two horse me onto topour flight. Liga‘La is Liga greatisbut it’sbut a two Our league systemsystem really isreally something we canwe becan proud of and something every foo raceyear’ everywe year’ wethis hear this a lot and race every hear a lot and and something every football fan should fight for shou not to going toout point out that I’m notI’m going point that fan should fight for should the FAon carry with this ‘B idio Athletico are current Athletico are current holdersholders (oops I(oops I FA carry withonthis idiotic idea. And this is fa just did) but aI have a very straight just did) but I have very straight league’league’ idea. And this is far andimportant more importa forward that:in Twice in forward answeranswer to that:toTwice better better and more than having the greatest thirtyhas years has a British team won thirty years a British team won than having the greatest ourhave clubs have the Europa/Uefa the Europa/Uefa cup. cup. players;players; our clubs theygenuine have genuin history,history, they have support, theyspecified have specifi was that a case wethe have the Now, ifNow, it wasif aitcase wethat have support, they have stadiums. This football, is real foot bestfifth forth, fifth andteam sixthinteam in best forth, and sixth stadiums. This is real this ismakes what makes then we would be winning EuropeEurope then we would be winning this is what British British really wonderful thisyear: everywe year: we as aren’t as we don’t this every aren’t we don’t footballfootball really wonderful but let’s kid ourselves have the best 6thinteam in Europe. have the best 6th team Europe. We We let’s not kidnot ourselves about ab our ability! our ability!

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Daniel Radcliffe has revealed that he was "dependent on alcohol" to make it through the final Harry Potter films. That makes two of us. I went to visit my Grandad in his nursing home. As I walked into his room I saw a sexy blonde nurse giving him a bath. "You lucky bastard" I called out. "I wish that was me". "You only have to ask" he joked. 10 seconds later I was scrubbing down his ball sack. I'd like to thank Wonga for lending me a small amount of money to feed my family this Christmas. I'll be forever indebted to them. I went to B&Q and said to a staff member, “I’m looking for a dildo rail.” He said, “I think you mean dado rail.” I said, “No, it’s definitely dildo. I’m going to put it up myself.”

Whoever put "Too Cool to Do Drugs" on a pencil is an idiot. Every time you sharpen it, it changes to "Cool to Do Drugs", then "Do Drugs" and eventually "Drugs". First woman on the Moon: "Houston, we have a problem." What? "Never mind" What's the problem? "Nothing" Please tell us? "You know what the problem is." Cadbury's have brought out a new box of chocolates for inconsiderate people. They're self centred. Jack Swan Science Revision notes Neutron checking out of hotel stops at reception to pay bill. Reception says its ok you have no charge. Photon checks into hotel, reception asks photon if bell boy can help with luggage. Photon says its ok, I'm travelling light

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Someone gave me a leaflet about anger management last week... I lost it. I watched a film where a man poured meat juices all over a non-fiction book. It's baste on a true story. People call me Mr Compromise. Wasn't my first choice for a nickname, but I can live with it. After Nigeria was eliminated from the world cup, the Nigerian captain personally offered to refund all the expenses of fans that travelled to Brazil. He said he only needs their bank details and PIN numbers to complete the transaction. Congratulations West Ham, the only club named after two things that ISIS hate. I went to the pet shop to buy some breeding birds. The cashier said, "Have you got a store card?" I said, "No but I did get a budgie excited once." (only 50 % of you will get this (stork hard))!!!

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I have a confession to make: I couldn’t name the Welsh team. I have paid so little interest in our national team over the years that my knowledge of it consists of players who have or do play for the Swans, Gareth Bale and those who have or do play for them up the road (and I haven’t paid any attention to them of late). I am starting to find a bit of interest in our national team though, it isn’t a coincidence that it happens to coincide with us actually having a chance of qualifying for a major tournament which naturally makes me a ‘glory grabber’ doesn’t it? Of course it does. Supporting a team is about going through the good and the bad times, it isn’t something which you can simply turn on or off depending on results. There is certainly a difference between a club team and a national team with this though. A club team can only go down so many times before they reach a league where the standard is equally as awful as them. An international side doesn’t do this. Over the last couple of decades Wales have repeatedly lost

and lost again, if it was possible then we would have been relegated from a country to a Principality, and then down to a City before finding a mid-table league as a Town. But this didn’t happen. Instead we would start every campaign with mild optimism only to lose an opening home game to Azerbaijan. In the last two decades, our only excitement came with that Italy/Russia campaign under Sparky (who I now despise – glad we didn’t qualify!) I must admit that I have seen our national team as a bit of a joke and I still do. We have a captain who is only in the team because his name sounded Welsh (that is true!) and a former captain who I generally hope breaks his legs every time I watch him play.

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But qualification seems almost expected. As long as Bale stays fit we are almost guaranteed to make the tournament and we shouldn’t be rolled over should we get there, which would be surreal (notice the ‘we’ coming out there!). I must admit that I feel quite guilty as a plastic. I do feel far less of a fan than those of you who watched Wales when I was watching England on the other channel or even the really crazy fans who actually travelled away. Those who would head to Bosnia mid-week to watch our hopeless football team there or even worse those who braved the beggars and muggers and went to Cardiff and watched Wales in that hell-hole. It is quite worrying how easy it has been to suddenly have an interest. I suppose this is what it has been like for those who suddenly realised that we had a football team in Swansea when we got to the play-off final. It is probably fair to say that I won’t get the full feeling of the tournament should we get there in the same way that the plastic Swans (like Vince in the plastic Jack feature) don’t fully get how crazy it is that we have a scoreboard. I still hate the international break, watching Wales is still miles off watching the Swans but its now better than watching the Saes and long may it continue!

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Hope everyone is having a fantastic Christmas! I will be sleeping rough in Swansea for a few nights in the New Year, to raise awareness of the homeless issue and to raise funds to buy vital supplies to help the most needy through the winter. There are people suffering on the streets right on our doorstep. For some, Christmas isn’t about family, warmth, parties, good food, gifts, it’s simply about survival. I walked past these people for 28 years of my life, but I have taken a stand because no-one should be without at Christmas. Just 2 pounds would make a massive difference to real lives, do something amazing this year! Take 2 minutes of your time and pledge whatever you can to the link below, get in the spirit Swansea! Together, if we can help just one fellow Jack out, then I’m sure we will all have achieved something! Merry Christmas and thanks so much! Steph Jones https://www.justgiving.com/yimby/homelessatchristmas (Follow my Facebook page – Homeless at Christmas – for updates!)

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The Liberty stadium is a rich mans Vetch field and like many new stadiums, has lost that bit of magic that the old ground had. Maybe character just needs time to develop but we can’t hide from the fact that the new ground has certainly been a major reason for the Swans success since 2005. It was then that the Swans played their first game there with a friendly against Premier League outfit Fulham, which was a massive club to play against back then for the league one side! It is named the Liberty Stadium due to a sponsorship contract from the Statue of Liberty! Visits to New York globally have trebled since the naming. Everything inside the stadium is useless and overpriced like basically every ground these days. I would seriously suggest having a beer and some food before you get to the ground. There are some brilliant, friendly pubs on the way into Swansea and most pubs will welcome away fans with a bit of banter but half a brain! JK’s Club is a couple of junctions before the stadium and I know Karen welcomes away fans and its 2 minutes from the motorway.

start of it, locals will drag you off to wherever they are going from there but it’s a good place to start! Parking is useless around the stadium, we are expanding the ground and nobody has a clue how this will work. We actually have an old train station that is a 2 minute walk from the stadium but it doesn’t make sense to reopen this somehow: the powers at be!! If your happy to pay a fiver then you will find somehwere close, if not, you will have a walk! Onto the club: We are awesome. I’m sorry to tell you that and I expect you already knew it but we are. The club is run by a board of directors who are Swans fans, with 20% share holding being held by the supporters trust. Our chairman took no wage and no expenses for the first few years he was with us and the whole board are borderline worshiped. On the pitch: We are pretty damn sexy there too! We demand good passing football and we get what we want. Leon Britton is god here, how he has never played for your national team just shows the clear stupidity of your past managers.

If you are travelling by rail, please don’t judge Swansea by the train station and its surroundings! The city is stunning; there are some magical spots for whatever you are looking for, it just so happens that if you enter the city via a train, you enter the part of the city designed for junkies. Wind Street is the lively place for a night out or at least the

Crowd: It is no Vetch but then the Premier League is no Division 3. It’s getting better at times and we are renowned as one of the best and most vocal fans in the league (which says a lot about the prem). Just to let you know, ‘sheep shagging’ is no insult, fire away! Make a weekend of it! Whatever you want, Swansea has it! People are friendly as can be. Don’t be a prick and you will be fine

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& W�� y�� lo��! Aston Villa I can’t understand Villa fans bemoaning Lambert. From the outside looking in, he has done a remarkable job to ensure that the club aren’t at the very foot of the Premier League, anything other than relegation is a fantastic achievement for a club with such obvious problems behind the scenes and no money whatsoever. Lambert teams always do well against the Swans but I think we are a stronger and more professional team than those he has faced in the past and I expect Swansea to have far too much for a poor Villa side. The game will hinge on when Swansea score, an early goal and it could be a real stroll in the park and a heavy defeat. If the midland club can hold out or even pinch a lead then you never know but I can see Swans winning it by a few and a clean sheet.

ons League position. I was really impressed with the London outfit at Upton Park and this will certainly be a tough game. Assuming that we have at least one full back at the club in January and that we can start as well as we have at home then I can see Swansea taking all three points but we need a good start, to have the tempo which we have usually started games at home like. It would be interesting to see Federico come up against Carroll: we have tried everyone else! I’m going for a 2-1 home win: Just!

West Ham I’m looking forward to this game already. It is a way away and so it is hard to know where both sides will be come January but I would like to think that this is the game where Swansea leap frog the Hammers into the Champi-

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embarrass centre half’s the way that he has. Footballers embarrass the there way that has. Footballers are centre gettinghalf’s smaller, is noheroom for any fat and I am smaller, thereatishow no room anyactually fat andare. I amOur always surprised smallfor they It is incredibly easy to go over the top about your ownare getting always surprised at how small they actually Oura mammoth ncredibly to go theintop about your own players.easy We are allover biased captain of Walesare. looks captainon of Wales looks mammoth ers.many We are all biased the pitch, healooks like he could ways and weinget drawn to on the pitch, he alooks like he could y ways and attached we get drawn to and slot into rugby team but he isn’t players, to them slot intotwelve a rugby teamwet. butThese he isn’t ers,then attached to them and their stone players are we may over look twelve stone players weflaws may and oversee look theirthrough rose hardlywet. menThese anymore; theare game is them hardly men anymore; the speed. game is and see them through rose about fitness and tinted spectacles from time to about fitness and speed. d spectacles from timemay to even time. Some people Some mayBritton even isn’t the So it is clearly possible that there thinkpeople that Leon So it is clearly possible thatinthere that Leon Britton isn’t thelive but have been players the past who are greatest player to ever have been playersasinwhat the past who areis: estthen player to ever liveare butalso as strong our Ivorian those people as strong as what our Ivorian is: to mind those people are also Duncan Fergusson comes idiotic. Duncanbut Fergusson comes to c. in the modern daymind Premier but in the modern Premier League, he day would win an arm wrestle So bearing this in mind, I tread League,with he would win an armbreaking wrestle a earing this inbut mind, anyone without carefully howI tread many people with anyone ullywould but how sweat.without breaking a youmany ratherpeople have in your sweat. d you rather have than in your starting eleven our big ngman eleven This strength allows him to hold the up than top? our big This strength toany hold the player up top? ball upallows betterhim than other ball up better than any player in the league as other well. But it isn’t only He is the strongest footballer in the league as well.which But itisisn’t only thethat strongest footballer his strength shinning I have ever seen. I can’t ever his strength which shinning have ever seen. Ibeing can’t ever through; heishas immense skill and recall a player able to through; he has immense skill and l a player being able to

Are we underrating him? we underrating him?

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surprisingly good vision. He is growing in confidence each game and he is becoming far more ambitious with his passing selection. He was a Joey Allen up top: He’d simply recycle the ball in the safest possible manor but he is now picking defence cutting balls, cheeky little flicks and he looks like he can make something happen anytime he gets near the ball. Add this to his finishing ability and I re-ask the question: How many strikers are there in the World that you would take over him? It’s always hard when you venture outside our league as I don’t watch enough of the Spanish or German league to really know that and my current knowledge of the Cuban second division isn’t what it perhaps could be but there are only two players that I would swap Bony for in the Premier League. No prises for guessing

who they are but in reality would you even consider swapping him for Rooney? Van Persie? Adebayor? Djeko? Wellbeck? Balotelli? At this moment in time, I don’t see any of them as fit to wipe Bonys boots. He is far better than what I first appreciated and he will inevitably leave the club sooner rather than later but I get the feeling that he won’t be leaving us for a Spurs, Liverpool or Arsenal but for one of Europe’s elite. I think he could slot into a Real Madrid or a Barcelona eleven: I genuinely think that he is that good. He has only just turned 26: his best years are ahead of him. Chelsea seem the obvious suitors to me, he is the natural replacement for Drogba for his country and he could be for the Londoners as well. I have a feeling that we wont fully appreciate quite how brilliant he is until we see him scoring a Champions league winning goal or something but he is very, very special.

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Pl�� Kid�!

Football fans love developing young talent. We love seeing a player come through the ranks: we get attached to them and we naturally get drawn to these players more than those who we purchase, especially when they are ‘local boys’.

million in today’s money but it should be easy to leave him out as we won’t see the fruits of any real labour we put into him. There shouldn’t be any real pressure to develop him, we play him if he is good enough and that is it!

But can it be a curse? Can it leave you with headaches?

But then there is Jonjo. A player who can realistically be the first name in an England side in a few years time, a player who has incredible talent but is not yet the finished article. Should he currently be in our first eleven?

Arsenal and Arsene Wenger are renowned for favouring youngsters, developing young talent and giving them the chance on the big stage, nurturing them and sticking with them. I must admit that I have admiration for him and them for this but it is blatantly obvious that it has seriously held them back over recent years. Can you be both nurturing and cut throat? Can you support young players while also putting your best eleven out there because managers cannot afford to look at next season or the season after, they need results now. Man City have opened their multi-million pound youth training academy which looks incredible, Chelsea have ploughed millions into their youngsters but neither side have a home grown player in their side (Joe Hart was bought before you start!). Tom Carroll looks an outstanding talent, he does look a future England international and he’s doing a great job here. But I’m glad he’s only on loan though! That might sound a really stupid thing to say for a player who must already be worth £8

I like the boy. I think he has tremendous talent but I am really happy to see him out of our starting eleven at present. It is easy to forget that Jonjo wont even be 23 until the end of February. It is always strange when a player ‘fails’ at a big club as a youngster as they seem to stay young for ages, believe it or not: Tom Cleverly is only 16. He isn’t consistent, we all know that. To keep using the phrase, he is a rough diamond. He does show moments of genius and then moments far less so and this is ideal for a club who are struggling. If he can score a screamer to win three points in a relegation scrap on a Tuesday night but then gift a goal away to Chelsea then that’s great but we are better than that. In years gone by you would just play him. If the talent is there then play him and let him develop as it will always be worth it in the long run

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LOGS FOR SALE but that isn’t the football of today. Today it is all about today! Worry about tomorrow when tomorrow comes! And in my opinion Jonjo isn’t in my first team plans today.

important for that and at this moment in time, he isn in our first eleven in my opinion.

A big part of this isn’t just that we have better central midfielders. We have good options going forward. Montero looks ridiculously dangerous, Siggy is outstanding, Bony is (and I genuinely mean this word) World class and Dyer/Routledge/Barrow are all very capable on their days. So what we need is for them to have the ball, we need a midfield which is controlling, a midfield who can win the ball back and give it to our danger men and that is what Leon and Ki can offer.

STOCK UP NO W FOR TH IS If I could get Jonjo to sign a ten year contract and he had no possibleW wayI ofN leaving it then I’d play him no TEand R!so in many way but there is no loyalty in football it is the footballers that are brining it on themselves.

This is short sighted but I do feel far less inclined to ‘nurture’ talent than I have previously. We don’t really need money and players aren’t loyal in anyway and so I don’t see the point in playing him in order to smooth the diamond. I think that those days have possibly gone in terms of the Premier league. Each game is too

It is sad in a lot of ways that football has come to this but that is where we are. It may simply be that the British footballing world has become more professio and that this will bring the very best out of young players. It may well force players like Jonjo to be eve better but you can also see why the English FA are concerned about players lacking minutes. But I couldn’t care less about the FA and I doubt the Swan do either.

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but that isn’t the football of today. Today it is all about today! Worry about tomorrow when tomorrow comes! And in my opinion Jonjo isn’t in my first team plans today. A big part of this isn’t just that we have better central midfielders. We have good options going forward. Montero looks ridiculously dangerous, Siggy is outstanding, Bony is (and I genuinely mean this word) World class and Dyer/Routledge/Barrow are all very capable on their days. So what we need is for them to have the ball, we need a midfield which is controlling, a midfield who can win the ball back and give it to our danger men and that is what Leon and Ki can offer. This is short sighted but I do feel far less inclined to ‘nurture’ talent than I have previously. We don’t really need money and players aren’t loyal in anyway and so I don’t see the point in playing him in order to smooth the diamond. I think that those days have possibly gone in terms of the Premier league. Each game is too

important for that and at this moment in time, he isn’t in our first eleven in my opinion. It is sad in a lot of ways that football has come to this but that is where we are. It may simply be that the British footballing world has become more professional and that this will bring the very best out of young players. It may well force players like Jonjo to be even better but you can also see why the English FA are concerned about players lacking minutes. But I couldn’t care less about the FA and I doubt the Swans do either. If I could get Jonjo to sign a ten year contract and he had no possible way of leaving it then I’d play him now but there is no loyalty in football and so in many ways it is the footballers that are brining it on themselves. Why should a club invest time and playing minutes into a player who will jump at the first chance they get?

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All these are facts except 1 which I made up. Which one is made up? answer on answer page 98. Norwegian scientists have hypothesized that Rudolph’s red nose is probably the result of a parasitic infection of his respiratory system The Germans made the first artificial Christmas trees out of dyed goose feathers Each year more than 3 billion Christmas cards are sent in the U.S. alone All the gifts in the Twelve Days of Christmas would equal 364 gifts The “true love” mentioned in the song “Twelve Days of Christmas” does not refer to a romantic couple, but the Catholic Church’s code for God. The person who receives the gifts represents someone who has accepted that code. For example, the “partridge in a pear tree” represents Christ. The “two turtledoves” represent the Old and New Testaments Most of Santa’s reindeer have male-sounding names, such as Blitzen, Comet, and Cupid. However, male reindeers shed their antlers around Christmas, so the reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh are likely not male, but female or castrati More turkeys are eaten on Christmas day in the UK alone that are alive on Christmas day in the whole world. According to data analyzed from

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Bony The man looks a different class. He is a far better player than I gave him credit. He looks dangerous in the air, at his feet, with his movement and he is almost un-markable at times. Sam Alardice may be happy with his choice but Wilf has a lot more to his game than Andy Carroll and I can really see our Ivorian heading somewhere very special come the summer. It is vital that we keep hold of him until then. It is a real shame that his goals have occurred while others have dried up. Our wide men and midfield have left basically all the responsibility on our big mans shoulders. He has big shoulders but it would be nice if someone else chipped in to help him out: He’s carried us the last month or two. Fabianski

2nd

Unfortunate to get his marching orders at Upton Park but he’s been absolutely superb since his arrival and I hate to say it but he was noticeably missed when Tremmel stepped in for him against Spurs. He is just so commanding, he looks comfortable and calm and that seems to rub off on the rest of the side. I have mentioned in the past that I am a bit wary of how he will cope with a full season as he hasn’t played regular matches over an entire season at any point, it could become physically or mentally draining but let’s hope not. Can he be Polish number one by the end of the season? That would be something wouldn’t it! Great signing. Ki

3rd

No place for Siggy I hear you ask! I actually feel like our creative midfielder could learn a trick or two from our South Korean as Ki seems to be challenging and winning tackles which he lost two seasons ago. I do feel that our man from Iceland is a bit hesitant to commit fully and for that reason Ki has stepped ahead of him in this race. He’s bagged a couple of goals this season now and a very important one at home to QPR as well where the game seemed to be getting away from us. He’s becoming the complete midfielder and also without doubt, the first name in that midfield which is one hall of an achievement when we look at the pecking order at the start of the season. Keep it up boy bach!

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10)

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72 R�� U� T� E�ec�i�� We continue to meet different candidates at the next election. This issue we meet up with former head of Swansea council, Chris Holley who will be standing for the Liberal Democrats in Swansea West.

you can trust us more than you can trust any other party as we can admit to our mistakes: others don’t!

Can anybody trust anyone within the Liberal Democrats after the way you sold your souls after the last election?

Ideally manufacturing, that would be ideal but unfortunately because of the cost of energy etc... Manufacturing is really expensive in the UK. Other than certain expertise in high energy and high end technology; aircrafts etc… I worked in a factory that produced Titanium in Waunarlwydd which was for the aircraft industry primarily. Those kinds of industries are the ones that benefiting in the UK. We see the car industry in the midlands. So I think that over all in the Swansea area and in the greater Swansea area if you like; it will be tourism that is going to be

Yes. We didn’t sell our souls. We made mistakes but we never sold our soul. What we did though was reinforce a parliamentary system which has its major problem in the way that we have MPs elected. What we did was reinforce this country because if there had been a failed parliament which is what would have happened then lord knows what would have happened to our currency, and what would have happened to our economy. So instead of selling our soul, we made some mistakes. And I think that if it is a matter of trust then I think that

What industry should drive the economy in this locality?

the big one. And of course with that, the lagoon coming along, it should add to the attraction but I do still think that there is a place for manufacturing. Do you think that we have used our tourism as well as we could have? No. We could do better I suppose. When the original leisure centre closed, we lost a large indoor all weather activity centre which was not short of a disaster but thankfully that has reopened. But we see a huge increase in the use of that, I think we need to look again at having more all weather attractions. For example, when I was leader we were looking at the possibility of putting a cover over the Blackpill Lido, one that you can take down and put up; something similar to the acrylic bubbles that are over the Eden Project.

hand. The problem with this building, is that it was built for West Glamorgan and it looks as though we may be going back to that position again and so we should wait and see.

For a number of years, things have been talked abou flogging parts of it for a hotel but I think at the end o the day we have to have somewhere where we administer the council from. The guild hall believe it not is too small for all the councillors there and so I think we need to wait and see what reorganisation brings and then see what happens.

Because when you talk about trying to boost tourism. This site is phenomenal. Its locality and size is a real attraction, it could be something ver special?

The thing is that you have to look at the occupation rates for hotels etc.. Because you wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want another block of flats. I know Sir Terry Matthews had phenomenal success with Celtic Manor but you have Yes, something similar to that because that would give to remember that that is in a totally different place. I another attraction again. has a major golf course, conference centres and it ha million people within an hours drive of it, maybe eve And we are in a building of course (Civic Centre) more so you got to look at what you are doing and which is up for sale. What would you like to see what is best for that area so Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure whether tha come here? would be best for the people of Swansea to be hone We gave it back to the people of Swansea if you like Personally, I would leave it as it is because at the when we opened up the Library here, so honestly, I moment we are possibly going through reorganisation think we will wait and see. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be fair, people come with other councils and things. We have no idea what into this library because of its location. will be going on and so until we know what is going to happen, I think we should keep all our cards in our Is it a better location for a library than across the Something like the tennis courts over the health and racquet club in Jersey Marine?

74 R�� U� T� E�ec�i�� the big one. And of course with that, the lagoon coming along, it should add to the attraction but I do still think that there is a place for manufacturing. Do you think that we have used our tourism as well as we could have? No. We could do better I suppose. When the original leisure centre closed, we lost a large indoor all weather activity centre which was not short of a disaster but thankfully that has reopened. But we see a huge increase in the use of that, I think we need to look again at having more all weather attractions. For example, when I was leader we were looking at the possibility of putting a cover over the Blackpill Lido, one that you can take down and put up; something similar to the acrylic bubbles that are over the Eden Project.

hand. The problem with this building, is that it was built for West Glamorgan and it looks as though we may be going back to that position again and so we should wait and see. For a number of years, things have been talked about; flogging parts of it for a hotel but I think at the end of the day we have to have somewhere where we administer the council from. The guild hall believe it or not is too small for all the councillors there and so I think we need to wait and see what reorganisation brings and then see what happens. Because when you talk about trying to boost tourism. This site is phenomenal. Its locality and size is a real attraction, it could be something very special?

The thing is that you have to look at the occupation rates for hotels etc.. Because you wouldn’t want another block of flats. I know Sir Terry Matthews had a phenomenal success with Celtic Manor but you have Yes, something similar to that because that would give to remember that that is in a totally different place. It another attraction again. has a major golf course, conference centres and it has 2 million people within an hours drive of it, maybe even And we are in a building of course (Civic Centre) more so you got to look at what you are doing and which is up for sale. What would you like to see what is best for that area so I’m not sure whether that come here? would be best for the people of Swansea to be honest. We gave it back to the people of Swansea if you like Personally, I would leave it as it is because at the when we opened up the Library here, so honestly, I moment we are possibly going through reorganisation think we will wait and see. Let’s be fair, people come with other councils and things. We have no idea what into this library because of its location. will be going on and so until we know what is going to happen, I think we should keep all our cards in our Is it a better location for a library than across the Something like the tennis courts over the health and racquet club in Jersey Marine?

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76 R�� U� T� E�ec�i�� road? Maybe where the old Vetch was for example I would think so yes, for access more than anything. Parking is a huge problem these days and so if you had a city centre library then parking would be a major issue. The bus station is just across the road and so do we want to move the people from here into the city centre? It’s only a five minute walk from here anyway. How do you feel about more powers to the Welsh assembly? I think that the vast majority of people would want to see it work better with what it has currently and then when it starts doing better with those powers it can then maybe have some more powers. Nothing succeeds like success. You should actually take one step at a time. It is doing ok but it is not brilliant yet and the idea of having more AMS I think isn’t appropriate with the financial mess as it is at the moment unless there is a reductions elsewhere. We know that we want less councils; I think the general election will have a huge bearing because we don’t know what all the major parties will be like after May.

of immigration from certain European countries it is because the people in the UK haven’t been able or have been unwilling to do the jobs that they do. I’m thinking of areas in Kent where they do a lot of fruit picking and that sort of thing. I think there needs to be some sort of changes in the EU. We do have a lot of Poles here in this area but again, they have come here to work; they haven’t come over here to claim dole. I heard something the other day and that was that no politician is willing to say this but immigrants from Eastern Europe are amazing for our economy because they come over here and contribute to paying the pensions of our ageing population but then go home when they are old and so don’t become a burden on us:That’s right and the ironic thing about that is that most of the Polish, Romanian and Bulgarians have actually been working which tells you that they are contributing more to the economy than a lot of people from here. How is Swansea performing?

Do we have a problem with immigration numbers?

The football team or the council?

No.

We know the football team is pretty special!

Not at all?

Not well. And the reason is for lots and lots of thing but the primary reason is lack of investment. Lack of investment by the Welsh assembly and the UK government. Remember Swansea was like Afghanistan; we were one of the few countries in Europe who didn’t have an Electrified train. It isn’t performing very well because of a lack of investment.

Its funny isn’t it. Back in the 50s we were encouraging it because we wanted to fill jobs which we didn’t want to do. People from all over the world, the West Indies, India and what have you. And successive governments kept with this. When we joined the EU and before the financial crisis and the Doller crisis; we had a lot of immigration but you always have immigrations. The Roman Empire had immigration. When the other states become wealthy and they will, there is no doubt about that, we may see immigration reversing because at the moment there are over 2 million people from the UK working in Europe and you got to play it both ways. I generally think that in certain areas where they have had a lot

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78 R�� U� T� E�ec�i�� Do you think we sell ourselves short? You said earlier that this place couldn’t be the Celtic manor, do you think that perhaps it could be and that you are selling us short? No I don’t think so, I put forward some ambitious plans and the head of the evening post called me an idiot for doing it. I put forward an idea of the bay metro which would have run from Port Talbot right across to Llanelli. Along the coast? Yeah along the coast and I was reported to the ombudsman. I was called all the names under the sun; the evening post had a go at me and I thought that that was the problem; you try to put ideas out there and you get knocked down. That didn’t stop me from doing it, it actually encouraged me to do it because what is annoying me now is that there are ten areas in the south East of Wales getting together and one of the things they are talking about is having a metro system and its being backed by Cardiff council and I think to myself that that just shows the mentality here in the Swansea area compared to some of our more wealthy areas where they have had the ‘lets go for this’ attitude. I feel sometimes and I look at this road out here (Oystermouth road) for example. Instead of spending a lot of money on doing it right first time and getting great infrastructure here, we patch things up and spend a fortune that way. That’s what really angered me when I saw Edwina Hart saying that we should have put a tunnel under Oyster mouth road. I can remember discussing all that with officials from the Welsh government and they said forget about it, we will do it on Cardiff, but we are not doing it here. That would transform this? If we had a huge pot of money then we

could have done a lot of things. We should have another bridge over the Tawe. We could have a causeway from Mumbles over to Baglan like they have in the keys in California but this is Swansea and we can’t have ambition and we cant have ideas because they think your crazy and then when the original plan of the lagoon came it was a donut. I have always supported it; we have this huge tidal range, why not use it. I know that the current MP now supports it because of public opinion made him get behind it. Do you feel at all hard done by that a lot of good MPs are going to lose their seats because of Nick Clegg and Vince Cable? Just like a lot of good councillors in the council elections. I think that the perception of what has happened in the UK has cost my party an awful lot of really good councillors and right throughout the country and the same will probably happen with MPS. The press love to hate Nick. Do you think that he has done a good job? I think he’s done a reasonably good job yes,. I think that any junior party throughout the UK, throughout the world always takes a battering, especially with the austerity measures which has taken place. We have been seen to be the party which has allowed the conservatives to get away with what they have but in reality we have stopped them form being a whole lot worse and not as bad as they could have been and I do think that Nick has done a good job in that respect but I don’t think people realise that. We have done some very good things but the press don’t say that.

Do you think that a lot of the problem with Nick Clegg is that he looks very David Cameron, he is a similar age, from similar backgrounds, do you think that might be behind what we don’t like about him and you can also say this about Ed Milliband? I think that you have hit one if the major problems of British politics at the moment, they are all cloned. They come out of public school or university, they get an internship or a researchers job and then they become an MP; That is a big problems with this country as there are very few MPS who have had a proper job and I don’t mean solicitors or barristers; you need a mix of people as you need a mix of sexes, we want a house of commons and not a house of elite.

comment that Danny Alexander and George Osbour had which was a note saying ‘sorry all the money has gone’ You must have had an idea of where the country was or wasn’t? My experience when I became leader of Swansea council was that I didn’t realise beforehand some of the things that were happening.

He looks comfortable with Cameron? Yeah but they are all the same. Look at Ed Milliband, has he had a proper job? No! That’s at least one thing you can say about Cable that! Will the Liberal Democrats be looking to abolish tuition fees? We made the mistake of signing up to something that we didn’t really appreciate the full cost of and it wasn’t until we opened the books up and got the famous

So are you saying that if the Lib Dems had won an outright majority in the last election, you still wouldn’t have scrapped tuition fees? That it wasn the torys that stopped you?

I have a feeling that we would have had to look at ho to fund further education. I’m not sure whether tuitio

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80 R�� U� T� E�ec�i�� Do you think that a lot of the problem with Nick Clegg is that he looks very David Cameron, he is a similar age, from similar backgrounds, do you think that might be behind what we don’t like about him and you can also say this about Ed Milliband? I think that you have hit one if the major problems of British politics at the moment, they are all cloned. They come out of public school or university, they get an internship or a researchers job and then they become an MP; That is a big problems with this country as there are very few MPS who have had a proper job and I don’t mean solicitors or barristers; you need a mix of people as you need a mix of sexes, we want a house of commons and not a house of elite.

comment that Danny Alexander and George Osbourne had which was a note saying ‘sorry all the money has gone’ You must have had an idea of where the country was or wasn’t? My experience when I became leader of Swansea council was that I didn’t realise beforehand some of the things that were happening.

So are you saying that if the Lib Dems had won an outright majority in the last election, you still wouldn’t have scrapped tuition fees? That it wasn’t the torys that stopped you? I have a feeling that we would have had to look at how to fund further education. I’m not sure whether tuition

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fees are the right thing to do now to be perfectly totally against that. And then there is the conservatives are thebut right thing to do now to be perfectly totallysomebody against that. there the conservativ honestfees with you I think that there must have been and unless putsAnd thethen breaks on is them; they honest with you but I think that there must have been and unless somebody some kind of royal commission if you like as to how we will just decimate every time.puts the breaks on them; they some kindeducation. of royal commission if you as to how we will just decimate every time. can fund higher Some of the big like American can fund higher education.fees Some the big AmericanWe live in an unfair society, where the rich avoid universities charge astronomical butofmost of their charge astronomical fees but most of theirpaying We live in unfairfor society, the rich avoid internsuniversities come through investments. taxes. Is an it wrong smallwhere businesses to do interns come through investments. paying taxes. Is it wrong for small businesses to do the same? the same? I’d not heard that before, this idea that the Lib I’d not heard that before, this idea that the Lib Dems didn’t drop scrapping tuition fees because of I think so yes but at the same time it is wrong for big Dems didn’t dropthe scrapping tuitionadd fees because ofbusinesses. I thinkI so yesits but at thefor same time it istowrong the Torys but because figures didn’t up? think wrong footballers form for big the Torys but because the figures didn’t add up? companies businesses. I think its wrong for footballers to form so that they pay less tax. This is one thing so that pay less tax. Thiswho is one thing whichcompanies I applaud the MEPsthey for doing, the ones The fact is that we had signed up to no increase and to whichfor I applaud thelook MEPs who Thewith facttuition is that fees we had up towe nogot increase do away butsigned then when into and tohave voted a massive at for thedoing, wholethe tax ones system do away with tuition fees but then when we got into have voted for a massive look at the whole tax power and opened the books and saw what a mess of Europe and how companies can get away from system and opened the books andto saw what a mess payingofmillions Europe and and millions how companies can getlets away higherpower education was in; then you start worry about of pounds and be from higher education was in; then you start to worry about paying millions and millions of pounds and it really but we really need to think about how we fund blunt about it: some of our biggest companies paylets be it really but we really need to think about how we fundvery little blunt about it: some of our biggest companies pay it. tax. it. very little tax.

Do you think that the Lib Dems need a UKIP / Tory Do you next thinktothat thehow Lib much Dems good need ayou UKIP government show did/ Tory Any local issues which you are specifically fighting government next to show how much good you didfor in Any local West? issues which you are specifically fighting with the Torys in power? Swansea with the Torys in power? for in Swansea West?

I think that we blunted the torys axe. We pushed I think that there are a lot of issues. We need to I think that we blunted thefor torys Weearners. pushed I I thinkwhat that there areofa MPS lot ofare. issues. needbe to forward and promoted tax cuts the axe. lowest re-examine the role MPSWe should forward andthat promoted cutsoffor the lowest I re-examine what role of MPS MPS have should be think that shows our coretax value being fair to earners.grounded in where theythe represent. Theyare. should think that shows thatI sincerely our core value of being grounded in where they they represent. TheyIshould have everyone comes through. hope that therefair is to knowledge of who and where represent. am everyone comes through. sincerely that there istotallyknowledge who and where they represent. no UKIP – Tory alliance because II fear for allhope public opposed toofpeople being dumped here for I am noifUKIP alliance I fear allthey public opposed people being dumped here for services that –isTory the case andbecause regardless of for what havingtotally a so called safeto seat. services if that is the case and regardless of what they having a so called safe seat. say, fairness and equality is certainly not in their say, fairness certainly in their A big thanks to Chris for meeting up with me and agenda and when and you equality consideristhat UKIPS not primary A big to Chris for meeting up with me and andofwhen youatconsider verythanks interesting chat! goal isagenda to get out Europe all coststhat withUKIPS no primary for that for that very interesting chat! goal is to get of Europe I’m at all costs with concerts about jobsout or whatever; sorry but I’mno concerts about jobs or whatever; I’m sorry but I’m

82 Ja��

Sw�� Eat� F�o�!

Garbos is somewhere that you discover. It changes you, it did for me anyway, it is totally different to anywhere in the city or up the valleys. I stumbled across it first of all. I’m always on the look out for new places where we can leave this wonderful magazine and it took me until this glorious summer to really explore the development in the posh part of SA1.

And the really wonderful thing about Garbos is that it doesn’t have that insanely excessive price to it. I’m kind of out of touch as to what is a reasonable price to pay for a beer as I generally drink in the valleys where there is still a slightly different economy to the city centre but I’m happy enough with my change here, I wouldn’t mind some more but I’d expect less in reality.

We had a magically long period of sunshine and I spent many an afternoon with a drink, sitting by the harbour/docks/sea or whatever it is that has loads of water in it. I really haven’t worked out the point in it apart from looking good. It is kind of a harbour with no boats and no obvious way in or out for boats. I know the police don’t like people swimming in there! That’s not first hand knowledge by the way……Honestly!

Being the brilliant food critique that I am, I had eaten here before on a number of occasions but only ever eaten burger and chips. In truth, I had never actually looked past burger and chips on the menu and if I was to be totally accurate: the burger doesn’t come with chips! It is a side order and one which you may well regret

But the whole place has that abroad feeling, sitting outside with sun umbrellas (which become rain umbrellas in our usual climate) with foreign lagers: you know the Mediterranean foreign not the Scandinavian foreign and it is just nice! I would tell people that you would return from a couple of hours down there as if you had had a holiday; you felt refreshed; like you had been on a relaxing trip as against simply popped out for a pint.

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Ja�� Sw�� Eat� F�o�! The place looks like it should be very overpriced, it could easily be in the Uplands where you would be paying fifteen quid for a meal that is outstanding but doesn’t fill you up in the slightest. You’re getting change from seven quid here (with the exception of the side chips) and it should be a model to other establishments to be honest because it is always busy. I ordered at the right time as the queue took hold after I did. People taking carry outs and eating in and the place is clearly very popular.

when you see the size of the burger but an order which I have always made never the less.

Matty typically went for a Lasagne and also got change from seven quid. He couldn’t get through it all. There was too much for him but he said that it was a top notch Lasagne. AW10 joined us there as he was home after his World tour, it was his first venture to the SA1 development and so we

But as I have the very difficult task of venturing out to try some food I actually looked at the menu with the intension of trying something new and I did: I opted for Thai curry. Which is unavailable as a half and half option and so once again I needed to opt for a side chips! Familiar pattern occurring here: I keep getting fatter!! I do like a Thai curry and it was good. I don’t think I have ever had a bad Thai curry though, I may be wrong but I think they are pretty straight forward to get right but this was right and I enjoyed it. The rice was fluffy which I always like and the chips was too much once again, but proper chips, really good chips, handed out in a really nice separate bowl which always tempts me to sneak home with me. With trimmings too! A naan bread (is that authentic? I could be wrong but I don’t think they have naan bread in Thailand?? Ok they probably do but not authentically! we have them over here but you wouldn’t serve it with a traditional Sheppard’s pie!) and a poppadom (which I wont get into). It was all perfectly great, it is hard to label what Garbos is. It isn’t incredibly fine dining; there is nothing snobby about it. I suppose it is almost like really good pub food in a really, really good area at a very reasonable price and with generous portions. It isn’t what you expect in any way.

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Ja�� Sw�� Eat� F�o�!

insisted he had a burger, he went for the side chips and failed miserably. This is the guy who Beyonce says eats more than her husband and her put together but he couldn’t polish off the burger and chips. Baby James ate cucumbers and thoroughly enjoyed them! To be totally honest, this place was never in doubt for me as you probably got from the first paragraph or two. I genuinely adore the place. I loved it in the summer and although it doesn’t have the same feeling over the winter, it still has the same food and you are still by the sea/harbour/whatever and it does still feel like you are leaving the city or the mountains or wherever you live for a short while. It really is worth discovering. I seriously recommend it! I have nothing but good words about the place; in fact that’s a lie! Parking is a nightmare! But I generally park in Sainsbury’s, pop over the bridge and buy some chewing gums from there on the way back. Paying customer! What you going to do?

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Ye� C�e�

What’s your name? Gareth Hughes How long have you been a chef? I have been chefing now for about 18 years. Around this area quite a lot, a few golf course, restaurants but I do like the pub game to be honest with you. I like the interaction with customers, a bit of banter with them. I love the Sunday carvery where I can actually be out front carving meat, talking with customers and bar staff and what have you and I really enjoy that. What is it like being a chef? Unsociable hours, to be honest, just one day off a week but I have been doing it for so long now that I am used to it. I tend to find that when I’m off everybody else is working but I suppose you just put up with it. It is what I have chosen to do with my life. And where are you now? At the St George in Walters Road, Swansea. I took over the kitchen a couple of months ago. I t is starting to build up, lunchtime is starting to pick up seems like word is starting to get round. We are getting there; weekends have really picked up and Sundays are excellent. Is Gordon Ramsey a typical chef? I think it is all just for TV to be honest with you. I have a boy who works with me and I don’t scream and shout at him. I’d never ask someone to do something which I wouldn’t be prepared to do myself so I think its just for TV Do you feel the pressure? Obviously sometimes yeah when you get a lot walk in at once and they only have an hour for lunch and so there can be pressure there. I have always managed to get it out though. If you could cook for anyone who would it be? Lionel Messi. Messi or another famous sportsman, I have cooked for Garry Monk and also for Ryan Jones. Garry Monk/Lionel Messi: Same thing really. What is your signature dish? The old owner of this place (St

George) 20 years ago or so, well I’m friendly with his son and he was an excellent chef and his signature dish was beef bourguignon and I was very privileged to learn that from him. Since then it has always been my favourite and to learn from him was hell of an experience as he worked for Cans on the South Coast of France and so I got to stay out there and learn to cook there for a bit.. So what is the secret to a good bourguignon? A good wine? Yeah obviously a good wine, a good bouquet garni, charlottes, garlic. What is the one ingredient that you couldn’t live without? I use onions in everything but meat really. I love my meat, chicken, beef. Any vegetarian options on the menu? Yeah we have a lovely Brie, cranberry and nut wellington on the menu actually Would you eat it yourself?? I would eat it myself actually it is one of the few vegetarian things I would eat.

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there with the chefs there and so I trust them. The George up Cwmtwrch is another place I like to eat.

Why do chefs put mushrooms in everything? I don’t put mushroom in everything.

I like my steak blue how long will you cook it for? 1 minute each side just to seal it and then the edges as well and that’s it

No, mushrooms in your curry? No Lasagne? No.

Maybe I might eat here then.and What is Attentive, Charming ‘In The Know’ the most that you would pay for a

starter?where mouth-watering dishes are served Cardamon, depends really, If you are eating in a in All relaxed surroundings with quality service. pub then you are not going to pay more

C H AT • D I N E

than £3.50 or £4 are you but if you are eating in a posh restaurant then maybe £6.

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New Eve & Christmas £6, what if itYear’s was £9 for something really top notch? Umm…. Thing is that I know how much it costs to make these things see. Does presentation really matter? 100% and I pride myself on it. One thing and I’m sure everyone says so but you eat with your eyes first. If something looks nice then you have already won them over.

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Why do chefs put mushrooms in everything? I don’t put mushroom in everything. No, mushrooms in your curry? No

there with the chefs there and so I trust them. The George up Cwmtwrch is another place I like to eat. I like my steak blue how long will you cook it for? 1 minute each side just to seal it and then the edges as well and that’s it

Lasagne? No. Maybe I might eat here then. What is the most that you would pay for a starter? All depends really, If you are eating in a pub then you are not going to pay more than £3.50 or £4 are you but if you are eating in a posh restaurant then maybe £6. £6, what if it was £9 for something really top notch? Umm…. Thing is that I know how much it costs to make these things see. Does presentation really matter? 100% and I pride myself on it. One thing and I’m sure everyone says so but you eat with your eyes first. If something looks nice then you have already won them over. Pot noodle, microwave discount meal or chicken curry in a tin. Which one is making me go to toilet first? Chicken curry in a tin Apart from here, where is the best place to eat in Swansea. I do like the Woodman, I have worked

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92 T�� Se��e� B�e�kfas�e�� I work all over south west wales and am up at 5oclock so come half 9 Im usually in the mood for a breakfast. Ive rated on quality, price and location, each month the league table will be updated and 1 new review will be carried out very edition. As it stands at the moment Position 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Café the Penny Black, Burry Port The Skyline Café, Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre Tambinis Express Café Tollgate, Port Talbot Café on the roundabout Ystalyfera Fairdeal Café, Llansamlet Enterprise Park 20/30

Score out of 30 25.5 24 21 20.5 20

For my 2nd review I chose the Ponty Café in pontardawe, Now where do I start with this one. From the outside the premises doesn’t shout out come in and eat my delicious wares but I wandered in anyway, inside pretty much reflected the neglected exterior, although it could be a themed café straight out of the 80s carpet included. I found myself a seat and ordered there large breakfast consisting of 2 eggs ,sausage ,bacon, hash browns, mushrooms, beans, toast and a mug of tea/coffee for a more than reasonable £3.50, once tucked into the food my mind drifts off and forgets about the slightly dismal surroundings. As for the food, yet again the sausages where pretty poor along with 90% of other cafes I’ve visited, on the flip side the fried eggs where cooked to perfection, all in all a great value meal but not overly spectacular , I question myself would I eat there again ?............most certainly. Location = 2 Price = 9 Quality = 6.5

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17.5 30

�A�K ��N �S W�LC�ME HERE!!

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WE ARE SO CONFIDENT THAT OUR FOOD IS ALWAYS AT THE HIGHEST STANDARD THAT WE CHALLENGE JACK SWAN TO COME HERE ANYTIME AND REVIEW OUR FOOD!!!

P�� f�� Kid� WERN FAWR IN YSTALYFERA

Total 30/50 Quality of Food: Quality of Childs Entertainment Quality of Adults Entertainment Value for money Beer

2 3 7 9 9

This may not be the most child friendly of pubs. Loose bricks on the walls along with a roaring fire make it far from ideal for very small children, they also serve no hot food but sod the kids this month: this is a must for any drinker to get to. It is a real pub and also a real eye opener to any child at the right age, incredibly friendly pub and the best ale in the area on tap. Limited larger and cider options on tap but if you want character then this is the pub for you. I wouldn’t bring my young kids for any length of time as it’s not really designed for them but you will get a warm welcome. As its winter, get there of an evening and get warm by the fire!

P��i�u� Sc��e� New Swan Ystalyfera Hungry Horse In Dunvant Dyffren Arms Bryncoch

Total 39/50 36.5/50 32/50

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96 P��n�-�es� P��n��n�! We have all been there, (well those of us with kids) the football is on TV and we don’t get to watch hardly any of it as we are too busy entertaining the little monsters. I asked Claire from Munchkinos Childminding to try and come up with a You Will solution.

All Wrapped Up One of our favourite activities at this time of year is making your own wrapping paper. This can be made as complicated or as easy as you wish. It is a great activity to set up for your children as it can be done with minimum supervision , allowing you to watch the match!! You can use any materials you have around the house. We chose A4 plain paper, stickers , paint and glitter glue. Glitter glue makes very effective paper but if it makes you twitchy (it does have a tendency to stick to everything) stick with stickers (pardon the pun!) Cotton wool was even added as the children wanted snow on their paper. You could use plain wrapping paper, brown paper even old material, anything that the children can stick or draw on, tinsel will also add a bit of Christmas bling. Our children had lots of fun doing this and loved wrapping up their Christmas crafts to give as gifts. It also saved time as we didn't have to wrap them ourselves.

Need Paper Stickers Sellotape Glitter Glue Paint Crayons

Time is always running out around Christmas. It is the same date every year, however it appears to creep up upon us quicker each year! Everyone is always rushing around trying to get everything organised for the big day, panicking they won’t be finished in time. We say, “slow down and enjoy the build up”. Spend time reading Christmas stories, playing board games, cars , dolls , completing jigsaws. Your time is the best present you can give to your child. Take time out to do Christmas arts and crafts with your children, they will double up as ornaments, decorations and gifts. There is nothing nicer than receiving a handmade gift off a child. They will have worked so hard at making it and then decided to choose you to give it to. Surely that is one of the biggest honours? There are lots of websites giving ideas on easy Christmas crafts. If you have not joined it yet subscribe to Pinterest www.pinterest.com There are so many ideas on there, but be warned it is easy to kill a couple of hours on there before remembering what it was you went to look at!!!

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at Munchkinos Childminding. www.facebook.com/munchkinos

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15% discount for NHS Staff

.co.uk

Open Match Days For One-Off sessions! 1 mile from Liberty Stadium. We welcome new and old children here for regular or one off occaions. Phone for details.

convenient hours which is tailored to suit their working day.

corporate clients in and around Swansea area. and English speaking are always on hand to help you with all your nursery needs and to provide your children with the best care possible six days a week. The nursery employs its own cook who ensures that healthy and nutritious meals are served daily.

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Picture Quiz 1) Victor Wanyama 2) Aleis Sanchez 3) Charlie Adam 4) Wayne Rooney 5) Lorik Remy

Link: All scored against Swans this season

Mind Puzzles:

1) A rainbow 2) An Umbrella 3) His dad was bald 4) A telephone 5) ‘There is no such thing as Mummy Bull, she is a cow!! 6) They are playing monopoly 7) A Book 8) top secret 9) Red Herrin 10) Feeling on top of world

Vital Information

More turkeys are eaten on Christmas day in the UK alone that are alive on Christmas day in the whole world

LESS TIME LESS COST LESS MESS USING YOUR EXIXTING CABINETS, WE WILL REPLACE YOUR DOORS & WORKTOPS, REJUVINATING YOUR KITCHEN SAVING YOU MONEY, MESS & MAYHEM