http://www.swanseacity.com SWANSEA CITY v WEST BROMWICH ALBIONHUWJENKINS OBE
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OWN ALAN CURTIS WHO PICKED
UP THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT ACCOLADE AT THE RECENT
BBC WALES SPORT AWARDS.G
ood afternoon and welcome
once again to the Liberty
Stadium for today’s Premier
League game against West
Bromwich Albion.
Today’s fixture is the first of three
home games from four before we
pass the halfway point of the
season.
Last week’s defeat at Stoke City was
very disappointing after we started
the game with a positive attitude,
resulting in Wilfried Bony scoring
his first Premier League goal for us
on his return to a former club. It
came early in the game and gave us
the lead.
Belief and confidence in how we
have approached every game played
at Swansea City have been vital
ingredients in our success over the
last 15 years or so.
Without solid belief in everything we
try to do, the challenge to compete
in the Premier League every season
will be extremely hard for a club like
us.
Focusing on our own strengths and
encouraging football to be played
without fear was a very simple but
effective way to approach each
game.
It was that type of positive thinking
that helped us battle against all the
odds over many years and provided
the strong foundations for each new
arrival at the club to quickly settle in.
This approach helped managers and
players alike to understand what we
were all about, but it also provided
the solid foundation to help recruit
the right managers and players for
our football team in the first place.
The challenges we have had to deal
with in the Premier League in recentseasons are completely different to
the one we now face.
But we must somehow remain
strong and try to take away the
pressures that currently exist for the
manager and players alike as we
play our football in the bottom six.
Our last home game against
Bournemouth was a great example
of that because we managed to play
with renewed confidence.
I’m sure if we slowly focus on our
strengths and somehow lift the
pressure off everyone involved,
performances will undoubtedly
improve.
A warm welcome to all directors,
staff, players and supporters who
have travelled to South West Wales
today to support the Baggies.
Alan Pardew has recently been
appointed the new manager at West
Brom and I wish him every success
in his new role. I’m sure with Alan’s
experience he will quickly settle inand enjoy his time in the Midlands.
Also, congratulations to our own
Alan Curtis who picked up the
lifetime achievement accolade at the
recent BBC Wales Sport Awards.
The word ‘legend’ is used far too
freely these days. But that is not the
case when you come to describe
Alan – the man and the footballer.
The award was justified recognition
of Alan’s outstanding service and
contribution to the game and
especially this football club.
Back to today’s game and it certainly
is a big one for both clubs to look
forward to and enjoy.
With those three home games to
come in quick succession, with a
little luck and everyone’s full support
I’m convinced we can slowly start to
look forward to the season ahead
with renewed confidence once
again.
Enjoy the game.
HuwALAN CURTIS
PICKING UP THE LIFETIME
ACHIEVEMENT ACCOLADE