Today's media round up
19th February
With only five days to go until the Wembley showdown against Bradford for the Capital One Cup, the press have been quick to get the thoughts of both Bradford boss Phil Parkinson and Swans captain Garry Monk. The South Wales Evening Post have followed up on the 'spying mission to Anfield' whilst Wales Online caught up with the Swans veteran ahead of Sunday's final. MATCH magazine have also got some exciting news for Swans fans, as a special edition is being released focusing on the Final.
South Wales Evening Post:
Bradford City boss Phil Parkinson goes on Swansea City spying mission to Anfield
Phil Parkinson liked what he saw on his spying mission to Anfield on Sunday - but the Bradford City boss expects an entirely different Swansea City performance next weekend.
Parkinson was on a scouting trip ahead of the Bantams' Capital One Cup final against the Swans, and he watched Liverpool trounce a much-changed Swansea side 5-0.
The manager of the League Two side expects Michael Laudrup's men to produce a far better display at Wembley, but he will be hoping to pile more misery on the Swans.
"There have been a few shocks this year. We have created a few ourselves," he said.
"But we have got enormous respect for Swansea.
"We have to accept that Swansea will have a lot of possession of the ball because they have 65 per cent of the ball against Premier League teams.
"We will have to play way above the level we normally play at and hope that Swansea have a really bad day to bring the teams closer together. If that happens then you never know."
Wales Online:
Garry Monk aims to cap amazing Swansea City journey with Wembley trophy
Swansea City captain Garry Monk says lifting the Capital One Cup at Wembley would be the pinnacle of an incredible nine-year journey at the club.
Monk is one of the few remaining members, along with Alan Tate and Leon Britton, to have been with Swansea during their rise from League Two to the Premier League.
The 33-year-old has collected three promotion winners' medals, a Football League Trophy and two FAW Premier Cups along the way, but admits victory over Bradford in the Capital One Cup final would surpass everything else he's done in his career.
"It would top off my career because I've come from playing in the bottom league to the Premier League with Swansea," said Monk, who joined the club under Kenny Jackett in June 2004.
"We have done really well and hopefully we can finish in the top 10 this season, that would be great for us.
"But a major cup win for the club, and for me personally, would be the icing on the cake in my career.
"I've got the LDV medal, the FAW Premier Cups and the play-off final, but none of them would come anywhere near this.
"It would be the biggest medal for many of the players in our dressing room.
MATCH Magazine:
MATCH has produced a special collectors' edition of the magazine this week to mark the club's historic achievement of qualifying for the Capital One Cup Final.
The issue contains a preview for the big match as well a commemorative cup final poster and loads of facts and figures.
MATCH is currently Great Britain's biggest-selling teen football title with an abc of 57,108 sales per week! Their circulation is over 225,000 per month!
