Swans can repeat Play-Off success

23rd February

The Swans return to Wembley this Sunday for the Capital One Cup Final with two former players expecting them to claim an historic victory.
Andrea Orlandi and Stephen Dobbie were part of the successful squad which claimed promotion to the Premier League via the Championship Play-offs almost two years ago.
Dobbie was among the scorers that day as the Swans became the first Welsh club to earn promotion to the Premier League with a 4-2 win over Reading.
The pair departed the Liberty last August, both moving on to Championship side Brighton, though Dobbie is now on loan at Crystal Palace.
But they will at Wembley again on Sunday to cheer on their former team-mates against Bradford as the Swans look to lift major silverware for the first time.
"I'm really looking forward to it. I will be quite nervous because all the memories of the Play-Off Final will come rushing back," said Orlandi, who met up with his former team-mates at the Liberty on Wednesday following Brighton's win at Cardiff - a game he scored in.
"Angel is getting me tickets for the final, so I will be in with the Jack Army.
"I have been watching the team's games ever since I left the club, and I must say they have played some fantastic football against quality opposition.
"It is a joy to watch, and very satisfying seeing Swansea City beating the biggest clubs in the country.
"I watched the semi-final games against Chelsea, and to win at the home of the European champions is a real statement.
"They are now in a fantastic position, not just in the league but also the cup.
"The chance of Europe is on the horizon, and that is a major thing for the club. It epitomises the rise of the club.
"I think the boys will do it on Sunday. It will be another great occasion to remember for the Jack Army."



Dobbie has already run out three times at Wembley thanks to consecutive Play-Off Finals - winning one each while on loan at Blackpool before his heroics with the Swans.
Last season he was back at the grand venue with Blackpool, but lost out to West Ham.
The Scot is assured of his seat at Wembley as he will be a guest on the Goals On Sunday show.
And he's relishing the opportunity of watching his former team-mates in cup final action.
"I've seen every Swansea game that's been on TV since I've left the club, and I've been watching Match Of The Day every week too," said Dobbie, who spent three years in SA1.
"The team has been a joy to watch. The manager has come in and bought some quality players who have really stepped up.
"The semi-final games with Chelsea were fantastic. To beat them 2-0 at Stamford Bridge is an amazing achievement, and then to keep another clean sheet at the Liberty was an unbelievable achievement.
"Bradford have beaten three big clubs to get to Wembley, but a cup final is different, and I think the big pitch will really benefit Swansea.
"It's going to be great to see the boys play in a major final - I think they will win it."
He added: "It's a big week for the club, but the players will be very calm as they've experienced the hype surrounding the Play-Off Final.
"It really kicked in when the team bus got to Wembley and we could see thousands and thousands of fans in black and white.
"It just blew us all away, and it just hammered home just what this meant to every single person.
"Of course, the result went our way and it was an unbelievable feeling to score. I can't really describe it - I can't do it justice in words.
"But it was the best day of my career so far."