Swansea City head coach Michael Duff played his cards very close to his chest when asked about his aims and ambitions for the Swans this coming transfer window. So much so, he gave away a few things which on the face are not too surprising, but one area on his knowledge of funds available was indeed concerning.
Or maybe it was just clever manipulation of certain questions ?
We realise of course the Sporting Director ( Paul Watson ) is forever working towards improvement within the playing structure of the club, and that of course isn’t just the first team. However, on a proactive approach to January Duff was somewhat evasive. " Yes, I definitely think we will look to bolster it ( the squad ) You look at the December schedule it’s relentless, there’s no doubt about that. Speaking to Paul I’ll find out what there is to spend, how much there is to spend, ‘if there’s anything to spend’ but we will definitely look to bolster the top end of the pitch anyway” When pressed on numbers Duff replied. "Well that depends on injuries, depending on where certain people are ( obviously transfers out ) So we’ve got an idea on what we need now, but that might change. There’s lists all the time. There’s been so many things going on (?) we are sort of behind the eight ball really because we have been trying to catch up with ourselves with the amount of change there’s been at the football club. But now we can start being proactive and start actively looking to where we want to strengthen in January”
So, we can gather from that ( and as we have stated there’s never going to be a clear answer to these type of questions ) that Michael Duff doesn’t know what funds are available to Paul Watson come January. We expect though, even at this stage for Watson to have a clue otherwise we are back to the state the club was in last January. Loads of work and no funds. A repeat of that will certainly see a far bigger reaction to the majority ownership than they felt last time around. In fact the scale will potentially be on a level they’ve not witnessed since they took over the running of the club. Maybe Duff should have been pressed more on say : Do you have players in mind ? Are they aware, or has Paul Watson been active in attempting to manage these transfer targets ? Those type of questions can be answered without giving anything away, and are far more reassuring than ‘ If there is any money to spend’ To be quite honest you would expect a far more resilient and informed answer.
That said, we do expect some form of business this January, to not build on Michael Duff’s endeavours to date would be as disheartening as any move this ownership has made over the last six years. Duff is coming across as an experienced coach, and someone who clearly enjoys the day to day workings on the training ground than the detail of the office.
Catch up with his interview on todays game here
Unfortunately there is bad news on the injury front as the Swans go in to todays big game at home to Sunderland ( KO 3pm )