Lee Trundle On The Blues Game

Last updated : 15 December 2006 By Thetashkentterror
Lee Trundle
Swansea City striking talisman Lee Trundle spoke to The Evening Post about his goalscoring record this season and the Football League Trophy final against United at the Millennium Stadium in April this year :


"I'm not really happy with eight goals, I had 17 at this stage last year, but saying that I tailed off after that. I'm aiming to get over 20 this season and I'm confident I can do that. I wouldn't say I'm annoyed with how many goals I've got, but I have had chances where I've thought I should have scored and that I could have done better. But as long as I keep getting the chances, I'm never going to let my head go down or lose my confidence because I'm not that type of player.

"I've probably had just as many chances this year as I did last year. It's just that in football you get periods where you hit things and they all go in. When that stops happening, you don't change your preparation for games or your training. It's just the way it happens. If you go a couple of games without a goal you have to think that you're going to get a few in the next couple. That's the way I think.

"A lot of it is down to luck. Sometimes you hit a shot which you mean to put in one place and it goes in another. But it still goes in. Sometimes the keeper will save, sometimes he won't. That's why you've just got to keep on shooting and keep on hitting the target. Hopefully tomorrow a couple of them will go in - I wouldn't mind another one like the goal I scored against Carlisle last time - and I can start myself off on a run again.

"The LDV goal is definitely right up there because of the angle I was at and the chest and the volley. There are a couple of goals I like, but considering the size of the game and the occasion, that's probably top of the list. It was a great day out for the club and it was nice personally to get a goal like that. I've got the game on DVD and I watch it now and again to cheer myself up.

"I've forgotten about the flag now - I did not long after it happened. It's still brought up in the press and on the television, but it's other people making a fuss about it, not me. It doesn't tarnish my memory of that day. What happened after the game happened and you can't change that. I just remember what happened in the game and the cup we won. Nothing else is going to play on my mind.

"We've only taken two points from our last three matches, and that's not really good enough. We've dropped off a bit having been on a good run and it's time for us to get back to winning ways."


Meanwhile City boss Kenny Jackett commented :

''It's a key time in the season and I've got confidence in the players because there's lots of ability in my squad. The next five games leading up to Sheffield United in the FA Cup are very important. With the travelling over we now move on to a run of two home games against Carlisle and Rotherham.

''We need to make sure we produce a consistent run which will keep us in touch with the leaders because we can't let them get away. We're going to need to be on top form. We have five league games to play before the Sheffield United game and it is vital that we stay in touch with the promotion places.

''We just edged them in the Football League Trophy final in April on what was a terrific day for us. But they're going well again this season and will be looking to push on themselves over Christmas.''


Definitely out of match contention for the Swans are Tom Butler (hamstring), Owain Tudur-Jones (knee), Darren Way (shin) and Garry Monk (long-term knee), 18-year old midfielder Shaun MacDonald will also miss the clash with the Cumbrians after having a hernia operation this week. Meanwhile Tom Williams' comeback from his hernia operation is likely to be delayed until the visit of Rotherham to the Liberty Stadium next Saturday.

In better team news for City, under-pressure boss Kenny Jackett looks like welcoming back Birmingham City-loanee left-back Marcos Painter after an ankle injury, while also likely to be passed fit for the game is central defender Izzy Iriekpen on his return from a hamstring problem. There will also be a change in midfield to accommodate skipper Darren Pratley alongside recent loan signing from Accrington Stanley, Ian Craney, Pratley being available again after missing the 1-1 draw at Blackpool through suspension.


The referee for tomorrow's match is Paul Armstrong from Thatcham in Berkshire, and he will be assisted down the lines by Ron Ganfield from Somerset and Simon Snartt from Gloucestershire, meanwhile the fourth official will be Andrew Turner from Devon.