From reading the Swansea message boards, it would appear that to a lot of Swans fans, this is a 'Must Win' game.

The war of words between Adam Pearson and Swans Chairman Huw Jenkins over Derby's approach for Ferrie Bodde got silly at times. Okay Paul Jewell wanted the player and Derby's offer for the player didn't meet the valuation that Jenkins placed on him. Add to that the apparent arrogance of the Rams in appearing to suggest that Derby was a big club and Bodde was already househunting in the area. The whole thing got stupid in the end - particularly the statement from Swans manager Roberto Martinez that " In Holland, if you put a transfer request in, you're asking for a move to be considered by the club if there's an opportunity. That's all it means. But in the British game, it's a stronger thing. It's more harsh towards the club and the fans and Ferrie realises that now."

There still seems to be a bit of vitriol towards us from Swansea fans. It'd time to get over it.

Bodde and his colleagues at the Liberty Stadium seem to have adjusted to life in the Championship pretty well. they've taken seven points from their first five games although they did lose 2-0 at Selhurst Park on Saturday. Theya re still in the League Cup putting out Phil Brown's Hull in thje last round.

Bodde has scored twice including a goal in the 3-1 win over Forest. Talking about Bodde's decision to stay at the Liberty, Roberto Martinez said on the BBC; ""Ferrie made his decision, he is really focused and wants to enjoy his football with Swansea City."

He wasn't so happy with the manner of the defeat on Saturday saying ""We can take a lot of positives out of the game, but it was a disappointing result. We controlled the game for spells in the second-half and that reaction was positive. The problem we had was that we allowed the goals to affect us in a way I haven't seen before."

The team struggled with Palace's physical direct approach and defender Marcos Painter said; ""Palace played to their strengths, they hit it to the big boys up front and we failed to deal with it, We have to learn to handle that better as we will be coming up against a lot of teams that play direct like Palace.

That's the sign of a good team. they learn from the games they play and don't repeat the mistakes over and over. I still think Swansea are on the up and the Rams will need to work at least as hard as Saturday to get anything from this game.

Swan's statistics

The Rams

Paul Jewell is a relieved man. Jewell told Radio Derby: "I'm delighted for the supporters and the chairman as well as the players because we've been through terrible times. It all bodes well for the future, We've got to scrap, we've got to fight and we did that against Sheffield United."

I don't mind admitting I felt a bit emotional singing along with Steve Bloomer's watching on Saturday. While being the first to say the team is a long way away from perfect, the team showed some fight and spirit - something that's been missing since the away game at Liverpool last season. It started to show through against Preston and for 70 minutes at Barnsley. It was noticeable that there were few people gewtting on the players backs for once and it showed in that the team looed relaxed and on top of their game.

There were still a few issues - the Blades goal was the same cross to the centre forward between the centre halves that we've seen over and over - but for once there were far more positives.

One of the positives might start tonight. Nacer Barazite set up Rob Hulse's goal and looked busy up and down the wing. He's a top class player and sadly that means Arsene Wenger wont let us keep him however Paul Jewell is looking to make the best of the loan; In today's Derby Evening Telegraph he said " Nacer has played his way into the plans for Swansea, when Kaz came off with stomach cramps and Naz took the bull by the horns. He was terrific in the second half. I have been looking to try to get him in the team, to be honest. But with the situation we have been in, I have been a bit concerned about putting a young boy in. But you could see by the way he played that we should not have any concerns."

Sounds as if he should start in place of Kaz.

The away attendance at this game is likely to be very low. Some of the die-hards will not even be making the journey and it's possible there may be less than 500 there. With no direct train the only route other than to drive. The people who are going will need to take time off work and surely the Football League could think out these fixtures a little bit more carefully? It will be the same for Swansea fans when they visit Pride Park.

Mick's team: Carroll, Connolly, Leacock, Albrechtsen, Stewart, Green, Addison, Barazite, Commons, Hulse, Ellington

What the bookies think

The Swans are evens for the victory while we are 11/5 for the win as is the draw. rather bizzarely, William Hill are predicting Swansea striker Gorka Pintado to score the first goal for Derby at 2/1! You can get 9/2 on Ferrie Bodde scoring. Emanual Villa and Nathan Ellington are at 11/4 to score while Rob Hulse - now he's broken his duck - is also at 11/4

Information for Travelling fans

Driving: Unless you are on the Roadrider, driving seems to be the only option. It's 205 miles to Swansea - take the M1 to J23 and then take the A42/ M42 to the M5 south and join the M4 into Wales. Leave the M4 at Junction 45 and take the A4067 towards the City Centre (sign posted A4067 South). Stay on the A4067 for around two and half miles and you will reach the stadium on your left.

Parking: Parking around the stadium has become resident only. According to footballgroundguide.com, "Away supporters are encouraged to use the Park & Ride Facility located at Swansea Vale, which is signposted off the A4067, shortly after leaving the M4. The cost of parking there including transport by bus to and from the stadium is £5 per car". as at Pride Park, parking in the retail park near the ground will leave you with a clamped car and a ticket.

Drinking: The pubs around the ground have been instructed not to serve away supporters so the only options are Swansea town centre or in the ground itself.

Mick's prediction:

Swansea are a good side and will want to bounce back from Saturday's defeat. Many of the fans seem to want to get one over on us for the Bodde affair and this might actually work in out favour. The team should have gained some confidence from Saturday and if they play with the same heart they can get something out of the game.