Swans fans will be delighted with the way that the transfer window is panning out. Okay, there’s always going to be a few malignant echoes but overall it’s been a great week for Russell Martin.
The addition of Hannes Wolf and the positivity of Cyrus Christie in the last seven days will bring a smile to the faces of the Jack Army for sure. The negativity surrounding Jamie Paterson and the exceptionally poor way he has handled his contract extension means he won’t play in this game. He has been told to train with the under 23 squad, fined two weeks wages and the expectation is he will come to his senses. Russell Martin left a doorway slightly open for him yesterday. "He knows where I stand. Me and him haven’t fallen out, I love Pato. I'm disappointed he’s not in the right frame of mind to be involved for us at the moment, but a boy’s mental health is really important.He’s not using that as a get out card. He really feels at this minute of time he can’t contribute. He knows my feelings.I don’t think he’s been given hugely supportive advice, is my honest opinion. I think clubs have already expressed an interest in him through his agent because of what he’s done, which is no surprise to me”
Hannes Wolf training with Swansea City yesterday
Fortunately Russell Martin isn’t stupid, the coincidental nature of Paterson’s behaviour and these other clubs wanting him tell us it’s a simple fact, this IS about money. Swansea’s visit to Huddersfield last week displayed a squad more than capable of playing without him.
Ben Hamer’s performance at Huddersfield could mean new signing Andy Fisher has to wait a bit longer before he takes up the inevitable position of Swansea’s number one goalkeeper. Christie will play his first game in front of a home crowd, and as it stands Joel Latibeaudiere should play out on the left side. Ben Cabango will be disappointed not to occupy the centre back spot. Again he played exceptionally well last week. That’s where the formation changes at times, the flow of Martin’s chosen formation has adaptability with Flynn Downes or Matt Grimes able to drop deep and support the defence. Kyle Naughton and Ryan Manning are bound to feature along with Joel Piroe. The other gaps could be filled with Korey Smith,and sensibly we think Martin will start Hannes Wolf on the bench ‘if’ he is convinced he is ready to contribute after a big week.
Ryan Lowe is feeling more comfortable as Preston manager with Mike Marsh as his assistant. Marsh did one of the quietest exits from a football club we have ever seen when Steve Cooper left. Swans official didn’t even wish him a happy birthday ! In fact it’s hard to see they even acknowledged his leaving. For us that was a clearer sign that the split when Cooper left was less than amicable. Marsh again has quietly fitted in at the lillywhites, Lowe stating yesterday "We’ve galvanised the squad. We’re playing a different brand of football, a different philosophy and long may that continue because if we continue to perform the way we are, we’ll hopefully collect a lot more points to push us on up there.
Peek a boo, I’m back !
On the swans style of football, Lowe added "I play the same style myself, but I have different risk elements than Russ does. They’re always on the front foot and they want to play. He’s got a very good coaching brain, a good coaching philosophy of where he wants to try and get Swansea City to. So we’re looking forward to an interesting game of football because the turnovers are going to be tight. You can’t give the ball away too cheaply because they’d have it for a large spell and we’ve got to make sure that we set ourselves up right.”
Sounds like we are going to see a game of football tomorrow !
It will be a welcome break from the trials and tribulations of the transfer window, the swans really do need to kick on now and show the division how good a side they are.
Swansea City v Preston North End kicks off at 3pm at the swansea.com stadium tomorrow.