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Page last updated at 09:30 GMT, Sunday, 25 April 2010 10:30 UK

Swansea's Darren Pratley heaps pressure on Blackpool

Darren Pratley's penalty appeal was dismissed
Darren Pratley's penalty appeal was dismissed after this challenge

Swansea City midfielder Darren Pratley insists the Championship play-off pressure has shifted to Blackpool.

Ian Holloway's men overtook Swansea on the penultimate round of fixtures as Blackpool beat Peterborough on Saturday as the Swans lost at Sheffield United .

Swansea dropped out of the top-six for the first time since December as 'Pool won their sixth game in seven.

"The pressure's on them," said Pratley. "Maybe it's a different pressure that they are not used to."

Swansea have won just two in ten games as they slipped out of the play-off zone at the worst possible time.

"We've been in the play-off places since December so it's on them last game," said Pratley.

"It's a big stage and hopefully the pressure gets to them.

"You don't want to see other footballers do badly and lose, but it's a big prize and we'll be hoping."

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Swansea host Doncaster at Liberty Stadium next Sunday while Blackpool host Bristol City, who will be fresh from their 2-1 win at Derby County.

Pratley added: "We need to win. It's out of our hands at the moment and we've got to rely on other people's results, but if we win then it's half the job and we'll have to see what the other boys do.

"Paulo's told us to stay positive, there's one more game left. He was proud of our performance against Sheffield Utd."

Pratley was not alone in condemning the match officials in the wake of Swansea's defeat, believing he was twice denied legitimate penalties.

"The decisions went against us," said Pratley.

"I've just looked back at the video - the one in the first half, you could argue it's on the line, but if it's on the line then it's a penalty.

"We asked the lineswoman why did she not give the decision. It was the referee who called it and it was her side [of the pitch].

"She said she didn't give it and it's a bit disappointing that she could make a decision when it was her side.

"It was 0-0 at the time and if we'd scored the penalty, I think we controlled the game, so I think we would have gone on to control it.

"They would have had to come out and try to get us and that suits us best, so yes, we're disappointed.

If we win our game, usually there's a twist at the end of the season and hopefully that can be us where Blackpool slip up

Swansea City midfielder Darren Pratley

"You need the first goal and we knew we had to win. To go into the last game knowing we've got to win that one as well - it would have taken a bit more pressure off us.

"But I feel we created chances. We had a few one-ones even when we were 1-0 down and we didn't manage to take them."

However, Pratley says the Swans must overcome the blow of defeat and concentrate on doing all they can to give themselves the best chance of making the play-offs.

He said: "Heads can't be down because there's a massive prize at the end of it.

"If we win our game, usually there's a twist at the end of the season and hopefully that can be us where Blackpool slip up and we can get in there.

"So we've got to remain positive and win our next game."



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see also
Sheff Utd 2-0 Swansea
24 Apr 10 |  Championship
BBC Sport Wales coverage
03 Oct 11 |  Wales


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