Russell Martin has admitted to keeping in touch with a number of Swansea City players since his departure to Southampton. A move which is still in litigation between the two clubs.
The Saints boss freely admitted he is in touch with Swans players, and that includes Nathan Wood who has seen two bids for his services rejected by the Swans. Southampton were told very clearly this week to pay the fee the club required for him or not to bother returning with low ball offers before the deadline of 11pm tomorrow.
But surely this isn’t the right time for any manager or head coach to be talking to players from a former club ? It really does raise questions. The timing is hardly right.
That being said Martin has been in touch with Wood stating, "It’s not because I’m trying to sign them, it’s because they are brilliant human beings and the relationship we have will continue whether he ends up here or he doesn’t. He’s a really good player. There are a lot of really good players who we are looking at and there are players in each position who we are looking at. We will see if we can add one or two before the weekend”
As much as we supported Russell Martin whilst at Swansea we are struggling to find some common ground in that statement. If he has been speaking with Nathan Wood as has been admitted are we to believe that at no point any discussions on him moving to the south coast took place ? Yes, Martin for us anyway was an exceptional man manager and people person, someone who took great pride in being Swansea City manager, but those days are gone so we have to ask this very simple question.
What is the effect on Wood ?
Is this unsettling the likes of Wood who at only twenty one is new to this type of transfer game we have seen this summer ? Martin revitalised his career and the player looked exceptionally composed under his leadership. Personally I’m certain both have the utmost respect for each other. We should remember as well Wood has expressed a preference to leave the Swans.
Martin continued, "We would only bring players in that we’ve worked with before and if we thought they could make us better and help us with their character. There’s something to be said about understanding the work and having lived it for a year the growth in his was incredible, but he’s not our player – he’s Swansea’s."
That’s as clear as day then that Russell Martin would like to see Nathan Wood at Southampton over the next day or so. However, in these unsettling times for players and such huge amounts of money at stake then the Saints had better stump up the cash for the player. If not maybe it’s better for their manager not to be in touch with Wood and indeed other Swans players at such a delicate time of the season ?