ONE man who has plotted the downfall of all four Championship play-off contenders this season reckons Swansea City deserve promotion because of a special feeling around Brendan Rodgers's squad.

Former Scunthorpe United manager Ian Baraclough lost his job two months ago as the Iron stood on the verge of League One.

He has since spent time with a number of Championship sides, including a stint with Swansea last week, and he believes Rodgers's men have the qualities required to succeed over the next couple of weeks.

"Brendan was one of the first to ring me when I got the sack at Scunthorpe and he invited me to come down and see how they approach training and certain things at Swansea," said Baraclough.

"I've spent time at a few clubs recently. I was at Leicester with Sven-Goran Eriksson and it was interesting to see how he goes about his business and prepares for games.

"I was very impressed, but I must say that after being around a few different clubs, I see there is something different about the Swansea camp.

"There is a certain feel-good factor and there are smiles on the faces of all the players. That tells you a lot about the squad, manager and club."

Baraclough left Glanford Park less than two weeks after leading Scunthorpe to fortuitous a 1-0 win against Swansea.

That was the first defeat in a four-game losing streak away from home that effectively killed Swansea's chances of automatic promotion.

But Baraclough believes they are worthy of a place in the top flight nevertheless.

"I think Swansea deserve to be in the Premier League for the way they play and the way the club operates financially," he said.

"They have players like Scott Sinclair, Nathan Dyer, Stephen Dobbie and Fabio Borini who can open up the best defences in the Championship.

"But they also have guys like Garry Monk, Ashley Williams, Alan Tate and Leon Britton.

"They are players who have been at the bottom of the ladder and worked themselves — and the club — back up the divisions.

"Every club needs men like that, and Swansea have got the right ingredients in store.

"They are the team that are probably the ones to avoid in the play-offs.

"Swansea aren't like the rest of the clubs because of the way they play and that makes them a very dangerous opponent."

Scunthorpe fared well against the play-off contenders this season, recording wins against all but Cardiff.

And he admits picking the team that will triumph at Wembley on May 30 is no easy task.

After four straight wins, Nottingham Forest are in the best form on paper, while Swansea have taken maximum points from their last three games.

Reading stormed into the top six after a sensational sequence of eight straight victories before stuttering slightly.

Cardiff's stumbled late on, losing 3-0 at home to Middlesbrough before a last-gasp goal rescued a point at Burnley.

"Nottingham Forest have had a strange kind of season. There is a lot of expectation on their shoulders because of the history of the club," said Baraclough.

"Billy Davies has got some quality players at his disposal and there are guys in that squad who will be desperate to make up for last season's disappointment against Blackpool.

"Cardiff are often talked about not as a team unit, but more of a side with individual qualities.

"When you have guys like Craig Bellamy, an English international in Jay Bothroyd and so on, then you have players who can turn a game on its head.

"Reading are the form team in the play-offs. They went on a remarkable run and a streak like that can give you priceless momentum. The squad will be a happy one — Brian McDermott has done an excellent job there.

"Shane Long has been in top form and has scored a lot of goals for them this season. Some people will be asking if Reading have peaked too soon? We'll find out pretty soon."