Apparently, we’re playing some outfit from somewhere in Wales called Abertawe tomorrow night. At least that sounds a little less daunting than saying that we face a trip to the runaway league leaders, Swansea City. Let’s face it, their achievements this season have not got the recognition they deserve in the light of the media’s obsession with all things Leeds United. It seems to have slipped the attention of most of the papers that, if Leeds were to get their fifteen points back, they would not be top and they have been losing ground since Poyet left.

As ever on a Monday before a Tuesday night game, team news is as scarce as rocking horse droppings at the moment, but the Saddlers do have some injury worries. Welsh under 21 International Mark Bradley was missing on Saturday and may not be available, while Darren Wrack went off with an injury in that game. That seemed to be an injury to his face, so it might not be too serious, which is a good job, as we may need his skills elsewhere. Welsh International full back Rhys Weston finished the Yeovil game limping and may face a fitness test. If he’s missing, Wrack or Taundry are the obvious replacements.

Richard Money’s other decision will be whether to play a 4 4 2, or a 4 5 1. The arrival of Senegalese International Alassane N’Dour means that he does have enough options in the middle of the park to play the 4 5 1. I half expect (depending on fitness):

Ince, Weston or Taundry, Roper, Gerrard, Boertien, Betsy, Wrack, N’Dour, Sonko, Holmes, Mooney.

As for Swansea, they will certainly be without defender Dennis Lawrence, (an ex Trinidad and Tobago International colleague of our own Clayton Ince), who is likely to miss the rest of the season with the injury he picked up in the draw at Gresty Road at the weekend.

Jason Scotland, scourge of the Saddlers in our home defeat, scored from the spot in that game, but ex Saddler Roberto Martinez will feel disappointed that his team squandered a two goal lead in that game to come away with just a point.

Predictions?

A daunting prospect indeed, this game. Swansea are, of course, top of the pile, with 61 points from their 29 games (they’ve even had the cheek to have played two less than us). At home, however, their record of won 10, drawn 3, lost 2 isn’t as good as that of Carlisle. It’s their exceptional away record, the best in the Division, that’s got them where they are.

Having said all of that, if we come away from the Liberty Stadium with a draw, I’ll be ecstatic.