Happy New Year to each and every one of you who have religiously supported the Indy this past year, thank you from all of us here. Swansea City visit Portsmouth today for a 3pm kick off at Fratton Park. Early news points towards Franco not being available with a bad dental injury and Jay Fulton more than likely starting the game.

It is our opinion regardless of Franco’s injury that Fulton would have been the main contender in midfield in any event. We are hearing there is good news ahead regards Harry Darling, but it is pretty unsubstantiated at the moment. However, wouldn’t it be nice to hear his new contract has been agreed today or tomorrow ?

We have been told it’s a distinct possibility. But it hasn’t come from any of our usual sources, so it can be in the ‘speculative’ basket as it stands. The Swans can’t expect to be considered a play off contender or building towards being that without one of the best Championship defenders already at the club in limbo. If it is agreed we believe he will be on a fifty thousand pounds a month contract with very decent incentives (sources) For us he is one of the best central defenders the club have had since Ashley Williams. Joe Low is still on the Swans radar with Chairman Andrew Coleman leading those discussions.

The big problem for the Swans has been a striker scoring goals this season. Jerry Yates and Mykola are out on loan and Vipotnik who we all hoped would be the answer is yet to get going properly. Liam Cullen (below) in his newish role in behind the striker has also displayed his awareness in front of goal, his two goals against QPR were proper poachers goals. We are told that Josh Ginnelly is creeping closer but isn’t close to a first team appearance just yet, and the same applies to Ollie Cooper. Sam Parker has a while longer to get back to full fitness. Ben Lloyd has travelled with the squad, and we expect his inclusion on the bench again today. Aimar Govea was included in the provisional party as well. That’s the best we could get on Govea, but it signals to us he is fifty / fifty to get on the bench.

The Swans are already in Hampshire readying themselves for what will be an intense game at Fratton Park, the game has sold out completely for both sets of fans. Many of those travelling Jacks are already in Portsmouth, quite a number we know taking the risk out of travelling today and stopping overnight. Southampton is a popular choice for many.

It is a big test for the Swans as Portsmouth have a very decent home record over the past six weeks at home. Their away performances not matching their endeavours at home. Pompey head coach, John Mousinho is now the last remaining manager of all the relegation candidates in the Championship. Wayne Rooney departing Plymouth on Monday morning leaves Mousinho the last man standing. He is being backed we hear for the January window which is now open and ready to go this month. Last January Chairman, Michael Eisner put in a million pounds to help get his club over the line and promotion to the Championship. This January it can be expected more will follow.

Jacob Farrell was expected to be included in the Pompey squad today, reports indicate that Mousinho won’t be bringing him back just yet. Jordan Williams Is expected to be included, but Regan Poole and Mark O’Mahony are both out of the picture. Pompey have taken four points from their last two home games, but have lost their last three away conceding nine goals at Derby, Bristol City and Watford. They do show signs of dropping out of games for periods of time and that is where head coach, Luke Williams needs to concentrate on. The previous fixture late in November at the Swansea.com ended in a 2-2 draw with the Swans coming back from 2-0 down. Bar Hull City away it has been a decent month for the Swans despite losing 2-3 to Sunderland after leading 2-0 and that awful game at Hull City losing 2-0. The Swans beat QPR on Boxing Day, 3-0 and Luton on Sunday 2-1 in a pulsating end to the game. The other win was a 2-1 defeat of Plymouth Argyle at Home Park.

This one is hard to predict but at the very least the Swans should be looking to collect another point this afternoon.

Photographs with permission Dimitris Legakis

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