Those who read the site will know that the end of the season brings many different opinions, suggestions and at times downright mad rumours. As supporters of Swansea City and indeed as a website that has many visits a day it’s only right we look back before moving forwards.
With the situation regards CEO Julian Winter almost a formality and Josh Marsh ( head of football operations ) in limbo despite a concerted effort to recruit Paul Watson from Luton Town there are more questions than answers. Winter was conspicuous by his absence with his regular programme notes for yesterdays game, and with him not at the club currently we do have to arrive at the assumption he has departed his role.
Let’s start with Paul Watson.
He became known to us a Swans target recently, and we reported the fact he was the main figure wanted by the club to come in for Josh Marsh. Josh knew of his limited time at the club, but of course in amongst the politics of his situation at Swansea it wasn’t going to end happily for Josh.
We reported the new search for Josh’s replacement.
That’s here –> Paul Watson Feature
Although around the same time numerous non affiliated news websites reported the Watson situation we managed to get more information and reported it as such. The situation today is a simple one. Watson hasn’t been announced because Luton Town, his current employers are in the play offs for the premier league and quite rightly Watson is keen to decide his future once the Hatters future is decided. Can’t fault him there. We spoke to a source yesterday who stated "Why would he join Swansea when he has the chance to operate at premier league level ?” We do get that but the information is still that he has been offered a deal, and Swansea are keen to get it resolved. Could it be the turnover of staff in his suggested role at Swansea doesn’t bring with it a feeling of security ?
And let’s not forget money talks in professional football.
The real news today is that new Chairman, Andrew Coleman despite a ‘rash’ tweet on Sunday afternoon regards news of the Swans being reported before the club do, has a full diary this week. If reports on websites and formal outlets annoy him he had better get used to it. The eyes are always on the Swans every day, the club are by far the biggest in Wales, so really what does he expect ? We do now know the context of that tweet was to be reported in a more professional way by the club on Thursday of last week. For whatever reason ( more than likely Watson still in limbo ) it wasn’t put on the official clubs website in a more formal way.
In an interesting admission yesterday Russell Martin stated in his post match press conference that Coleman had indicated he wants Russell Martin ( and his team ) to remain at Swansea under a new contract. Talking to the press he stated. "He said he likes what we're doing," Martin said of chairman Coleman. "There's maybe other priorities at the moment but we'll see. He's said the ownership group have expressed an interest in trying to extend the contract, so we'll have to wait and see. I have a year left. We've got guys out of contract, so that's got to be a real priority. Whatever comes first, I don't know. We'll just have to wait and see."
In our opinion the first thing Andrew Coleman should be doing is sorting out this matter. And let’s be certain, it isn’t as straight forward as Martin and co signing up because they are desperate to do so. His current contract, and conditions will need vast improvement. This will now include a far bigger compensation clause if he moves on in the future. Some will recall Brendan Rodgers signing a new contract weeks before he joined Liverpool from the Swans. Primarily that was Rodgers way of saying thanks to the club, he knew he was leaving. A seven million pounds clause was inserted into his contract by Huw Jenkins. Weeks later he was gone, and the Swans were far better off.
Contracts don’t really mean that much when big money can be earned.
From what we hear conversations will start on Martin’s future at the club this week. Other conversations on extending numerous players contracts will also take place. We understand that Joel Latibeaudiere will sign, and the club and player are very close to doing this. Ryan Manning and Joel Piroe are the next two priorities, and they are not so simple. Manning we believe will leave unless the club breaks its weekly player budget ( as a whole squad, not individually) Piroe is different, as we know he has another year to run on his contract. Regardless of him signing on again if a big offer comes in and Martin described it as ‘club changing’ he still remains in a strong position. If that’s the case Piroe will have to be offered a ‘life changing’ new contract. That won’t happen this week we are certain. If he does what Manning has done he can leave at the end of next season ( or stay of course if the Swans go up and sign then ) In lieu of that big offer for him this summer surely he will take the Manning option and see how the club stand this time next year ?
What is certain this all spins on Russell Martin being offered new and far more agreeable terms to lead the Swans in to next season. No Martin will mean no Piroe for sure, and any last ditch hope of getting Manning on board would also see him gone. Despite Martin singing Latibeaudiere’s praises he too would potentially sit tight if Martin leaves - and follow him to wherever he is employed next. That’s the worst case scenario for sure. Losing these three key players.
Finally on contracts we do understand Russell Martin’s appreciation of Kyle Naughton. However, players should only be retained if they are able to play at the level required. The Swans surely don’t have that much financial stretch to retain him as a form of mentor to younger players on a professional football contract ? If he is that good as a model professional, and we don’t doubt that, then possibly retain him as a form of educator or coach on a minimum pay scale as he learns the next steps in his football career ?
That’s about it except to say the departure of Andy Parslow, the clubs ‘Restart’ coach isn’t a surprise. The Swans have conceded far too many goals from set pieces, despite his role being far broader than just that. There really did need some consideration as to where the club go regards this position within the coaching set up. This latest news on Martin though does smack of the report on Steve Cooper meeting with Julian Winter two days after the play off final. Doesn’t that seem so long ago ? We reported that as an exclusive, and we all know what happened after that.
That’s here –> Steve Cooper Exclusive
The Swans need some smart decision making before the reality of a few weeks off for Martin and co becomes a reality. And as we have said, without the rudder the ship will most certainly be out of control.