Planet Swans ArchivesSwansea City were putting the final touches on the deal last night and Cotterill will be straight into the squad that takes on leaders Newcastle at the weekend having watched an impressive display against Derby on Friday night.
Cotterill watched from the Director’s Box as the Swans moved into the play off positions with victory over Derby and the new boy sees nothing in the squad to suggest that they cannot maintain a promotion push right through until the end of the season.
Speaking to the Western Mail, Cotterill – who is set in January to become the club’s record capture – said “I don’t see why promotion can’t be a realistic aim
“The way the side have been playing, anything can happen.
“I watched the game on Friday and they made a Derby side with very good players look like a poor team; they couldn’t get a kick of the ball.
“Swansea were passing it around for fun and murdered them really.
“So as far as promotion goes why not? No-one’s bossing this league at the moment.
“West Brom and Newcastle are obviously up there but I played against Newcastle with Sheffield United not so long ago, and they certainly didn’t stand out as front-runners like teams have done in this division in the past.
“Swansea are the best footballing side in the league. If they can keep grinding out the results and do the dirty work as well then we can hope for a very good season.
“I think there is a difference this year,” said Cotterill, who featured and scored against the Swans last year as part of the Blades team that reached the play-off final.
“They look a lot more patient and don’t try and force things.
“But they’ve also got a plan A, B and C – where as last year if plan a didn’t work the game would go against them.
“They still play the best football in the division and the way they play can suit me.
“Having seen how well the lads are playing it’s not an easy task for me to be a part of that.
“It’s not about me turning up and saying I’ve arrived when I’ve got to earn a place.
“But you don’t mind that. At Sheffield I wasn’t playing because I didn’t suit the style of play the manager wanted.
“They got rid of good players like Lee Hendrie and Brian Howard because they didn’t fit into the plans up there because they’re not physical enough.
“John Toshack has always said if you’re playing regular you’ve got a chance of playing in the national side,” said Cotterill of his Wales hopes.
“Fingers crossed that can be the case for me.
“I can’t be envious of the lads starting because if I haven’t been playing regularly at my club I can’t suddenly expect to be in the first XI for my country. Coming here does give me the chance to take the first step to putting that right.”
