Preview: Town – Swans
By Aston
February 6 2009
Town travel to Wales tomorrow, in search of another three points as they look to close the gap between themselves and the top 6.
A win tomorrow could lift Town to 7th, at best still 3 points behind the 6th placed club. The game looks set to go ahead as the pitch at the Liberty Stadium has undersoil heating, but fans are advised to check before departing. The AA are also advising motorists to only travel if the journey is necessary, which this is.
Town will be without Ivan Campo and Moritz Volz. New signing Luciano Civelli is in the Town travelling party but is unlikely to start because he is lacking match fitness.
Town manager Jim Magilton: "Swansea have adapted to life in the Championship very easily after taking the step up this season, they are a good footballing side whose philosophy is about keeping the ball. Their players are comfortable with that system and Roberto Martinez has done a great job there.
"I'm not surprised at all how well they have done this season. They have lost only one at home so that shows you the task we have ahead but our record away from home has been good this year and we will be going there to win the game.
"We had to turn our away form around from last year and we have managed that. We were getting beaten too easily but the staff and the players have worked hard to get it right and the results have come.
"We had a couple of good away wins early on and confidence starts to grow and it's gone on from there. We are now in a position where we can go anywhere and not be intimidated."
"We set off a day early because of the weather and possible delays in travelling.
"The players can get the journey out of their system and then train fully today before the match so there are no excuses and we can look forward to the match."
Swansea will be without the services of Dimi Konstantopoulos, who has failed to have his loan spell from Coventry extended, Darren Pratley, Matty Collins, Ferrie Bodde, Marcos Painter through injury, while Angel Rangel is suspended, Andrea Orlandi is doubt. Joe Allen and Ashley Williams are available for the home side.
Swansea boss Roberto Martinez: No thoughts currently available.
Match odds:
Town: 14/5
Draw: 12/5
Swansea: 11/10
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