Bank Holiday Weekend of Destiny for Marky & Clarkey, but don't forget the Aussie & HRK!

Last updated : 30 May 2011 By westfield shrimper / DSG


The npower Championship Play-Off Final

Monday, May 30th: Swansea City v Reading at Wembley Stadium, k-o 15.00.
(Live on Sky Sports One from 14.00.)

Mark Gower.jpg
Mark Gower: 90 minutes from the Premiership

If there was one former Shrimper I felt would reach the Premiership before some of his old colleagues, Mark Gower wasn't the one. (Poor old Freddy)

A player that got as many 4 out of 10's in the TLG match ratings as he did M-O-M 10's! He could annoyingly drift out of games as much as making a dangerous dribble, cutting in from the left, and finishing with an accurate shot in the right hand corner.

However, the now 32-year old Gower has not only survived in the second tier of League football he was even given a year's contract extension with the Swans earlier this season that would see him at least in the squad for the start of the Premier Leagie season if the team from South Wales emerge victorious, though it's more than likely he will start on the bench, as should be the case May Bank Holiday Monday at Wembley Stadium. 90 long minutes, and maybe more.

Remember this is a player that just eight years ago was applying his trade with Barnet, then in the Conference!

Gower told www.echo-news.co.uk: "I would be absolutely amazing if we could win and get in to the Premier League. I started off my career at Tottenham Hotspur but to work my way back up the divisions after playing non league football with Barnet only a few years ago would be superb. Having done that, it would also certainly make me appreciate everything about playing at the top a little bit more."

Mark turned out 243 times as a Shrimper over a five year period and was a main stay of the side in those halcyon days when we trusted Tilly and Brish.

It was in June 2008 that he bid farewell and moved to Swansea on a frebbie as his contract at Roots Hall had come to an end.

He is now well established in Swans squad and was even nominated for their player of the year this season, yet he accepts as the years pass by he is more suited to a central role.

Gower explained: "My legs are going a bit now as I'm getting older so I don't play wide any more. I play in the middle and the system we play with three in there suits the players we have, including myself."

Though more likely once again to only see action coming on a sub, he was named on the bench in both semi-final legs, nothing will stop the excitement of a great day in north-west London as the Welsh invasion starts it's way up the M4, it's slightly easier for Reading, 30 minutes into Paddington, and Mark will have plenty of support as well as respect for his side's opponents on the day.

Gower concluded: "There is a list of 38 people who I need to get tickets for. It should be a great day but if we lose I will definitely be chasing them up for the money. They're on a great run after being around 12th in the table in February so we know it will be difficult. But you would expect nothing less from a game which could take you in to the Premier League and I can't wait to be involved in a game at Wembley."

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Adam Federici and Hal Robson-Kanu; ex-Royal Shrimper loanees

However, on the Reading side could start a couple of our former loanees from the Berkshire team; Aussie international keeper Adam Federici who looked class personified when he turned out for the Shrimpers and is the present Royals No.1, and midfielder Hal Robson-Kanu, whose cultured left foot will be remembered best for a terrific winner against Yeovil in the rain, and let's not forget his heading ability, where he grabbed a late first half equaliser for Southend against........Swansea City! (More in a 'Back in Time' special Monday.)

McDermott: Has genuine respect for Rodgers
Brian McDermott: Has genuine respect for Rodgers

Here's the latest team news for the big match.

Reading's influential wide man Jimmy Kebe is struggling to overcome a thigh injury in time for the clash.

The Malian winger has missed the last six matches, including both legs of the semi-final triumph over Cardiff, and manager Brian McDermott will give him as long as possible to try and prove his fitness.

McDermott said: "We're waiting on Jimmy Kebe as we have been for the past six weeks so we will have to see how he is. We will give him every opportunity to play and that is all we can do really. I don't know whether he is 50-50, who knows? We'll see if he trains on Saturday. He wasn't particularly close to match fitness against Cardiff so we will have to wait and see."

Former Shrimpers loanee Robson-Kanu, who had stood in for Kebe, is fit for the showpiece clash having himself missed the second leg of the semi-final in Cardiff with a hamstring problem sustained in the first meeting between the two sides at the Madejski Stadium.

He will battle it out with Shaun Cummings for a place on the right of midfield should Kebe not make it, with the Royals boasting an otherwise fully-fit squad.

Rodgers worked with the Reading academy from 1995 and after leaving nine years later to join up with Chelsea, returned to the club as manager in June 2009.

McDermott spent time alongside Rodgers during both spells at the Berkshire club and believes his counterpart has proven a 'hell of a lot' during his time in south Wales.

He explained: "We get on brilliant. We are good friends. I did the under-17s and he helped me with that, and then under-19s he helped me with that. Then he was academy manager here for a while, went to Chelsea as youth team manager and ended at Watford as manager. There's no real secrets, I'll know how Swansea play he'll know how Reading play. Then you leave it to the players on the day. He's proved a hell of a lot since July at Swansea. Now they're in the play-off final and that has proved he has done a fantastic job. It was a good fit for him with the style of play, they have had a team that has done really will over four to five years under (Roberto) Martinez, (Paulo) Sousa and now Brendan and I'm delighted for him."

Reading head into the match as the Championship's form team having lost just one of their last 18 matches, including an impressive 3-0 aggregate semi-final triumph over Swansea's biggest rivals Cardiff.

Rodgers: Eyeing promotion
Bredan Rodgers: Eyeing promotion

Royals boss Brendan Rodgers does not have any injury concerns, although left-back Neil Taylor remains suspended.

Skipper Garry Monk has overcome a slight stomach bug and trained on Thursday, leaving him fit to occupy his centre-back role alongside Ashley Williams.

Alan Tate will again line up at left-back in place of Taylor who serves the second game of a three-match ban for his dismissal in the first leg of Swans' 3-1 aggregate semi-final victory over Nottingham Forest.

Rodgers will keep faith with his trusted 4-3-3 formation and could name the same XI who started the second leg against Forest.

He said: "Our preparation has been terrific. We're obviously very much looking forward to the game, the players have earned the right to get to the final and we're all excited about going there. We're obviously cautious as well - this is a game where you might only get one chance."

The Swans, having previously also been on the verge of bankruptcy, only avoided relegation from the Football League on the final day of the 2002/03 season, with current first-team members Leon Britton and Alan Tate playing their part in a memorable 4-2 victory over Hull at the old Vetch Field.

Since that day the club have transformed - both on and off the pitch - into one of the most exciting teams outside the top flight.

Automatic promotion from League Two came in 2005 and it took just three seasons to clinch the League One title.

Another three years later and they take on Reading in Monday's Championship play-off final at Wembley and stand on the brink of Premier League football, 90 minutes away from rubbing shoulders with England's elite and the estimated £90million jackpot that comes with it.

Rodgers continued: "The story is incredible, you talk about the magic carpet ride from the bottom level and coming through to where they are now. With no big history behind it in the last few years. The outcome would be never more so deserving than to a club that has picked itself up off its knees and then really put itself on the map again. Hopefully we can make that final step and really put it on the map worldwide, which would be great. For me, I'm very conscious that in the game we're representing every manager who has ever managed this club and every player who has ever walked through the Vetch and through the Liberty."

Rodgers has only been part of that history for the past 10 months.

Ironically, prior to that he had spent most of his football career with Monday's opponents Reading - 14 years in total as a player, youth coach, reserve coach and a brief, unsuccessful six-month spell as manager in 2009, when he was succeeded by current incumbent Brian McDermott.

Asked about his emotions ahead of Monday's clash at Wembley, Rodgers said: "I obviously have a professional duty here as manager of Swansea to focus on the game. Reading, no matter what the situation was, it just didn't...What I tried to bring to the football club (as manager), which is creative, attacking football built around possession, was going to take time and unfortunately I didn't get that time. But I bear no animosity, it was a fantastic club for me and they gave me a start. I've got no ill-feeling whatsoever. It's just something now that unfortunately they are the club I have to try and stop from getting there. My professional mentality means I want to do everything to win the game."

The npower League One Play-Off Final

Sunday, May 29th: Huddersfield v Peterborough United at Old Trafford, k-o 15.00.
(Live on Sky Sports One from 14.30.)

Clarke: Signs new contract
Peter Clarke: a couple of player-of-the-year awards for two different clubs in three seasons

His partnership with Adam Barrett always brought up some interesting discussion amongst the faithful, but there's no doubt that former centre-back Peter Clarke always gave his all for the club, even being made the Shrimpers player-of-the-season after his last campaign for the Essex boys.

And now futher honours have been passed on to the 29-year-old with his present team, League One Huddersfield Town, where during 2010/11 he has amazingly played in every minute of every league game, while collecting the Terriers players' player of the season award, as well as being named the PFA League One fans' player of the year!

To celebrate the ex-Everton player has put pen to paper to spend a further two years at the Galpharm Stadium that will keep him a Town player until June 2014, but the icing on the cake will see a return to the second tier of League football that he last played in when first seen in a Southend United shirt back in 20005/06.

First of all though Clarkey has to see off Darren Fergurson's Peterbough United in the League One play-off final at Old Trafford, Darren dad's stomping ground of course, though there could be a strange atmosphere around the place after Manchester United's 3-1 defeat to Barcelona Saturday evening at Wembley Stadium.

Anyway, Terriers boss Lee Clark told www.htafc.com/ earlier this month: "He is a manager's dream because he is so consistent in his performances and he was such an obvious choice for captain when I brought him in because he leads by example both on and off the pitch. Peter is an ambitious man and the fact he has committed to the club for such a long period of time is evidence he believes we are going in the right direction. No player is more determined than him to get this club into the Championship as soon as possible."

Good luck to Clarkey if he do it this time around after failing with both Huddersfield and Southend at the semi-final stage.

Zakuani: Available for Posh
Zakuani: Available for Posh

Here's the latest team news ahead of the game.

Peterborough defender Gaby Zakuani will be fit. The centre-half has been struggling with a shoulder injury but will be available at Old Trafford.

Striker Lee Tomlin (ankle) and midfielder Grant McCann (hamstring) have also sat out training this week but are expected to be fit.

Boss Darren Ferguson has a dilemma at left-back with Charlie Lee returning from suspension to challenge Grant Basey, who impressed in his absence during the 2-0 semi-final second-leg win over MK Dons.

Paul Jones continues in goal after Joe Lewis fractured his kneecap in the first leg.

Craig Mackail-Smith will lead the attack in what could be his final game for Posh with QPR, Norwich and West Ham among the clubs linked with the Scotland striker.

Huddersfield manager Lee Clark will choose from an unchanged squad.

The Terriers are looking to secure promotion by extending their club record unbeaten league run to 28 matches.

Defender Lee Peltier, deployed in central midfield for the second leg of Town's penalty shoot-out win over Bournemouth in the semi-final, is expected to shake off a slight hamstring strain, while Clark must decide whether to change his formation at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Town have operated in a 4-4-2 formation at home this season, as they did against Bournemouth, but have played with one striker away from home.

Forwards Lee Novak, Danny Cadamarteri and Alan Lee provide Clark with extra options up front, but leading goalscorer Jordan Rhodes is likely to start alongside Arsenal loanee Benik Afobe.

Long-term absentees Alex Smithies (knee), Anthony Pilkington (leg/ankle), Damien Johnson (knee) and Liam Ridehalgh (foot) remain sidelined.

The Gower Files

Personal information
Full nameMark Gower
Date of birth5 October 1978 (1978-10-05) (age 32)
Place of birthEdmonton, England
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Playing positionMidfielder
Club information
Current clubSwansea City
Number27
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1996-2001Tottenham Hotspur0(0)
1999→ Motherwell9(0)
2001-2003Barnet90(15)
2003-2008Southend United203(35)
2008-Swansea City106(3)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 May 2011.

† Appearances (Goals).

(Player article supplied by Wikipedia, for the article in full go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Gower)

The Clarke Files

Personal information
Full namePeter Michael Clarke
Date of birth3 January 1982 (1982-01-03) (age 29)
Place of birthSouthport, England
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing positionDefender
Club information
Current clubHuddersfield Town
Number5
Youth career
Everton
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1998-2004Everton9(0)
2002→ Blackpool (loan)16(3)
2003→ Port Vale (loan)13(1)
2004→ Coventry City (loan)5(0)
2004-2006Blackpool84(11)
2006-2009Southend United126(10)
2009-Huddersfield Town92(9)
National team
2002-2003England under-218(0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of May 7, 2011.

† Appearances (Goals).

(Player article supplied by Wikipedia, for the article in full go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Clarke_(footballer)

The Federici Files

Personal information
Full nameAdam Jay Federici
Date of birth31 January 1985 (1985-01-31) (age 26)
Place of birthNowra, Australia
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing positionGoalkeeper
Club information
Current clubReading
Number1
Youth career
Huskisson Seagulls
NSWIS
2001AIS
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2003Wolverhampton Wanderers0(0)
2003-2004Torres?(?)
2005-Reading100(1)
2004-2005→ Maidenhead United (loan)15(0)
2005-2006→ Northwood (loan)4(0)
2005-2006→ Carshalton Athletic (loan)25(0)
2006→ Bristol City (loan)0(0)
2008→ Southend United (loan)10(0)
National team
2004-2005Australia U-205(0)
2008Australia U-235(0)
2010-Australia3(0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:40, 30 May 2011 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 15:53, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

(Player article supplied by Wikipedia, for the article in full go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Federici)

The Robson-Kanu Files

Personal information
Full nameHal Robson-Kanu
Date of birth21 May 1989 (1989-05-21) (age 22)
Place of birthActon, London, England
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing positionWinger
Club information
Current clubReading
Number19
Youth career
000-2007Reading
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2007-Reading44(5)
2008→ Southend United (loan)8(3)
2008→ Southend United (loan)14(2)
2009→ Swindon Town (loan)20(4)
National team
2007-2008England U192(0)
2009England U201(0)
2010-Wales U214(2)
2010-Wales3(0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:40 8 May 2011 (BST).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 00:21, 10 October 2010 (UTC)

(Player article supplied by Wikipedia, for the article in full go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Robson-Kanu)