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Page last updated at 16:09 GMT, Wednesday, 21 January 2009

Swans can make play-offs - Allen

Joe Allen
Joe Allen has scored his only goal while on loan at Wrexham

Joe Allen believes Swansea City can repeat Hull City's success of last season by making a late charge for the Championship play-offs.

Swansea are ninth in the Championship on the back of 10 games without defeat.

And the Wales Under-21 midfielder, who was the star of the show in the Swans 2-0 win over promotion-chasing Reading at the weekend, is feeling confident.

"We are looking up at those teams just above us and that's who we are looking to catch," Allen, 18, told BBC Wales.

"Swansea's realistic aim is to get into the play-offs.

"The second half of the season we've got better fixtures, and we look at the likes of Hull last year who had a late run to push themselves into the play-offs (before winning promotion to the Premier League).

"We are hopeful we can achieve the same sort of thing."

Swansea have 41 points from 28 games and are four points off rivals Cardiff who occupy the last play-off place.

The Swans have already played the top three teams in Wolves, Reading and Birmingham twice, picking up seven points from a possible 18.

And Allen is hoping he can fulfil his dream of playing in the Premier League with the club where he came through the trainee ranks.

The Narbeth youngster has forced his way into Roberto Martinez's first team squad at a crucial time and seems to have filled the void left by Dutchman Ferrie Bodde who is out for the season with a cruciate knee injury.

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He said: "I am at Swansea which is a club moving forward with a style of play that is perfect for me so I wouldn't have any intention of moving anywhere."

Tipped as a future Wales international, Allen spent a short spell on loan at Blue Square Premier side Wrexham earlier in the season to gain some match practice.

His stay was cut short by an ankle injury, but he said he learnt a lot under the stewardship of Wrexham boss and Wales number two Dean Saunders.

"Any sort of experience for someone of my age is vital," said Allen.

"It's a Welsh club and a club with connections to the international set-up.

"I think it was a really beneficial move for me and it worked out well.

"He (Saunders) was great for my development. He was a massive player and he has his connections.

"It was only two games I was there in the end because of my injury, but I learnt a lot in the time I was there."



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see also
Martinez hails Swans 'arrogance'
18 Jan 09 |  Swansea
Swansea 2-0 Reading
17 Jan 09 |  Championship
BBC Sport Wales coverage
03 Oct 11 |  Wales


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