Yes I know, a lifetime of supporting Fulham does constitute regular bouts of building castles on sand, only to see your hopes rudely sucked out to sea on the tide. Let's just say I'm feeling more optimistic about this trip than I was a month ago. We can quantify that by running the rule over our opponents, promoted last May via the play-offs having finished 3rd.- thus becoming the first Welsh club to play in the Premiership after great progress through the divisions.

In May 2003 the 'Jacks' only dodged demotion to the Conference on the final day of the season (Nick Cusack endured a brief tenure as manager the previous year but could not halt the slump). That same May of 2003 Fulham were winding up their campaign in the top flight with a 2-0 home win over Everton, who had a young Wayne Rooney in their ranks...So as you see, it's been quite a journey for Swansea City over the past decade, redolent of our own rise to the top - but without the same level of largesse so gratefully bestowed upon us Fulham fans!

Elevated to the top tier on the back of Scott Sinclair's goals and a philosophy of playing fast inventive stuff on the deck with two genuine wingers, Rogers summer activity in the market has shown great acumen, making an instant impact (in contrast to our own). Top of his list were the need for a goalkeeper and a striker. Having seen a bid for Stockdale rejected, Rogers went to Utrecht for the Dutch No.2 Michel Vorm for his goalie, and gambled on the Championship's top scorer Danny Graham from Watford to supply the goals. Neither has disappointed. Vorm has become an instant folk hero and - along with our own impeccable Aussie - boasts a best in division six shut-outs this season, while Graham - missing at Ewood Park last week but now injury free - is top scorer.

Swansea will want to bounce back in style from last week's Yak-attack at Blackburn. But they have not won since the end of October at home to 10-man Bolton and the side has failed to find the net in three of their last four (albeit playing both Liverpool and Man Utd). Two outstanding keepers, both sides short on goals, the Fulham phobia of going for it away from home...you can sense where we're heading with this.

But I didn't see the Liverpool result coming, so I'm going out on a limb here by predicting goals. That 4-2 loss at Blackburn flattered the home side. Swansea are not a big team and were found wanting twice at corners. They could not deal with Samba (who can?) so let's hope Brede decides it's time to open his account for the season. It's about time, we have the lowest ratio of goals from headers in the division. Swansea will also allow Fulham to play their neat passing game. Unlike the home side of course we have no winger in our ranks to turn defenders. But we do have Bryan...I think this could really be his type of game, we're seeing more glimpses of his genuine talent with each outing and Dembele should have buried that early chance past Reina (proving yet again the Belgian has NO composure in front of goal).

Get Ruiz higher up the pitch and for crying out loud take some of the weight off BZ's shoulders. Please Jol be a tad bolder in approach, utilise both Frei and Simon Davies from the bench if we have to in preference to AJ, and make sure both Dembele and Dempsey show the same industry and appetite we saw from Monday night. Not sure at time of writing who may be in midfield alongside an in-form Etuhu. Got a feeling iron man Murphy might just make it. Having had a day surgery hernia op myself two years ago, I certainly didn't fancy a hard game of football within a month, as Sidwell is clearly finding out.

Swansea themselves are missing the influential Joe Allen in midfield after his red at Blackburn and Angel Rangel is out. I reckon they will find us a tough unit to break down defensively, the key question with Fulham away is, as always, finding more than the one goal. Today's local paper in SW6 sees Hangeland quoted as saying this is the strongest squad of players he has known in his time at the Cottage. I'm not sure we've turned the corner yet by any means - Jol himself admits the side lacks firepower - but at least that corner is actually in sight.

A week where there were no shortage of headlines surrounding FFC. Bryan furiously back-pedalling after telling Dutch journalists he really wanted to join Spurs. Suarez and the 'finger of fate.' Suspension looming for you laddie in the new year! Liverpool charged for failing to control their players and Dalglish bemoans fan baiting of his Uruguayan prima donna. Now that is rich. Visiting sides have taken dog abuse at Anfield for 40 years, labelled as scabrous Scouser wit, yet down by the Thames the genteel Fulham folk manage to get right up 'King' Kenny's nose. Love it!

And finally for now, we've had a glimpse of the plans for the new Riverside stand. Very sexy. We shall return to this theme no doubt in the future. Here's hoping we have more positive things to write up after the weekend. Enjoy the trip down to Welsh Wales and remember...the beer's awful and Swansea was the birthplace of Dylan Thomas - a town that drove him to drink. Now if only Catherine Zeta-Jones was waiting for me at the end of the M4. Wouldn't say no to a stroll along the front and a fish supper with her boyo, there's lovely for you isn't it?
Twitter@fulhamphil