Mutterings for the Minority An insight into the world of DDWT

Norwich City v Swansea

Norwich City away was the longest trip the Swans would face in the League this year and so it was an obvious choice on our shortlist of 'away' trips to be undertaken. Here is a rundown of our little trip!

The Deeters Bar Jacks (note the new spelling in order to avoid confusion for Chris whom thought it was Dieters as in weight loss, rather than a German forename!) set off in bang bus number six at 7:15am with a daunting 616 mile round trip to Carrow Road ahead of us.

We had the pleasure of welcoming TJ to the Deeters 'family' although some of the lads insisted on calling him Conkers - in reference to his north Walian wine making roots as opposed to his genitalia. Anyway, his additional vocal presence was most welcome.

We made good time and before we knew it were in Reading services having an M&S stop. We were roughly half way there! Without wanting to waste valuable eating time, we left sharpish with Lance at the helm and it was full steam ahead for our pre-match lunch stop - The Gamekeeper in Old Buckenham which was some 15 miles or so from Norwich.

After a few minor navigational problems we reached our main grub stop around noon and were impressed by what we saw when we arrived. Good choice Lance! Trudging in through some bemused locals we studied the menu and ordered our liquid refreshment. We were not disappointed on either front!! I went for the Rabbit and Venison stew in dumplings, served with mash and roast courgettes, swilt down with some fine Aspall Organic Suffolk Cyder - WOW it certainly hit the spot. Don't ask me what the others had, I was too busy satisfying my palette on one of - if not the - best away day meals I've had to date.

1:30 pm duly arrived and it was time to head off in search of Carrow Road and some parking. It was a bit touch and go for a while and a very long walk meant that we finally got to the ground with 10 minutes to spare!

I won't say much the game itself as you can read numerous match reports on both the official Swans and Norwich websites.

It goes without saying that we were well happy with the result and it made the long journey home a happy one, which had we lost I think would have - well need I say more!

Talking of the journey home, you'll never guess who we saw driving (with his son) - yes, the hamster himself Mr. Kenny Jackett!!  We did try our best to get his attention - but he never flinched,  keeping his eyes on the road and Mercedes in one piece with it. Miserable git

Not being one to start rumours or anything, but he was heading in the direction of Watford on the M25 circular - going home after the 'Wall game maybe or perhaps off to see the Watford chairman about a new job.  Remember where you read it first

Anyway, farewell until the next Deeters Bar Jacks away trip.....

Gillingham v Swansea City

The Swans finally sealed promotion to the Coca Cola Championship with a 2-1 win at Gillingham and I was there!

Full details of the my day on tour with the Dieters Bar Jacks to follow soon!

Carlisle United v Swansea

We're now on our way home after watching the Swans earn a point with a dominant performance at 2nd in the table Carlisle and in doing so take a step nearer the Championship.

Our 680 odd mile round trip started at 10:30 this morning and we quickly made time up the M4 before having a quick pop and crisps stop at Frankley services on the M5 (after deciding to give the Jack Army's usual stop at Stensham a miss!). Nevertheless we still managed to bump into a few other Jacks making the long journey north! In fact we saw quite a few other Jacks on tour as we made our way along the M5 and M6 - all with flags or scarves fluttering in the wind as they motored towards Carlisle.

After a relatively brief but expected hold up on the M6 we arrived at Carlisle at 15:30 and headed off in search of the ground. Once we acquainted ourselves with the locality, we decided on setting up camp at a Toby Carvery some 1/2 mile away from Brunton Park.

The £5 buffet option was too good to miss and we proceed to devour a voluptuous beef dinner, washed down with lashings of cider (well I did anyway, not the driver!). Somewhat ironically, we were soon joined by the same Jacks we had bumped into at Frankley services and our numbers began to swell even more nearer kick-off. The locals were in a jovial mood and the banter flowed until we decided to ground at 18:30.

The ground itself was rather dated - with the exception of the stand we were in, which was modern. The place felt more like a rugby union/league ground to be honest, rather than a football one - mainly because of the old type terracing which went the length of the pitch (a la Whaddon Road, Cheltenham).

By kick-off the Jack Army totalled in excess of 580 - a commendable effort for a Tuesday night fixture - and we certainly made ourselves heard in the 10,000 plus crowd. In fact the only noise the home fans appeared to make was the rather predictable chant of 'United, United'.

As for the game itself, well after an iffy opening 15 minutes we settled and began to play our crisp passing game and we were unlucky not to go in at half-time 1 or 2 up with Robbo hitting the post (the 1st of 3!) and Pratley having one ruled out for playing it before the ref's whistle.

We got even stronger in the 2nd half and we very professional in the way we disciplined ourselves in the face of some very tasty Carlisle tackling - I'm still amazed someone didn't get sent off. I counted at least 3 scything lunging tackles. Anyway, it remained goalless and we were more than happy with our point. I think this video clip which I took pretty much sums it up to be honest.

A brisk walk back to the car meant we were homeward bound by 22:05 and we making sound progress on the journey home until junction 16-17 on the M6, where a 35 minute jam (due to overnight roadworks!) held us up somewhat - even if it was 00:30 in the morning!!! A brief toilet stop and some dense fog on the M5 saw us finally reach home at 03:10 - knackered but more than happy with the result.

Next up it's Gillingham away on Saturday and it's sure to be another long but hopefully productive day. The Jacks ARE going up!

St. David's Day

Today is a very special day in the Welsh calendar - it's St David's Day our patron saint. So I hope you've all donned on your daffodils and leeks?

As for me, well I'm heading up north to the Galpharm stadium in Huddersfield, to see the Swans in action and at least make one part of Yorkshire Welsh for the day. Hopefully there'll be lots of other Welshmen and women there to!

Crewe v Swansea

We're on the way home now after watching the Swans throw away a 2 goal lead at Gresty Road.

It was all the more annoying as we were cruising to an easy 3 points - until the last 8 minutes.

Still it was a point gained on the road and a point closer to promotion.

Videos of the Swans goals will be on YouTube later.

---- ?Sent using a Sony Ericsson videophone

Doncaster Rovers v Swansea

Am on my way home now after watching the Swans hammer Donny 4 nil.

I've uploaded 5 videos from the game onto YouTube - enjoy them as they show 3 of our 4 goals.