Usual Words From Pratley

Swans captain Darren Pratley claims that the season is not over and that top spot is in the Swans reach - despite looking up at five teams plus twelve points between them and leaders Nottingham Forest.

As the halfway mark of the season approaches, the Swans have failed to put any consistency on the table so far this term and have never really looked like posing a serious threat to those sides who occupy the position that twelve months ago was ours. And that is something at the front of Pratley's mind as he prepares for his first Christmas in Wales

"At the time, Swansea probably thought they were away, that they'd go on to secure automatic promotion." he told the Western Mail

"The fact they ended up slipping down the table and finishing sixth just shows you how things can change.

"So it would be wrong for people to start thinking Forest can't be caught. Everyone's due a bad patch at some point and, though they're looking pretty solid at the moment, I think Forest will go through a blip at some point.

"It's then that teams like us have to try and capitalise.

"There's still a long way to go and I still think we've got a very good chance of automatic promotion.

"The rest of this month and the start of January is now going to be crucial for us.

"How we do over the next few weeks will go a long way towards determining whether we do finish up in the top two.

"A good run of wins will push us right up the table and we are capable of doing that.

"We've got to start off with a victory against Carlisle, although that won't be easy as they're also challenging for promotion and might want some revenge after Swansea beat them in the Football League Trophy final."

The jostling for position has now finished - the season will reach the halfway mark after the Rotherham game which basically means the time for words has passed - actions are now what is required.

Photo: Action Images

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